Exercise Science

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Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science:

• Health Fitness - Strength and Conditioning

    *CPT, HFS (ACSM)

    *CPT, CSCS (NSCA)

• Pre-professional Physical Therapy (PT, OT, PA)    

• Pre-professional Athletic Training

• Self-Designed

Minors: Athletic Coaching Education, Exercise Science

Accreditation and Recognition:

The Department of Exercise Science holds national distinction as the 24th institution in the country to receive accreditation by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (2009-present) in coordination with the American College of Sports Medicine, and is recognized by the National Strength and Conditioning Association’s Education Recognition Program (2005-present). Lyndon is one of very few institutions in the country to be both CAAHEP Accredited and NSCA Recognized.

Program Mission Statement

The degree program in exercise science combines fundamental interdisciplinary study in the natural sciences and liberal arts with extensive laboratory, experiential and professional internship practices. The mission of the department is to provide exceptional academic and professional preparation for careers in exercise science. Emphasis is placed upon the development of academic, practical, and critical skills needed for lifelong learning as advocates of health promotion and disease prevention.

Program Goals

Students completing undergraduate studies in the department of exercise science will emerge with the following outcomes:

• a foundation of knowledge in the natural sciences
• an understanding of the behavior of the human organism in causing, controlling and responding to movement
• a variety of career or post-secondary educational opportunities in physical education and exercise science
• the technological and practical skills to access and read scholarly materials in physical education and exercise science
• a demonstration of independent research

Program Assessment

Career tracks in exercise science offer strong experiential components via laboratory, practicum, and internship experience. The effectiveness of the departmental and program preparation and the objectives of completed internships are evaluated by faculty, student and internship supervisor.

A college internship manual (pre-professional) outlines specific and detailed policies, procedures, and objectives for the student, the internship site coordinator, and the experience.  An appendix of this manual includes documentation for the intern to self-evaluate and for the internship site coordinator to evaluate the readiness and professional preparation of the student intern for future professional experience.  

The Physical Education Teacher Education (PETE) program integrates a wide variety of assessment methods compatible with the Vermont State Department of Education teacher licensure regulations. Teacher education students are required, as a capstone experience, to present their licensure portfolio to a panel of professionals after completing student teaching.

Program of Study

Bachelor degrees in exercise science consist of a core of primary courses, which all students in the department must complete.  Career tracks allow students to select an area of concentration. The core provides a solid foundation of knowledge in the natural and exercise sciences while career track concentrations promote professional or personal career goals.

Health Fitness/Strength and Conditioning Concentration: Students prepare for careers/national examinations such as American College of Sports Medicine Health Fitness Specialist (HFS), National Strength and Conditioning Association Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS), Certified Personal Trainer (CPT), and/or graduate study. 

Pre-Professional Physical Therapy Concentration: Students pursue a bachelor’s degree in Exercise Science from Lyndon State College and then make application to a Physical Therapy graduate program of choice. Students who are accepted into a graduate program pursue a clinical doctorate in physical therapy (DPT) in approximately 3 additional years of study, and licensure.  This concentration is in conjunction with Pre-Professional Occupational Therapy and Pre-Professional Physician Assistant: Students pursue a bachelor’s degree in Exercise Science from Lyndon State College and then make application to a graduate school of choice.  Students who are accepted into a graduate program pursue a Master’s degree in approximately 2 additional years of study, and licensure.   

Pre-Professional Athletic Training Concentration: Students pursue a bachelor’s degree in Exercise Science from Lyndon State College and then make application to an Athletic Training graduate school of choice.  Students who are accepted into a graduate program pursue a Master’s degree in approximately 2 additional years of study, and certification (ATC).

The unique self-designed concentration requires a minimum of 25 credits of course work with a coherent and rigorous focus.  The self-designed program must be proposed to and approved by the Department of Exercise Science.

It is important to note that graduate programs are high competitive and obtaining an applicable undergraduate degree does not guarantee acceptance.

Exercise Science (XSC) concentration courses can only be transferred from other CAAHEP accredited Exercise Science programs (with matching course descriptions and credit load).

Requirements for the Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science

Computer Literacy Requirement: All students must demonstrate computer literacy in word processing, computer presentations, and spreadsheets. Demonstration of computer literacy may be accomplished by successful completion of classroom assignments.

Note:  All students must have current First Aid and CPR certification before enrolling in practicum (XSC-3810, XSC-4130, XSC-4820) and internship (XSC-4810).

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