Applied Exercise Science

The Applied Exercise Science (AES) program is a student-centered, innovative, comprehensive program designed to develop the knowledge, skills, and abilities required for excellence in the fields of exercise science, sport performance, and health & wellness. The curriculum encourages life-long learning through classroom, laboratory, internship, and research experience. Graduates will become highly effective, compassionate allied health care professionals capable of working with varied populations.

The AES program is designed to provide graduates with the knowledge, skills and abilities necessary to perform pre-participatory screening, fitness testing, exercise prescription, and exercise leadership for healthy, health-compromised populations, and athletic performance enhancement. With a combination of basic science, exercise science and athletic training courses, these students are prepared for career opportunities as an exercise science professional in cardiopulmonary rehabilitation, strength and conditioning, sports medicine, corporate fitness, personal training, and health promotion. Internship settings include: colleges and universities, sport/athletic organizations, hospitals/clinics, private/commercial/community health and fitness facilities, municipalities, corporations, and non-profit organizations. A senior year research option is also available on a selected basis. The Applied Exercise Science program provides a strong foundation for graduate school preparation for allied health programs. 

Program Goals

The goals of the AES program are to prepare students to pass accredited national certification examinations, entry-level employment and graduate school admissions. The goals are compatible with the missions of the Department, College, and University and are attained through the interprofessional curriculum. They are as follows:

1. Prepare students to be competent exercise science professionals.
2. Develop a comprehensive curriculum that meets the demands of the exercise science profession.
3. Contribute to the body of knowledge in exercise science through scholarly and research activities.
4. Provide continuing education opportunities for exercise science professionals.
5. Actively participate in and contribute to professional activities at the department, college, and community (state, regional and national) levels.

National Strength and Conditioning Association - Education Recognition Program Endorsement

The following criteria must be met for admission to the AES program:

• A high school diploma or the equivalent with a better-than-average achievement record in a college preparatory program including: chemistry (must include laboratory); biology (must include laboratory); mathematics (two mathematics courses - algebra required, geometry preferred); English (three years required - four years preferred).        
• Academic transcripts must reflect an overall high school grade point average (GPA) of 2.5, in addition to a GPA of 2.5 in all science and math courses.        
• Scholastic Achievement Test (SAT) scores must be submitted.        
• A health record must be submitted which indicates specific findings regarding applicant's complete physical exam.

Also see Undergraduate Admissions.

Students accepted to the Westbrook College of Health Professions (WCHP) at the University of New England are subject to two sets of academic guidelines, one to meet minimum qualifications for ongoing enrollment at the University of New England and the other to meet specific program requirements.

WCHP Common Curriculum Standards – Semesters One Through Four (Freshman and Sophomore Years)

1. In keeping with the guidelines of the University of New England, all students must achieve a minimum cumulative semester-end grade point average as follows:
    

   Fall of First Year	1.70
   Spring of First Year	1.70
   Fall Of Second Year	1.70
   Spring of Second Year	1.80

2. Failure to maintain the minimum GPA requirements will result in academic probation as described in the Catalog of the University of New England.
3. Students must achieve a minimum grade of “C” in the following courses: MAT 120, CHE 110, PHY 110, BIO 104, BIO 208, BIO 209, BIO 309, EXS 120, EXS 180 and IHS 220. Failure to achieve a “C” will result in program-level probation, and may affect academic progression and delay graduation.
4. Failure to earn a C or above in any of the above courses requires the student to repeat the course.
5. Failure to achieve a C or above a second time the course is taken will result in dismissal from the major.
6. A student may enroll in any of the courses listed above a maximum of two times. Enrollment in a course consists of achieving a WP or WF or a letter grade. Receiving a W in a course is not considered officially enrolled and will not result in academic penalty.

Applied Exercise Science Program Standards – Semesters Four Through Eight (Junior and Senior Years) 
 

1. Once in course work within the major (fall of the junior year and beyond), students must maintain a minimum semester-end grade point average GPA of 2.5.   Failure to do so will result in program–level probation and may affect academic progression and delay graduation. 
2. Students whose semester-end GPA falls below the 2.5 threshold for two consecutive semesters will be dismissed from the program. 
3. Students must achieve a minimum grade of “C” in each EXS and ATC prefix course 
4. Student may only enroll in any course in the major a maximum of two times.  Enrollment in a course consists of achieving a WP or WF or a letter grade.  Receiving a W in a course is not considered officially enrolled and will not result in academic penalty.

INTERNSHIP EXPERIENCE

*The senior-level culminating experience may be either EXS 499 taken as a six-credit field experience internship (taken in the fall or spring) or a two-course sequence of EXS 479 and EXS 489 Research Practicum I and II (taken in the fall and spring). Research Practicum I would involve the preliminary research work (literature review, IRB proposal, etc.) and the student would collect/interpret/present her/his data during Research Practicum II in the spring. EXS 479 and EXS 489 would be three credits each. Each student is required to complete a minimum of 270 hours (45 hours/credit) under the direct supervision of an approved clinical internship site supervisor, averaging between 20-24 hours per week.  

**AES Electives (12 credits):
A minimum of 6 out of 12 credits are required to have an EXS or ATC prefix.  The remaining credits must have a BIO, CHE or PHY prefix.  Elective course substitution per permission from the Exercise and Sports Performance Department Chair.

Upon successful completion of the Applied Exercise Science Program students will:

1. Demonstrate knowledge in the exercise sciences including: anatomy and physiology, exercise physiology, kinesiology and biomechanics, ECG interpretation, exercise testing and prescription, motor learning and nutrition.
2. Demonstrate knowledge of and clinical proficiency in the following content areas for both apparently healthy and chronic disease populations: a) pre-participation screening/ health risk appraisal and stratification, b) fitness assessment and evaluation c) the design of individually tailored exercise prescription, d) appropriate exercise techniques.
3. Recognize the importance of interprofessional collaboration in the delivery of safe, high quality care within the health care system/exercise science field.
4. Demonstrate the ability to communicate effectively in both oral and written formats.
5. Recognize the importance of ethically-grounded care for diverse clients, patients and/or athletes.
6. Successfully challenge entry-level professional certification examinations from the American College of Sports Medicine and/or the National Strength and Conditioning Association.
7. Participate in activities to promote life-long learning and professional development. 

Tuition and Fees

Tuition and fees for subsequent years may vary. Other expenses include books and housing. For more information regarding tuition and fees, please consult the Financial Information section of this catalog.