Program: HES.AS - Associate in Science Degree
The Health and Exercise Science program explores the effects of physical activity on the human body in an effort to understand how to maintain or improve health, fitness, and athletic performance. The curriculum emphasizes factors that impact human movement behavior including physiological, psychological, social, and environmental influences. Graduates of the program may transfer to complete their bachelor’s degree in exercise science or a related field or enter careers in fitness training, exercise physiology, personal training, coaching, health education, sports nutrition, strength and conditioning coaching, wellness coordination and many other health and physical fitness-centered fields.
Recommended Course Sequence
Below are required courses and recommended course groupings and sequences for program completion. Courses may have prerequisite and corequisite requirements. Check course descriptions for details.
Choose one course designated in the course descriptions as General Education Humanities (GE HUM).
Take a one-credit Physical Education (PED) elective.
Contact Name: Timothy Hack, department chair
Contact Phone: 732.906.2590
Contact Email: HSS@middlesexcc.edu
Department Web: https://www.middlesexcc.edu/history-social-science/
The Health and Exercise Science program provides the opportunity for students to acquire the skills, knowledge, and experience necessary to enter the continually evolving field of exercise science and the health and fitness industry. The Associate of Science degree in Health and Exercise Science is designed to prepare students for transfer to a four-year college or university degree program in exercise science and health studies, or employment in fitness and health related industries.
The Associate of Science degree in Health and Exercise Science offers a variety of career opportunities, such as those involving fitness training, coaching, health education, exercise physiology, exercise research, health promotion and program management, personal training, rehabilitative exercise, wellness coordination and many other health and physical fitness-centered fields.
This program’s curriculum will teach students the skills and knowledge needed to perform fitness assessments, design individualized exercise programs, evaluate human movement, and make nutritional recommendations. In addition, a degree in exercise science will serve as a solid foundation for students seeking admission into athletic training, physical therapy, occupational therapy, or sports medicine degree programs.
Unlike our current Liberal Arts-Physical Education/Recreation program, which is designed for students interested in working in the field of education, the Health and Exercise Science program is intended for students looking to enter careers in fitness training, exercise physiology, personal training, coaching, health education, sports nutrition, strength and conditioning coaching, wellness coordination and many other health and physical fitness-centered fields.
Algebra I is a prerequisite for all majors. Competency in Algebra I may be verified with a passing score on the College’s placement test or by completion of the appropriate course. Students must also have a grade of “C” or better in one year of high school laboratory science.
The Statewide Transfer Agreement for New Jersey ensures that students who earn an A.A. or A.S. degree at a community college will have those credits fully transferable to a New Jersey public four-year institution. Students will have completed half of the credits required for a basic four-year degree and should have all of the lower division general education requirements completed. In addition, articulation agreements between MC and four-year institutions provide a seemless transfer option. Students should discuss transfer options and processes with an advisor.
Once students complete developmental coursework (if needed), the degree can be completed in two years of full-time study. The time can be shortened by taking courses in the summer and winter sessions.