Exercise Science Major:
The Exercise Science major is designed for students pursuing careers in healthcare, wellness, strength & conditioning, and fitness. All students earning this degree are required to complete a minor. While it should be understood that recipients of this degree track may need further educational preparation for graduate school, a minor will assist with marketability and job placement. Additionally, students should consider earning outside certifications (ACE, ACSM, CSCS, etc.), which will improve their opportunities upon graduation.
Exercise Science/Pre-Professional Major:
The Exercise Science/Pre-Professional major is designed for students pursuing future careers in the research and/or clinical fields. With the proper pre-requisite courses, students may apply to physical therapy, occupational therapy, physician assistant or medical school. Additionally, students will also be prepared for advanced degrees (Master or Doctorate) in fields such as exercise physiology, sports psychology, pedagogy, or biomechanics. The Pre-Professional major is designed to ensure that the student has most, if not all, of the required courses to enter a graduate program upon completion of the BS degree. As each graduate program requires slightly different entry requirements, students are strongly encouraged to work with their advisor to ensure that all requirements are completed upon graduation. Students should identify potential graduate schools by the end of their sophomore year to ensure adequate time to complete required courses.
Physical Education Major:
The Physical Education major offers two options. The non- teaching major prepares highly effective and reflective young professionals with instructional techniques and skills to work with all age groups. Students graduating from this program are prepared to seek careers in youth activity programs, recreation, corporate fitness and sport-related commercial fields.
Adrian College’s Physical Education (K-12 teacher certification) major prepares highly effective and reflective young professionals with extensive professional field experience and instructional techniques to work with diverse multi-age students in K-12 classrooms. Students will develop the knowledge, skills, and personal social skills to be effective, reflective movement educators pursuing healthy, active lifestyle education throughout a lifetime.
Accredited combined B.S./M.S. degree program in Exercise Science and Athletic Training
The combined B.S. in Exercise Science / Pre-Athletic Training & M.S. in Athletic Training degree programs combine requirements from the Exercise Science major and Athletic Training major for the completion of two degrees in five years. Athletic trainers are board-certified allied health care professionals who specialize in preventing, recognizing, managing and rehabilitating injuries that result from physical activity. Students who want to become athletic trainers must earn a degree from an accredited athletic training curriculum and pass a comprehensive National Exam administered by the Board of Certification. Years one and two of the Athletic Training Program comprise the Candidacy Phase, and then students apply to be retained in the Professional Phase of the degree. By the end of the fifth year of study, students will have earned a B.S. in Exercise Science / Pre-Athletic Training, an M.S. in Athletic Training, and be eligible to sit for the Board of Certification (BOC) exam.
