The mission of the Health and Sport Science Department (formerly Physical Education, Wellness, and Sports Science) is to prepare students for successful careers and graduate education through personal attention, both in the classroom and in practical learning experiences. The department provides diverse classroom training and applied practical experiences in a variety of settings. Graduates of the Averett University Health and Sport Science degree programs can be found as teachers, coaches, allied health professionals, sports related business professionals, and personal trainers around the world and seek to enhance the lives of all they touch through Health and Sport. The department continues to strive to attract a diverse population of future health and wellness professionals from the United States and around the world.

The mission of the Health and Sport Science Department (formerly Physical Education, Wellness, and Sports Science) is to prepare students for successful careers and graduate education through personal attention, both in the classroom and in practical learning experiences. The department provides diverse classroom training and applied practical experiences in a variety of settings. Graduates of the Averett University Health and Sport Science degree programs can be found as teachers, coaches, allied health professionals, sports related business professionals, and personal trainers around the world and seek to enhance the lives of all they touch through Health and Sport. The department continues to strive to attract a diverse population of future health and wellness professionals from the United States and around the world.

The mission of the Exercise and Sport Science Department is to enable students to pursue career goals in the fields of sports medicine. ESS majors concentrating in Sports Medicine will complete academic courses and Internships which will prepare them for certification such as the American College of Sports Medicine Certified Exercise Physiologist.

Objective: To prepare students for a graduate degree in a health professions discipline (ie. athletic training, physical therapy, occupational therapy, physician assistant studies) or other health-related field (public health, nutrition/dietetics, clinical exercise physiology, kinesiology.)

Objective: To prepare students for careers in the fields of commercial fitness, corporate wellness, or strength and conditioning, or for graduate study in a health-related field (public health, nutrition/dietetics, clinical exercise physiology, kinesiology.)

The Kinesiology (KINE) undergraduate program at George Mason University is a demanding, science-based degree designed to prepare students with strong scientific knowledge in health, wellness, and performance across the lifespan. Kinesiology faculty provide students with a multidisciplinary, evidence-based approach to the study of human movement utilizing classroom, laboratory, and experiential learning environments. Two concentrations are offered: Strength and Conditioning and Allied Health Sciences. The BS in Kinesiology is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP: American College of Sports Medicine sponsored) and holds national program recognition status from the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA-ERP).

The Kinesiology program is designed to provide students with a foundation in the sciences with emphasis in exercise, health, injury prevention and care, as well as sport sciences. Students enrolled in this program are prepared for entrance into health-related fitness and sport science professions. Graduates of this program are eligible to sit for certification examinations offered by the American College of Sports Medicine and the National Strength and Conditioning Association, and to apply for advanced study in a variety of applied health science and allied health programs (Athletic Training, Exercise Physiology, Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, etc.). Students selecting the Administration and Leadership in Sport and Exercise concentration will gain specialized knowledge and skills pertaining to managing leading health and fitness facilities as well as implementing leadership strategies in a sports and/or exercise domain. They will be employable as managers of fitness facilities as well as in various positions within the athletic departments of high schools, colleges, and professional sports. Students also will be prepared to continue their education in graduate school.

The Kinesiology program is designed to provide students with a foundation in the sciences with emphasis in exercise, health, injury prevention and care, as well as sport sciences. Students enrolled in this program are prepared for entrance into health-related fitness and sport science professions. Graduates of this program are eligible to sit for certification examinations offered by the American College of Sports Medicine and the National Strength and Conditioning Association, and to apply for advanced study in a variety of applied health science and allied health programs (Athletic Training, Exercise Physiology, Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, etc.). Students selecting the Applied Health Sciences Profession concentration will gain knowledge and skills related to patient care of the physically active population under the direction of athletic trainers, exercise physiologists, and exercise scientists. Coursework is directly related to injury prevention, acute injury management, therapeutic interventions and rehabilitation, interprofessional practice, evidence-based practice, and professional responsibility. Students also will be prepared to continue their education in graduate school for applied health science and allied health programs (athletic training, physical therapy, occupational therapy, etc.). See the Health-Career/Pre-Professional Preparation section for additional information.

The Kinesiology program is designed to provide students with a foundation in the sciences with emphasis in exercise, health, injury prevention and care, as well as sport sciences. Students enrolled in this program are prepared for entrance into health-related fitness and sport science professions. Graduates of this program are eligible to sit for certification examinations offered by the American College of Sports Medicine and the National Strength and Conditioning Association, and to apply for advanced study in a variety of applied health science and allied health programs (Athletic Training, Exercise Physiology, Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, etc.). Students selecting the Health and Human Performance concentration will gain specialized knowledge and skills pertaining to exercise physiology with healthy and diseased populations as well as strength and conditioning. They will be employable as strength and conditioning professionals, exercise physiologists and health and fitness professionals. Students also will be prepared to continue their education in graduate school.

A degree in Exercise Science prepares students to be leaders in clinical rehabilitation exercise programs and athletic performance, and job opportunities in public and private fitness centers, corporate wellness, and clinical health and rehabilitation programs. A Bachelor of Science (BS) degree in Exercise Science will be prepared for graduate work and employed to conduct exercise programs as part of clinical trials. The Exercise Science major at Mary Baldwin University will prepare students to complete specialist certifications through the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM), the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA), and the International Society of Sports Nutrition (ISSN). Students can specialize in tracks in Personal Training, Athlete Coaching and Performance, Strength and Conditioning, or Medical Fitness. Students will study human anatomy and physiology, exercise performance, and movement analysis. They will perform exercise evaluations, develop exercise prescriptions, and teach and lead exercise sessions. Students will show their professional knowledge and skills during an internship. The Exercise Science degree is designed to prepare students for graduate school in the exercise sciences, with only minimal additional coursework to apply for professional graduate work in Athletic Training, Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Physician Assistant, or Medical School.

A degree in Exercise Science prepares students to be leaders in clinical rehabilitation exercise programs and athletic performance, and job opportunities in public and private fitness centers, corporate wellness, and clinical health and rehabilitation programs. A Bachelor of Science (BS) degree in Exercise Science will be prepared for graduate work and employed to conduct exercise programs as part of clinical trials. The Exercise Science major at Mary Baldwin University will prepare students to complete specialist certifications through the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM), the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA), and the International Society of Sports Nutrition (ISSN). Students can specialize in tracks in Personal Training, Athlete Coaching and Performance, Strength and Conditioning, or Medical Fitness. Students will study human anatomy and physiology, exercise performance, and movement analysis. They will perform exercise evaluations, develop exercise prescriptions, and teach and lead exercise sessions. Students will show their professional knowledge and skills during an internship. The Exercise Science degree is designed to prepare students for graduate school in the exercise sciences, with only minimal additional coursework to apply for professional graduate work in Athletic Training, Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Physician Assistant, or Medical School.

The Health Fitness Instructor program is designed to prepare students to work in corporate fitness environments and other agencies that focus on exercise, fitness and wellness. The four-year program includes general education core, professional education courses and a required clinical intership in an approved fitness facility.

The Health, Wellness and Rehabilitation (HWR) will provide graduates with the skills and knowledge needed for a range of careers including: the areas of Cardiac Rehabilitation; Pulmonary Rehabilitation; and Sports Medicine (i.e. Physical Therapy, Athletic Training, Orthopedic Rehabilitation, and Exercise Physiology).

The registered kinesiotherapist is a health care professional who, under the direction of a physician, treats the effects of disease, injury and congenital disorders through the use of therapeutic exercise and education.

This concentration is designed to prepare students to become teachers of health and physcial education in grades K-12 in public school settings. The major embodies (1) course with an emphasis in health education and physical, (2) an emphasis on physical activity as a means to health (wellness), (3) a focus on a conceptual wellness, physical education, lifetime sports and fitness, and (4) a recognition of an sensitivity to cultural diversity involving health and physcial education.

Biology invites students to participate in the scientific study of living organisms in all their fascinating complexity from molecular and cellular processes to the functioning of the entire planet. Students majoring in biology may satisfy their curiosity about the workings of the natural world, define their strengths and interests, and become lifelong learners in one of hundreds of biology-related careers. All students undertaking a study of biology should receive a thorough grounding in biological principles, should understand the interdisciplinary connections between biology and the other sciences, and should realize that our knowledge of biology is built on scientific discovery. Our curriculum seeks to develop in students the values, habits, and practices of a scientist by allowing them to actually do biology beginning in their freshman year, continuing in subsequent upper division courses, and culminating in a capstone experience in the senior year. An innovative course (BIOL 121 Foundations of Experimental Biology), taken during the freshman year, engages students in discovery-based laboratory exercises. Biology majors will also deepen their understanding of molecular biology (BIOL 123 Principles in Molecular Biology), genetics (BIOL 200 Genetics), and evolution (BIOL 205 Evolution) and are subsequently provided with an intensive and balanced learning experience by taking at least one course from each of the three major sub-disciplines of contemporary biology including:

1. cell and molecular biology
2. organismal biology, and
3. ecology.

Each student works closely with an adviser to select upper-level courses for an individualized curriculum to prepare for a field in medicine, allied health science, ecology, environmental science, or graduate studies in biology. Finally, each student will take a capstone course (BIOL 499 Biology Capstone), which reinforces the skills and abilities developed in the major by having students read the primary literature and discuss the work with the scientists who conducted the studies. All biology students are also encouraged to participate in research early in their college career by taking research courses and by participating in summer research through the College's Shapiro Undergraduate Research Fellowship program (SURF).

Many graduate and professional programs require the completion of additional courses in biology, chemistry, physics, and the humanities. Prospective biology majors should meet with a departmental adviser in their career area(s) of interest at or before the beginning of the sophomore year.

Biology invites students to participate in the scientific study of living organisms in all their fascinating complexity from molecular and cellular processes to the functioning of the entire planet. Students majoring in biology may satisfy their curiosity about the workings of the natural world, define their strengths and interests, and become lifelong learners in one of hundreds of biology-related careers. All students undertaking a study of biology should receive a thorough grounding in biological principles, should understand the interdisciplinary connections between biology and the other sciences, and should realize that our knowledge of biology is built on scientific discovery. Our curriculum seeks to develop in students the values, habits, and practices of a scientist by allowing them to actually do biology beginning in their freshman year, continuing in subsequent upper division courses, and culminating in a capstone experience in the senior year. An innovative course (BIOL 121 Foundations of Experimental Biology), taken during the freshman year, engages students in discovery-based laboratory exercises. Biology majors will also deepen their understanding of molecular biology (BIOL 123 Principles in Molecular Biology), genetics (BIOL 200 Genetics), and evolution (BIOL 205 Evolution) and are subsequently provided with an intensive and balanced learning experience by taking at least one course from each of the three major sub-disciplines of contemporary biology including:

1. cell and molecular biology
2. organismal biology, and
3. ecology.

Each student works closely with an adviser to select upper-level courses for an individualized curriculum to prepare for a field in medicine, allied health science, ecology, environmental science, or graduate studies in biology. Finally, each student will take a capstone course (BIOL 499 Biology Capstone), which reinforces the skills and abilities developed in the major by having students read the primary literature and discuss the work with the scientists who conducted the studies. All biology students are also encouraged to participate in research early in their college career by taking research courses and by participating in summer research through the College's Shapiro Undergraduate Research Fellowship program (SURF).

Many graduate and professional programs require the completion of additional courses in biology, chemistry, physics, and the humanities. Prospective biology majors should meet with a departmental adviser in their career area(s) of interest at or before the beginning of the sophomore year.

The program in Health and Exercise Science brings to life the interdisciplinary nature of the health sciences by exposing students to the physiological, biochemical, psychological, behavioral, and mechanical principles of applied exercise science. Through a diverse array of experiential learning opportunities, students develop transferable skills grounded in the liberal arts, positioning them to become the problem-solvers of the future, prepared for careers in medicine, rehabilitation, public health, movement science, wellness, coaching, strength and conditioning, nutrition, and sport performance. 

The program in Health and Exercise Science brings to life the interdisciplinary nature of the health sciences by exposing students to the physiological, biochemical, psychological, behavioral, and mechanical principles of applied exercise science. Through a diverse array of experiential learning opportunities, students develop transferable skills grounded in the liberal arts, positioning them to become the problem-solvers of the future, prepared for careers in medicine, rehabilitation, public health, movement science, wellness, coaching, strength and conditioning, nutrition, and sport performance. 

Exercise Science provides students with a strong scientific and practical understanding of the acute and chronic effects of physical activity and exercise on the human body. The Exercise Science program prepares students for careers in health, fitness, and/or competitive athletic performance programs that service a wide audience, including individuals in corporate, community, university, or private settings. The program can lead to certification by the National Strength and Conditioning Association and the American College of Sports Medicine, and is an attractive option for pre-health profession studies for physical or occupational therapy and athletic training.

Students who choose the Kinesiology Recreation major will complete all Kinesiology core courses and all courses for the Professional Studies Certificate in Health & Physical Education PreK-12 EXCEPT for student teaching. Those in Kinesiology Recreation will complete an internship in Recreational Leadership, a seminar in Recreational Leadership, and a Facility Planning and Event Management course for their final semester. Students who complete the Kinesiology Recreation major as shown in the semester course listings may also complete the Coaching Certificate as it is built into the sequence with the additional courses listed. Kinesiology majors opting out of the Coaching Certificate need to replace those courses with electives.

At UVA Wise, our exercise science programÿof study is centered on student-centered and project-based learning. Class assignments include real-world application and have empowered students to develop business plans for their own health and wellness-related businesses, create reports as if they were owners of a stock car in the Daytona 500 NASCAR race, and organize and teach physical activity lessons in local high schools. They've also interned in with the College's athletic training staff, at nearby Norton Community Hospital, at prestigious golf courses in Bristol, Va., and with the Kingsport Mets minor league baseball team. This major is ideal for kickstarting your career in personal training, strength and conditioning, sports-based rehabilitation, and clinical research. It will also prepare you to pursue prestigious graduate programs in human performance, education, and more.

At UVA Wise, our health and wellness program of study is centered on student-centered and project-based learning. Class assignments include real-world application and have empowered students to develop business plans for their own health and wellness-related businesses, create reports as if they were owners of a stock car in the Daytona 500 NASCAR race, and organize and teach physical activity lessons in local high schools. They've also interned in with the College's athletic training staff, at nearby Norton Community Hospital, at prestigious golf courses in Bristol, Va., and with the Kingsport Mets minor league baseball team. This major is ideal for kickstarting your career in corporate fitness, fitness facility management, fitness instruction, youth sports coaching and officiating or parks and recreation program direction. It will also prepare you to pursue prestigious graduate programs in human performance, education, and more.

The Exercise Physiology Department is committed to providing accurate and current information to prepare students pursuing this major to be future health professionals with career interests in the areas of health, fitness, and performance. When combined with a strong liberal arts foundation, the major provides comprehensive coverage of theoretical and practical information necessary to pursue graduate school and/or careers in exercise physiology, strength and conditioning, fitness, and cardiac rehabilitation. The curriculum also provides pre-professional background for students interested in pursuing athletic training, physical therapy, occupational therapy, physician assistant, and other health-related professions. Through a variety of practical learning opportunities, students experience “hands-on” application of the theory learned in the formal classroom setting. Faculty from multiple professional specializations promote diversity in teaching, research, and service activities that enrich student learning experiences. The exercise physiology program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of the Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) and endorsed by the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA) Education Recognition Program. Entry into the exercise physiology major is competitive and all students who apply may not be accepted into the program.The equestrian sport management major will teach you the knowledge and competencies specific to equestrian sport. Equip yourself with the business, marketing, and management skills necessary to thrive in the equine industry. Whether you aspire to run your stable or organize a high-profile competition, you will gain the knowledge and confidence to lead with excellence.