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.
Program Requirements (68-69 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 courses:
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| EXS 122 | Foundations of Kinesiology | 3 |
| EXS 223 | Introduction to Exercise Science | 3 |
| EXS 296 | Practicum in Exercise | 3 |
| EXS 310 | Kinesiology | 3 |
| EXS 311 | Physiology of Exercise | 4 |
| EXS 312 | Basic Athletic Training | 3 |
| or PE 312 | Basic Athletic Training | |
| EXS 313 | Motor Learning and Control | 3 |
| EXS 324 | Measurement and Evaluation in Kinesiology | 3 |
| EXS 325 | Applied Exercise Physiology | 3 |
| EXS 412 | Exercise Testing & Prescription | 4 |
| EXS 420 | Clinical Exercise Physiology | 3 |
| EXS 436 | Principles of Strength and Conditioning | 3 |
| EXS 446 | Biomechanics | 3 |
| EXS 455 | Exercise and Aging | 3 |
| EXS 496 | Internship in Exercise Science | 6 |
| or EXS 498 | Capstone Research Experience in Exercise Science | |
| HMD 211 | Human Nutrition | 3 |
| CHEM 109 | Chemistry for the Health Sciences | 4-5 |
| or CHEM 120/121 | College Chemistry I | |
| MATH 116 | College Algebra (or higher) | 3 |
| SFTY 171 | Safety and First Aid | 1 |
| 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 | 68-69 | |
Finish in Four Plan
| First Year | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours |
| ENG 100 | 3 | HIST 101 or HIST 102 | 3 |
| MATH 116 | 3 | COMM 145 | 3 |
| EXS 122 | 3 | ENG 200 | 3 |
| BIOL 131 | 4 | EXS 223 | 3 |
| PSY 100, PSYS 100, SOCL 100, PSY 220, PSYS 220, or GERO 100 | 3 | CHEM 109 or CHEM 120/121 | 4-5 |
| 16 | 16-17 | ||
| Second Year | |||
| Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours |
| Minor Elective or World Language (if needed) | 3 | EXS 296 | 3 |
| Colonnade - Arts & Humanities | 3 | HMD 211 | 3 |
| SFTY 171 | 1 | Connections - Local to Global | 3 |
| ENG 300 | 3 | Pre-Professional Prerequisite/Minor/Elective | 3 |
| Pre-Professional Prerequisite/Minor/Elective | 3 | Pre-Professional Prerequisite/Minor/Elective | 3 |
| Pre-Professional Prerequisite/Minor/Elective | 3 | ||
| 16 | 15 | ||
| Third Year | |||
| Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours |
| EXS 310 | 3 | EXS 324 | 3 |
| EXS 311 | 4 | EXS 325 | 3 |
| EXS 313 | 3 | EXS 412 | 4 |
| Connections - Social & Cultural | 3 | Pre-Professional Prerequisite/Minor/Elective | 3 |
| Pre-Professional Prerequisite/Minor/Elective | 3 | Pre-Professional Prerequisite/Minor/Elective | 3 |
| 16 | 16 | ||
| Fourth Year | |||
| Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours |
| EXS 455 | 3 | EXS 420 | 3 |
| EXS 436 | 3 | EXS 446 | 3 |
| PE 312 | 3 | EXS 496 or EXS 498 | 6 |
| Pre-Professional Prerequisite/Minor/Elective | 4-3 | ||
| 13-12 | 12 | ||
| Total Hours 120 | |||