Health & Exercise Science

The Department of Health & Exercise Science prepares professionals who can assume leadership roles in health care professions, health promotion, exercise science, nutrition, and public health. Career opportunities include providing healthcare to athletes managing health promotion programs in the community, corporate and medical settings, and developing exercise and performance enhancement, and nutritional programs for athletes, patients, and clients. The Department of Health & Exercise Science offers undergraduate programs in the following majors:

The Bachelor of Science in Athletic Training Studies (BSATS) is designed for a dual purpose: 1) to enable students to successfully complete the Master of Science in Athletic Training; 2) allow students to apply to another allied healthcare professional school (i.e., PT, OT, etc.) or athletic training program within or outside the state should they either choose not to or cannot complete the MSAT requirements. Hence, students who choose not to finish or cannot complete the MSAT requirement will be able to graduate within their original graduation timeline. This degree will also be awarded en-route to completing the MSAT for students successfully completing all academic requirements. The BSATS will not be available to incoming freshmen.

The Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science (120 s.h.) prepares students interested in careers related to the field of Exercise Science. These include clinical exercise physiology, medical and hospital-based exercise and fitness programs, strength and conditioning, corporate and community-based fitness and wellness centers along with other exercise science related fields. Students develop the knowledge, skills, and disposition to successfully promote improvements in health, fitness, and performance for a variety of populations. Graduates will be prepared to earn national certifications through the American College of Sports Medicine, the National Strength and Conditioning Association, the National Academy of Sports Medicine, the International Society of Sports Nutrition, and others. In addition, students will be uniquely prepared to succeed in graduate programs in cardiac rehabilitation, physical and occupational therapy, physician assistant and accelerated nursing programs, medical and chiropractic programs, and other allied health care professions.

The Bachelor of Arts in Health Studies (60 s.h.) provides a degree completion program for those students who have a two-year Associate in Applied Science (AAS) degree in medical technology, or clinical assistant certification. Individuals with an AAS in a healthcare tech. related area may also be eligible and should contact the program advisor to ascertain eligibility. This program will provide students with a path to a bachelor’s degree and with critical professional skills not covered in AAS degree programs that will make them highly competitive in the job market. Graduates will be prepared to enter or continue in the workforce with greater awareness of and ability to implement critical professional skills, and/or be competitive for advancement within their profession.

The Bachelor of Arts in Wellness Management (120 s.h.) is designed to prepare graduates for careers promoting the dimensions of wellness among individuals and populations through initiatives based in health care settings, worksites, schools and community-based organizations. The curriculum adheres to the standards for professional practice set by the National Wellness Institute. All students are required to complete a Minor in one of the following areas: Human Resources, Marketing, Entrepreneurship, Environmental & Sustainability Studies, Community & Environmental Planning, Nutrition, Sport Psychology, and Public Health, or Adventure Education.

The Bachelor of Science in Nutrition (120 s.h.) prepares graduates to work as nutrition educators and counselors to serve clients in healthcare, worksites, community, and school-based wellness and fitness programs. The BS in Nutrition is a stand-alone degree program; however, students can apply for admission into a highly competitive dietetics concentration in their second year in the program. Students who are accepted into the dietetics concentration will participate in coursework that provides the foundation for them to pursue the Master of Science in Nutrition & Dietetics to become national credentialing exam eligible to earn their Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN) credentials. Students must apply to the professional phase of study (junior and senior year in the programs) in the spring of their sophomore year.

The Bachelor of Science in Public Health & Wellness (120 s.h.) prepares graduates for a wide range of careers in public health, community health, wellness, and health promotion. The curriculum includes courses in the areas of health program planning, implementation, and evaluation; wellness coaching, behavior change and nutrition. Relevant current issues related to social justice, global and environmental sustainability and addressing worldwide pandemic threats are also explored. Graduates are prepared to successfully become Certified Health Education Specialists (CHES). The program is an applicant for accreditation by the Council on Education for Public Health. The accreditation review will address the Public Health and Wellness Standalone Baccalaureate Program. Other degrees and areas of study offered by this institution will not be included in the unit of accreditation review. Additional information about the Council on Education for Public Health can be found at https://ceph.org/. Students have multiple opportunities to gain professional experience outside of the classroom, including a semester-long senior internship. Graduates are prepared for entry into professional positions and for graduate studies in the areas of public health, wellness and lifestyle management, wellness coaching, and social services.

The Bachelor of Arts in Fitness Management (120 s.h.) is a 3+1 program in collaboration with Rowan College of South Jersey designed as a practical degree for students desiring a career in the fitness industry. It will provide graduates with the required knowledge and skills needed to utilize medical histories and fitness testing to assess individuals’ health-related fitness needs, and help individuals design and implement exercise, nutritional, and lifestyle plans to improve health and monitor their progress. It is also designed to teach graduates the ability to communicate effectively with clients and participants in a variety of fitness-related settings and to demonstrate leadership in both program and facility design and development.

M.A. in Wellness & Lifestyle Management (30 s.h.) This graduate program is designed for professionals from a variety of disciplines who want to work with clients and students to create and maintain lifestyle changes. The program is designed to prepare graduates to develop and implement wellness and lifestyle change programs in community, hospital, corporate and school settings.

Additional Program Information In addition to majors, the HES department offers several minors, certificates of undergraduate studies (CUGS) and certificates of graduate studies (COGS). The minors are a combination of six courses and the CUGS and COGS are a combination of four courses that provide additional education in a specific field. The minors include Psychology of Sport & Exercise, Nutrition, Public Health & Wellness. The CUGS include Psychology of Sport & Exercise, Adventure Leadership Education, Spanish for Health Professions (with the World Languages department), and Sport Management. The COGS is Wellness Coaching.

All students complete courses in General Education, and core and an academic concentration for their major. The upper-level major and/or concentration courses are specific and unique to the professional preparation of the student.

The Department has a two-level admission and retention policy. Students seeking admission into Health & Exercise Science programs must meet the admission standards established for all Rowan University students. In order to be admitted into and continue with any major, a student must demonstrate an above-average academic ability and be involved in professional-related activities. Each of the majors offered within the department provides students with numerous experiences and opportunities to grow professionally.

The philosophy of the department is to extend the classroom knowledge and theory into field experience settings. For students in Wellness Management, Exercise Science, Public Health & Wellness, and Nutrition, internships are completed in corporate wellness facilities, strength and conditioning facilities, physical and occupational therapy companies, community health agencies, and hospital-based wellness and rehabilitation centers. Athletic Training & Dietetics students gain clinical experiences with different patient populations and clinical settings.

Leslie Spencer
Department Chair
Herman D. James Hall
856.256.4500 x53761
spencer@rowan.edu