Exercise Science - B.S. Download to print

The Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science comprises three concentrations: Exercise Physiology; Exercise Specialist; and Pre-Physical/Occupational Therapy/Podiatric Medicine.

The Exercise Physiology concentration prepares students for graduate school in exercise physiology or health care professions.

The Exercise Specialist concentration enables students to prepare for work in the clinical setting, ranging from a career in wellness to cardiac rehabilitation.

The Pre-Physical/Occupational Therapy/Podiatric Medicine concentration prepares students for subsequent graduate school in these areas. The pre-podiatric medicine track is designed to be a combined program with Kent State University's college of Podiatric Medicine. Successful completion of this program, however does not guarantee acceptance into the podiatric medicine doctoral program. Please see the Podiatric Medicine doctoral program in the catalog for more information about the application process and acceptance criteria.

Note: Exercise Science is one route to Physical Therapy and Occupational Therapy advanced study programs.  Athletic Training is another option for pursuing advancement into PT and/or OT graduate programs. Specifically, Athletic Training involves clinical courses and dual-certificate (AT/PT) opportunities for those choosing Pre-PT/OT as a course of study. Additionally, Integrated Health Studies provides a viable course of study which can also serve as a Pre-PT/OT/PM curricula for interested students. The Health Science concentration includes a strong math and science curriculum which provides a solid foundation for numerous health/medical graduate degrees in particular physical and occupational therapy.

Background Check policy: State/Federal background checks may be required for practicum/internship experiences. See Program Coordinator for more information.

Physical therapists held about 173,000 jobs in 2006. The number of jobs is greater than the number of practicing physical therapists because some physical therapists hold two or more jobs. For example, some may work in a private practice, but also work part time in another health care facility.

About 6 out of 10 physical therapists worked in hospitals or in offices of physical therapists. Other jobs were in the home health care services industry, nursing care facilities, outpatient care centers, and offices of physicians. Some physical therapists were self-employed in private practices, seeing individual patients and contracting to provide services in hospitals, rehabilitation centers, nursing care facilities, home health care agencies, adult day care programs, and schools. Physical therapists also teach in academic institutions and conduct research.

A career in podiatric medicine can include the areas of primary care, surgery, orthopedics, sports medicine, geriatrics and pediatrics. An undergraduate degree in exercise science will form the foundation to helping the health care professional better understand these areas of primary care. Employment of podiatrists is expected to increase 20 percent from 2010 to 2020, faster than the average for all occupations.In addition, job prospects for trained podiatrists should be good, given that there are limited number of colleges of podiatry. In addition, the retirement of currently practicing podiatrist in the coming years is expected to increase the number of job openings for podiatrists.

(Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics)

General Admissions for Freshman Students: Admission Requirements at the Kent Campus: The freshman admission policy at the Kent Campus is selective. Admission decisions are based upon the following: overall grade point average, ACT and/or SAT scores, strength of high school college preparatory curriculum and grade trends.

The university affirmatively strives to provide educational opportunities and access to students with varied backgrounds, those with special talents and adult students who graduated from high school three or more years ago. For more information on admissions, visit the admissions website for new freshmen.

For more information about admission criteria for transfer, transitioning and former students, please visit the admissions website.

Minimum 120 credit hours and minimum 39 upper-division credit hours. Minimum 2.250 GPA in major and 2.000 overall GPA.

Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs/Committee on Accreditation for the Exercise Sciences