Fact Sheets

Exercise Science @ MSUM

The major in Physical Education: Exercise Science is designed to prepare students for careers in fitness,exercise science, wellness and health. Students learn to administer health appraisals and fitnessassessments; understand exercise techniques; and design exercise programs for healthy adults, athletesand special populations. Theexercise science programprovides students with theeducational experience todevelop aerobic, anaerobic andresistance training programs toenhance cardiorespiratoryendurance, body composition,strength, power, speed, agility and flexibility. One of the goals of the Exercise Science program is toprepare students to sit for certification by professional fitness and exercise science organizations.Employment opportunities include fitness centers, health clubs, YMCAs, athletic clubs, communitycenters, sport training facilities, corporate wellness programs, fitness equipment companies, sportsmedicine and cardiac rehabilitation departments. Some students continue their education by attendinggraduate school majoring in exercise physiology, exercise science or cardiac rehabilitation. The exercisescience program trains students for a variety of fitness jobs including personal trainer, group exerciseinstructor, exercise specialist, health/fitness instructor, strength coach and fitness director.

Course Work
The MSUM Exercise Science program develops the competencies required to be a successful fitnessprofessional. The curriculum includes a core requirement area and an elective area. The corerequirement area focuses on the following disciplines: wellness, nutrition, disease prevention, anatomy,physiology, biomechanics, physiology of exercise, exercise testing and exercise prescription. The electivearea includes a variety of courses from business, health, physical education, biology, chemistry, physics,math, and English, speech and computer science. Course selection in the elective area is made inconsultation with the academic advisor depending upon career goals of the student.

Exercise Science Internship
The Exercise Science program includes an internship designed to give students practical experience as afitness professional under the supervision of an exercise physiologist, personal trainer or health careprofessional. Based on their interests and career goals students are placed at a variety of internship sitesincluding fitness centers, sport training facilities, sports medicine and cardiac rehabilitation departments.

Related Academic Minors
Students are encouraged to consider an academic minor to broaden their understanding of the fitnessindustry. The following related academic minors are recommended: business administration, health andmedical sciences, coaching or community health.