Darla Vale, PhD, RN, Dean of Health Sciences
Robert Charles-Liscombe, Ed.D., ATC, Chairperson
The mission of the Department of Exercise Science and Integrative Health at Mount St. Joseph University is to educate compassionate and culturally competent exercise science and fitness professionals dedicated to providing high-quality, person-centered care that optimizes health, wellness, and human performance.
Graduates will be recognized for their expert clinical skills, professionalism, commitment to life-long learning, and compassion for the well-being of all persons and the communities they serve.
The department offers the Bachelor of Science degree in Health and Exercise Science and a minor in Exercise Science and Fitness. The department also offers elective physical activity classes recognizing the impact that exercise and lifelong fitness will have on each student’s academic success, overall health, and well-being.
Students interested in pursuing a career in Athletic Training are encouraged to pursue the combined Bachelor of Science in Health and Exercise Science - Master of Athletic Training 3+2 Concentration. Articulation agreements with CAATE accredited graduate athletic training programs at other institutions have been developed for this concentration.
Description of the Major
The Health and Exercise Science major provides foundational scientific knowledge and clinical applications to enhance wellness, quality of life, and physical activity across the lifespan. The curriculum encompasses a biopsychosocial model of health with an expanded emphasis on analyzing physical activity and prescribing exercise to improve health and optimize human performance. Our program prepares students to enter careers in the health, fitness or sports performance industries. With the selection of prerequisite coursework, graduates may pursue admission to a variety of graduate programs. These include, but are not limited to athletic training, behavioral and mental health, chiropractic medicine, kinesiology, nursing, occupational therapy, physical therapy, physician assistant studies, and public health programs.
The program has three concentrations:
- Clinical Exercise Science: focusing on exercise prescription for moderate to high risk patients and special populations and preparation for graduate studies in a health-related field.
- Sport Performance and Active Aging: focusing on exercise prescription and performance enhancement across the lifespan.
- Master of Athletic Training 3+2: combines the Health and Exercise Science degree (BS) with the Master of Athletic Training degree to complete both degrees in 5 years.
Clinical Exercise Science Concentration
This concentration prepares students for entry‐level careers in clinical exercise settings. In addition, students have the opportunity to prepare for graduate programs in a health‐related field. Common careers include: cardiac rehabilitation specialist, clinical exercise physiologist, or an exercise specialist in a medical fitness facility. Graduates are prepared for nationally recognized credentials in personal training and weight management.
Common graduate programs: Athletic training, chiropractic medicine, nursing, occupational therapy, physical therapy, or physician assistant studies.
Sport Performance and Active Aging Concentration
This concentration focuses on the development of knowledge and skills to design and implement exercise programs across the lifespan. Common career industries: Community and corporate fitness, group exercise instruction, personal training, strength and conditioning, sport coaching, or wellness coaching. Graduates are prepared for nationally recognized credentials in strength and conditioning, sports performance, personal training, group exercise and fitness instruction, and weight management.
Common graduate programs: Athletic training, exercise science, exercise physiology, kinesiology, and public health.
Master of Athletic Training 3+2 Concentration
This concentration combines sports, medicine, health, disease and injury prevention, health behavior change, and exercise prescription allowing students to earn both degrees in 5 years. Students complete the university core curriculum, health and exercise science core requirements, and athletic training specific graduate pre-requisites. Students may apply to one of three local programs for early admission with 93 credit hours. Successful completion of the first year at the CAATE accredited AT program fulfills the remaining graduation requirements for the BS degree.
Common career industries: Athletic programs, student wellness centers, outpatient rehabilitation clinics, military and tactical medical services, performing arts, worksite wellness and occupational health settings, family medicine and orthopedic physician practices, and the fitness industry.
Program Outcomes
Upon completion of the Health and Exercise Science major, the graduate will be able to:
- Identify how physical activity and exercise impact health and well‐being across the lifespan.
- Collect, interpret, and summarize health and exercise science research topics and data.
- Assess individual and community factors affecting physical activity, health, well‐being, and quality of life.
- Design and implement physical activity, fitness, performance enhancement, and/or health promotion strategies, interventions, and programs.