The Career
Exercise science is a professional field that has emerged to address and create awareness of the lack of physical activity and its effects on the human body. Although it is a non-teaching field, one-on-one and group instruction, goal-setting and assessment are involved in this career.
Individuals entering exercise science work in corporate fitness, agency fitness, health clubs and as managers of fitness facilities, personal trainers and conditioning coaches. Students may also choose to enter into the related careers of physical therapy or athletic training by transferring to a baccalaureate institution to obtain their undergraduate degree.
Professional Traits
Those pursuing a career in exercise science should:
- Be able to help individuals analyze their needs and set health and performance improvement goals
- Display enthusiasm and provide positive reinforcement to clients
- Communicate effectively within individual and group settings
- Be patient and encouraging
- Exhibit the physical traits of a healthy individual
Salary Information
The beginning salary for exercise science professionals is between $25,000 and $35,000, per the American College of Sports Medicine. Obtaining certifications and licensure may increase these earnings.
Resources
For more information about this career, visit these Web sites:
The Program
The Associate of Arts Degree in Exercise Science provides students with several course options and electives. Assuming appropriate placement scores, it is a two-year degree, with flexibility to customize the program toward the student’s chosen career.
The exercise science academic plan consists of the 43-credit hour general education core with an emphasis in human anatomy and physiology, nutrition and the history/philosophy behind sports and physical education. To help students explore their interest areas and career paths, ECC provides various student activities, organizations and practicum experiences related to the discipline.
Admissions Requirements
To enter the program, students must have completed:
- High school diploma or the equivalent (documentation must be sent to the registration office)
- Application for admission
- A placement test as specified by the college (please note: some coursework requires minimum placement results)
Transfer Options
Many of the credits, particularly the general education electives earned with this degree, are accepted as transfer credits by four-year colleges and universities. These decisions are made solely by the bachelor degree-granting institution, not ECC.
Students seeking to transfer should communicate often with their faculty advisors and the East Central College transfer advisor. They should also make early contact with the four-year institution of their choice regarding the transferability of ECC credits and coursework.
Accreditation
East Central College is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools
30 N. LaSalle St., Suite 2400
Chicago, Illinois 60602-2504
800-621-7440
Contacts
Return to: