Exercise Science

Program Codes: BSES
Bachelor of Science

Mission Statement

The mission and general objective of the Bachelor of Exercise Science major at Mercyhurst University is to provide students with the necessary didactic competencies, proficiencies and experiences both academically and clinically in order that they have the necessary requirements and background to sit for National Certification Examinations by either ACSM or NSCA. The curriculum in the Exercise Science major is designed to provide students with opportunities to increase their clinical skill set and professional acumen. The student will have every opportunity to fulfill all University and Department requirements toward graduation, and in so doing, will be exposed to the holistic liberal arts experience. This unique combination of the professional preparation and the holistic liberal arts experience will enable students to easily see the larger community picture and how the individual fits within this community to help create a caring and sustainable society.

Program Student Learning Outcomes

• Demonstrate knowledge of patient pre-participation health screening, risk classification, and evaluation.
• Demonstrate knowledge of the benefits and risks associated with physical activity.
• Demonstrate knowledge of health-related physical fitness testing, interpretation, and exercise prescription in the healthy populations.
• Demonstrate knowledge of behavioral theories and strategies for exercise and health promotion.
• Demonstrate proficiency in research methodology and scientific writing.
• Students enrolled in any of the Pre-Health Concentrations within the Sports Medicine major are strongly encouraged to pursue a double major with Exercise Science, which is an employable degree. Refer to the Sports Medicine major for more details.

Admission Requirements
Freshman students must have a minimum GPA of 2.75 in high school plus a 2.75 in each of the following six subjects: Algebra, Geometry, Trigonometry, Biology, Chemistry and Physics or General Science. Prior to entering their freshman year, it is recommended that exercise science majors complete the American Red Cross Professional Rescuer CPR/AED certification.

Transfer / Undeclared Students
A student transferring to Mercyhurst University or from another department at Meryhurst can become eligible as a candidate for the Exercise Science program upon completion of the required academic courses. The required courses include: introductory biology, introductory psychology, and a human development course. An overall minimum GPA of 2.85 is required.

In addition to completing the course requirements, it is recommended that the student have obtained observation hours under qualified Exercise Science professionals in appropriate Exercise Science venues. These hours can count toward the total required at the discretion of the Clinical Coordinator. Transfer students must appear before the Review Board at the end of their first year in the major and be accepted into the major prior to enrolling in upper level courses offered by the Sports Medicine Department.

Final Acceptance Requirements
Students in Exercise Science must apply for formal acceptance into the major in the spring of their Sophomore year, or after one academic year if a transfer student. Failure to do so results in automatic change of status to “pre-major.” Achievement in the following areas will be necessary for success in the Exercise Science field according to guidelines provided by the American College of Sports Medicine, CoAES (Committee on Accreditation for the Exercise Sciences). Students must demonstrate academic success with an overall minimum GPA of 2.85, by having completed the minimum requisite observation hours, and submitting a completed and properly formatted portfolio.

Responsibility
An above average level of responsible achievement within the major should be demonstrated. Evaluation of satisfactory achievement in this area will be determined by letters of recommendation, documentation of required shadow observation, and career portfolio.

Cooperation
An above average level of teamwork with all members of the Exercise Science faculty and with fellow students should be achieved. Determination of satisfactory achievement in this area will be reflected in the recommendation letters.

Problem Solving / Decision Making
Applicants will demonstrate the ability to engage in all levels of critical thinking, including theoretical, practical, and clinical applications.

Clinical Proficiency Skills
Students pursuing Exercise Science will demonstrate proficiency in the acquisition and utilization of clinical skills and designated motor skills
pertaining to care of the physically active population. Exercise Science students must complete all lab, major, and cognate courses with a grade of“C” or higher. In addition to demonstrating clinical proficiency skills in lab courses, students will have additional opportunities to develop and apply their clinical skills.

These additional opportunities include serving as a strength consultant to the Mercyhurst community in the Junior and Senior years, as well as a required Internship experience after the Junior year. The Internship consists of a minimum 200 hours under the direction of an approved  credentialed professional. The Internship is designed to provide students with a comprehensive clinical experience closely aligned with their prospective career choice.

Academics
Exercise Science majors must achieve and maintain an overall minimum GPA of 3.00. An overall GPA of higher than 3.00 is strongly recommended, should the student be interested in pursuing an advanced graduate degree.

Review Board
The Review Board consists of three members from the Exercise Science academic and professional community. Deliberations of the Board take place at various times, depending upon individual student circumstances: (1) in the Spring semester of the student’s Sophomore year, or; (2) one year after the first academic year for transfer students, and; (3) at other times when the Director deems necessary.

Evaluation Process
The Exercise Science student will have the opportunity to obtain a maximum of 300 points for the review board process. The 300 points consist of 100 points for the GPA, 100 points for the Portfolio (which includes required observation hours), and 100 points for the Review Board interview. To successfully pass the review board process, the candidate must obtain a minimum of 225 points, achieve the minimum 2.85 GPA, and complete the 100 hours of observation. If the candidate fails to meet the minimums a one-year probationary period may be offered under the following circumstances:
• The candidate’s GPA is lower than the 2.85, but no lower than 2.75 combined with a Board score of no less than 240 points.
• The candidates Board score is less than the minimum 225 points, but no lower than 200 points combined with a GPA higher than 2.85.
• The candidate has the minimum points (225), has the minimum GPA of 2.85, but has not obtained the minimum number of observation hours

Probation will last one academic year. The student must sit for the review process at the end of the probationary period and must have raised the deficient component to the minimum. If the student fails to pass the second review process, he/she will be dismissed from the Program. The probationary period will be from the time of the Review Board meeting until the first day of classes in the following fall semester (the candidate will have from the end of April to approximately Sept 1st to obtain the necessary hours to reach the minimum 200 hours).

It is required that students submit a completed Health Physical Form, immunization record, TB test, and proof of HBV vaccination to the University Health Center. Once accepted, the student must maintain a GPA of 2.85 or higher. If the QPA falls below 2.85, the student will be placed on probation. If a 2.85 or higher is not achieved at the end of the designated semester, the student will be dismissed from the Program.

It is MOST strongly encouraged for all officially accepted students to become student members of ACSM and/or NSCA (annual student membership cost $80 per year for each). It is mandatory that all Exercise Science students achieve and maintain American Red Cross CPR-AED/First Aid certification throughout their tenure in the Exercise Science program*.

*CPR cost approximately $40 every second year
*First Aid cost approximately $40 every third year

All freshman and transfer students entering the Exercise Science major must show proof of passing the American Red Cross Professional Rescuer CPR/AED course prior to starting classes (Freshman are allowed to complete this requirement when they take EAIM in the freshman year). Accepted proof will be a certification card from the American Red Cross.

Appeal Process
Any student dismissed from the Exercise Science major may apply for readmittance to the program during the next session of the Review Board. The eligibility of the individual will be determined by the Board using the same criteria for accepting a new student into the program. Any student using the appeal process should contact the department chair one term prior to the review board session to initiate the process.

Note: Students advised to discontinue the Exercise Science major are explicitly informed that a lateral move to a related science major may prove problematic, considering the high volume of completed credit hours required in related science fields. This is a risk that the student assumes when he or she accepts approved advancement into the Exercise Science major.

Graduation Requirements
Students who have been accepted into the Exercise Science major must maintain an overall GPA of 2.85. This standard ensures necessary mastery of ACSM-CoAES domains of knowledge), and the domains of knowledge and proficiencies of the NSCA. All required courses in the Exercise Science major must be completed, along with fulfillment of the student’s baccalaureate research project requirement by April 1st of the Senior year. All Sports Medicine seniors are required to present their research proposals and findings in a University research symposium in the spring semester of the Senior year, or, alternatively, at another professional seminar or symposium. Professional Rescuer CPR/AED certification or skill demonstration is required every 2 years after initial certification. No major course may be taken on a pass-fail basis and students who earn less than a “C” in any major course or lab must repeat the course or lab. Students who are not majors (including contract majors) may not enroll in courses offered by the Sports Medicine Department/Exercise Science faculty without written permission from the Department Chairperson and the program director.

Clinical Observation Requirements
All Exercise Science majors are required to accrue 100 observation/clinical hours. The observation hours must be completed prior to review board. All Exercise Science majors are required to complete an internship with a minimum of 300 hours. This internship is usually completed in the summer between the Junior and Senior years, but can be completed during the academic year. In addition, all Exercise Science students must accrue 100 hours serving as a strength consultant gaining work experience on campus or work with an approved certified professional in their Junior and Senior years.

Strength consultants work with the Mercyhurst community designing and implementing exercise programs to improve health and fitness for the general Mercyhurst University population.

Required Core Exercise Science Courses
Required Cognate Courses

AND

OR

AND

PSYC 200 Level Course (Any) 3 credits

 

Exercise Science Minor

BIO 240/241 ** Human Anatomy / Physiology I & Lab 4 credits

BIO 250/251 Human Anatomy /Physiology II & Lab 4 credits

SPMD 162 Intro to Sports Medicine 3 credits

SPMD 205/206 Exercise Assessment I & Lab 4 credits

SPMD 370/371 Strength Training and Program Design & Lab 4 credits

SPMD 380/381 Exercise Physiology & Lab 4 credits

** Prerequisite of BIO 120/121 or 130/131 and Elective Courses


Elective Courses
Students who wish to complete a minor in Exercise Science must choose 3 additional courses from the Sports Medicine Department offerings. Please keep in mind the prerequisite required for some courses.

Clinical Observation Requirements
50 hours of documented observation with Exercise Science professionals who hold any ACSM (American College of Sports Medicine) credential, or professionals who hold the NSCA-CSCS (National Strength Conditioning Association – Certified Strength Coach Specialist) credential.

Admission Requirements
The minor student must have written approval from the Sports Medicine department chairperson and the Undergraduate Exercise Science program director. The student must have a minimum 2.65 GPA and this must be maintained. Application for this minor should occur in the sophomore year.Strength Coach Specialist) credential.

Degrees & Certificates
Course Descriptions