Exercise Science, Bachelor of Science (554)
Department website: http://www.wku.edu/krs
Program Coordinator
Sarah L. Scali, sarah.herrick@wku.edu, (270) 745-3394
The Exercise Science major provides extensive study and experiences in many areas including exercise physiology, kinesiology, and biomechanics. Our highly qualified graduates pursue professional certifications such as the ACSM's Certified Exercise Physiologist® (ACSM – EP) and NSCA's Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS), and may go on to pursue careers in cardiopulmonary rehabilitation, strength & conditioning, corporate fitness and health promotion, medically-based fitness programs, public health, and other related fields. In addition, graduates often pursue graduate study and professional programs such as physical therapy, occupational therapy, medicine, nutrition, exercise physiology, and athletic training, as well as other health, physical activity, research, and rehabilitative professions.
Concentrations
- Rehabilitation Sciences (EXRS)
- Sport Science & Performance (EXSP)
Program Requirements (71-72 hours)
Students must maintain a “C” or better in each course in the major. Additionally, in accordance with university policy, an overall grade point average of 2.0 or better must be attained upon on the completion of required curriculum.
A baccalaureate degree requires a minimum of 120 unduplicated semester hours. More information can be found at www.wku.edu/registrar/degree_certification.php.
Students who began WKU in the Fall 2014 and thereafter should review the Colonnade requirements located at: https://www.wku.edu/colonnade/colonnaderequirements.php.
Students must complete the following Core Courses:
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| EXS 122 | Foundations of Kinesiology | 3 |
| EXS 223 | Introduction to Exercise Science | 3 |
| EXS 240 | Fundamentals of Movement | 3 |
| EXS 296 | Practicum in Exercise | 3 |
| EXS 310 | Kinesiology | 3 |
| EXS 311 | Physiology of Exercise I | 4 |
| EXS 313 | Motor Learning and Control | 3 |
| EXS 324 | Research Methods in Kinesiology | 3 |
| EXS 412 | Exercise Testing & Prescription for Healthy Populations | 4 |
| EXS 420 | Exercise Testing & Prescription for Special Populations | 3 |
| EXS 346 | Biomechanics | 3 |
| HMD 211 | Human Nutrition | 3 |
| MATH 116 | College Algebra (or higher) | 3 |
| MATH 183 | Introductory Statistics | 3 |
| CHEM 120 | College Chemistry I | 3 |
| CHEM 121 | College Chemistry I Laboratory | 2 |
| BIOL 131 | Human Anatomy and Physiology | 4 |
| SOCL 100 | Introductory Sociology | 3 |
| or PSY 100 | Introduction to Psychology | |
| or GERO 100 | Introduction to the Aging Experience | |
| or PSYS 100 | Introduction to Psychology | |
| Total Hours | 56 | |
Students need to select one of the two concentrations:
Rehabilitation Sciences Concentration
Students will complete the core courses as detailed above, plus the following requirements:
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| EXS 312 | Foundations of Therapeutic Exercise | 3 |
| EXS 455 | Exercise and Aging | 3 |
| BIOL 231 | Advanced Human Anatomy and Physiology | 4 |
| PHYS 231 | Introduction to Physics and Biophysics I | 3 |
| PHYS 232 | Laboratory for Physics and Biophysics I | 1 |
| AH 290 | Medical Terminology | 2 |
| or HIM 290 | Medical Terminology | |
| Total Hours | 16 | |
Sport Science & Performance Concentration
Students will complete the core courses as detailed above, plus the following requirements:
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| EXS 325 | Physiology of Exercise II | 3 |
| EXS 336 | Introduction to Sport Science | 3 |
| EXS 436 | Principles of Strength and Conditioning | 3 |
| HMD 364 | Sports Nutrition | 3 |
| SPM 330 | Moneyball: Sport Analytics | 3 |
| or SPM 350 | Intercollegiate Athletics Administration | |
| or SPM 402 | Fiscal Practices in Sport Management | |
| or SPM 404 | Sport Facility Management | |
| or SPM 450 | Legal Issues in Sport | |
| Total Hours | 15 | |
Finish in Four Plan
| First Year | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours |
| EXS 122 | 3 | EXS 223 | 3 |
| ENG 100 | 3 | BIOL 131 | 4 |
| PSY 100, PSYS 100, SOCL 100, PSY 220, PSYS 220, or GERO 100 | 3 | HIST 101 or HIST 102 | 3 |
| MATH 116 | 3 | COMM 145 | 3 |
| Colonnade - Arts & Humanities | 3 | ENG 200 | 3 |
| 15 | 16 | ||
| Second Year | |||
| Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours |
| EXS 296 | 3 | EXS 310 | 3 |
| MATH 183 | 3 | EXS 311 | 4 |
| EXS 240 | 3 | Concentration Course 1 | 3 |
| HMD 211 | 3 | Elective | 3-5 |
| CHEM 120 | 3 | ||
| CHEM 121 | 2 | ||
| 17 | 13-15 | ||
| Third Year | |||
| Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours |
| EXS 313 | 3 | EXS 346 | 3 |
| EXS 324 | 3 | EXS 420 | 3 |
| EXS 412 | 4 | Colonnade - Local to Global | 3 |
| Elective | 4-3 | Elective | 5-3 |
| Concentration Course 2 | 3-4 | Concentration Course 3 | |
| 17 | 14-12 | ||
| Fourth Year | |||
| Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours |
| Concentration Course 4 | 3 | Concentration Course 5 | 3-4 |
| ENG 300 | 3 | Elective | 5-3 |
| Elective | 5-3 | Elective | 3-5 |
| Colonnade - Social & Cultural | 3 | Elective | 3-5 |
| 14-12 | 14-17 | ||
| Total Hours 120-121 | |||