Exercise Science, Sports Medicine

Exercise Science is the study of movement and the associated functional responses and adaptations. The field of exercise science involves a range of disciplines similar to those in sports medicine; consequently, it is common for exercise science professionals to work in sports medicine facilities. The field of exercise science, however, is typically much broader than sports medicine, ranging from the study of how organ systems work at the cellular level when confronted with disease, to improving the biomechanical efficiency of an employee working on an assembly line.

Exercise Science Education & Certifications
Common exercise science certifications are available from the National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM) and the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM). Depending on the certification, candidates can be required to have a high school diploma, bachelor's degree, or master's degree. Degrees should be held in health related fields such as exercise science, exercise physiology, kinesiology, kinesiotherapy, nutrition, athletic training.

Most entry level positions will require a bachelor's degree and appropriate certification upon hiring or within 6 months to a year of hiring. More advanced positions will require a bachelor's degree and likely prefer a master's degree. Appropriate certification is typically required upon hiring or within 6 months to a year from hiring.

California University of Pennsylvania Online
Editor's Choice

Exercise Science and Health Promotion
Master of Science

CalU's online Master of Science degree in Exercise Science and Health Promotion is designed for working professionals and recent bachelor's degree graduates in the health and fitness industry, including certified athletic trainers, physical therapists, health and physical education teachers, coaches, chiropractors, personal trainers, business owners, wellness counselors, military personnel, and other health/fitness professionals.

CalU works closely with the National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM) to develop outstanding course content. NASM focuses on the development, refinement and implementation of superior educational programs for fitness, performance and sports medicine professionals.

The exercise science and health promotion online program length is 12 consecutive months. Thirty students per class work, learn, communicate online and function as a group of interactive peers. This virtual community, or cohort, creates a lively, dynamic educational experience that enriches the collaborative skills essential in the contemporary health care and fitness workplace.

The curricular content is well positioned to be presented via the Internet. Performance enhancement and injury prevention, fitness and wellness strategies, sport psychology, and rehabilitation science methodology are presented with streaming video, narrated PowerPoint presentations and online forums. Threaded discussion groups, chat rooms and e-mail allow the cohorts to communicate and interact, adding unique insight into the discussion. Students use their existing places of employment as their working laboratories, applying concepts and techniques learned online into their daily practice.

Four distinct tracks are available. Each of these tracks is also offered as a post-master's certificate to those who already have a master's degree:

• Performance Enhancement and Injury Prevention
• Wellness and Fitness
• Rehabilitation Science
• Sport Psychology

• Certified Personal Trainer (CPT)
• Performance Enhancement Specialist (PES)
• Corrective Exercise Specialist (CES)

Performance Enhancement and Injury Prevention Track
This innovative track is designed for the health/fitness professional, personal trainer, educator, military professional, coach and others who want to learn about performance and fitness training program design for athletes and other physically active people. Research and current issues in sport performance training and injury prevention will be a focus of the courses. Students enrolled in this track are prepared to take the National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM) Performance Enhancement Specialist (PES) certification.

Wellness and Fitness Track
In response to great demand, the wellness and fitness track is designed for the health/fitness professional, personal trainer, educator, military professional, coach and others who want to learn about fitness training program design and wellness programs for the general population. Research and current issues in the fitness industry, as well as, wellness programs will be a focus of the courses. Students enrolled in this track are prepared to take the National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM) Certified Personal Trainer(CPT) certification.

Rehabilitation Science Track
This health care-focused track is designed for the health/fitness professional who has a background in rehabilitation settings such as athletic training rooms, physical therapy clinics, chiropractic offices and other treatment settings. Research and current issues in musculoskeletal rehabilitation and biomechanical assessment will be a focus of the courses. Students enrolled in this track are prepared to take the National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM) Corrective Exercise Specialist (CES) certification.

Sport Psychology Track
The sport psychology track is designed for the health/fitness professional, personal trainer, educator, military professional, coach, and others to gain knowledge from the psychological perspective to enhance their current practice behavior and use an all-inclusive approach to recovery. Courses will provide information to assist health care professionals and others in identifying precursors to injury, effects of injury and rehabilitation and recovery, performance enhancement and intervention methods, and incorporate referrals.

Exercise Science - BA in Health Studies
Earn your Bachelor of Arts in Health Care Studies degree and demonstrate your knowledge and skills to provide quality service in the health care industry. Personalize your Bachelor of Arts in Health Care Studies degree when you pair it with a transfer concentration. You can transfer up to 12 approved credits of Exercise Science coursework to qualify as your concentration in the Health Care Studies degree program. Your fundamental understanding of the basic structures and function of the musculo-skeletal system, the body's energy systems, and the fundamental principles of healthy eating will combine easily with your studies of the US health care system, as well as medical ethics and law culminating in a well-rounded degree.

Human Movement - MS
The Human Movement program is designed to assist students in the development of comprehensive knowledge of human movement science, functional anatomy, physiology and kinesiology, as well as functional assessment and exercise program design. Completion of this degree will serve as a valuable source of credibility to health professionals, athletic organizations, club owners, coaches, and fitness department managers. It will also assist sports medicine, exercise, and fitness professionals in enhancing their knowledge, skills, and abilities related to the design and maintenance of exercise programs for various populations. When done properly, exercise training can have valuable benefits ranging from general health to elite sports performance. This program will serve as a means of assisting professionals in the appropriate design and implementation of exercise programs for various outcomes.

Students may choose from one of three specialty tracks within the degree program including Sports Conditioning, Geriatric Exercise Science, and Exercise & Sports Psychology. Each track consists of 4 specialized courses, which can also be completed as a post-graduate degree certificate. This program includes a one week residency course which will include presentations and lab-based interactions between students, faculty, and leading professionals in health and fitness.

The HM program is a partnership program with the National Academy of Sports Medicine and will assist students in their preparation for the NASM Corrective Exercise and Performance Enhancement Certifications.

Applied Clinical Nutrition - MS
The Master of Science in Applied Clinical Nutrition graduate program provides a comprehensive professional education that focuses on nutrition and its application in prevention and disease management that prepares graduates to practice in a wide range of clinical, consulting and industry settings. The program emphasizes an integrative approach to healthcare. Courses include: Clinical Nutrition for Pain and Inflammation, Pharmocognosy, Exercise Physiology and Sports Nutrition, Food Science.

Health and Wellness - BS
Growing emphasis on preventative health care is creating new opportunities in the health care- and health and wellness-related industries. Professionals with knowledge and training in health and wellness provide support, encouragement, and education to help people live healthier lives and prevent illness or injury. Student will broaden their knowledge and skills with a mind-body-spirit approach to health and wellness.

The Bachelor of Science in Health and Wellness program is designed to provide you with a solid foundation for careers in traditional health settings such as hospitals, private medical offices, and public health agencies. In addition, opportunities may exist in newly emerging preventive health services in corporate wellness centers, college health services, insurance agencies, or pharmaceutical companies. Courses include: Scientific Foundations of Exercise and Fitness, Complementary and Alternative Medicine, Contemporary Diet and Nutrition, Aspects of Healing.

Nutrition Science - BS
In this program you will explore various topics, concepts, values, research methods, and applications in nutrition science, while enjoying the convenience and flexibility of online learning at Kaplan University. Coursework will focus on exploring the principles and pharmacology of nutrition and how dietary choices can contribute to a healthy lifestyle. Students will acquire an understanding of digestion, absorption, and metabolism of foods and nutritional needs at various stages of the life cycle. Students will also develop the administrative, ethical, and professional skills necessary for leadership positions throughout the health care field

Rehabilitation Counseling - MS
The Master of Science in Rehabilitation Counseling program prepares its graduates to be professional practitioners in a variety of community settings and institutions: hospitals, schools, rehabilitation agencies, career planning centers, employee assistance programs, clinics, residential treatment facilities, and other mental health agencies. It is a 60 credit master's which prepares students to meet the academic requirements for licensure in the state of Massachusetts and achieve national certification as a Certified Rehabilitation Counselor (CRC). The rehabilitation counseling curriculum is fully accredited by the Council on Rehabilitation Education (CORE). In addition, scholarships may be available through the Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA) that funds tuition and fees and provides a small stipend.

Sport-Exercise Psychology - MA
The mental aspect of competitive sports can often have a greater influence on the outcome of a contest than the physical play. For those who want to help athletes improve their focus and utilize psychological techniques to improve performance, Argosy University's Master of Arts (MA) in Sport-Exercise Psychology is the logical next step. This master's degree in psychology is offered through Argosy University's American School of Professional Psychology, part of the College of Psychology and Behavioral Sciences. The online program can provide convenience and flexibility for students who are balancing their education with other life demands. The curriculum for this Psychology master's degree is based on the educational requirements outlined by the Association for Applied Sport Psychology (AASP). Courses include: Athletic Counseling, Exercise Psychology, Team Dynamics and Group Behavior, Psychological Aspects of Athletic Injury.

Sport Psychology - MS
Learn to apply psychological principles with amateur and professional athletics to address such issues as performance enhancement, individual and team motivation, injury recovery, and stress management. People who choose this online Sport Psychology specialization are often seeking performance improvements or career advancements in school coaching or physical education positions, or in coaching or instructional positions in park and recreation departments, fitness clubs, sports camps, or wellness programs. Courses include: Principles of Sport Psychology, Performance Enhancement in Sports, Applied Sport Psychology.