Program Details
Health, Physical Education and Exercise Science with concentration in Exercise Science, Bachelor of Science
Bachelor of ScienceVirginia Commonwealth University
Transfer Guides are designed to maximize transfer credit as students complete their associate degree at the community college before transferring to the bachelor's degree program. If you are a current Virginia Community College student or are planning to start at a Virginia Community College before transferring to this institution and program, please follow the Transfer Guide to plan your courses at the community college. The following Transfer Guide(s), applicable to this program, are available in the Resource Center. If there is a program-specific Transfer Guide and a general or general studies Transfer Guide, you are advised to follow the program-specific Transfer Guide. Please see your community college advisor for assistance in selecting the best pathway.
The exercise science concentration prepares students to serve as leaders of fitness, health and conditioning programs in corporate, commercial, university and clinical settings that provide exercise programming for apparently healthy individuals and those with chronic disease. Career paths include exercise physiologist, corporate fitness director, cardiopulmonary rehabilitation specialist, strength and conditioning specialist and wellness director. Additionally, the exercise science concentration prepares students for graduate study in exercise science or athletic training and offers an excellent option for those students who want to obtain the pre-requisites for post-graduate study in physical therapy, occupational therapy and medicine.
Outcomes
Upon completion of this degree program, graduates will be able to: National standing in strength and conditioning: Students will demonstrate knowledge in optimal strength and conditioning assessments and programming for a variety of populations. National standing in exercise physiology: Students will apply knowledge and skills in exercise testing, prescription and program development for both healthy and medically appropriate populations. Effective communication: Students will demonstrate the ability to communicate effectively by giving an oral presentation in class.
Program Overview & Guidance
| Program Guidance Element | What You Need to Know |
|---|---|
| Considerations for Selecting Degree | The Exercise Science concentration of the degree is very science-intensive and most importantly, hands-on! Within your coursework you will take a mixture of traditional lecture style courses, as well as many that have built in labs. This allows you to develop the knowledge and skills to enter the workforce with your Bachelor's degree, or be a competitive applicant to various graduate programs (Masters Degree’s, Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Physician’s Assistant, Medicine, etc.)! Students are also required to complete 360 hours of internship, adding to your knowledge and skills developed in the classroom. |
| Program Requirement Notes | Program Requirement Notes A minimum grade of C is required in all HPEX courses and electives. Students cannot use more than one HPEX course (three credits) from the health science core as an elective. All students must attempt a department-approved national certification examination prior to graduation. |
| Considerations When Selecting Courses |
Prioritize meeting the pre-requisites for your Exercise Physiology (HPEX 375) course, allowing you the opportunity to register for it as early as possible. Registering for this course in your first, or second, semester after transferring into VCU will open doors to beginning your internships and other upper level Exercise Science courses as soon as possible. There are a number of broad assumptions as to which concentration best prepares students for allied professional graduate programs. Be sure to speak with someone in the Kinesiology and Health Sciences Department about which concentration of the degree you should enroll in!
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| Program Requirements Beyond Specific Courses | |
| Doing More With Your Degree | Within their degree, Exercise Science students will be required to complete 360 hours of internship split across two courses (HPEX 395 – 120 hours; HPEX 495 – 240 hours). Additionally, Exercise Science students will attempt an internationally recognized certification before graduating (ACSM Exercise Physiologist; NSCA Strength and Conditioning Specialist). Outside of their primary degree, Exercise Science students may also consider applying to an accelerated master’s degree in Exercise Physiology and/or pursuing a minor in Sport and Fitness Management. |
| Program Successes & Highlights | The Exercise Science curriculum was created to ensure students developed the knowledge and skills necessary to be competitive for the workforce through their lab experiences/internships. In addition, the curriculum was designed for students to obtain pre-requisites for graduate programs within four years. The Department offers a number of mentoring programs as well as events devoted to supporting student’s academic, professional, and personal development. |
Program Credit Requirements
If you wish to see how your credits may apply, you can:
- Contact the institution where a staff member can help you map your credits to the requirements for this program.
- View the program requirements listed in the institution's catalog.
Applicable Admissions Agreements
The table below lists admissions agreements between Virginia Commonwealth University and partner institutions that may guarantee admission to this program if you meet the required criteria. Click on the title name of the agreement to view a summary of those criteria.
You can view the full text of these Agreements in the Resource Center
What If I Have An Associate Degree Or Credit For Prior Learning?
| Transfer Guidance Element | What You Need to Know |
|---|---|
| Associate Transfer Degree Completion | Students who earn an Associate of Arts, Associate of Arts & Sciences, Associate of Fine Arts, Associate of Science, General Education Certificate, or Uniform Certificate of General Studies from the Virginia Community College System, Richard Bland College, or the College of Southern Maryland may be eligible to participate in the Guaranteed Admission Agreement. Students with one of these degrees may also be eligible to have the majority of their general education requirements waived. Students who have earned a transfer-oriented associate degree from any regionally accredited institution or the Uniform Certificate of General Studies from the Virginia Community College System before enrolling at VCU will have their General Education requirements satisfied. The Associate of Science in Science or the Associate of Arts & Sciences in Science are the recommended associate degrees for this major. |
Completion of Associate Degree Concurrent with High School | Students who have earned a transfer-oriented associate degree from any regionally accredited institution or the Uniform Certificate of General Studies from the Virginia Community College System before enrolling at VCU will have their General Education requirements satisfied. The Associate of Science in Science or the Associate of Arts & Sciences in Science are the recommended associate degrees for this major. |
| Credit for Prior Learning | VCU accepts a variety of types of credit for prior learning, including but not limited to Advanced Placement (AP), International Baccalaureate (IB), College Level Examination Program (CLEP), military experience, Cambridge, and industry certifications that are recommended for credit by the American Council on Education or the National College Credit Recommendation Service. |
| Did You Know That... |
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College Level Information
| College Fit Guidance | What You Need to Know |
|---|---|
| Is This College Right For Me? | VCU is a large, research-driven institution nestled on two campuses in downtown Richmond, Virginia, offering a vast array of degree programs from arts to dental hygiene to engineering to education. VCU students have access to hundreds of student organizations, which is a great way to connect with others whether or not you choose to live in one of our many on-campus residence halls. Take advantage of VCU's location with access to the James River and its park system, internship and job opportunities, community engagement, and interstates to travel to the beach, the mountains, and Washington, D.C.. |
| Transfer Student Catalog Year | Catalog year is determined by the student's first semester of degree-seeking attendance at VCU. |
| First Year Student Catalog Year | Catalog year is determined by the student's first semester of degree-seeking attendance at VCU. |
| Applying for Guaranteed Admissions | https://admissions.vcu.edu/apply-to-vcu/undergraduate/transfer/ |
Where Can This Degree Transfer
| Institution | Title | Degree | Award Name | Award Level | Delivery Mode |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Roanoke College | Bachelor of Arts in Health and Physical Education | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
| Bridgewater College | Health and Exercise Science Major - BS | Bachelor | Bachelor of Science | 4-Year | In-Person |
| Emory & Henry University | Health and Physical Education Teacher Preparation (BA) | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
Careers Where This Degree Applies
| O*Net Code | Name | Description | Parent |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25-1081.00 | Education Teachers, Postsecondary | Teach courses pertaining to education, such as counseling, curriculum, guidance, instruction, teacher education, and teaching English as a second language. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research. | Educational Instruction and Library Occupations |
| 25-2022.00 | Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education | Teach one or more subjects to students at the middle, intermediate, or junior high school level. | Educational Instruction and Library Occupations |
| 25-2031.00 | Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education | Teach one or more subjects to students at the secondary school level. | Educational Instruction and Library Occupations |
Cost To Complete