Degrees Offered:
Bachelor of Science (B.S.)
Exercise Science
About the School of Allied Health and Sport Studies
The School of Allied Health and Sport Studies offers undergraduate programs in exercise science, gerontology, health promotion, health and physical education, and sport management. Focusing on integrating theory with practice, you will receive a solid, pre-professional background within a liberal arts framework that will provide you with the knowledge, skills and disposition necessary to pursue graduate school, professional certification, or a career from a variety of occupational settings.
Exercise Science
Have you imagined yourself working in the healthcare industry? Do you dream of working with athletes and teams as a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS)? Perhaps you have an interest in personal training? Do you see yourself helping people of all ages and fitness levels achieve a healthier lifestyle through physical activity? You may even hope to own your own wellness facility. If any of the above appeals to you, then Barton College’s exercise science major should be your next step!
Fitness professionals are increasingly in demand within hospitals, outpatient clinics, corporate wellness programs, healthcare centers, public and private gyms, and educational settings, as well as exercise physiology labs, group fitness programs, Olympic and professional training centers, and public and private personal training. The Exercise Science major at Barton College is designed to prepare you to sit for the National Strength and Conditioning Associations (NSCA) Certification Examination to become a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS) and is recognized by the NSCA as an Education Recognition Program (ERP). The Barton College exercise science program is a National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM) Advocate School with NASM Certified Personal Trainer (CPT) certification and NASM Corrective Exercise Specialist (CES) credential courses built into the curriculum.
By concentrating your studies in exercise science, you will be proficient in exercise testing skills recommended by the American College of Sports Medicine ranging from body composition and blood pressure measurements to cardiovascular testing and resistance training instruction. Through a series of guided practicum experiences, students have the opportunity to work with Barton College athletic teams in their strength-training programs and gain personal-training experience through the Fit at Barton program, as well as completing internships in a variety of off-campus settings.
Minor in Human Performance
Barton College also offers a Minor in Human Performance with emphases in Strength and Conditioning and Personal Training. The courses are designed to prepare you in developing a basis outside your primary academic major, which will allow you to develop your knowledge in this realm. Both emphases consist of a common core of exercise-science courses.
The strength-and-conditioning emphasis includes courses and practicum experiences that serve as prerequisites for taking the CSCS exam. The personal-training emphasis includes the NASM’s CPT and CES courses and a practicum experience that will allow you to gain personal-training experience through the Fit at Barton program.
Invest in Your Success at Barton College
Exercise Science: Sample Course Offerings
You will enroll in a variety of science-based courses designed to help you understand the human body and the demands placed upon it. Courses include:
- PED 350: Kinesiology
- SPS 120: Group Exercise Instruction
- SPS 212: Training Concepts
- SPS 270: Exercise Physiology
- SPS 280: Exercise Prescription
- SPS 310: Psychological and Sociological Bases of Sport
- SPS 312: Program Design and Implementation
- SPS 335: Personal Fitness Training
- SPS 345: Concepts in Corrective Exercise
- SPS 410: Organizational Leadership and Administration of Sport and Health Sciences
- SPS 450: Exercise in Health and Disease
- SPS 460: Field Experiences/Internships
- HEA 201: First Aid/CPR/AED
- HEA 230: Health/Wellness Modern Society
How Will Barton Prepare Me for a Career in Exercise Science?
Through Barton’s exercise science program, you will receive a science-based education in the areas of strength, conditioning, and fitness. Throughout your educational career, you will have the opportunity to work in a variety of settings and apply what you have learned in the classroom. The Barton College Exercise Science major, as designed to prepare you for the NSCA-CSCS examination and NASM certification, produces students ready to succeed in a profession that is growing exponentially. Barton graduates are not only prepared to work with athletic populations of all ages and levels, but may also pursue employment within the rising fitness industry. The employment possibilities for a qualified fitness professional are endless, and the Barton College Exercise Science major helps you reach that potential. The faculty and staff will encourage and assist you in taking that step towards fulfillment and success.
Internships
The internship program is structured to allow you to gain first-hand experience working in an environment similar to what you may encounter post-graduation, as well as assist you in discovering a field in which you may be interested in pursuing. All exercise science majors must complete a minimum of two internships, one for 40 clock hours and one for 120-480 clock hours to fulfill the degree requirements. You may elect to enroll in more field-based courses. Our students have completed internships at a variety of fitness facilities and institutions, which include:
- Barton College Kennedy Recreation and Intramural Center with the Barton College athletic teams
- Cooper Institute (Dallas, Texas)
- EXOS/Athletes’ Performance Center (Raleigh, N.C.)
- Fit 4 Life (Wilson, N.C.)
- Inlet Fitness (Virginia Beach, Va.)
- North Carolina State University Athletics Department (Raleigh, N.C.)
- Regency Athletic Club (Wilson, N.C.)
- Sports Center of Morehead City (N.C.)
- The Little Gym (Asheville, N.C.)
- University of Michigan Men’s Basketball Strength and Conditioning (Ann Arbor, Mich.)
- Velocity Sports Performance (Raleigh, N.C.)
- Victory Fitness (Wilson, N.C.)
- ViQuest (Greenville, N.C.)
- YMCA (Wilson, N.C.)
Clubs and Organizations
There are several professional organizations that support the mission of optimal performance, health, and wellness in sport and in life. These include:
- National Strength and Conditioning Association
- American College of Sports Medicine
- International Sport Sciences Association
- National Academy of Sports Medicine
- National Athletic Trainers Association
Graduate Schools
Barton College graduates are prepared to enter graduate programs, working towards master’s degrees and doctoral degrees in several fields. You are encouraged to work closely with your advisors to ensure proper prerequisites are met for desired programs, including, but not limited to:
- Clinical Exercise Physiology
- Human Performance
- Kinesiology and Biomechanics
- Lifestyle and Wellness Coaching
- Nutrition Science
- Occupational Therapy
- Physical Therapy
- Public Health
- Research Exercise Physiology
Recent graduates have attended:
- Western Michigan University
- Old Dominion University
Career Outcomes
- Cardiac Rehab
- Collegiate Athletics
- Corporate Wellness
- Fitness Clubs
- Olympic Sports
- Personal Training
- Professional Sports
- Research
- YMCA