91AV

The Applied Exercise Science (AES) program is a student-centered, innovative, comprehensive program designed to develop the knowledge, skills, and abilities required for excellence in the fields of exercise science, sport performance, and health & wellness. The curriculum encourages life-long learning through classroom, laboratory, internship, and research experience. Graduates will become highly effective, compassionate allied health care professionals capable of working with varied populations.

The AES program is designed to provide graduates with the knowledge, skills and abilities necessary to perform pre-participatory screening, fitness testing, exercise prescription, and exercise leadership for healthy, health-compromised populations, and athletic performance enhancement. With a combination of basic science, exercise science and athletic training courses, these students are prepared for career opportunities as an exercise science professional in cardiopulmonary rehabilitation, strength and conditioning, sports medicine, corporate fitness, personal training, and health promotion. In addition, the Applied Exercise Science program provides a strong foundation for graduate and professional school in allied health programs (i.e.; Physical Therapy, Physician Assistant, Nursing, Chiropractic Medicine, Osteopathic Medicine, Exercise Physiology, Strength and Conditioning, etc.). Internship settings include: colleges and universities, sport/athletic organizations, hospitals/clinics, private/commercial/community health and fitness facilities, municipalities, corporations, and non-profit organizations. 

“A student in the applied exercise science major may elect to pursue a bachelor’s degree in health sciences.  This degree is only open to matriculated students at the 91AV.  Special permission from the student’s advisor and the Dean of the Westbrook College of Health Professions is required for enrollment in the BS in Health Sciences”.

INTERNSHIP EXPERIENCE 

*The senior-level culminating experience may be either EXS 499 taken as a six-credit field experience internship (taken in the summer, fall or spring) or a combination of  (2) EXS 499 three-credit field experience internships totaling six-credits.   Each student is required to complete a minimum of 270 hours (45 hours/credit) under the direct supervision of an approved clinical internship site supervisor. To be eligible to complete the internship the student must: be senior level status with a minimum of 90 earned credits, be in good standing with a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or greater and compliant with all academic and technical standards.  Failure to achieve these academic standards may delay graduation.   

**AES Electives (12 credits):

1)   Students need to take a minimum of 6 credits with EXS or ATC prefix, but have permission to take all 12 credits in EXS or ATC if they so desire.

2)   If a student does not take all 12 credits in EXS or ATC, any remaining credits can be filled by taking courses in BIO, CHE or PHY.

3)   Elective course substitution is allowed per permission of the Exercise and Sport Performance Department Chair.

Students accepted to the Westbrook College of Health Professions (WCHP) at the 91AV are subject to two sets of academic guidelines, one to meet minimum qualifications for ongoing enrollment at the 91AV and the other to meet specific program requirements.

National Strength and Conditioning Association - Education Recognition Program Endorsement

WCHP Common Curriculum Standards – Semesters One Through Four (Freshman and Sophomore Years)

1. In keeping with the guidelines of the 91AV, all students must achieve a minimum cumulative semester-end grade point average as follows:
    

   Fall of First Year	1.70
   Spring of First Year	1.70
   Fall Of Second Year	1.70
   Spring of Second Year	1.80

2. Failure to maintain the minimum GPA requirements will result in academic probation as described in the Catalog of the 91AV.
3. Students must achieve a minimum grade of “C” in the following courses: MAT 120, BIO 105, BIO 106, BIO 208, BIO 209, BIO 309, EXS 120, EXS 180, ATC 101 and IHS 220/NUTR 220. Failure to achieve a minimum grade of a “C” will result in program-level probation, and may affect academic progression and delay graduation.

4. Students must achieve a minimum grade of “C-” in the following courses: CHE 110 and PHY 110. Failure to achieve a minimum grade of a “C-” will result in program-level probation, and may affect academic progression and delay graduation.

5. Failure to achieve a minimum grade of a "C" or "C-" in any of the above outlined courses requires the student to repeat the course.

6. Failure to achieve a minimum of a "C" or "C-" a second time the course is taken will result in dismissal from the major.
7. A student may enroll in any of the courses listed above a maximum of two times. Enrollment in a course consists of achieving a WP or WF or a letter grade. Receiving a W in a course is not considered officially enrolled and will not result in academic penalty.

Applied Exercise Science Program Standards – Semesters Four Through Eight (Junior and Senior Years) 
 

1. Once in course work within the major (fall of the junior year and beyond), students must maintain a minimum semester-end grade point average GPA of 2.5.   Failure to do so will result in program–level probation and may affect academic progression and delay graduation. 
2. Students whose semester-end GPA falls below the 2.5 threshold for two consecutive semesters will be dismissed from the program. 
3. Students must achieve a minimum grade of “C” in each EXS and ATC prefix course.

4. Failure to achieve a minimum grade of a "C" in each EXS or ATC prefix course requires the student to repeat the course.

5. Failure to achieve a minimum of a "C" a second time the course is taken will result in dismissal from the major.
6. A student may only enroll in any EXS or ATC prefix course a maximum of two times.  Enrollment in a course consists of achieving a WP or WF or a letter grade.  Receiving a W in a course is not considered officially enrolled and will not result in academic penalty.

Upon successful completion of the Applied Exercise Science Program students will:

1. Demonstrate knowledge in the exercise sciences including: anatomy and physiology, exercise physiology, Kinesiology and biomechanics, ECG interpretation, exercise testing and prescription, motor learning and nutrition.
2. Demonstrate knowledge of and clinical proficiency in the following content areas for both apparently healthy and chronic disease populations: a) pre-participation screening/ health risk appraisal and stratification, b) fitness assessment and evaluation c) the design of individually tailored exercise prescription, d) appropriate exercise techniques.
3. Recognize the importance of interprofessional collaboration in the delivery of safe, high quality care within the health care system/exercise science field.
4. Demonstrate the ability to communicate effectively in both oral and written formats.
5. Recognize the importance of ethically-grounded care for diverse clients, patients and/or athletes.
6. Successfully challenge entry-level professional certification examinations from the American College of Sports Medicine and/or the National Strength and Conditioning Association.
7. Participate in activities to promote life-long learning and professional development. 

Courses completed at another accredited college can be transferred to this degree program.  Transferred courses must be reasonably close in scope and content to the required courses offered at 91AV in order to count as exact equivalents.  Otherwise, they may transfer as general electives.  All courses completed must be no older than five years.  Other restrictions apply.  See Undergraduate Admissions also.

The following criteria must be met for admission to the AES program:

1. A high school diploma or the equivalent with a better-than-average achievement record in a college preparatory program including: chemistry (must include laboratory); biology (must include laboratory); mathematics (two mathematics courses - algebra required, geometry preferred); English (three years required - four years preferred).        

2. Academic transcripts must reflect an overall high school grade point average (GPA) of 2.5, in addition to a GPA of 2.5 in all science and math courses.        

3. Scholastic Achievement Test (SAT) scores must be submitted.        

4. A health record must be submitted which indicates specific findings regarding applicant's complete physical exam.

5. Complete the Common Application.

Also see Undergraduate Admissions.

Tuition and Fees

Tuition and fees for subsequent years may vary. Other expenses include books and housing. For more information regarding tuition and fees, please consult the Financial Information section of this catalog.