The B.S.H.S. in Exercise Physiology is the major of choice for students that desire to enter this broad field that includes careers in cardiac and pulmonary rehabilitation, performance specialists, strength & conditioning coaches, exercise physiologists, corporate fitness, and many more. Majors will select one of three concentrations: Strength & Conditioning, Clinical Exercise Physiology or Personal Training and Fitness. Core coursework will cover core content in the areas of anatomy, nutrition, physiology, exercise testing, and exercise prescription. Concentration coursework will then elaborate on the key differences in the fields of strength & conditioning, the clinical side of exercise physiology, and personal training and fitness and all three concentrations require a capstone internship experience. The concentrations will include classroom and laboratory experience to prepare students for the key certifications in each field.
Degree Requirements
Academic Core –40 hours
see Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences Academic Core
Grades of “C” or better are required in all courses (including support courses) counting toward the Exercise Physiology major.
Health Science Foundation –24 hours
Students majoring in Exercise Physiology with Strength and Conditioning Education Program must take EXSS 3135.
Exercise Physiology Major – 15 - 18 hours
12 hours (6 upper level) at UMHB
12 hours minimum upper level
Exercise Physiology Majors are required to choose one of the following concentrations: Clinical Exercise Physiology, Strength and Conditioning, or Personal Training and Fitness.
Clinical Exercise Physiology Concentration
Strength & Conditioning Concentration
Admissions Requirements
The UMHB Strength and Conditioning Education Program will accept applications for the Fall, Spring, or Summer Admissions. The admissions criteria include completion of prerequisite courses with a B or better, a GPA requirement of 3.00, and completion of 45 hours of university credit. There will also be no limit on the number of applicants admitted to the program. Thus, anyone meeting the objective criteria will be admitted to the program.
Prerequisite courses include:
• EXSS 2340 Intro to EXSS
• EXSS 2353 Lifespan Nutrition
• EXSS 2345 Human Anatomy
• EXSS 3135 Advanced Resistance Training
Once students have met the requirements for admission to the Strength and Conditioning Education Program they will be contacted by the program director to discuss whether they want to proceed into the SCEP and what the requirements are for graduation from the SCEP. They will also be given the option to change to a different concentration. Once a student has met the criteria for admission they cannot continue on the strength and conditioning concentration without entering the SCEP.
The Strength and Conditioning Education program is preparing graduates for entry level practice as a strength and conditioning coach or entrance into a graduate program. The curriculum and field experience will prepare students to sit for and pass the CSCS exam and possess the skill set to be an entry level strength and conditioning coach. In addition, the strong foundation in exercise physiology and health sciences on this degree plan will make graduates very strong candidates for graduate school. Students must maintain a 3.0 GPA throughout the program to persist.
Personal Training and Fitness Concentration
| EXSS 2350 | Prevention and Care of Athletic Injuries | 3 |
| EXSS 2352 | Personal Health and Fitness | 3 |
| EXSS 3330 | Concepts of Personal Training | 3 |
| EXSS 3335 | The Science of Weight Loss and Body Recomposition | 3 |
| EXSS 3360 | Sport Venue/Event Management | 3 |
| EXSS 4320 | Group Fitness Programming | 3 |
| EXSS 4350 | Principles of Strength and Conditioning | 3 |
Exercise Physiology (B.S.H.S.) Concentration in CEP Courses of Study by Term
Freshman Fall
Freshman Spring
Sophomore Fall
Sophomore Spring
Junior Fall
Junior Spring
Senior Fall
Senior Spring
Exercise Physiology (B.S.H.S.) Concentration in S&C Courses of Study by Term
Freshman Fall
Freshman Spring
Sophomore Fall
Sophomore Spring
Junior Fall
Junior Spring
Senior Fall
Senior Spring
Exercise Physiology (B.S.H.S.) Concentration in PT&F Courses of Study by Term
Freshman Spring
Freshman Fall
Sophomore Fall
Sophomore Spring
Junior Fall
| US History or US Government | 3 |
| EXSS 3395 | Physiology of Exercise | 3 |
| EXSS 3335 | The Science of Weight Loss and Body Recomposition | 3 |
| EXSS 4344 | Leadership in Health Science | 3 |
| Recommended Elective | 3 |
| UMHB 1005 | Fine Arts Experience | 0 |
Junior Spring
Senior Fall
| EXSS 4394 | Exercise Testing and Prescription | 3 |
| EXSS 4350 | Principles of Strength and Conditioning | 3 |
| Electives | 9 |
| UMHB 1005 | Fine Arts Experience | 0 |
Senior Spring