Science Degrees Online

Kinesiology: Fitness Development [FIT]

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This program provides a theoretical and practical knowledge base for students who are interested in careers in health/fitness settings. Students in this program have the opportunity to prepare for careers in fitness management, health promotion and other wellness-related programs.

This program can lead to certification as a health/fitness instructor, personal trainer, and/or certified strength and conditioning specialist through the American College of Sports Medicine and the National Strength and Conditioning Association.
A. General Education and Liberal Arts: 75 credit hours
General Education Courses (28 credit hours)
BIO 301 - Human Anatomy and Physiology I (3 cr. hr.)
BIO 302 - Human Anatomy and Physiology II (3 cr. hr.)
CAP 100 - Introduction to Computer Applications (3 cr. hr.)
CPN 100 - Academic Writing I (3 cr. hr.)

or
CPN 102 - Academic Writing in the Community I (4 cr. hr.)
PSY 101 - General Psychology I (3 cr. hr.)
Select Either:
CPN 101 - Academic Writing II (3 cr. hr.)

or
CPN 103 - Academic Writing in the Community II (4 cr. hr.)
Quantitative Skills - GE 1

Three credit hours, select one course from the following:
COM 230 - Statistical Methods (3 cr. hr.)
ECO 221 - Economic Statistics (3 cr. hr.)
EXS 201 - Statistics in Exercise Science (3 cr. hr.)
MAT 201 - Statistical Methods (3 cr. hr.)
PSY 201 - Statistical Methods (3 cr. hr.)
Liberal Arts Electives (26 credit hours)
B. Kinesiology Theory Core: 21 credit hours

The following courses may count toward liberal arts credit hours.
EXS 100 - Introduction to Kinesiology (3 cr. hr.)

or
EXS 197 - History and Philosophy of Physical Education and Sport (3 cr. hr.)
EXS 287 - Social Psychological Aspects of Physical Activity (3 cr. hr.)
EXS 297 - Motor Behavior (3 cr. hr.)
EXS 351 - Philosophy of Sport (3 cr. hr.)
EXS 387 - Biomechanics (3 cr. hr.)
EXS 397 - Exercise Physiology I (3 cr. hr.)
EXS 420 - History of Physical Activity and Sport in American Culture (3 cr. hr.)
C. Fitness Development Theory Requirements: 23 credit hours
ATR 421 - Care and Prevention of Athletic Injuries (3 cr. hr.)
EXS 357 - Nutrition and Sport Performance (3 cr. hr.)
EXS 435 - Neuromuscular Fitness Assessment and Programming (3 cr. hr.)
EXS 438 - Cardio-Respiratory Fitness Assessment and Programming (3 cr. hr.)
HLH 120 - Responding to Emergencies (2 cr. hr.)
HLH 210 - Wellness and Health Promotion (3 cr. hr.)
HLH 301 - Stress Management (3 cr. hr.)
MGT 250 - Principles of Management (3 cr. hr.)

May count toward liberal arts credit hours.
D. Fitness Development Activity Requirements: Six credit hours
PED 181 - Adventure Activities (1 cr. hr.)
PED 182 - Health-Related Physical Fitness (1 cr. hr.)
PED 189 - Aquatics (1 cr. hr.)

or

PED 195: Water Exercise
PED 283 - Racquet Activities (1 cr. hr.)
PED 284 - Self Defense and Martial Arts (1 cr. hr.)
PED 288 - Rhythms and Dance (1 cr. hr.)
E. Practica/Internship Requirements: 14-20 credit hours
EXS 196 - Field Experience in Fitness Development I (1 cr. hr.)
EXS 296 - Field Experience in Fitness Development II (1 cr. hr.)
EXS 371 - Pre-Internship Seminar in Fitness Development (1 cr. hr.)
EXS 470 - Field Experience in Fitness Development III (2 cr. hr.)
EXS 471 - Internship in Fitness Development (9-15 cr. hr.)
F. Free Electives: 1-10 credit hours
Total Credit Hours Required for Graduation: 124

Career Opportunities

Careers in the exercise science field include a wide variety of settings and target populations. Common job titles that describe opportunities in this field include: exercise specialist, health and fitness specialist, personal trainer, fitness specialist, health/fitness instructor, fitness instructor.

There are a number of career paths that a graduate of an exercise science program can follow. These include exercise physiologist, cardiopulmonary rehabilitation professional, personal trainer, group exercise instructor, and strength and conditioning coach, just to name a few. The career paths generally describe the kind of work the individuals do and the populations with whom they work. For instance, the strength and conditioning coach works almost specifically with athletes, whereas the cardiopulmonary rehabilitation specialist works with heart and lung disease patients in a clinical exercise program. The settings vary from clinical to non-clinical, hospital-based or community facilities to private clubs or corporate fitness centers. Throughout the coursework in the exercise science program, you will be introduced to the various career paths available.

Graduates of our program are all around the region and nation. Some locations at which our graduates are employed include:
Main Street Fitness – Jackson, MO
Universal Health and Fitness – Cape Girardeau, MO
St. Francis Acceleration Program – Cape Girardeau, MO
St. Francis Biometrics - Cape Girardeau, MO
Monsanto Corporate Fitness Center – St. Louis, MO
DePaul Medical Center Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation – St. Louis, MO
St. Anthony Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation – St. Louis, MO
Pepsico – New York, NY
Wyoming Medical Center - Casper, WY