Mar 28, 2024  
2022-2023 Graduate Catalog 
    
2022-2023 Graduate Catalog This is not the most recent catalog version; be sure you are viewing the appropriate catalog year.

Exercise Science + Exercise Physiology [BS + MS]


Return to {$returnto_text} Return to: Programs by Program Type

Revised Program [Fall 2022]


The Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science program teaches students how our organ systems respond to acute exercise bouts and adapt to chronic exercise training programs. We then emphasize using this information to help patients/clients improve their health status and/or fitness level. The Master of Science in Exercise Physiology program helps students build on the acquired knowledge developed during the undergraduate experience. The program is committed to producing students who (1) have a deep understanding of how the human body responds and adapts to exercise and (2) can make evidence-based decisions regarding exercise program design. The Combined Exercise Science and Exercise Physiology [BS+MS] program provides exceptional, motivated students the opportunity to complete the Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science and Master of Science in Exercise Physiology programs in five years.

Learn

Exercise science and exercise physiology are interdisciplinary fields with roots in biology, chemistry, and physics. As a result, our students begin our program by building a strong foundation in these basic science disciplines. Our students then begin studying how the human body functions normally and responds and adapts to exercise. Combined exercise science/exercise physiology students finish the program by designing evidence-based training programs that progress patients/clients towards health and fitness goals, such as meeting national physical activity recommendations, obtaining physical fitness standards, reducing chronic disease risk, and improving sport performance.

Opportunities

Our program has many classes that take place in the traditional classroom setting. However, we provide our students with learning opportunities outside the classroom as well. Our practicum and internship courses allow students to earn credit towards the major while gaining practical skills and real-world experience. We also encourage motivated students to engage in research with a faculty mentor. This research experience typically culminates with a student presentation at a state, regional, or national conference.

Exercise science and exercise physiology are great areas of study for students interested in pursuing acceptance for other health- and exercise-related programs. Our majors frequently gain acceptance to doctoral programs (e.g., exercise physiology and biomechanics programs), medical programs (e.g., medical school and physician assistant programs), and rehabilitative science programs (e.g., physical therapy, orthotics & prosthetics, occupational therapy, and athletic training programs). However, many of our majors opt to enter the workforce upon graduating. These students’ common career paths include cardiac rehabilitation, strength & conditioning coaching, high-performance training, and hospital or worksite wellness coordination.

Program Admission (Undergraduate)


The following are the minimal standards for admission to the combined degree program. Generally, each item should be satisfied, though the candidate’s overall record is considered. Transfer credits and grades will be evaluated in terms of Eastern Michigan University equivalency.

Admission to the undergraduate program depends on:

  • A cumulative GPA of 3.0
  • A written statement of personal goals
  • An interview with the program advisor
  • Completion of 90 hours of undergraduate coursework, including completion of
    • All General Education requirements
    • All Foundational Requirements with a C or higher
    • All Undergraduate “EXSC” coursework with a C or higher

Program Admission (Graduate)


Admit Terms and Deadlines

Applications are accepted on a rolling basis; students may start the program in the Fall or Winter. See Application Deadlines.

Minimum Graduate School Requirements

Applicants must have a minimum cumulative undergraduate grade point average of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale and be previously admitted to the undergraduate portion of the combined program.

Applicants must confirm with their advisor that they have completed enough undergraduate credits before applying to the graduate portion of the program. A student must complete a minimum of 120 credit hours before being fully admitted to the graduate portion of the program.

Program Requirements

This program does not require additional criteria or documents beyond the minimum Graduate School requirements.

Application

Your application will be submitted using GradCAS, a Centralized Application Service (CAS) hosted by Liaison. After reviewing the admission requirements, please review the Application Instructions  and select the appropriate application.

International Applicants Before applying, applicants must review the international application/process deadlines at emich.edu/international as they may differ from general program requirements.

For additional information regarding the application process, please see Graduate Admissions or International Admissions.

 

School Information


Health Promotion & Human Performance 319J Porter, 734.487.2815

Christopher Herman, PhD, Director

Advisor Information


Please contact the school for advisor information.

Undergraduate Degree -


The requirements listed below will appear on a student’s undergraduate transcript. 

For the undergraduate portion of this program, students must earn a minimum total of 120 credits at the 100-level or above.

General Education Requirements:


For specific requirements, please see the Undergraduate Catalog or print a General Education Worksheet [PDF] .

Major Requirements: 76 hours


Minor Requirement:


This major does not require a minor.

Graduate Degree -


The requirements listed below will appear on a student’s graduate transcript.

Combined Program Total: 142 hours


Critical Graduation Information


The following are minimum requirements for all bachelor’s degrees awarded by Eastern Michigan University. Some majors and minors require more than the minimum in one or more of the areas below; students are urged to consult the on-line catalog for the requirements of their particular programs.

  • Earn a minimum total of 124 credits at the 100-level and above. Courses with numbers below 100 will not be counted toward this degree requirement. At most 8 credit hours of physical education (PEGN) activity courses will be counted toward this requirement.
  • Meet the requirements of the General Education program (see information below).
  • Complete a Writing Intensive (WI) Course in your major.
  • Earn a minimum of 45 credits from a four-year college or university; courses taken at community colleges cannot be used to meet this requirement. (Some formal program-to-program articulation agreements modify this requirement. See specific agreements for details.)
  • Earn a minimum of 30 credits from courses taken at EMU.
  • Complete 10 of the last 30 hours for the degree from courses taken at EMU.
  • Have a minimum of 30 unique credit hours in their major and 20 unique credit hours in their minor for a total of at least 50 unique credit hours between them. Some majors that require 50 or more hours themselves do not require a minor; students should check requirements of the selected major in the undergraduate catalog to see if a minor is required.
  • Earn no more than 60 credit hours in one subject area (prefix). Credits in excess of the 60 maximum will not be counted toward the minimum of 124 credits required for a bachelor’s degree.
  • Earn the minimum number of credits in 300-level and above courses in each major and minor as specified below - these credits must be earned in distinct courses; that is, no course can be used to fulfill this requirement in more than one major or minor.
    • Earn a minimum of 6 credits in 300-level or higher courses at EMU in each minor
    • Earn a minimum of 9 credits in 300-level or higher courses at EMU in each major that requires a minor.
    • Earn a minimum of 15 credits in 300-level or higher courses at EMU in each major that does not require a minor
  • Transfer credit will be awarded for courses taken at colleges and universities that are accredited by one of the recognized regional accrediting bodies only if the courses are college-level (equated to 100-level or above at EMU) and the student earned a “C” (or 2.0 on a 4 point scale) or better. Transfer credit may be awarded on a case-by-case basis for college-level courses in which a “C” (2.0) or better was earned at institutions outside the U.S. or at non-accredited U.S. institutions; the internal review of such courses is conducted by individual departments/schools within EMU, and additional documentation may be required. Please note: EMU awards only credits for transferred courses; grades are not used in the calculation of an EMU GPA.
  • Earn a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0 in courses taken at EMU in order to graduate. In addition, a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0 must be reached in each major and minor. Only courses taken at EMU and those applied to a student’s major or minor, will be used in the calculation of their major and minor cumulative GPAs. (Note: some programs may require a higher GPA - check with your program advisor.)

General Education Requirements | EMU’s General Education Program requires students to choose from a menu of approved courses in several different areas; do not assume that other courses in the same department or with similar names will fulfill these requirements. A detailed description of General Education requirements is available on the General Education section of the undergraduate catalog.

Students who transferred to EMU may have modified general education requirements based on Michigan Transfer Agreement (MTA) or articulation agreements; consult your academic advisor for additional information.

Return to {$returnto_text} Return to: Programs by Program Type