Program Overview:
The Bachelor’s of Exercise Science program at the University of Maryland Eastern Shore is designed to cultivate a profound understanding of the human body in motion. Our goal is to equip students with the scientific knowledge and practical skills essential for careers dedicated to enhancing physical health, optimizing athletic performance, and advancing the science of exercise.
Students will immerse into core areas such as biomechanics, exercise physiology, and sports nutrition, gaining insights into the intricate mechanisms that drive human movement. Beyond the classroom, our program emphasizes hands-on experiences through laboratory experiments, fieldwork, and internships with leading health and sports institutions. Graduates will be well-prepared to pursue diverse roles in exercise science or to continue academic pursuits in allied health professions. Embedded with a holistic approach, this program not only fosters academic excellence but also instills the values of scientific discovery, continuous learning, and a commitment to enhancing community well-being through exercise science.
As an Exercise Science major, students are able to choose from two tracks to optimize their learning specialization. The health fitness track prepares graduates seeking careers in the fitness related fields such as exercise specialists or personal trainer within the management of community health fitness programs, hospitals or wellness programs, sports medicine and the sports industry. The clinical track prepares graduates seeking careers in medically related professions such as physical therapy, occupational therapy, chiropractic, cardiac rehabilitation, sports medicine, and physician assistant. Both tracks require students to complete 120 credit hours to earn a Bachelor’s degree and classes are offered in a mixture of in-person and online modalities.
Program Objectives
The Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science program at the University of Maryland Eastern Shore offers a dynamic exploration into the science of human movement, blending rigorous academic study with practical experiences to foster the next generation of health and fitness professionals.
Upon completing the Bachelor’s in Exercise Science program at the University of Maryland Eastern Shore, students will:
- Demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of the physiological, biomechanical, and psychological principles underlying human movement.
- Implement assessment tools and technology to evaluate physical health, fitness levels, and movement patterns in diverse populations.
- Apply problem-solving skills develop patient-specific solutions to address challenges in fitness, health, and performance settings.
- Relate knowledge from complementary fields such as nutrition, psychology, and public health to exercise science practices.
- Stay updated with emerging research, technologies, and best practices in exercise science to ensure current and effective professional practices.
- Work collaboratively in multidisciplinary teams in allied health and other health-related disciplines to effectively optimize patient care.
- Recognize the societal and global implications of exercise science, advocating for physical activity as a means to enhance community health and well-being.
DEPARTMENT REQUIREMENTS
The admission of students in the undergraduate program in the Department of Kinesiology is based upon the general requirements of the University. Exercise Science majors must complete a minimum of 120 credits hours of University courses. Each track possesses its own criteria for the Exercise Science degree.
Clinical Track – Majors must complete a minimum of 120 credit hours of University classes. Included in the 120 hours are 39 credit hours of Gen Ed requirements; 47 credit hours of major core courses and 34 hours of support courses.
Health Fitness Track – Majors must complete a minimum of 120 credit hours of University classes. Included in the 120 hours are 39 credit hours of Gen Ed requirements; 51 credit hours of major core courses, and 30 credit hours of support courses.
