Exercise Science, Bachelor of Science
The Bachelor of Science in exercise science at Wilson College prepares you with the knowledge, skills and abilities to be successful in a variety of health‐related graduate and professional programs and to work in the health and fitness industry. Our program has been designed to address the knowledge, skills and abilities recommended by the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) and provide you with a strong science‐based education. Human anatomy and physiology, care and prevention of injuries, exercise testing and prescription, psychology of sport, as well as diversity, equity and inclusion in sport are a few key features of our curriculum. You will be able to further develop and apply your knowledge through experiential learning opportunities in and out of the classroom, as well as through an internship. The health and fitness industries are rapidly growing within the U.S., with the Bureau of Labor Statistics projecting 15% job growth over the next 10 years.
A bachelor's degree in exercise science is designed to take advantage of Wilson’s strong offerings in liberal studies and science, which creates a springboard for a variety of careers or graduate work. Our program allows you to choose one of three concentrations based on your goals and aspirations.
Our pre‐professional concentration will prepare students to further their studies and training by building a strong science and human physiology foundation. This concentration is geared for students looking to apply to graduate school to become a health science or allied health professional, specifically, athletic training, physical therapy, chiropractic or medicine.
Our human performance concentration emphasizes learning how to work with people with a variety of health and fitness goals. Students learn foundational knowledge and skills used for the prevention, management, and treatment of numerous health conditions and disparities. Students also learn to develop strategies for improving physical fitness and improving performance. Elective courses allow students to expand and build upon knowledge acquired in their core courses and gives students the ability to personalize the concentration in a way that is most helpful to meet their health and fitness goals.
Our holistic health concentration emphasizes learning the basic concepts of health by exploring wellness from a holistic perspective. Students are taught how to live a healthy life, manage stress, and understand the benefits of physical activity – in addition to learning about complementary and alternative medicine beyond traditional Western Medicine techniques. Elective courses allow students to expand and build upon knowledge acquired in their core courses and gives students the ability to personalize the concentration to address career goals.
Degree Requirements
Required Courses
Based on career or graduate school aspirations, some students may need to take
MAT 115.
Pre-Professional Studies
This concentration is best suited for students interested in the following:
Physical Therapy
Occupational Therapy
Chiropractic Medicine
Physician Assistant
Clinical Director
Coursework emphasizes foundational coursework that will prepare students to further their studies and training in graduate school to become health science or allied health professionals, as well as prepare students for future careers in clinical director roles.
* PHY 102 is not a requirement for major/concentration, but will be needed for graduate or medical school.
Human Performance
This concentration is best suited for students interested in careers in the following industries:
Personal or Group Training
Fitness and Performance enhancement
Exercise Physiologist
Strength and Conditioning
Health and Human services
Coursework emphasizes learning how to work with people with a variety of health and fitness goals. Students learn foundational knowledge, skills and abilities used for the prevention, management, and treatment of numerous health conditions and disparities. Students also learn to develop strategies for improving physical fitness and improving performance.
| ESS 222 | Exercise Management - Special Cases | 4 |
| ESS 320 | Admin Aspects of Exercise/Sport Science | 3 |
| ESS 340 | Kinesiology & Applied Anatomy | 4 |
| ESS 345 | Physiology of Exercise | 4 |
| MAT 110 | Pre-Calculus Mathematics | 3 |
| | Two of the following: | |
| ESS 270 | Topics - Exercise & Sport Science | 3 |
| ESS 370 | Topics - Exercise & Sports Science | 3 |
| NUR 222 | Intersection of Healthcare and Society | 3 |
| | | |
| PE 128 | Strength & Weight Training | 2 |
| | OR | |
| PE 140 | Personal Fitness | 2 |
| | | |
| PSY 331 | Health Psychology | 3 |
Holistic Health
This concentration is best suited for students interested in careers in the following industries:
Personal health and well-being
Integrative medicine
Health Coaching
Case Manager or Patient Advocacy
Coursework emphasizes learning the basic concepts of health by exploring wellness from a holistic perspective. Students will be taught how to live a healthy life, manage stress, and understand the benefits of physical activity – in addition to learning about complementary and alternative medicine beyond traditional Western Medicine techniques. Topics include, but are not limited to health, wellness, personal healing, healthy coping and self-care, complementary therapies, physical and mental well-being techniques. Elective courses allow students to expand and build upon knowledge acquired in their core courses; and gives students the ability to personalize the minor in a way that may be most helpful in a chosen field.
| ESS 281 | Total Wellness | 2 |
| HSC 222 | Narrative Medicine | 3 |
| HSC 230 | Holistic Health | 4 |
| PHI 230 | Healthcare Ethics | 3 |
| | Six semester hours from the following (no more than 3 semester hours may be taken in PE or Activity credit): | |
| ENV 270 | Topics in Environmental Studies | 3 |
| ESS 270 | Topics - Exercise & Sport Science | 3 |
| HSC 330 | Health Promotion/Program Development | 3 |
| GS 240 | Global Health | 3 |
| NUR 222 | Intersection of Healthcare and Society | 3 |
| PSY 331 | Health Psychology | 3 |
| | PE or Activity Course | |