Exercise Science

Welcome to the Strength and Conditioning program at Wittenberg University, where we are dedicated to preparing students for dynamic careers in athletic performance and fitness. Our program offers a rigorous academic experience that blends theory with practice, focusing on evidence-based practice and practical application to ensure our graduates are well-equipped for the field. Through hands-on training, internships, and classroom instruction, our students develop the skills and knowledge necessary to become successful strength and conditioning professionals.

Program Outcomes

1. Apply knowledge, skills, and competencies to assess the requirements of athletic development for optimal performance and design exercise regimens for individuals wishing for peak athletic potential.
2. Apply knowledge, skills, and competencies to select and administer tests, and evaluate collected data for training programs for diverse demographics, including all ages, genders, and sports.
3. Prepare Exercise Science students for careers in entry-level strength and conditioning positions, as well as for advanced graduate education in athletic performance.
4. Prepare Exercise Science students for obtaining advanced professional certifications or licenses from nationally recognized bodies or organizations.

Learning Outcomes

1. Demonstrate an understanding and application of the anatomical and biomechanical bases of human movement across all types of strength and conditioning activities and sports.
2. Recognize and interpret cardiorespiratory, musculoskeletal, and metabolic changes that occur during exercise in strength and conditioning activities and sports.
3. Design and implement strength and conditioning programs safely and effectively to enhance athletic performance for individuals of all ages, genders, and sports.
4. Demonstrate an understanding of the role of diet and exercise in body composition, weight control, and the health of athletes.
5. Conduct and interpret common tests for strength and conditioning programs and athletic performance.
6. Develop safe and effective policies, procedures, and guidelines for strength and conditioning programming in accordance with national standards.
7. Acquire and understand relevant information from peer-reviewed scientific literature related to strength and conditioning, and effectively communicate this information both orally and in writing.

B.S. in Exercise Science with a concentration in strength and conditioning (66-68 credits)

Required Courses in Health & Sport Studies – 22-24 credits

• HSS 170: Introduction to Exercise Science. 4 credits
• Anatomy courses: (8 credits or 10 credits)
  • HSS 350: Gross Anatomy. 4 credits AND HSS 351: Human Physiology. 4 credits
    OR
  • BIOL 325: Anatomy & Physiology I. 5 credits AND BIOL 326: Anatomy & Physiology II. 4 credits AND BIOL 327: Anatomy & Physiology II Lab. 1 credit
• HSS 370: Exercise Physiology. 4 credits
• HSS 473: Exercise Testing and Prescription. 4 credits
• HSS 470: Senior Capstone. 2 credits

Required Courses in Related Departments – 24 credits

• BIOL 170: Concepts in Biology I. 5 credits
• BIOL 180: Concepts in Biology II. 5 credits
• CHEM 121: Models of Chemical Systems I. 5 credits
• CHEM 162: Models of Chemical Systems II. 5 credits
• One statistics course – 4 credits from:
  • BUSN 210. Business and Economic Statistics. 4 credits
  • DATA 227. Introductory Statistics. 4 credits
  • PSYC 201. Statistics. 4 credits

Group I Electives for B.S. in Exercise Science with Strength and Conditioning Concentration – 8 credits from:

• ENGL 335TF: Narrative Medicine. 4 credits
• ENGL 352TA: Reading the Body. 4 credits
• PHIL 110: Logic and Critical Reasoning. 4 credits
• PHYS 201: Physics I. 5 credits
• PHYS 202: Algebra-based Physics II. 5 credits
• PSYC 101: Introduction to Psychology. 4 credits
• PSYC 202: Experimental Design. 5 credits
• PSYC 212: Health Psychology. 4 credits
• PSYC 213: Psychopharmacology. 4 credits
• PSYC 230: Lifespan Development. 2-3 credits
• PSYC 251: Abnormal Psychology. 4 credits
• PSYC 252: Child Abnormal Psychology. 4 credits
• PSYC 280: Psychology of Cultural Diversity. 4 credits
• RELI 213: Religion and Medicine. 4 credits

Group II Required Course for B.S. in Exercise Science with Strength and Conditioning Concentration – 12 credits

• HSS 250: Nutrition. 4 credits
• HSS 280: Techniques in Weight Training. 2 credits
• HSS 377: Strength and Conditioning. 4 credits
• HSS 491: Internship. 2 credits

The field experiences in the Strength and Conditioning have to meet the following requirements:

• A Minimum of 300 hours of contact time with a minimum of two substantially different experiences that include two or more of the following categories: sport, gender, age range, or other.
• Two different supervisors (does not require experiences at two different sites).
• Minimum of 75 hours per experience.
• One experience must be at least 6 weeks in length.

Certified Strength & Conditioning Specialist Exam

The CSCS passing rate by the graduates in BS in Exercise Science with a Concentration in Strength and Conditioning.