Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science

NEW! The Exercise Science Degree Program now offers 3 concentrations:

Strength and Conditioning

The Strength and Conditioning Concentration prepares students with the knowledge and skills essential for the Strength and Conditioning Specialist. Students apply industry standard, evidence-based guidelines to the administration of fitness assessments, the development and implementation of strength and conditioning programs, and the management and oversight of such programs. Students complete 25 hours of coursework encompassing the knowledge and skills essential to the certified strength and conditioning specialist. The culminating experience of the concentration is a robust internship under the supervision of an NSCA Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist. Students are encouraged to take the National Strength and Conditioning Association Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist exam.

Accreditation Status:

The University of North Carolina at Charlotte Strength and Conditioning Program is accredited by the Council on Accreditation of Strength and Conditioning Education (CASCE), a recognized authority in quality strength and conditioning education. This accreditation demonstrates our commitment to upholding the highest standards of quality and excellence in our strength and conditioning program. Our curriculum, faculty, and facilities have undergone rigorous evaluation to ensure that we provide students with the knowledge, skills, and practical experience necessary to excel in the field of strength and conditioning and keep athletes safe.

Health and Fitness

The curriculum prepares students to apply health and fitness industry standard, evidence-based guidelines to the roles and responsibilities of an exercise science practitioner, including: pre-activity screening, health and fitness assessment, exercise prescription, and risk management. Students complete 19 hours of coursework encompassing the knowledge and skills essential to the certified exercise physiologist. The culminating experience of the concentration is a robust internship under the supervision of a health/fitness professional. Students are encouraged to sit for the American College of Sports Medicine Certified Exercise Physiologist Credentialing Exam.

Accreditation Status

The Exercise Science Health and Fitness concentration is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) and the Committee on Accreditation of the Exercise Science (CoAES).

Pre-Professional

The Pre-Professional concentration allows students to individualize their plan of study with dual majors, minors, graduate school prerequisites, or other coursework. Students are required to complete 27 credit hours of core major coursework; the remaining credit hours needed for completion of the BS degree vary from one student to another based on interests and goals. Students in this concentration can elect to complete up to 2 internships for credit in Exercise Science related settings.

Exercise Science Program Outcomes

* First time pass rate
** All students started internships, most unable to complete all hours due to COVID-19
# KNES 4490 Internship (9 credit hours, CoAES accredited)

Admission Requirements

Requirements for Admission to Pre-Exercise Science

Freshmen, transfer students, and change-of-major students seeking admission to the Exercise Science major must declare Pre-Exercise Science as a major. Admission to Pre-Exercise Science does not automatically admit an applicant to the Exercise Science Major. Students interested in declaring the Pre-Exercise Science major should click HERE.

Requirements for Admission to Upper Division Exercise Science Major

The Exercise Science Program has a selective admissions process. Admission decisions are made by the Admissions Committee. Applicants must meet the following minimum academic requirements as well as submit the online Exercise Science Major application.

1. Cumulative GPA of 2.5 or better in all college course work at UNC Charlotte;
2. Completion of 36 hours of coursework;
3. Successful completion of the following courses with a “C” or better at the time of application. Please note that applicants who are enrolled in required classes at the time of application may still apply, but admission will be contingent upon successful completion of those classes.

• Anatomy and Physiology I (EXER 2168, 2168L) or BIOL 2273, 2273L
• Anatomy and Physiology II (EXER 2169, 2169L) or BIOL 2274, 2274L
• Chemistry 1251, 1251L
• College Algebra (MATH 1100)
• Statistics (STAT 1222)
• Introduction to Exercise Science (EXER 2150)
• Foundations of Physical Conditioning (EXER 2101)

4. Submission of the online Exercise Science Major Application on or before the posted deadline.

The Exercise Science program considers application for admission without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, age or disability.

Graduation Requirements

1. Complete a minimum of 120 credit hours.
2. Complete all courses required by the university and the program.
3. Achieve a grade of “C” or higher in all required major courses.
4. Maintain at least a 2.0 grade point average.

Handbook

Click here to view the 2024-2025 EXER Student Handbook, which includes sample plans of study.

Exercise Science Program Contact Information:

Program Director:

Julie Marino
Department of Applied Physiology, Health, and Clinical Sciences
Belk Gym 214
Email: jmarin11@charlotte.edu
Phone: 704-687-7951
Fax: 704-687-0930

Internship Coordinators:

Brenda Ward
Department of Applied Physiology, Health, and Clinical Sciences
Belk Gymnasium 218
Email: bjward@charlotte.edu
Phone: 704‑687‑0870
Fax: 704‑687‑0930

Tracy Bonoffski
Department of Applied Physiology, Health, and Clinical Sciences
Belk Gymnasium 215
Email: tbonoffs@.charlotte.edu

Phone: 704‑687‑0859
Fax: 704‑687‑0930

CHHS Advising Contact Information:

Ms. Allison Sigmon
CHHS Academic Advising Center Director
College of Health and Human Services
Email: AllisonMSigmon@charlotte.edu
Phone: 704‑687‑7714

The Credentialing Concentration of the Exercise Science Degree Program is accredited by CoAES and CAAHEP.

UNC Charlotte is proud to be recognized by Exercise is Medicine On Campus.