Undergraduate Catalog 2022-2023

Exercise Science, Bachelor of Science (554P, 554)

Department website: http://www.wku.edu/krs


Program Coordinator

Mark A. Schafer, mark.schafer@wku.edu, (270) 745-5857

The Exercise Science major in exercise science provides extensive study and experiences in many areas including exercise physiology, kinesiology, and biomechanics. Our highly qualified graduates pursue professional certifications e.g. ACSM Certified Exercise Physiologist® (ACSM – EP) and NSCA 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.  


 

Admission Requirements

To be admitted to the exercise science program, students must have:

  • completed 39-40 hours of coursework;
  • completed the following courses with a grade of “C” or higher: EXS 122, EXS 223, EXS 296, HMD 211, SFTY 171, BIOL 131, CHEM 109 or CHEM 120/CHEM 121, MATH 116, PSY 100/PSYS 100 or PSY 220/PSYS 220 or SOCL 100 or GERO 100;
  • a WKU and cumulative 2.5 GPA or higher;
  • Work with your advisor regarding the appropriate time for the submission of your application.  You may submit your application when you are currently enrolled in your final 2 prerequisite courses and will be completing the total hours (39-40). Please submit your application a minimum of 3 weeks prior to your priority registration date. Any delay in receiving your application will limit your ability to enroll in the Exercise Science (EXS) courses.
  • For more information about the Exercise Science program and to submit your application, please visit: 
  1.  Visit https://www.wku.edu/exs/preprogram.php; and 
  2.  Submit an application through the Google form link.

Program Requirements (55 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: 

EXS 122Foundations of Kinesiology3
EXS 223Introduction to Exercise Science3
EXS 296Practicum in Exercise3
EXS 310Kinesiology3
EXS 311Physiology of Exercise3
EXS 312Basic Athletic Training3
EXS 313Motor Learning and Control3
EXS 324Measurement and Evaluation in Kinesiology3
EXS 325Applied Exercise Physiology3
EXS 412Exercise Testing & Prescription4
EXS 420Clinical Exercise Physiology4
EXS 436Principles of Strength and Conditioning3
EXS 446Biomechanics4
EXS 455Exercise and Aging3
EXS 496Internship in Exercise Science6
or EXS 498 Capstone Research Experience in Exercise Science
HMD 211Human Nutrition3
SFTY 171Safety and First Aid1
Total Hours55

Finish in Four Plan

First Year
FallHoursSpringHours
ENG 1003HIST 101 or HIST 1023
MATH 1163COMM 1453
EXS 1223ENG 2003
BIOL 1314EXS 2233
PSY 100, PSYS 100, SOCL 100, PSY 220, PSYS 220, or GERO 1003CHEM 109 or CHEM 120/1214-5
 16 16-17
Second Year
FallHoursSpringHours
Minor Elective or World Language (if needed)3EXS 2963
Colonnade - Arts & Humanities3HMD 2113
SFTY 1711Connections - Local to Global3
ENG 3003Pre-Professional Prerequisite/Minor/Elective3
Pre-Professional Prerequisite/Minor/Elective3Pre-Professional Prerequisite/Minor/Elective3
Pre-Professional Prerequisite/Minor/Elective3 
 16 15
Third Year
FallHoursSpringHours
EXS 3103EXS 3243
EXS 3113EXS 3253
EXS 3133EXS 4124
Connections - Social & Cultural 3Pre-Professional Prerequisite/Minor/Elective3
Pre-Professional Prerequisite/Minor/Elective3Pre-Professional Prerequisite/Minor/Elective3
 15 16
Fourth Year
FallHoursSpringHours
EXS 4553EXS 4204
EXS 4363EXS 4464
PE 3123EXS 496 or EXS 4986
Pre-Professional Prerequisite/Minor/Elective3 
 12 14
Total Hours 120-121