Department of Exercise and Sport Sciences

John Sigg, Associate Professor and Chair

To prepare students to address society's growing concerns about wellness, fitness, injury prevention, and rehabilitation, the Department of Exercise and Sport Sciences (ESS) offers three exercise science majors: athletic training, clinical exercise science, and exercise science.

With careful planning, a qualified student may complete a master of science degree with a fifth year of study in the department. Questions about the five-year M.S. degree plan of study should be directed to the graduate chair, department chair, or adviser.

Athletic Training, B.S.
Clinical Exercise Science, B.S.
Exercise Science, B.S.
Exercise Science, Sport and Exercise Psychology Concentration
Exercise Science, Medical Sciences Emphasis
Exercise Science Minor
Sport and Exercise Psychology Minor

B.S. in Athletic Training

An athletic trainer is responsible for the prevention, care, and management of athletic injuries. The degree program in athletic training (AT) addresses the national need for better care of athletes and the physically active. Certified athletic trainers work under the direction of physicians in many settings, including high schools, colleges, professional sports programs, hospitals, fitness centers, industry, and sports medicine clinics.

The AT major is designed to prepare the student for the Board of Certification (BOC) national certification examination. Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education (CAATE) standards and guidelines impose specific restrictions on the number of majors Ithaca College can enroll in the AT degree program. AT students applying for retention must sign an agreement that they will meet the program's technical standards. Clarification regarding these standards can be obtained from the program director.

Special Academic Status Policy for AT

Retention requirements -- sophomore review

At the end of the sophomore year, the student must apply to be formally reviewed for retention in or admission to the athletic training major. Retention or admission is based on the following criteria:

• cumulative adjusted GPA of at least 2.75;
• minimum adjusted GPA of 3.00 in athletic training courses EXSS 20000, EXSS 24600, EXSS 24700, EXSS 25000, EXSS 25100, and EXSS 25600, with no grade lower than C- in these courses;
• completion of basic and applied science courses EXSS 12000, EXSS 12100, EXSS 12400, EXSS 22000, and EXSS 22100 with no grade lower than C-;
• completion of 60 hours in a clinical setting supervised by Ithaca College; and
• completion of required athletic training competencies and proficiencies.

Retention or admission is competitive, based on an applicant's level of achievement according to the stated criteria. Students should be aware that following a successful sophomore review, a minimum of 800 hours of clinical experience over a minimum of four additional semesters is required to complete the AT major. Because the clinical experience hours often coincide with athletic practice time, pursuit of the AT major may make participation in intercollegiate athletics at Ithaca College after the sophomore year more difficult and may require the completion of clinical experience hours outside the traditional academic calendar.

Junior and senior retention requirements

Retention in the AT program is based on the following criteria:

• cumulative adjusted GPA of at least 2.75;
• adjusted GPA of at least 3.00 in all athletic training coursework (EXSS 20000, EXSS 24600, EXSS 24700, EXSS 25000, EXSS 25100, EXSS 25600, EXSS 30000, EXSS 30100, EXSS 34000, EXSS 34200, EXSS 35000, EXSS 35100, EXSS 36000, EXSS 36100, EXSS 36500, EXSS 40000, EXSS 40100, EXSS 43000, and EXSS 45500), with no grade lower than C-;
• minimum grade of C- in all remaining courses required by CAATE accreditation guidelines (HLTH 20200, EXSS 32100, EXSS 37500, and a psychology elective); and
• satisfactory progress toward completion of a minimum of 800 supervised clinical hours in accordance with College specifications.

A student failing to meet the minimum standards in any given semester will be given one semester to attain them. Failure to meet standards for two consecutive semesters will result in dismissal from the AT major.

Requirements for the Major in Athletic Training -- B.S.

General requirements

Computer science

Statistics

Select a total of 3-4 credits from the following (students may be required to complete other mathematics courses prior to enrolling in these courses, depending on their scores on the math placement exam):

Natural sciences

Humanities

Select courses from a minimum of two departments

Communication skills

Social sciences

Basic and applied sciences

Additional courses

Specific requirements

Free electives

Summary

B.S. in Clinical Exercise Science

The major in clinical exercise science (CES) provides the student with the knowledge and skills to assess physical function and prescribe exercise for athletes, healthy individuals, and diseased individuals. This program allows students to become highly qualified in the assessment of exercise capacity and in the prescription and leadership of exercise. In a variety of settings (e.g., clinical, private, corporate, hospital), a CES-trained exercise professional will use exercise as a modality to help prevent or rehabilitate individuals with chronic lifestyle diseases such as cardiovascular or pulmonary disease, diabetes, and hypertension. CES majors may also choose to work with athletes to improve performance through enhanced conditioning of strength, speed, agility, balance, and other aspects of sport fitness. Students will also be prepared to help those with functional deficits that persist following rehabilitation from injury or surgery.

CES majors can choose to bring a specific focus to their study, allowing a professional specialty to evolve that emphasizes strength and conditioning of athletes, corporate wellness, cardiac rehabilitation, youth fitness, fitness management, geriatric wellness, and personal training. Such an emphasis is structured by thoughtful use of elective coursework and experiential learning (i.e., fieldwork and internship). Careers our graduates assume range from working in clinical technology (e.g., pacemaker or MRI tech) to strength coaching professional athletes or managing wellness programs for Fortune 500 companies. The CES degree is flexible enough to allow the student to grow in a variety of related professional directions.

Special Academic Status Policy for Clinical Exercise Science Majors

Students in the clinical exercise science major are required to:

• maintain a cumulative GPA of at least 2.50;
• maintain a minimum GPA of 2.75 in all basic and applied sciences and all specific requirements; and
• complete each of the required courses and restricted elective courses in the exercise and sport sciences department, with a grade of at least C-. Failure to complete each of these courses with at least a C- mandates repeating the course. The Ithaca College policy on repeating courses stated in this catalog must be followed.

A student failing to meet these academic standards in any given semester will be given one semester to attain these standards. Failure to meet these standards in two consecutive semesters or any three semesters will result in dismissal from the major.

Enrollment in internship courses is dependent upon meeting the stated academic standards. Students who meet the minimum standards described above at the time of internship registration may enroll in EXSS 47300 Internship: Preventative Clinical Exercise Science. Students who achieve academic standards of at least a 3.00 GPA in the basic and applied sciences and all specific requirements and at least a 2.75 cumulative GPA may enroll in EXSS 47300 Internship: Preventative Exercise Science or EXSS 47400 Internship: Rehabilitative Exercise Science.

Requirements for the Major in Clinical Exercise Science -- B.S.

General requirements

Computer Science

Mathematics

Select a total of 4 credits from the following (students may be required to complete other mathematics courses before enrolling in these courses, depending on their scores on the math placement exam):

Statistics

Natural sciences

Humanities

Communication skills

Social sciences

Basic and applied sciences

Additional courses

Specific requirements

Free electives

Summary

B.S. in Exercise Science

The exercise science major prepares the student with a theoretical understanding of the biomechanical, neuromuscular, physiological, and psychological effects of exercise stress on the human body.

Students who have graduated with a B.S. in exercise science have gone on to careers in exercise science, ergonomics, exercise and fitness journalism, exercise nutrition, fitness management, marketing and sales, medical/pharmaceutical sales, mind/body studies, wellness education, wilderness exercise science, and youth fitness. Many students have also pursued graduate degrees in exercise physiology, sport psychology, and related exercise and health science fields.

Students may choose one of three options to complete the exercise science major: B.S. in exercise science; B.S. in exercise science, sport and exercise psychology concentration; or B.S. in exercise science, medical sciences emphasis.

Special Academic Status Policy for Exercise Science Majors

Enrollment in capstone experiences requires a certain level of academic achievement. Enrollment in EXSS 47500 Research Team in Exercise and Sport Sciences requires a 3.00 minimum cumulative GPA and a minimum 3.25 GPA in all basic and applied sciences, except for EXSS 16200 Introduction to Fitness and Exercise Science and EXSS 27300 Community Service in Exercise and Sport Sciences. Enrollment in EXSS 46000 Internship in Exercise and Sport Sciences requires a 2.50 minimum cumulative GPA and a minimum 2.75 GPA in required courses in the exercise and sport sciences department, except for EXSS 16200 Introduction to Fitness and Exercise Science and EXSS 27300 Community Service in Exercise and Sport Sciences. Exercise science internships are typically in the student's selected area of professional specialty and are not normally arranged in clinical settings. The exercise science student must plan with a faculty sponsor and have permission of the department chair to enroll in either the research team or the internship.

The B.S. in exercise science is designed to provide students with a strong background in the exercise sciences while providing the opportunity to tailor the major to their own interests and needs. To this end, students are encouraged to either complete a minor or work with a faculty adviser to create a cluster of courses within their free electives that support their career goals.

Requirements for the Major in Exercise Science -- B.S.

General requirements

Computer science

Mathematics

A total of 4 credits, to be selected from the following (students may be required to complete other mathematics courses prior to enrolling in these courses, depending on their scores on the math placement exam):

Statistics

Natural sciences

Humanities

Communication skills

Social sciences

Basic and applied sciences

Additional courses

ESS restricted electives

A total of 15 credits to be selected from the following:

Free electives

Summary

B.S. in Exercise Science, Sport and Exercise Psychology Concentration

The sport and exercise psychology concentration provides students with a theoretical understanding of the psychological components of sport and exercise participation and peak performance. Students are well positioned to pursue advanced study in sport and exercise psychology or to use their knowledge to present theoretical material in an applicable way to various groups through workshops, websites, scholarly articles, and sport psychology consultation.

In addition to the general exercise science requirements, students seeking the sport and exercise psychology concentration must complete a number of courses within the sport and exercise psychology discipline as well as a minor in psychology. Courses within the concentration include Sport and Exercise Psychology, Psychology of Coaching, Motivation and Communication in Exercise and Sport, Applied Techniques in Sport Psychology, and Sport and Exercise Counseling. A detailed list of these courses is available from the department office.

Requirements for the Major in Exercise Science, Sport and Exercise Psychology Concentration -- B.S.

General requirements

Computer science

Mathematics

A total of 4 credits, to be selected from the following (students may be required to complete other mathematics courses prior to enrolling in these courses, depending on their scores on the math placement exam):

Statistics

Natural sciences

Humanities

Communication skills

Social sciences

Basic and applied sciences

Additional courses

Sport and exercise psychology concentration

Psychology minor

Summary

B.S. in Exercise Science, Medical Sciences Emphasis

The medical sciences emphasis prepares students for any of the medical professions, such as medicine, osteopathy, chiropractic, physical therapy, occupational therapy, and physician assistant, by incorporating the prerequisites for entry into medical and graduate schools into the general exercise science curriculum. The emphasis is designed so that students can select one of two biology, chemistry, and physics sequences based on the requirements of their chosen medical profession. Students completing the medical sciences emphasis are also well positioned to obtain employment in exercise- and health science-related research and clinical positions in both public settings and private industry.

Requirements for the Major in Exercise Science, Medical Sciences Emphasis -- B.S.

General requirements

Computer science

Mathematics

A total of 4 credits, to be selected from the following (students may be required to complete other mathematics courses prior to enrolling in these courses, depending on their scores on the math placement exam):

Statistics

Natural sciences

Humanities

Communication skills

Social sciences

Basic and applied sciences

Additional courses

Medical sciences emphasis

Summary

Minors

Two minors are offered in the Department of Exercise and Sport Sciences: exercise science, and sport and exercise psychology.

Exercise Science Minor

The exercise science minor is designed to give students a foundation in exercise science for pursuing related professional interests in health care or personal interests in the lifetime pursuit of sports participation, fitness, and wellness. The exercise science minor is open to students majoring in all disciplines except exercise and sport sciences.

Curriculum

It is recommended, but not required, that students also choose one of the following:

Sport and Exercise Psychology Minor

The sport and exercise psychology minor provides students with a basic understanding of the psychological components of sport and exercise participation and peak performance. Students will acquire practical and applied knowledge for team building, leadership, and goal setting, which may be used in coaching, business, industry, and wellness. The sport and exercise psychology minor is open to students majoring in all disciplines except exercise science with a concentration in sport and exercise psychology.

Curriculum