2013-2014 Undergraduate & Graduate Catalog
Exercise Science - Program Description
For additional information about opportunities your college offers, please refer to the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences section in this catalog.
Website: www.gvsu.edu/move-sci/
Exercise Science is the study of movement and the associated functional responses and adaptations the human body experiences. The exercise science major will seek to serve the students of Grand Valley State University by providing theoretical foundations for exercise testing and prescription in apparently healthy and clinical populations. Students receive hands on experience and skill preparation to work in a wide variety of health, fitness, and wellness careers. The exercise science degree, with emphasis areas in health/fitness instruction and clinical exercise science, is consistent with American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) standards. The major prepares students for opportunities in community health and fitness, corporate wellness, personal training, cardiac rehabilitation, performance enhancement, and future graduate study in related areas.
Exercise Science Mission Statement
To prepare students for physical activity, exercise, health & sport related professions through academic, practical, and research experiences. Our students will have the knowledge and skills to promote and impact their health and that of society.
Exercise Science Vision Statement
The exercise science program in the Movement Science Department at Grand Valley State University is committed to being nationally recognized for its excellence in teaching and scholarship. Through our excellence, we prepare future leaders in the areas of health, physical activity, exercise, and sport. We achieve excellence in teaching by using innovative teaching strategies that incorporate active student learning. We complement excellence in teaching with innovative scholarship addressing critical issues related to health, fitness, and sports performance across the life span.
Career Opportunities
Students graduating with an exercise science degree can be employed across a wide variety of health, medical, wellness and physical activity related fields. Fields of employment are:
- Cardiac Rehabilitation
- Community Fitness
- Community and Public Health
- Corporate Health and Wellness
- Education
- Exercise Physiology
- Fitness/wellness
- Nutrition
- Occupational Therapy
- Personal Training
- Physical Therapy
- Physicians Assistant
- Pulmonary Rehabilitation
- Research
- Strength and Conditioning
Graduate School Opportunities
Students are well-prepared to enter graduate school. Examples of graduate programs are:
- Physical Therapy
- Kinesiology
- Exercise Science
- Physiology
- Epidemiology and Public Health
- Health Promotion
- Biomechanics
- Physicians Assistant
- Occupational Therapy
- Medical School
- Sport and Exercise Psychology
- Nutrition
Student Organizations (www.gvsu.edu/stuey)
- Exercise Science Club
The following program is available: