Exercise Science Undergraduate Degrees and Certificate program details


The following information applies to all three credentials: Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science, Bachelor of Applied Science in Exercise Science and the Undergraduate Certificate in Strength and Conditioning. Information specific to each credential appears below the general information.

Tuition and fees
To apply

University application priority deadlines:

 Fall: Feb. 1
 Spring: Nov. 1
 Summer: May 1

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The Johnson County Education Research Triangle (JCERT) helps support this program.


Jump to degree and certificate programs

  • Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science, taught on-campus in Overland Park, Kansas, and designed for individuals seeking to complete an undergraduate degree and continue to graduate school in medicine, physical therapy or another healthcare field, or individuals looking to directly enter or advance in a health career such as personal training or wellness coaching.
  • Bachelor of Applied Science in Exercise Science, taught online and designed for individuals looking to complete an undergraduate degree and directly enter or advance in personal training, corporate wellness, or a strength and conditioning coaching career including preparing for industry certifications.
  • Undergraduate Certificate in Strength and Conditioning, taught online and designed for individuals looking to earn a higher education credential to enter the field of personal training or strength and conditioning. Earning this certificate is also a great supplement to an undergraduate degree.

 

Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science

Admissions criteria

Transfer students

·  Apply to the University of Kansas as a transfer student.

Email the program advisor or call (913) 897-8566 about your interest in becoming a transfer student for the exercise science program.


Former KU students not currently enrolled at KU

·  Complete an application for readmission to the University.
 

  1. Complete an application for readmission to the University
  2. The candidate's cumulative and exercise science admission GPA must be at least 2.75.
  3. If you have taken courses at another institution, request the updated official transcripts be sent directly to the KU Office of Admissions. Send electronic transcripts to processing@ku.edu or paper transcripts to KU Office of Admissions, 1502 Iowa St., Lawrence, KS 66045.

 

Program Prerequisites

Course

Credit Hr.

KU Code

College Algebra1
OR
Precalculus1
OR
Calculus I1

3

MATH 101
OR
MATH 104
OR
MATH 115/125

Principles of Biology and Lab1
OR
Principles of Cell & Molecular Biology1

4

BIOL 100 and BIOL 102
OR
BIOL 150

Human Anatomy

3

BIOL 240

Principles of Physiology

3

BIOL 246

English Composition I1

3

ENGL 101

English Composition II1

3

ENGL 102

Public Speaking1

3

COMS 130

General Psychology*

3

PSYC 104

Intro to Exercise Science

3

HSES 269

1Must have a minimum grade of “C”
*Courses fulfill psychology minor, speak with academic advisor for details

 

Transfer Credit

·  A maximum of 75 hours from community or junior colleges count within the minimum cumulative credit hour requirement.

·  Only transfer grades of C or higher count toward KU degree requirements.

·  Courses graded credit/no-credit or pass/fail are not accepted.

·  Visit KU’s transfer credit website to ensure your transfer credits will count toward the KU degree.

 

General Education Requirements

These courses can be taken in conjunction with post-admission exercise science curriculum.

Course

Credit Hr

KU Code

Trigonometry

2

MATH 103

Intro to Ethics

3

PHIL 160

Principles of Nutrition2

3

HSES 330

Basic Microbiology
OR
Fundamentals of Microbiology2

3

BIOL 200
OR
BIOL 400

Basic Microbiology Lab
OR
Fundamentals of Microbiology Lab2

2

BIOL 203
OR
BIOL 402

Human Anatomy Lab

2

BIOL 241

Principles of Human Physiology Lab

2

BIOL 247

General Chemistry I

5

CHEM 130

General Chemistry II

5

CHEM 135

College Physics I

4

PHSX 114

College Physics II

4

PHSX 115

Any KU Core Goal 3 Arts & Humanities

3

GE3H

Any KU Core Goal 4.1

3

AE41

Any KU Core Goal 4.2

3

AE42

1 Not required if student has completed Precalculus or Calculus I or higher.
2 This course can be taken at KU Edwards.

 

Curriculum and requirements

The Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science requires students to complete at least 48 hours of program-specific coursework and requires a minimum of 120 credit hours to graduate.

Required Courses (30 hours)

Course

Credit Hr

KU Code

Methods of Strength & Conditioning

3

HSES 305

Research & Data Analysis

3

HSES 310

Care & Prevention of Athletic Injuries 

3

HSES 350

Kinesiology

3

HSES 369

Exercise Physiology3HSES 372

Neuromuscular Exercise Physiology

3

HSES 375

Biomechanics

3

HSES 470

Clinical Fitness Evaluations & Techniques
*Prerequisite: HSES 310 and HSES 472

3

HSES 473

Exercise Biochemistry
*Prerequisite: HSES 472

3

HSES 474

Physical Activities & Exercise Management for Individuals with Disabilities

3

HSES 480

 

Electives (18 hours)

Students choose 18 credit hours from the following options

Course

Credit Hr

KU Code

Study Abroad Topics in: Exercise Science

1-5

HSES 300

Principles of Personal Training

3

HSES 306

Sport and Exercise Nutrition

3

HSES 331

Clinical Field Experience 

1-3

HSES 335

Health and Pathophysiology

3

HSES 370

Medical Terminology for Health Professionals

3

HSES 371

*Sociology of Sport

3

HSES 380

*Sport Ethics

3

HSES 381

*Psychological Aspects of Exercise

3

HSES 385

*Health Aspects of Aging

3

HSES 418

*Applied Sport Performance and Psychology

3

HSES 440

Undergraduate Research in HSES

1-3

HSES 475

*Sport in Film

3

HSES 484

*Sport Communication

3

HSES 485

*Health and Human Sexuality

3

HSES 489

Independent Study

1-3

HSES 497

Internship in HSES-Exercise Science

15

HSES 580

Special Course: ______________________

3

HSES 598

Medical Terminology

3

HEIM 230

Introduction to Child Behavior and Development

3

ABSC 160

Child Development

3

PSYC 333

Abnormal Psychology

3

PSYC 350

Elements of Sociology OR Principles of Sociology

3

SOC 104 OR
SOC 304

Sociology of Health & Medicine

3

SOC 424

Principles of Genetics

3

BIOL 350

Immunology 

3

BIOL 503

Immunology Laboratory
Pre/Co-requisite: BIOL 503

3

BIOL 504

Introduction to Biochemistry

4

BIOL 600

Principles of Biochemistry Laboratory

2

BIOL 601

*Fundamentals of Organic Chemistry

3

CHEM 310

*Organic Chemistry I

3

CHEM 330

*Organic Chemistry I Laboratory

2

CHEM 331

*Organic Chemistry II

3

CHEM 335

*Organic Chemistry II Laboratory

2

CHEM 336

Elementary Statistics

3

MATH 365

*Survey of Accounting#

3

ACCT 205

Survey of Finance#

3

FIN 305

*Survey of Information Systems#

3

IST 205

Survey of Management and Leadership#

3

MGMT 305

Survey of Marketing#

3

MKTG 305

Survey of Decision Making in Business#

3

SCM 305

Business Minor

18

 

Entrepreneurship Certificate

12

 

Healthcare Management Minor

18

 

Psychology Minor

18

 

Sport Management Minor

18

 

Nutrition Minor18 
Public and Population Health18 
Strength and Conditioning Certificate15 

Courses fulfill psychology minor, speak with academic advisor for details
*Courses not available at the KU Edwards Campus.
#Course fulfill business minor, speak with academic advisor for details

Business minor, Entrepreneurship certificate, and Sport Management minor requires in-person classes on the Lawrence Campus.

Please see the program advisor for additional details. 

 

Bachelor of Applied Science in Exercise Science

Admissions criteria

Transfer students

·  Apply to the University of Kansas as a transfer student.

Email the program advisor or call (913) 897-8566 about your interest in becoming a transfer student for the exercise science program.


Former KU students not currently enrolled at KU

·  Complete an application for readmission to the University.

  1. Complete an application for readmission to the University
  2. The candidate's cumulative and exercise science admission GPA must be at least 2.75.
  3. If you have taken courses at another institution, request the updated official transcripts be sent directly to the KU Office of Admissions. Send electronic transcripts to processing@ku.edu or paper transcripts to KU Office of Admissions, 1502 Iowa St., Lawrence, KS 66045.

 

All materials must be received by the deadline. No late applications will be accepted.

1.   You may apply to the Exercise Science program twice a year.

Applications Available Online

Applications Due

Beginning Semester

July 1, 2019

Mid-September

Spring 2020

Dec. 1, 2018

Feb. 1, 2019

Fall 2019

 

2.   The candidate's cumulative and exercise science admission GPA must be at least 2.75.

3.   Please respond to all questions and submit the materials to the School of Education via the appropriate online application.

You must have a KU Online ID and password to log into the School of Education online application.

4.   You will be able to make changes to your application but you must submit your application prior to the deadline. After midnight on the date materials are due, you will be locked out of the system.

5.   You may obtain a copy of your DPR form from the myKU portal.

6.  If the courses you have taken from another institution do not appear on your DPR form, you should request that transcripts be sent directly to the KU Office of Admissions. Send electronic transcripts to processing@ku.edu or paper transcripts to KU Office of Admissions, 1502 Iowa St., Lawrence, KS 66045.

 

Program Prerequisites

Course

Credit Hr.

KU Code

College Algebra1
OR
Precalculus1
OR
Calculus I1

3

MATH 101
OR
MATH 104
OR
MATH 115/125

Principles of Biology 1
 

3

BIOL 100 
 

Human Anatomy

3

BIOL 240

Principles of Physiology

3

BIOL 246

English Composition I1

3

ENGL 101

English Composition II1

3

ENGL 102

Public Speaking1

3

COMS 130

General Psychology*

3

PSYC 104

Intro to Exercise Science

3

HSES 269

Principles of Nutrition and Health

3

HSES 330

1Must have a minimum grade of “C”
*Courses fulfill psychology minor, speak with academic advisor for details

 

Transfer Credit

·  A maximum of 75 hours from community or junior colleges count within the minimum cumulative credit hour requirement.

·  Only transfer grades of C or higher count toward KU degree requirements.

·  Courses graded credit/no-credit or pass/fail are not accepted.

·  Military-affiliated students may receive credit hours upon evaluation of the Joint Services Transcript.

·  Visit KU’s transfer credit website to ensure your transfer credits will count toward the KU degree.

 

General Education Requirements

These courses can be taken in conjunction with post-admission exercise science curriculum. Learn more about the KU Core.

Course

Credit Hr

KU Code

Any KU Core Goal 1

3

GE11

Any KU Core Goal 3

3

GE3H

Any KU Core Goal 4.1

3

AE41

Any KU Core Goal 4.2

3

AE42

Any KU Core Goal 5

3

AE51

 

Curriculum and requirements

The Bachelor of Applied Science in Exercise Science requires students to complete at least 51 hours of program-specific coursework and a minimum of 120 credit hours to graduate. Credit hour total consists of 30 pre-admission credit hours, 15 general education credit hours, 33 credit hours from required program courses, and 18 credit hours from major electives. The remaining 24 credit hours are open electives.

 

Required Courses (33 hours) 

Must be completed with a grade “C” or higher.

Course

Credit Hr

KU Code

Methods of Strength & Conditioning

3

HSES 305

Principles of Personal Training

3

HSES 306

Tactical Strength and Conditioning

3

HSES 307

Research & Data Analysis

3

HSES 310

Sport and Exercise Nutrition

3

HSES 331

Care & Prevention of Athletic Injuries

3

HSES 350

Kinesiology

3

HSES 369

Exercise Physiology3HSES 372

Biomechanics

3

HSES 470

Clinical Fitness Evaluations & Techniques
*Prerequisite: HSES 310 and HSES 472

3

HSES 473

Physical Activities & Exercise Management for Individuals with Disabilities

3

HSES 480

 

Major Electives (18 credit hours)

Students must complete 18 credit hours of major electives from the list below of HSES upper-level courses and related minors. Not all courses are offered online, at a specific campus, or each semester, so be sure to plan your course selections with your advisor.

Course

Credit Hr

KU Code

Study Abroad Topics in: Exercise Science

1-5

HSES 300

Health and Pathophysiology

3

HSES 370

Medical Terminology for Health Professionals

OR

Medical Terminology

3

HSES 371

OR

HEIM 230

Neuromuscular Exercise Physiology and Motor Control

3

HSES 375

*Sociology of Sport

3

HSES 380

*Sport Ethics

3

HSES 381

*Psychological Aspects of Exercise

3

HSES 385

*Health Aspects of Aging

3

HSES 418

*Applied Sport Performance and Psychology

3

HSES 440

Communicable and Degenerative Diseases

3

HSES 453

Exercise Biochemistry

3

HSES 474

Undergraduate Research in HSES

1-3

HSES 475

*Sport in Film

3

HSES 484

*Sport Communication

3

HSES 485

*Health and Human Sexuality

3

HSES 489

Independent Study

1-3

HSES 497

Internship in HSES-Exercise Science

15

HSES 580

Special Course: ______________________

3

HSES 598

Elements of Sociology

3

SOC 104

Principles of Sociology

3

SOC 304

Sociology of Health and Medicine

3

SOC 424

Business Minor

18

 

Entrepreneurship Certificate

12

 

Healthcare Management Minor

18

 

Psychology Minor

18

 

Sport Management Minor

18

 

Nutrition Minor18 
Public and Population Health18 

*Currently, courses only offered on the KU Lawrence Campus.

Business minor, Entrepreneurship certificate, and Sport Management minor requires in-person classes on the Lawrence Campus.

Contact the program advisor for additional details.

 

Undergraduate Certificate in Strength and Conditioning

Admissions Requirements

The Undergraduate Certificate in Strength and Conditioning admission requirements includes completion of required coursework and consultation with designated program advisor.

 

Application Requirements

  1. Admission to the University of Kansas
  2. 2.5 minimum GPA
  3. Official transcript(s)
  4. Degree seeking and non-degree seeking KU students may register for this certificate by emailing exsciedws@ku.edu
  5. Meet with the program advisor for consultation and approval.
  6. International students must meet KU’s English proficiency, Visa/I-20 and financial support document requirements
  7. Students must have completed BIOL 240: Fundamentals of Human Anatomy and BIOL 246: Principles of Human Physiology or a transfer equivalent. Must be a grade of “C” or better.

 

Curriculum

The strength and conditioning certificate is 15 credits. Students must complete the following courses to fulfill the necessary credit hours:

 

Required Courses

HSES 305-Methods of Strength and Conditioning

HSES 306-Principles of Personal Training

HSES 307-Tactical Strength and Conditioning

HSES 331-Sport and Exercise Nutrition

HSES 350-Care and Prevention of Athletic Injuries

 

Contact the program advisor for additional details.

Questions?

Estevan Ortiz
Academic Success Coach