Department of Health and Exercise Science

Kelly J. Cole, Chair

The Department of Health and Exercise Science educates students in the art and science of human movement and performance, promoting health, and rehabilitation. The department provides instruction, conducts research and delivers services to improve the overall educational experience for the student. Following graduation, the student is prepared to develop programs in a variety of professional settings and with diverse populations.

Athletic Training (AT)

The 2017-2018 catalog year was the last year students were able to apply for admission to the Bachelor of Science degree in Athletic Training. Contact the director of the Athletic Training program in the Department of Health and Exercise Science for further information about the forthcoming Master of Science in Athletic Training.

Exercise Science (ES)

The Exercise Science degree prepares students for advanced study in the fields of exercise physiology, biomechanics, biomedical research, and for advanced study in health professional fields such as medicine, physical therapy, occupational therapy, physician assistant, chiropractic, dentistry, and more. The degree also prepares students to be qualified professionals for employment in athletics programs, exercise/fitness centers, hospital wellness programs, corporate fitness programs, rehabilitation centers, and other allied health areas. Students may also choose from three optional concentrations to further specialize in specific areas of exercise science.

Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science (567*A/31.0505)

Clinical Exercise Physiology concentration (567E)

Pre-Professional concentration (567B)

Strength and Conditioning concentration (567D)

A cumulative GPA of 2.5 based on at least 12 earned semester hours at Appalachian is required prior to declaring the Exercise Science major. Transfer students may be allowed to declare the Exercise Science major prior to earning 12 semester hours at Appalachian if they have earned a 2.50 cumulative GPA on coursework completed prior to entering Appalachian. The pre-professional concentration requires a minimum 3.3 GPA, as well as a minimum grade of B in the E S 2031 /E S 2032 sequence, and a minimum grade of B- in BIO 1801 , CHE 1101 /CHE 1110 , and CHE 1102 /CHE 1120 . Students must maintain the minimum 3.3 GPA to remain in the pre-professional concentration. Students must be a declared Exercise Science major or minor in order to enroll in Exercise Science courses at the 3000-level or above.

Minor in Exercise Science (519/31.0505) (17-21 semester hours)

Honors Program in Exercise Science

The Department of Health and Exercise Science offers an honors program in Exercise Science to undergraduate students with distinguished academic records. Students must complete 9 hours of honors credit consisting of 3 hours of senior honors thesis (E S 4510 ) under the guidance of their thesis supervisor. The remaining 6 hours of credit can be attained by negotiating an honors contract in certain exercise science courses at the 3000 level and above. Credit earned in courses taken for honors credit can be applied towards the undergraduate degree in Exercise Science. For admission into the honors program, students must have a minimum GPA of 3.45 in all coursework and complete a departmental application to the honors program.

To graduate with an “Honors in Exercise Science” the student must complete the above honors sequence with a minimum grade of “B” in courses taken for honors credit and a cumulative GPA of 3.45 in all coursework at the time of graduation.

Public Health (PH)

Students earning a Bachelor of Science Degree, Major in Public Health will have the competencies needed to understand human health from a socioecological framework, identify health-related needs, and to be able to use personal, social and physical environment, and policy related interventions to improve the health and well-being of populations. Students will be trained to provide leadership in local and state public health agencies, non-profit agencies, worksite and student health and wellness programs, and in health education within fitness, medical, and hospital settings.

The Bachelor of Science degree in Public Health (830A/51.2201)

A cumulative GPA of 2.5 based on a minimum of 12 semester hours at Appalachian or a previously attended post-secondary institution is required for acceptance into the program, a “C” (2.0) minimum is required for all Core P H Courses, and a final cumulative GPA of 2.5 is required for graduation. A minimum of 18 semester hours of major requirements must be completed at Appalachian.

Minor in Public Health (830/51.2201)

(18 semester hours)

Graduate Degree

The Department of Health and Exercise Science offers the following degree at the graduate level: Master of Science degree in Exercise Science with concentrations in Clinical Exercise Physiology, Research, and Strength & Conditioning. Persons interested in this degree are requested to consult the Graduate Bulletin for further information.

Programs

Bachelor of Science

Minor

Courses

Athletic Training

Exercise Science

Public Health

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