Bachelor of Arts: Exercise Science
Are you interested in corporate fitness, recreational fitness, personal training, athletic training or cardiac rehabilitation? How about pursuing a career as a strength and conditioning coach or work in other allied health professions? Are you looking to build a strong foundation of knowledge to pursue graduate studies in a specialized exercise-related field? Do you have a passionto serve others as you foster their physical, intellectual and spiritual wellness?
If you answered yes to any of the questions above, then a major or minor in the Exercise Science program may be the right path for you! Our program is housed in the College of Arts and Sciences, which is based in the liberal arts. You will be prepared to serve and lead in today’s world.
Program Overview
Faculty in the Department of Human Performance are knowledgeable and experienced in their respective areas of expertise. More important, they look to serve and impact the lives of others. As a Concordia University Chicago student, you will learn about the multi-dimensional aspect of fitness and wellness, anatomy and physiology, kinesiology, exercise and evaluation and exercise testing and prescription.
These basics are further expanded upon as you progress through the course of your studies preparing you to enter the professional world. At CUC, our classes are small and encourage hands-on learning. You will work closely with the faculty, who will help you throughout your entire college career. Faculty will be able and willing to work with you individually to discuss assignments and career decisions, while ensuring you receive a quality experience at CUC.
General Course Overview
As an exercise science major, you will be required to take courses in fitness and wellness, weight training and cardiovascular activities, anatomy and physiology, kinesiology, measurement and evaluation, physiology of exercise, fitness testing and exercise prescription and complete an exercise science practicum experience. You will also take a management or marketing course.
As you enter your senior year you will be required to complete a 300 hour practicum experience. This practicum will allow you the opportunity to put into practice what you have learned in your classes as you continue to build on your knowledge base.
Some recent practicum sites include Athletico Physical Therapy, Chicago Rush Arena Football, Gottlieb Health and Fitness Center, Shriner’s Hospital and area Park Districts.
For your remaining course hours, you can select from a variety of electives that best suit your interests. For instance, you can take courses that focus on biomechanics, prevention and care of athletic injuries, coaching, physical growth and motor development, nutrition, health courses and more.
For more informtaion, visit the online catalog pages for details on required courses and course descriptions
Opportunities
Today, fitness is increasingly important in the daily lives of individuals. Our program gives you the opportunity to excel in fitness professions in a variety of organizations in an ever expanding career field. Job opportunities for graduates include:
- Personal Trainer
- Strength & Conditioning Coach
- Fitness Director
- Wellness Coordinator
- Coach
- Corporate Fitness Trainer
- Sport Specific Conditioning Specialist
Some students also choose to pursue graduate studies leading to careers in physical therapy, occupational therapy, clinical exercise physiologist, athletic training and other related fields.
Learning Resources
There are a variety of resources available to those studying Exercise Science. The Geiseman Memorial Gymnasium has two gymnasiums, an athletic training room and a human performance laboratory. CUC’s human performance laboratory is equipped with health and sports-related equipment including treadmills, bicycles, cross-country ski machines and rowing machines. A testing laboratory is equipped with appropriate computerized data collection equipment, a state-of-the-art Peak Performance motion analyzing system, and a Breath-by-Breath Computerized Metabolic System.
Program Links