Exercise Science

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Deborah G. Coffin, Associate Professor
David Pober, Assistant Professor
Anthony Sgherza, Associate Professor

B.S. Exercise Science:
Secondary Areas:

1. Pre-professional Physical Therapy (PT*, OT, PA)
   *3+3 (UVM) 
2. Pre-professional Athletic Training*
   *4+2 (PSU) 
3. Self-Designed
4. Strength & Conditioning - Health Fitness Instruction
   *CPT, CSCS (NSCA)
   *HFI (ACSM)
5. Sports Management

B.S. Physical Education

Minor: Exercise Science

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 physical education and 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.

Common 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 the 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 (student teaching, 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.  

Teacher preparation courses use standards based syllabi that include course assignments and rubrics for evaluation of each assignment. Teacher education students are required, as a capstone experience, to present their licensure portfolio to a panel of professionals after completing student teaching. All seniors are required to take AHS 4071 and 4072, a two-semester research methods sequence which integrates scholarship, professional study and, as a capstone project, a presentation of their research project. Graduate surveys are scored to provide feedback of the program. Program improvements may result from this information.

Program Study

Bachelor degrees in physical education and 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. The unique self-designed secondary area requires a minimum of 25 credits of course work with a  coherent theme and focus.  The self-designed program must be proposed and approved by the Department of Exercise Science.

Articulation agreements with University of Vermont (physical therapy) and Plymouth State University (athletic training) offer students unique opportunities for entry level graduate and professional study in these chosen careers.  Pre-professional study in physical therapy offers an option of professional application to University of Vermont following completion of the third year at LSC (*3 + 3 UVM).  Pre-professional study in athletic training offers an option for entry level graduate study in athletic training (*4 + 2) at Plymouth State University.

Students pursuing strength and conditioning – health and fitness career option are prepared with the knowledge, skills, and abilities to sit for nationally recognized certifications; namely, National Strength and Conditioning Association – Certified Personal Trainer (CPT), Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS) and American College of Sports Medicine – Health Fitness Instructor (HFI). 

The Department of Exercise Science at Lyndon State College is recognized by the National Strength and Conditioning Association for successfully meeting established educational program criteria in strength and conditioning. 

  The Teacher Licensure Program satisfies the teaching competencies and the State of Vermont Standards for licensure. Vermont recognizes the Exercise Science core of requirements that satisfies the double major requirement for licensure. All students must comply with the current State of Vermont regulations regarding Praxis I and II testing for licensure.  Praxis  I and II results must be on file at the college prior to November 1st for registering for Student Teaching in the spring semester, and prior to April 1st for registering for Student Teaching in the fall semester.

Requirements for the Bachelor of Science in Physical Education

Computer Literacy Requirement:  All students must demonstrate computer literacy in word processing, computer presentations and spreadsheets OR pass appropriate CIS classes selected in consultation with their advisor.  Demonstration of computer literacy may be accomplished by successful completion of classroom assignments or an independent study arranged with your advisor.

The following are Vermont’s requirements for teacher licensure:

1. Completion of course work that addresses the Principles for Vermont Educators, and Vermont’s Framework of Learning Opportunities, and the National Association of Sports and Physical Education (NASPE) standards.
2. Recommendation for licensure by a professional panel after the student’s licensure portfolio presentation.
3. The completion of the Primary Requirements for the B.S. in Physical Education, recognized by the State of Vermont as a Liberal Arts and Physical Education Major.
4. All students must attain satisfactory completion of the Praxis I and Praxis II Competency Test before student teaching and comply with the current State of Vermont regulations regarding skills testing for licensure.
5. Maintain a 3.0 GPA.

Note:  All students must have current Red Cross and CPR cards and a criminal records check before enrolling in PED-4830, Physical Education K-12 Student Teaching, or AHS-4810 Internship.

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 OR pass appropriate CIS classes selected in consultation with their advisor.  Demonstration of computer literacy may be accomplished by successful completion of classroom assignments or an independent study arranged with your advisor.

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

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