Exercise Science
Unlocking the Science of Human Performance Exercise science examines the function of the body under the stress of acute and chronic physical activity. Exercise scientists promote health and wellness, prevent illness and disability, restore health and well-being, and help athletes reach their potential in sports training and performance.
- Degrees & Offerings
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- B.S.
- Location
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- Bloomsburg
- Lock Haven
- Department
- Program Contact
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Chair of the Department of Rehabilitation Sciences / Professor of Exercise Science
Program Overview
- Our exercise science bachelor's degree program prepares you for a wide range of careers in the dynamic field of wellness and fitness. This challenging and demanding program leads you to a future in corporate wellness, cardiac rehabilitation, health care, sports medicine, and research environments.
- Emphasis is on the interpreted aspects of wellness and fitness, gerontology, nutrition, stress management, alternative medicine and therapies and cardiac rehabilitation in a rapidly evolving professional field. Major national corporations and graduate programs actively recruit Commonwealth University students from this program.
- Upon completion of the program, you'll be eligible to take health and fitness certification examinations including the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) and the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA), as well as applying to graduate degree programs, such as the Athletic Training (M.S.) or Applied Exercise Physiology (M.S) Program.
- Commonwealth University provides exceptional, state-of-the-art facilities for the exercise science program. There are athletic training facilities, an exercise physiology lab, rehabilitation center, and gross human anatomy (cadaver dissection) lab.
- The Exercise Science program is accredited from the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education (CAAHEP), the Committee on Accreditation for the Exercise Sciences (CoAES), and is a National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA) Education Recognition Program.
Courses and Curriculum
Our curriculum includes prerequisites for further education in many allied health fields such as Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Public Health, Chiropractic Medicine, Medicine, Strength & Conditioning, Physician’s Assistant, Accelerated Nursing, and Cardiovascular Technology, as well as further graduate study in all Exercise Science based programs. Our program is an interdisciplinary program based on the medical sciences. Required courses outside the department include those from biology, chemistry, physics, and mathematics.
Note: Degree requirements effective for enrolled students beginning Fall 2023. All enrolled students, including matriculating students prior to Fall 2023, can review their degree program requirements and track progress to degree completion with our degree audit and advisement tool, Degree Works.
Exercise science students have completed internships at a variety of hospitals, clinics, universities, and corporate and private fitness centers.
- Internship course description
- Step-by-step checklist
- Professional insurance
- Intern evaluation by on-site supervisor
- Student evaluation form
Hospitals and Clinics
- Bloomsburg Hospital
- Bryn Mawr Hospital
- Central Pa Rehabilitation Services
- Clearfield Hospital
- Coordinated Health Systems
- Crozier Chester Medical Center
- Doylestown Hospital
- Evangelical Community Hospital
- First Choice Rehabilitation Specialist
- Geisinger Medical Center
- Hershey Medical Center
- John Hopkins Medical Center
- Thomas Jefferson Hospital
Fitness Centers
- Johnson and Johnson
- Suncom Industries
- National Strength Professional Association
- Merck and Company Inc.
- Lightning Fast Training System
- Leukemia and Lymphoma Society
- Philbin's Athletic Training Center
- Test Health Club
- New York Life Fitness Center
- Upper Merion Fitness Center
- oJoyner Sportsmedicine Institute
- oBloom Health and Fitness
- Bloomsburg Sportsplex
- Baltimore Ravens
- Armstrong World Industries
- Air Products and Fitness Center
- Functional Athletic Strength and Speed Training
College and University
- University of North Carolina
- Pennsylvania State University
- West Virginia University
- Wake Forest University
- Florida State University
- Drexel University
- Rutgers University
- University of Maryland
- University of Pittsburgh
- Arizona State University
- University of Scranton
- Lehigh University
- Lasalle University
- Kutztown University
- Lycoming College
- Kings College
- To provide a quality program leading to a Bachelor of Science degree in Exercise Science.
- To provide curriculum consistent with the core courses recommended by the American College of Sports Medicine and the National Strength and Conditioning Association in preparation for national certification examinations.
- To provide a curriculum that integrates personal and practical skills to produce entry-level competence in any field of exercise science.
- To provide students opportunities for work-related
experience within the health and fitness field. - To provide quality academic instruction, satisfaction, and learning experiences to student graduates.
- To prepare students to procure entry-level employment in the health / fitness / wellness field, or continue formal education in schools offering advanced degrees in health-related graduate programs.
- To provide an academic curriculum that engages
students with hands-on experiences and individual support to foster student retention. - To provide faculty and staff who possess the
knowledge, training, and skills necessary to provide an environment conducive for teaching and learning. - To provide students with quality advising and counseling to promote timely and efficient progression through the program.
- To graduate confident, competent students who will be able to successfully compete in the marketplace.
In 2023-24, the B.S. program reported the following outcome data:
- Overall retention rate: 70%
- National certification exam pass rate: 100%
- Culminating experience (internship and / or thesis) pass rate: 100%
- Graduate placement rate: 85.7%
- 14.2% secured full-time employment in a related field
- 71.4% were enrolled in a graduate education program
- CU - Bloomsburg had a 63% acceptance rate into PT school
- Assistant Professor, The University of Scranton
- Assistant Athletic Trainer, Elizabethtown College, PA
- Assistant Athletic Trainer, Lehigh University
- Athletic Trainer, Towson University
- Clinical Exercise Physiologist, Geisinger Medical Center
- Clinical Exercise Physiologist, The Cleveland Clinic
- Clinical Exercise Physiologist, Williamsport Hospital
- Clinical Exercise Specialist, York Hospital, PA
- Clinical Exercise Physiologist, Lancaster General Hospital
- Clinical Exercise Physiologist, Philadelphia Medical Center
- Director of Research and Education, The Cincinnati Sports Medicine Center
- Exercise Physiologist, The Heart Institute, John Hopkins University
- Exercise Physiologist, U.S. Naval Commission, Pensacola, Florida
- Head Athletic Trainer, The University of Scranton
- Head Athletic Trainer, Warrior Run High School
- Physical Therapist, Geisinger Medical Center
- Senior Exercise Specialist, The Air Products Corporation
- Sports Physiologist, The U.S. Olympic Training Center in Lake Placid, N.Y.
- Teacher, Physical Education and Wellness, The Agnes Irwin School
- Kathleen Moneghan '10/'15M, Associate Medical Director of Remote Telemedicine at ConvenientMD
- Michael Morton – Senior Improvement Optimization Consultant, Geisinger
Why Commonwealth?
Accreditation
The Commission on Accreditation of the Allied Health Education Programs is the largest programmatic accreditor of the health sciences professions.
Awards and Recognitions
NSCA Recognition
ERP distinguishes schools with standardized, approved strength, and conditioning or personal training curricula in undergraduate and graduate settings designed to prepare students for the NSCA-CPT® and CSCS® certifications.
Licensure and Certification
This program provides the theoretical background and practical experience needed for students pursuing national certifications offered by the American College of Sports Medicine and the National Strength and Conditioning Association.
ONWARD AND UPWARD
Careers
The versatility of exercise science enables you to direct your abilities and commitment to Cardiac Rehabilitation, Corporate Fitness and Wellness, Personal Training, Strength and Conditioning, Clinical Exercise Physiology, Health and Fitness Promotion, and many other careers dedicated to Health and Wellness. However, you cannot work as a physical education teacher, nutritionist, or dietician after completing this program. nutritionist or dietician after completing this program. You can meet the pre-requisite classes to go onto further study in these areas, but you will not be qualified to work in these fields with a Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science degree.
Potential Job Opportunities
- Personal Trainer
- Strength and Conditioning Coach
- Cardiac or Pulmonary Rehabilitation
- Physical Therapist
- Clinical Researcher
- Clinical Exercise Physiologist
- Health and Fitness Instructor
- Exercise Specialist
- Athletic Trainer
Connect with our Faculty
Andrea Fradkin
- Chair of the Department of Rehabilitation Sciences / Professor of Exercise Science
- Bloomsburg
Wendy Hoyt
- Clerical Assistant to the Exercise Science faculty
- Bloomsburg
Joseph Andreacci
- Exercise Science Graduate Program Coordinator, Professor of Exercise Science
- Bloomsburg
Kelly Dauber
- Assistant Professor of Exercise Science
- Bloomsburg
Brett Comstock
- Assistant Professor of Exercise Science
- Bloomsburg
Luke Haile
- Associate Professor
- Bloomsburg
Curt Dixon
- Professor of Health Science
- Lock Haven
Ashley Lesniak
- Associate Professor / CU-IRB Chair
- Lock Haven
Noah Wasielewski
- Assistant Professor of Exercise Science
- Bloomsburg
Brian J. Wilt
- Assistant Professor
- Lock Haven
Patricia Lally
- Professor
- Lock Haven
Applying to This Program
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