Program Coordinator Shane Callahan
Fitness professionals and personal trainers are needed to meet the growing health and wellness needs of the nation. Ailments such as obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease are at an all-time high and require professional intervention to slow their prevalence. Lewis and Clark’s Exercise Science Program provides students the opportunity to gain knowledge in the closely related fields of anatomy and physiology nutrition, kinesiology, psychology, biomechanics and other health-related areas that provide an excellent foundation for their future careers. The program is designed to develop and enhance competencies necessary for students to create and implement exercise programs for clients interested in wellness and weight management, as well as athletes striving to optimize performance. Both theoretical and practical approaches are emphasized throughout the program insuring job placement and a solid foundation for further education. As a capstone experience, students participate in a supervised practicum that includes internships at selected health facilities. Graduates of the program have the knowledge required and are highly encouraged to take a national certification examination to enhance their academic training.
Program Learning Objectives
Use a variety of formal and informal assessment techniques to assess learner performance, provide feedback, and communicate learner progress
Assess and prescribe appropriate instructional/managerial strategies needed for proper demonstration of weight training and cardiovascular fitness exercises for individuals of various developmental levels and learning styles
Understand the physiological mechanisms which sustain and act as the basis of the body’s response to exercise
Apply the various behavioral management strategies/techniques involved in exercise maintenance to clients
Identify and interpret up-to-date scientific research in the exercise science field
Apply principles of biomechanics to teaching and/or various coaching situations
Ascertain the American College of Sports Medicine Health and Fitness Instructor Certification
Nature of Work: Fitness professionals can have an array of job responsibilities depending on which respective field they chose to pursue. Career tracks range from exercise practitioner in fitness and/or clinical settings to independent personal trainers. Fitness programs are common in the workplace, especially in corporate, commercial, and hospital settings. Duties include assessing cardiovascular endurance, flexibility, and muscular strength and endurance, as well as designing individualized fitness and rehabilitation programs, monitoring progress during programs, analyzing data from clients and educating about fitness, nutrition, ergonomics, and demonstrating exercises.
Skills and Abilities: To pursue a career as a fitness professional, you must be reliable, ethical, task-oriented, responsible, and possess problem-solving skills. Students must be able to work with people of various ages, abilities, and personalities. Outgoing, personable attitudes with the desire to help others achieve their goals are essential.
30 and Out A.A.S. Degree Program Option: Anyone who has already earned an associate or bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university may earn an Associate in Applied Science Degree in Exercise Science by completing 30 semester hours of approved Exercise Science courses. Students interested in this program option must contact the program coordinator to receive written approval detailing the specific courses required for this degree option.
Exercise Science - EXERS.AAS
Associate in Applied Science Degree
First Semester
BIOL 130 - Fundamentals Of Biological Science 4 credit hours
ENGL 131 - First-Year English I 3 credit hours
PHED 130 - Fitness & Conditioning I 2 credit hours
XSCI 130 - Strength Training And Fitness 2 credit hours
XSCI 135 - Exercise Physiology 3 credit hours
Total: 14 Credit Hours
Second Semester
BIOL 132 - Human Biology 4 credit hours
or
BIOL 141 - Anatomy-Physiology I 4 credit hours
HEED 131 - First Aid 3 credit hours
PSYC 131 - General Psychology 3 credit hours
XSCI 140 - Assessment & Exercise Prescription 3 credit hours
XSCI 145 - Intro To Biomechanics 3 credit hours
Total: 16 Credit Hours
Third Semester
BUSN 131 - Introduction To Modern Business 3 credit hours
or
MKTG 131 - Introduction To Marketing 3 credit hours
Exercise Science elective (See List) 1 credit hour
HEED 133 - Personal & Community Health 3 credit hours
PHIL 240 - Contemporary Moral Problems (Ethics) 3 credit hours
XSCI 200 - Sport Psychology 3 credit hours
XSCI 220 - Exercise For Special Populations 3 credit hours
Total: 16 Credit Hours
Fourth Semester
BIOL 161 - Biology Of Nutrition 3 credit hours
Exercise Science electives (See List) 1-2 credit hours
JOBS 132 - Targeting The Job Market 1 credit hour
or
JOBS 133 - Job Seeking Skills 1 credit hour
SPCH 145 - Public And Private Communication 3 credit hours
XSCI 240 - Exercise Psychology 3 credit hours
XSCI 271 - Exercise Science Internship 3 credit hours
Total: 14 Credit Hours
Approved Exercise Science Degree Electives List
PHED 131 - Fitness And Conditioning II 2 credit hours
PHED 132 - Fitness And Conditioning III 2 credit hours
PHED 133 - Fitness And Conditioning IV 2 credit hours
PHED 134 - Horseback Riding 2 credit hours
PHED 144 - Lifeguard Training 2 credit hours
PHED 145 - Water Safety Instructor 2 credit hours
PHED 151 - Progressive Yoga 1 credit hour
PHED 173 - Walking 1 credit hour
PHED 176 - Yogalates 1 credit hour