B.S. Exercise Science

Get your career in shape with an online exercise science degree

The benefits of a healthy lifestyle extend beyond physical and mental well-being and impact nearly every aspect of our lives. Consequently, the health and fitness industry generates more than $80 billion worldwide every year. The B.S. in Exercise Science major provides a clear path to a rewarding career helping individuals realize their health and fitness goals. You’ll learn to evaluate fitness levels, design results-oriented exercise programs and apply coaching methodologies to help your clients reach their full potential. 

Program Overview

From trendy high intensity interval training (HIIT) to pre-natal yoga, you’ll learn to prescribe exercise according to American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) guidelines for apparently healthy individuals, as well as cardiac and pulmonary patients, children, the elderly and pregnant women. 

You’ll gain the knowledge and skills necessary to create effective strength training and conditioning programs. You’ll be able to keep your clients on track with proper and safe exercise techniques for warm ups and stretching, resistance training, plyometrics, speed, agility and endurance programs.

Program Outcomes

  1. Evaluate the physiological status of a client using tests of cardiovascular fitness, muscular strength, and body composition.

  2. Explain to clients the processes and behaviors for changing physiological status.

  3. Analyze client's ability to move and design programs for modifying movement profiles.

  4. Identify different behavioral change techniques and choose appropriate behavioral change strategies.

  5. Describe and locate various technologies for assessment and communication of physiological and physical literacy characteristics.

  6. Apply the design of individually tailored exercise prescriptions and the associated exercise techniques.

Curriculum & Course Descriptions

Fundamental General Education
English Composition
ENG 120 - College Writing (4)

In this course, students acquire the writing competencies necessary for completing analytical and argumentative papers supported by secondary research. A variety of assignments, beginning with personal reflections, build upon one another, as students develop ideas that respond to, critique, and synthesize the positions of others. Students systematize and organize knowledge in ways that will help them in all their courses. The course also emphasizes the elements of critical reading, effective writing style, appropriate grammar and mechanics, clarity of language, and logical and cohesive development. It culminates in submission of an extended, documented research paper.

Mathematics
MATH 215 - Statistical Concepts (4)

This course introduces you to statistics with applications to various areas. The course covers both descriptive and inferential statistics. Topics included are: sampling techniques, data types, experiments; measures of central tendency, measures of dispersion, graphical displays of data, basic probability concepts, binomial and normal probability distributions, sampling distributions and Central Limit Theorem; confidence intervals, hypothesis tests of a mean, or a proportion for one or two populations, and linear regression.

AND

Choose either MATH 140 Introduction to Quantitative Reasoning or MATH 150 Fundamental Algebra as the prerequisite to MATH 215. Course can count as a University Elective.

Social and Behavioral Sciences

6 credits from the following types of courses:
Choose from Anthropology, Economics, Geography, History, Political Science, Psychology and Sociology disciplines.

Science

2 credits from the following types of courses:
Science discipline.

AND

SCIE 244 - Foundations of Anatomy & Physiology (4)

This course is designed for students interested in the allied healthcare professions. The course focuses on the fundamental concepts of anatomy and physiology that are necessary to be successful in any allied healthcare program. This course can be used to fulfill the general education science with a lab requirement, however, it is not recommended for students outside the allied health professions.

Arts & Humanities

6 credits from the following types of courses:
Choose from the Art, English Literature, Fine Arts, Humanities, Music, Philosophy, Religion or Theater disciplines.

Additional General Education
PF 121 - Basic Learning Strategies (2)

This course prepares students to be successful lifelong learners both academically and in their chosen careers. Franklin courses require a high level of self-directed learning and focus on the skills required in the workplace and the classroom that are easily transferrable between the two environments. The course includes strategies for time management, goal setting, reading comprehension, and advancing communication skills, including the use of electronic tools to participate in virtual environments.

OR PF 321 - Learning Strategies (2)

This course prepares students to be successful lifelong learners both academically and in their chosen careers. Franklin courses require a high level of self-directed learning and focus on the skills required in the workplace and the classroom that are easily transferable between the two environments. The course includes strategies for advancing communication skills, including the use of electronic tools to participate in virtual environments. The assignments and activities in the course are created to closely simulate teamwork found in the workplace.

AND

COMM 150 - Interpersonal Communication (4)

By using applied critical and creative thinking, students in this course will develop a set of communication skills that will enhance their personal and professional relationships and endeavors. This course will focus on skill development in key areas such as self, perception, listening, verbal messages, conversations, relationships, conflict management, persuasion, and presentation skills.

OR SPCH 100 - Speech Communication (4)

This basic public-speaking course intends to improve the student's ability to think critically and to communicate orally. Theory and practice are provided in various speaking situations. Each student is required to speak before an audience, but class work also involves reading, gathering and organizing information, writing, and listening.

AND

ENG 220 - Research Writing: Exploring Professional Identities (4)

This is an intermediate course focusing on the composition of research papers. Students in this course prepare to be active participants in professional discourse communities by examining and practicing the writing conventions associated with their own fields of study and work. By calling attention to the conventions of disciplinary writing, the course also prepares students for upper-division college writing and the special conventions of advanced academic discourse. Course activities include three extended research papers, semi-formal writing addressing interdisciplinary communication, and readings fostering critical engagement with disciplinary conversations.

PF 106 - Introduction to Spreadsheets (1)

This course focuses on using spreadsheets to solve business problems.

Major Area Required
EXS 201 - Designing Exercise Programs (3)

This course is an introduction to exercise program design. It will review general principles for designing exercise programs for apparently healthy individuals and individuals with physical disabilities. Strategies to improve exercise compliance and adherence will be included. Legal issues in the designing of exercise programs will be addressed.

EXS 203 - Contemporary Issues in Sport (3)

This course is designed to look at sport and its role in society and the influence of society on sport in the areas of preparation for life, deviance in sports, coach?s role, gender, race and ethnicity, class relations and social mobility, sports and the economy, sports and the media, sports and politics, and sports and religion.

EXS 204 - Introduction to Sports and Exercise Psychology (3)

This course introduces you to sports and exercise psychology theories, research, and selected applications of those theories and research. Topics include, but are not limited to, motivation, team dynamics, improving performance, and challenges/transitions in sport. You will also learn how to apply sports psychology concepts to professional, personal, and social contexts.

EXS 252 - Exercise Physiology (3)

This is an online course where we will cover topics including structure of muscle, bioenergetics, causes of fatigue, hormones associated with exercise, and more. This course will consist of readings each module, as well as review of PowerPoint slides. Students will be evaluated via discussion boards, quizzes, as well as laboratory aspects that students will complete on their own and/or with a partner.

EXS 335 - Principles of Strength Train/Condition (3)

This course will provide students with the knowledge and skills necessary to design strength training and conditioning programs for apparently healthy individuals. Proper exercise techniques and safety will be discussed for stretching, warm-up, resistance training, plyometrics, speed, agility, and endurance programs. The course will also address facility design, scheduling, policies and procedures, maintenance, and risk management concerns.

EXS 351 - Kinesiology/Biomechanics (3)

This course provides the student with an understanding of the human musculoskeletal system's anatomy and functions. Laws of mechanics are discussed as well as the application of physics to the movement of the human body.

EXS 400 - Exercise for Special Populations (3)

This course is designed to introduce students to the guidelines for exercise prescription in special populations. Topics will include exercise prescription for cardiac patients, pulmonary patients, children, elderly patients, and pregnant women. The influence of medications and medical conditions such as obesity and diabetes will also be addressed.

EXS 460 - Exercise Testing and Prescription (3)

This course is designed to introduce students the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) guidelines for exercise testing and prescription. Topics will include health screening, exercise risk assessment, methods of exercise testing, and exercise prescription. The course will have both lecture and laboratory sessions.

HEA 152 - Wellness (3)

This course is designed to assist students with making intelligent decisions throughout life in order to achieve an optimal level of wellness. Emphasis will be placed on the wellness concept and its relationship to fitness, nutrition, self-esteem, and stress management. The areas of catastrophic diseases, aging process and medical consumerism will be covered.

HEA 254 - Nutrition and Fitness (3)

Basic principles of nutrition as they apply to the general population in the maintenance of optimum health and to the competitive athlete with the objective of attaining optimum performance levels.

SPM 351 - Sports Law (3)

This course provides information into the legal issues related to the sports field. Topics will cover the time frame from amateur through professional sports. Basic legal principles affecting the management of recreation and sports programs, liability and risk assessment of those programs will be covered.

HIM 150 - Medical Terminology (2)

This course will introduce the foundations of medical terminology nomenclature and use. Emphasis will be on the fundamentals of prefix, word root, and suffix linkages to build a broad medical vocabulary.

SOCL 335 - Applied Research Methods (4)

Applied Research Methods introduces students to the basic research designs and data collection techniques involved in human subjects? research common to social research environments. After completion of this course, the student should know the basics of social research ethics, the steps of the research process, the strengths and weaknesses of selected types of qualitative and quantitative research strategies, issues of selecting or creating and refining instruments of measurement, how to properly select an appropriate sample of subjects, and how to interpret selected statistical measures utilized in hypothesis testing.

EXS 150 - Principles of Exercise Science (3)

Principles of Exercise Science will introduce students to the exercise science discipline. Students will focus on concepts including professionalism, ethics, certification and licensure, employment opportunities and scientific foundations of exercise physiology, sports performance, biomechanics, sports psychology, nutrition, fitness, overall wellness and sports injury . The course will help students develop an appreciation for the history of, as well as current and future trends in Exercise Science, sports, fitness and wellness.

AND

At least 4 credits from the following courses:

EXS 491 - Field Experience for Exercise Science & Sport Management (4)

The student supplements theoretical classroom knowledge with practical, on-the-job experience in the Wellness & Fitness, receiving close supervision and comprehensive evaluation for credit purposes by employers and faculty. Students are responsible for selecting an appropriate employer to complete a minimum of 80 hours of work during the duration of this course. This course has additional conditions for registration and requires the approval of the Program Chair. Students have the option to choose this course or SPM 491 Sport Studies Capstone to fulfill their degree requirements.

SPM 491 - Sports Studies Capstone (4)

The purpose of the Sport Studies Capstone is to apply previously acquired knowledge during undergraduate major courses to create a personalized e-portfolio and Senior Capstone Project. Students will obtain key information regarding possible career options within the sport management or exercise science industries that can be applied towards future job related goals. Various career tools will be explored and applied as part of the learning process, including the creation of an eportfolio which utilizes various artifacts to market to future employers. Sport Management and Exercise Science students are required to take this course, SPM 491 or EXS 491 Sport Management or Exercise Science Internship for graduation.

University Electives

37 credits from the following types of courses:
Any General Education course at the 100 or 200 level.

Optional Focus Areas

The University Electives requirement allows students to select any undergraduate courses (except developmental general education courses) to meet the required degree hours. The Program Chair has provided the following suggested optional focus areas to help guide course selection for these degree hours. Please note these are not required courses and students are not limited to these courses. The recommended focus areas are intended to assist with long term professional goals and provide elective options that align with industry specific interests.

OR

Athletic Administration and Sport Leadership:

SPM 300 - Coaching Methodologies I (3)

This course is a comprehensive introduction to the coaching profession. Emphasis is placed on sport at the high school and serious club levels. Consideration is also given to coaching at other levels, such as youth, recreational, and intercollegiate sport programs. The primary goal of the course is to develop and enhance students' knowledge and understanding of concepts and techniques of coaching and their application to achieving important objectives in working with athletes. The course and textbook combine sport science theory and research with the practical knowledge and methods of expert coaches in the five essential categories of coaching education and professional practice.

SPM 423 - Sport Facility and Event Management (3)

Sport Facility and Event Management covers the changing nature of administration of health, physical education, and recreation programs; administrative relationships, administrative setting; physical plant; purchase and care of supplies and equipment; legal liability; insurance management; and professional and public relations.

SPM 450 - Principles of Sport Administration (3)

This course provides the student with the knowledge and skills necessary to manage athletic programs in schools, colleges, community centers, and other venues. It explores ethical, legal, and social issues relating to following the various standards such as NCAA, NAIA, OHSAA, and others. The course will also explore such areas as specific organizational management and structures, communication techniques, insurance and transportation issues.

SPM 470 - Leadership in Sport (3)

This course will examine the role and responsibility of leadership in the area of sports. An emphasis will be placed on leadership styles, techniques, leadership's role in management, and issues and problems in leading people in sports.

HRM 400 - Performance Management (4)

This course uses a systems perspective to identify, select, develop, and evaluate solutions to document and improve the performance of individuals, groups, and organizations. Students will learn how to analyze performance problems and make recommendations at the employee, job, and organizational level that will assist the organization and its employees in achieving organizational goals and managing change. Students will also learn how to bridge the gap between organizational strategy, individuals, and departments.

MGMT 312 - Principles of Management (4)

This course explores the basic concepts and processes of management. Students will explore the functional roles and processes of planning, leading, organizing, and controlling comprising the manager role. Students develop skills related to the manager function that are required in today's competitive environment.

MGMT 470 - Organizational Leadership (4)

Leadership is the ability to influence people towards a goal. This course will focus on the key factors and theories in leadership. You will develop skills to navigate your organization and determine how effective leaders or followers influence and motivate others in their organization. Students will build a foundation upon which to build lifelong learning practices for leadership development using both theory and application.

OR

Athletic Coaching Leadership:

SPM 300 - Coaching Methodologies I (3)

This course is a comprehensive introduction to the coaching profession. Emphasis is placed on sport at the high school and serious club levels. Consideration is also given to coaching at other levels, such as youth, recreational, and intercollegiate sport programs. The primary goal of the course is to develop and enhance students' knowledge and understanding of concepts and techniques of coaching and their application to achieving important objectives in working with athletes. The course and textbook combine sport science theory and research with the practical knowledge and methods of expert coaches in the five essential categories of coaching education and professional practice.

SPM 310 - Recreation and Club Sport Management (3)

This course will explore the principles and procedures necessary to establish a sport club organization. An emphasis will be placed on creating a sport club business plan, and constructing a mini-grant proposal. Students who learn this information will be enabled to develop, manage, and sustain highly organized, professional, and structured clubs.

SPM 423 - Sport Facility and Event Management (3)

Sport Facility and Event Management covers the changing nature of administration of health, physical education, and recreation programs; administrative relationships, administrative setting; physical plant; purchase and care of supplies and equipment; legal liability; insurance management; and professional and public relations.

SPM 470 - Leadership in Sport (3)

This course will examine the role and responsibility of leadership in the area of sports. An emphasis will be placed on leadership styles, techniques, leadership's role in management, and issues and problems in leading people in sports.

MGMT 470 - Organizational Leadership (4)

Leadership is the ability to influence people towards a goal. This course will focus on the key factors and theories in leadership. You will develop skills to navigate your organization and determine how effective leaders or followers influence and motivate others in their organization. Students will build a foundation upon which to build lifelong learning practices for leadership development using both theory and application.

OR

Health Promotion and Public Health:

HCM 300 - Healthcare Management (4)

This course is designed to provide students with an overview of healthcare management principles and theories. It is a generally required course for any subsequent healthcare management courses. Through the examination of key healthcare concepts, students will acquire the knowledge and skills necessary to become an effective healthcare leader in diverse healthcare environments. Topics include healthcare leadership, management, communication, planning and decision making.

HCM 340 - Community Health (4)

This course will provide a comprehensive community health foundation. Students will gain an appreciation for community health and the implications for at-risks populations. Course topics include community health practices and strategies, communicable and environmental disease prevention, and population and mental health.

PUBH 201 - Introduction to Public Health (4)

This course provides a basic introduction to public health concepts and practice by examining the philosophy, purpose, history, organization, functions, tools, activities and results of public health practice at the national, state, and community levels. The course also examines public health occupations and careers. Case studies and a variety of practice-related exercises serve as a basis for learner participation in practical public health problem-solving simulations.

PUBH 250 - Health Behavior (4)

This course will provide students with an overview of how the social and behavioral sciences contribute to primary prevention in the rapidly expanding field of health behavior. Emphasis will be placed on theory-driven approaches that are supported by empirical investigations. Students will acquire a working knowledge of foundational theories used in public health practice as well as the ability to measure key theoretical constructs.

PUBH 310 - Health Program Planning (4)

This course encompasses the important steps in planning an effective health program; including planning frameworks, needs assessment, and implementation steps. Students will incorporate health behavior theories, health determinants, and behaviors to effectively strategize effective programs to improve health of a population.

SCIE 254 - Health & Human Disease (4)

This course is designed for students pursuing allied health professions and provides an overview of human health and disease processes. Students will learn about common diseases and how they affect human health at cellular, organ, and systemic levels. Emphasis will be placed on the body as a system and how disease impacts the human body as a whole. The course focuses on the fundamental concepts of health and human disease that are necessary to be successful in any allied healthcare program. The pre-requisite for SCIE 254 is successful completion (a C or better) in SCIE 244.

OR

Sport Performance and Fitness Business Ownership:

MGMT 312 - Principles of Management (4)

This course explores the basic concepts and processes of management. Students will explore the functional roles and processes of planning, leading, organizing, and controlling comprising the manager role. Students develop skills related to the manager function that are required in today's competitive environment.

ENTR 395 - Foundations of Entrepreneurship (4)

Foundations of Entrepreneurship is an introductory course that examines the theory, practice, and tools of entrepreneurship. Various entrepreneurship structures and how such structures result in different unique pathways to success are explored. Students will focus on the importance of developing an entrepreneurial mindset as they assess their individual values and determine their affinity for entrepreneurial thinking, while also reviewing the risks and rewards of entrepreneurial businesses in the context of their chosen entrepreneurial philosophy. Finally, students will identify and evaluate opportunities for new ventures, and consider a strategic approach for successful business plan development.

ENTR 400 - Commercialization of Entrepreneurial Products & Services (4)

This course examines the techniques for the commercialization of the products or services offered by the entrepreneur. Students will be taught how to measure the realistic demand for their product or service. Primary and secondary marketing, including research, will be emphasized and addressed. Students will learn how creativity transitions to innovation. Value propositioning, branding, and pricing will be significant topics of discussion. In bringing products to market, students will be taught how to make use of cost-effective, cutting edge tools such as social media.

ENTR 420 - Managing Micro Business & Generating Funding (4)

This course covers the critical role of effective leadership in the successful growth of a new business entity. Students learn logical approaches to recruiting and leading an effective team. Focus will also be on all aspects of entrepreneurial finance and funding. Students learn how to make use of a standard accounting software package. Also covered are the fundamentals of raising capital, both debt and equity. Building on previous financial training, students learn the unique characteristics of analyzing small business financial statements with an eye toward potential valuation. Finally, asset acquisition and wealth strategies will be a topic pertinent to all who desire to pursue an entrepreneurial venture.

SPM 423 - Sport Facility and Event Management (3)

Sport Facility and Event Management covers the changing nature of administration of health, physical education, and recreation programs; administrative relationships, administrative setting; physical plant; purchase and care of supplies and equipment; legal liability; insurance management; and professional and public relations.

SPM 306 - Sports Marketing (3)

Through this course, students will gain an understanding of the special nature of the sports market. The course includes a combination of knowledge and skills related to the promotion, selling, and advertising of services and/or products within sports and physical activity industries.

Additional Requirements

All students are required to pass College Writing (ENG 120), and either Basic Learning Strategies (PF 121) or Learning Strategies (PF 321) prior to enrolling in any course at the 200 level or above. Students who enroll at Franklin with 30 or fewer hours of transfer credit are required to pass PF 121 Basic Learning Strategies in place of PF 321 Learning Strategies. Interpersonal Communication (COMM 150) or Speech Communication (SPCH 100) must be taken prior to enrolling in any course at the 300 level or above. Students must also meet the University algebra competency requirement.