Exercise Science
College of Health Sciences
The Faculty of Human Performance
Koehler Fieldhouse
570-422-3302
www.esu.edu/exsc
What is Exercise Science?
Exercise Science is the study of muscular activity and adaptations of the human body to this activity. Several sub-disciplines are involved in Exercise Science including Exercise Physiology, Biomechanics and Sports Nutrition. In the Department of Exercise Science, undergraduate students experience these sub-disciplines within the excellent facilities at East Stroudsburg University.
About the Program
East Stroudsburg University has a distinguished history in Exercise Science. The Department of Exercise Science offers undergraduate and graduate degree programs accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) and has received endorsement by both the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) and the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA).
The mission of the Department of Exercise Science is to provide students a vehicle within an intellectual environment that fosters their knowledge in the areas of Exercise Science. Through the Exercise Science curriculum, laboratory experiences, applied research, internships, and student-faculty interactions, Exercise Science graduates will have developed knowledge and skills essential for entry-level exercise science professionals or a continuation to a graduate level education.
About the Department of Exercise Science
The Department of Exercise Science offers programs of study leading to the Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science with a concentration in Exercise Physiology, Sport and Exercise Conditioning or Therapeutic Sciences. The Exercise Physiology concentration prepares students for more advanced studies in Exercise Science. The concentration in Sport and Exercise Conditioning prepares students for work in the health and fitness professions. The Therapeutic Sciences concentration prepares students to be competitive candidates for professional study in DPT, OT and PA.
Students accepted to the 3-Year Accelerated Track will be given the unique opportunity to complete their undergraduate degree in three calendar years. Potential benefits of our accelerated program include:
- Early entry into the workforce or graduate/professional school
- Completion of undergraduate and master’s degree in four years if attending one of ESU’s graduate programs in exercise science
- Reduced reliance on student loans
- Additional academic and social experiences with other accelerated students and faculty
- Reserved campus housing with other accelerated students in a Living and Learning Community
Three-Year Accelerated Program admission requirements
- High school GPA >3.0
- SAT >1050
- Math SAT >550
Graduate programs are also offered with the Master of Science in Clinical Exercise Physiology and the Master of Science in Exercise Science.
The degree programs in Exercise Science promote a multidisciplinary approach to the study of exercise science and prepare the student for careers in health and fitness-related fields in both public and private industries.
Most of our faculty hold doctoral degrees (Ph.D.) and specialize in Sport and Exercise Physiology, Biomechanics, Clinical Exercise Physiology, and/or Kinesiology. They all undertake research in their respective areas of expertise and all work closely with the students.
Many of our Exercise Science graduates pursue master’s degrees in Exercise Science or Clinical Exercise Physiology.
Other graduates have even pursued and completed doctoral programs at other institutions to pursue a teaching career at a university.
Are you interested in ...
- The science behind sport and exercise performance
- Providing health care through exercise
- Pre-health care professional preparation - PT, PA, OT
- Working in the health and fitness industry
- Research in sport and health
- Sport nutrition
Choose Exercise Science at ESU
- CAAHEP nationally accredited program
- Small class sizes
- Qualified, experienced faculty
- 20+ classes with laboratory hands-on experience
- Practical internships
- Opportunity to obtain three professional certifications
Is exercise science a career path for me?
Career Potential
- Health Fitness Specialist
- Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist
- Pre-PT, Pre-OT, Pre-PA, Pre-M.S.
- Personal trainer
- Sport Performance Coach
- Research Assistant
Career Settings
- Corporate health and fitness centers
- Hospital or community wellness
- (or health and fitness) centers
- Commercial health and fitness centers
- Sports medicine and rehabilitation clinics
- Physician or chiropractic fitness centers
- Nursing homes, senior citizen centers
- Teaching in high schools, colleges and universities
- Research laboratories
More detailed career information is available from the department.
Program Objectives
- To provide students with a vehicle within an intellectual environment that fosters their knowledge in the areas of Exercise Science.
- To ensure that Exercise Science graduates will have developed knowledge and skills essential for entry-level exercise science professionals or a continuation to graduate level education.
- To prepare undergraduate Exercise Science students for advanced professional certifications/licenses from professional organizations like the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) or the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA).
In the Bachelor of Science Exercise Science program, the student covers all aspects of Exercise Science taught through classroom and laboratory experiences.
Students who enter the Exercise Science major begin their studies by taking the Exercise Science core classes.
As juniors and seniors, Exercise Science students choose a set of co-requisite courses to focus their studies in one of three concentrations:
- Exercise Physiology– This concentration prepares the student for more advanced studies in Exercise Science.
- Sport and Exercise Conditioning– This concentration prepares the student for work in the health and fitness professions.
- Therapeutic Sciences - This concentration prepares students for advanced professional education in physical therapy, occupational therapy, and physician assistant.
Opportunities to gain experience in a work environment exist through internships offered as part of the major in Exercise Science. In addition, students are encouraged to participate in campus organizations emphasizing practical experience.
Certification opportunities are also available from nationally recognized organizations including the American College of Sports Medicine, the American Heart Association and the National Strength and Conditioning Association.
National Accreditation
The Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Programs (CAAHEP) certifies that the Exercise Science Program at ESU meets all of the educational requirements set forth for accreditation.
The American College of Sports Medicine endorses the Exercise Professional program at ESU as matching the goals of the Health/Fitness Instructor level of certification.
The National Strength and Conditioning Association recognizes the Exercise Science program at ESU as matching the needs for professionals interested in Strength and Conditioning.
Internships
Exercise Science students undertake an internship during their time at East Stroudsburg University. Students may choose from more than 150 approved internship sites that provide exceptional opportunities for the student to apply their knowledge in a professional setting.
The internships also provide an opportunity for Exercise Science students to experience the careers that are available to them when they graduate.
The undergraduate internship experience allows the student to apply the skills and knowledge accrued during their formal Exercise Science education in an environment that requires the sustained use of professional practices.
Typical internship sites chosen by Exercise Science undergraduates include:
- Velocity Sports Performance
- Professional and Collegiate Sport Teams
- Elevations Fitness Club
- St. Luke’s Health Center
- Lehigh Valley Health Network
Exercise Facilities
The Department of Exercise Science at ESU supports excellent physiology and biomechanics laboratories where exercise testing and evaluation take place. Undergraduate and graduate students experience these laboratories and also have the opportunity to work in the new, state-of-the-art University Recreation Center.
Most of the academic work and laboratory experiences at ESU are taught in the Human Performance, Kinesiology, Applied Exercise Physiology and Biomechanics Laboratories.
Laboratories
Human Performance Laboratory
Students experience physiological equipment for testing athletes and patients alike within the Human Performance Laboratory. It is well equipped with treadmills, cycle ergometers, blood and gas analyzers, body composition instruments, electrocardiographs, spirometers, pulse oximeters and stress test systems.
Biomechanics Laboratory
Students experience equipment relating to the mechanics of human movement within the Biomechanics Laboratory. This laboratory contains infrared timing devices, video cameras, force-platforms, two- and three-dimensional motion analysis systems, and electromyography systems.
Research
Student-led research is very important to the Department of Exercise Science at ESU. Both undergraduate and graduate students are supported by the faculty in their endeavors to produce research theses and dissertations. Many of these research projects are presented at regional and national meetings, as well as published in peer-reviewed journals.
Information about many of the undergraduate dissertations and master’s theses that have been produced by Exercise Science students is available online at www.esu.edu/exsc. A list of published research and professional presentations involving members of the Exercise Science faculty follows the dissertation and theses information.
Student Organizations
The Exercise Science Club was established for undergraduate Exercise Science majors. The purpose of the club is to expand the student’s knowledge of current exercise-related topics, to enhance the awareness of future career options, and to collaborate as a group participating in activities to develop personal and social leadership skills.
The club meets every two weeks. At the meetings, upcoming events are discussed such as conferences and campus activities. Certifications relative to Exercise Science that are being offered at ESU are also discussed and members are notified of any job offerings either on campus or close by that would allow them to gain experience in the field.
Each year the Exercise Science Club will:
- Participate in the 5k run hosted by the Department of Exercise Science
- Participate and raise money for the March of Dimes
- Help with Fitness Assessment Day at the ESU Recreation Center
- Have representatives from different companies come in to discuss their careers individually
- Attend the Exercise Science Career Fair on campus
- Plan events as a club (canoeing, skiing, snow tubing, hiking, etc.)
- Attend the MARC-ACSM conference
- Host CPR certification (if required)
- Participate in the certifications for group fitness or personal training offered at the ESU Recreation Center through accredited associations.