Exercise Science Major

Jessica M. Brown	Associate Professor of Exercise Science
J.C. Ditch	Visiting Assistant Professor of Exercise Science
Elaine Gonya	Assistant Professor of Exercise Science
Melissa Kolar-Doornek	Assistant Professor of Exercise Science
David B. MacIntyre	Chair, Department of Human Movement Sciences; Clinical Associate Professor of Exercise Science
Kurt McDowell	Assistant Professor of Exercise Science
Jason T. Roe	Assistant Professor of Exercise Science
Daniel Shackelford	Director of Master of Science in Exercise Physiology Program; Associate Professor of Exercise Science

 

The mission of the Exercise Science Program at Carroll University is to develop entry-level professionals who can perform a range of health/fitness assessments and prescribe evidence-based interventions across various populations and abilities.  Students will possess strong critical thinking, communication, and interpersonal skills appropriate for multiple settings. The program will prepare students for professional certification exams (ACSM, NSCA) and post­graduate study in exercise science or other related disci­plines.

The exercise science program emphasizes the area’s body of knowledge, research, and practice. Constant reinforcement of content through practical experiences occurs through observations, exposure to clients in academic courses, practicum experiences, and full-time internships.*  Graduates are qualified professionals who are liberally educated and possess the foundations for lifelong learning.

Individuals interested in health/fitness management are prepared to provide exercise and general wellness programs to apparently healthy individuals across the life span in safe and effective environments. Those interested in strength and conditioning are prepared to provide training programs to improve athletic performance across the life span. Students are also well prepared for advanced study in either graduate school or a clinical health field.

*As part of a comprehensive health science education curriculum, students participate in various clinical education or experiential learning experiences. Carroll-operated health and wellness clinics require standard vaccinations, including the COVID-19 vaccination, for students in training. These requirements are consistent with CDC recommendations for healthcare providers subject to an approved medical/religious exemption. Similarly, students placed in external healthcare sites will likely have these same or unique requirements.  Students must comply with host site vaccination policies, most of which follow CDC Healthcare Provider recommendations. Individual sites may have their own exemption processes, defer exemption screening to the University, or may not include an exemption option. 

Learning Outcomes for Exercise Science

Upon completion of the exercise science program, the student:

1) Will be prepared for entry-level employment, relevant professional certifications or advanced degrees in health-related graduate programs.

2) Will be able to appropriately screen prospective clients and select, implement, and interpret health and fitness assessments across various populations and abilities.

3) Will be able to appropriately select, design, implement, and modify individualized health and fitness interventions for clients across various populations and abilities.

4) Will be able to educate, instruct, and motivate individuals in lifestyle modification in diverse settings across various populations and abilities.

5) Will possess strong communication and interpersonal skills to interact and collaborate effectively with professionals and peers.

6) Will be able to access, read and interpret scientific research and utilize the scientific inquiry process to collect and analyze appropriate data, interpret results and present conclusions in suitable oral, written, and technological formats.

Fees

Specific courses that require use of equipment and disposable supplies are assigned a course fee.