Exercise Science (BS)

Requirements for the Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science: 

In addition to completing the Common Curriculum courses, students will complete 18 credits of Kinesiology core courses and 45 credits of Exercise Science courses.

Students must also earn and maintain a valid American Red Cross BLS/ CPR for Healthcare or American Heart Association BLS certification before beginning the Clinical Education Courses. (Students considering graduate study in a healthcare profession are encouraged to take the AHA: BLS course.)

Accelerated EXSS to DPT Pathway

The Department of Kinesiology offers a path from the BS in Exercise Science: Exercise Physiology to a Doctorate in Physical Therapy through an accelerated or bridge pathway for high-achieving students. This pathway enables students to complete both their BS in Exercise Science and Doctor of Physical Therapy degrees in 5.5 years as opposed to the traditional 7 years.

This pathway prepares students to apply for the Physical Therapy program at MBU using the Junior Admit option. More details about this option can be found in the Physical Therapy Section of this catalog.

Students who are interested in pursuing the 3+ pathway from EXSS to the DPT program must declare the Exercise Science Major by the end of the fall semester of their first year.

Students following this pathway will need to complete a minimum of 95 undergraduate credit hours, including all Common Curriculum, Exercise Science major requirements, and Physical Therapy Prerequisite courses (REQUIRED: CHEM 122/ 122L General Chemistry II, PHYS 201/ 201L and 202/ 202L General Physics I and II, PSYC 203 Abnormal Psychology. RECOMMENDED OPTIONS INCLUDE: EXSS 287 Clinical Education I, ED 212 Lifespan Development, EXSS 405 Advanced Human Anatomy Dissection) in three years of full-time study. Students will apply for admission into the DPT program at the beginning of their 3rd year. Upon acceptance into the DPT program, students will become graduate students and matriculate into the DPT program during the fall semester of their fourth year. The BS in Exercise Science will be conferred at the successful conclusion of the first year in the DPT program (a minimum of 25 additional credit hours). Earning the DPT degree is not required for bachelor’s degree conferral. The following course substitutions will be made in the EXSS major:
 

• EXSS 387 Clinical Experience II, students may substitute PTH 705 Foundations of Physical Therapy Practice;
• EXSS350 Exercise is Medicine, students may substitute PTH 703 Pathophysiology;
• EXSS 450 Advanced Exercise Physiology, students may substitute PTH 706 Foundations of Clinical Exercise;
• EXSS 460 Advanced Strength and Conditioning, students may substitute PTH 701 Kinesiology;
• HSCI 402 Senior Project in Health Sciences, Students may substitute PTH 721, Research & Critical Theory I.
   

If a student is not accepted into the PT program, they will complete the remainder of the EXSS course requirements and 120 credit hours to earn the BS in Exercise Science during their fourth year. Importantly, participation in the 3+ program does not guarantee entry into the physical therapy program at Murphy Deming. Moreover, completing a standard 4-year degree in exercise science does not diminish the student’s chances of being accepted into the physical therapy program.