Exercise Science Concentration in Physical Education

UW-Superior's Exercise Science concentration is a program that provides the knowledge and skills needed to acquire a position in areas such as health and fitness, and clinical exercise physiology. Further, students are able to lay the groundwork for entrance into graduate school for exercise physiology, athletic training, physcial therapy, physician's assistant, or medicine. Students gain basic and advanced knowledge of the structure and function of the human body as well as applied areas such as nutrition, exercise physiology, pathophysiology, and practical experience.

Degrees and Majors/Minors

Major: Physical Education

• Exercise Science Concentration
  

What can you do with a degree in Exercise Science from UW-Superior?

The Exercise Science concentration prepares students to work in the exercise professions including health and fitness, wellness, and clinical exercise physiology (cardiac, pulmonary, and metabolic disease rehabilitation) in a hospital or clinical setting. It also can prepare students for graduate school programs such as occupational or physical therapy, exercise physiology or biomedical sciences. Students gain basic and advanced knowledge of the structure and function of the human body, nutrition and health and clinical exercise physiology. They also learn about research methods, leadership, and safety and emergency response skills.

Practical experiences are encouraged through internships and Academic Service Learning. Students are strongly recommended to earn American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) certification or other accredited exercise credentials such as National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA). Exercise Science majors can minor in Health (Liberal Arts), Sports Management, or Coaching to enhance career opportunities. Exercise Science majors can also double major in Physical Education K-12, although student teaching and an internship would be required.

The Health & Human Performance Department houses the Kessler Exercise Physiology Laboratory, a state-of-the-art, multifunctional exercise physiology facility, in which students perform research and practice techniques related to their coursework. Under the supervision of the Exercise Physiology Lab Director, HHP Exercise Science students also perform fitness assessments for all incoming UW-Superior incoming freshmen and Marcovich Wellness Center facility members.

The Exercise Science major leads to many health fields such as:

• Exercise Physiology (clinical and nonclinical)
• Sports Nutrition
• Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation
• Physician
• Physical/Occupational Therapy
• Personal Trainer
• Health & Fitness Educator
• Wellness Director
• Coaching
• Clinical Research Scientist
• Sports Psychology

Work Activities in Exercise Science might be:

• Educate individuals and organizations about exercise and lifestyle modification to control disease
• Study acute and chronic physiological adaptation to physical activity
• Help athletes develop programs to enhance their level of performance
• Conduct exercise programs for health maintenance
• Provide health and fitness evaluation
• Design personalized exercise prescriptions for individuals or groups
• Offer exercise programming for the elderly

Employment Settings:

• Hospitals
• Outpatient clinics
• Medically supervised fitness centers
• Sports complexes
• School systems
• Public health facilities
• Workplace fitness centers
• Government agencies
• Athletic programs
• Country clubs and resorts
• Centers for Disease Control

A bachelors degree in exercise science combined with an advanced credential provides excellent preparation for numerous careers.