Exercise Science

Associate Degree Program

As an exercise science technician, you will work with people of all ages to evaluate and improve their quality of fitness through the development of customized exercise programs.

Upon successful completion of this program, you will be eligible to sit for various certifications as offered by the American Council on Exercise (ACE), the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA), the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM), and the National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM).

Offered at the following campus(es): Wilmington

What You Can Do

In this program, you will gain the knowledge and skills to prepare you for positions such as:

  • Certified personal trainer
  • Corporate health & wellness professional
  • EKG technician
  • Lifestyle/Wellness coach

What You Will Learn

Program Graduate Competencies

The Program Graduate Competencies listed below identify the major learning goals related to your specific program of study and identify the knowledge and skills you will have when you graduate to be successful in your chosen field.

  1. Integrate professional behaviors in an ethical, legal, safe, and effective manner within the exercise science delivery system.
  2. Perform appropriate measurement and assessment techniques to assist in evaluating a client's status for proper exercise prescription plans.
  3. Prescribe and implement or modify a comprehensive exercise prescription plan based upon pre-exercise screenings or re-evaluation of clients.
  4. Demonstrate effective written, oral, and nonverbal communication skills with clients, their families, colleagues, health care providers, and the public.
  5. Participate in the teaching and explaining of exercise science concepts to clients, colleagues and the public.
  6. Recognize the importance of continued development of knowledge and skills through the practice of reading professional literature and attending continuing education activities.
  7. Perform clinical practice, as required of an entry-level Certified Exercise Science professional.

Core Curriculum Competencies

The Core Curriculum Competencies listed below identify what you will be able to do as a graduate, regardless of your program of study. You will acquire these core competencies through general education courses and program-specific coursework. You will be expected to use relevant technology to achieve these outcomes:

  1. Apply clear and effective communication skills.
  2. Use critical thinking to solve problems.
  3. Collaborate to achieve a common goal.
  4. Demonstrate professional and ethical conduct.
  5. Use information literacy for effective vocational and/or academic research.
  6. Apply quantitative reasoning and/or scientific inquiry to solve practical problems.

Suggested Pathway to Graduation

Semester 1

Number Course Title Credits
SSC 100First Year Seminar1
BIO 120Anatomy and Physiology I5
ENG 101Composition I3
MAT 162Statistical Reasoning4
 
SOC 111Sociology3
Or
SOC 213Ethical Issues in Healthcare3

Semester 2

Number Course Title Credits
BIO 121Anatomy and Physiology II5
ENG 102Composition II3
HLH 110First Aid, Safety & CPR3
EXS 100Introduction to Exercise Science4
EXS 101Functional Kinesiology3

Semester 3

Number Course Title Credits
EXS 105Conditioning & Strength Training4
EXS 120Wellness and Health Promotion3

Semester 4

Number Course Title Credits
BIO 115Nutrition3
EXS 135Exercise Science Clinical I2
EXS 205Fitness for Special Populants3
EXS 225Advanced Exercise Testing4
EXS 230Health Fitness Instruction4

Semester 5

Number Course Title Credits
PSY 121General Psychology3
EXS 200Nutrition for Sport & Exercise3
EXS 235Exercise Science Clinical II5

To complete program requirements, you must pass the above courses and earn at least 68 credits. The number of courses and credits required for graduation may be more depending on college readiness and the elective courses offered in your program major (if electives are a part of the program).

AHTAASEXS

Pursuing a Bachelor's Degree?

This is a Connected Degree program that enables you to complete your associate degree and then transfer to a four-year degree program as a junior. See a program advisor for details!

Campus-Specific Program Information

This program is offered at the Wilmington campus.

This program is offered at the Wilmington campus.

This program is offered at the Wilmington campus.

Contact Wilmington

Carol Malkin
Department Chair, Instructor, and Program Advisor
cmalkin@poscoop.com
(302) 573-5421