Exercise Science, Wellness & Sports
Get moving towards an exciting career in the field of health and fitness. The B.S. in Exercise Science, Wellness, and Sports from Georgian Court University gives you the foundation needed to evaluate health behaviors and risk factors, motivate others to develop healthy lifestyles, and develop wellness programs.
With a concentration in either exercise science or health and physical education, as well as optional tracks for pre-physical therapy, pre-occupational therapy, and pre-physician assistant, our program can prepare you for graduate school in a variety of health-related fields. Thanks to partnerships with other universities, qualified students have an inside track to the Doctor of Physical Therapy program at the University of Sciences and the Masters of Athletic Training at Monmouth University.
A concentration in coaching and related minors in sport management, integrative health, business administration, psychology, or one of the natural sciences let you customize the program to meet your career aspirations.
To earn this degree, you must successfully complete at least 120 credits, including your General Education requirements and the major requirements below.
Major Sequence
Students choose one of two concentrations: Exercise Science or Health and Physical Education.
Exercise Science
Students must complete 36 exercise science credits, plus courses in related areas, including:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses | ||
| ES100 | Exploration of Exercise Science | 1 |
| ES111 | Found Ex Science & Wellness | 3 |
| ES220 | Introduction to Nutrition | 3 |
| ES251 | Biomechanics 1 | 3 |
| ES252 | Kinesiology & Applied Anatomy | 3 |
| ES330 | Exercise Physiology | 4 |
| ES350 | Exercise Testing & Prescription | 4 |
| ES390 | Internship I | 3 |
| ES391 | Internship II 2 | 3 |
| ES470 | Research Methods in Exercise & Sport | 3 |
| Exercise Science electives | 6 | |
| Related Courses | ||
| BI111 | Life: Human Biology | 4 |
| or BI121 | Cellular Organiz., Energetics & Function | |
| BI203 | Experimental Design & Statistics | 3 |
| BI213 | Human Anatomy & Physiology I | 4 |
| BI214 | Human Anatomy & Physiology II | 4 |
| Select one of the following: | 4-8 | |
CH151 | Chemistry for the Health Sciences | |
CH113 & CH114 | General Chemistry I and General Chemistry II | |
| MA109 | College Algebra 3 | 3 |
| Total Credits | 58-62 | |
- 1
ES251 Biomechanics can be substituted with PH111 Physics in Everyday Life I and PH112 Physics in Everyday Life II, or PH115 College Physics I and PH116 College Physics II, or PH121 University Physics I and PH122 University Physics II.
- 2
ES391 Internship II can be substituted with ES392 Coaching Internship or ES471 Research Project in Exercise Science.
- 3
Evidence of algebra proficiency may replace MA109 College Algebra.
Transfer students are required to take a minimum of 14 ES credits at GCU, and a minimum of 23 credits including the interdisciplinary courses required for the major. Students may choose to complete the requirements for one or more tracks.
Health & Physical Education
Students must complete 33 exercise science credits, plus courses in related areas, including:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses | ||
| ES111 | Found Ex Science & Wellness | 3 |
| ES160 | First Aid & CPR | 1 |
| ES220 | Introduction to Nutrition | 3 |
| ES252 | Kinesiology & Applied Anatomy | 3 |
| ES330 | Exercise Physiology | 4 |
| ES340 | Health & Weight Management | 3 |
| ES350 | Exercise Testing & Prescription | 4 |
| HPE/ES260 | Motor Development, Learning & Teaching | 3 |
| HPE/ES355 | Methods of Secondary Health & Phys.Ed. | 3 |
| PE (1 credit) courses that include at least one single, dual, and team activity | 6 | |
| Related Courses | ||
| BI213 | Human Anatomy & Physiology I | 4 |
| BI214 | Human Anatomy & Physiology II | 4 |
| CH151 | Chemistry for the Health Sciences | 4 |
| PS221 | Child & Adolescent Development | 3 |
| PS225 | Educational Psychology | 3 |
| PS245 | Psychology of the Exceptional Child | 3 |
| Total Credits | 54 | |
Transfer students are required to take a minimum of 14 ES credits at GCU and a minimum of 23 credits, including the interdisciplinary courses required for the major. Students seeking teacher certification also complete the teacher certification courses as shown in the School of Education section of the catalog.
For more information on program requirements, consult the Undergraduate Catalog.
Understand the science behind exercise, wellness, and sports—and learn how to apply that knowledge to help people live more active lifestyles personally and professionally.
Minor Sequence
The Exercise Science, Wellness & Sports minor is intended for students who have an interest in exercise science and will take Anatomy and Physiology and General Chemistry as a part of the curriculum for their majors. The course sequence for the minor is:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| ES111 | Found Ex Science & Wellness | 3 |
| ES330 | Exercise Physiology | 4 |
| ES350 | Exercise Testing & Prescription | 4 |
| ES electives | 9 | |
| Total Credits | 20 | |
At least 9 credits must be taken at Georgian Court University.
For more information on program requirements, consult the Undergraduate Catalog.
Pre-Occupational Therapy Track
In addition to the required courses for either of the concentrations in the exercise science major, students must take:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| PS111 | Introduction to Psychology | 3 |
| or PS113 | Foundations of Psychology | |
| SO101 | Principles of Sociology | 3 |
| PS223 | Psychopathology | 3 |
| PS227 | Lifespan Development | 3 |
| Total Credits | 12 | |
Pre-Physical Therapy Track
In addition to the required courses for the exercise science concentration in the major, students must take:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Select one of the following: | 3-4 | |
MA110 | Precalculus | |
MA115 | Calculus I | |
| Select one of the following sequences: | 8 | |
PH115 & PH116 | College Physics I and College Physics II | |
PH121 & PH122 | University Physics I and University Physics II | |
| PS111 | Introduction to Psychology | 3 |
| or PS113 | Foundations of Psychology | |
| PS223 | Psychopathology | 3 |
| Select one of the following: | 4 | |
BI204 | Genetics & Evolution | |
BI219 | Microbiology | |
BI407 | Neurobiology | |
| Total Credits | 21-22 | |
The chemistry requirement must be fulfilled by CH113 General Chemistry I and CH114 General Chemistry II and the biology requirement by BI121 Cellular Organiz., Energetics & Function.
Pre-Physical Therapy Track, Saint Joseph’s University (Philadelphia)
Saint Joseph’s University (formerly University of the Sciences) shall annually accept at least two GCU students who successfully meet all criteria for admission to the D.P.T. program. Saint Joseph’s University will determine which students who meet the criteria for admission are accepted into its D.P.T. program. In addition to the required courses for the exercise science concentration in the major, students must take:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| BI203 | Experimental Design & Statistics | 3 |
| or MA103 | Introduction to Statistical Thinking | |
| BI204 | Genetics & Evolution | 4 |
| MA115 | Calculus I 1 | 4 |
| PH115 & PH116 | College Physics I and College Physics II | 8 |
| PS111 | Introduction to Psychology | 3 |
| or PS113 | Foundations of Psychology | |
| SO101 | Principles of Sociology | 3 |
| Social science coursework 2 | 6 | |
| EN111 | Academic Writing and Research I | 3 |
| or EN221 | Honors Argument: Rhetoric & Research | |
| Additional English course | 3 | |
| Total Credits | 37 | |
- 1
Or MA110 Precalculus and either MA109 College Algebra, MA209 Linear Algebra, or MA210 Discrete Mathematics
- 2
At least 3 credits is in psychology, in addition to PS111 Introduction to Psychology or PS113 Foundations of Psychology
The chemistry requirement must be fulfilled by CH113 General Chemistry I; CH114 General Chemistry II and the biology requirement by BI121 Cellular Organiz., Energetics & Function. HRP200 Medical Terminology is recommended. Students must declare their intent to apply to Saint Joseph’s University through the GCU partnership agreement no later than one year prior to the summer start date of the D.P.T. program at Saint Joseph’s University. For more information, talk to your academic advisor.
Pre-Physician’s Assistant Track
In addition to the required courses for either concentration in the exercise science major, students must take:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| BI204 | Genetics & Evolution | 4 |
| BI219 | Microbiology | 4 |
| CH113 | General Chemistry I | 4 |
| CH114 | General Chemistry II | 4 |
| CH223 | Organic Chemistry I | 4 |
| HRP200 | Medical Terminology | 3 |
| PS111 | Introduction to Psychology | 3 |
| or PS113 | Foundations of Psychology | |
| Total Credits | 26 | |
For more information on program requirements, consult the Undergraduate Catalog.
Enhance your coaching skills and discover how to inspire positive changes in others through individual and group coaching. You’ll learn about psychology foundations and gain hands-on experience in guiding others to meeting their personal and professional goals.
Minor Sequence
The 19 credits required in this minor/concentration/certificate may be taken along with the major required courses to complete a major in exercise science, wellness, and sports. These courses may also be taken by a non-major who wishes to gain expertise in coaching athletes. Completion of all credits in the track will enable a non-major to earn the minor in Coaching.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses | ||
| ES111 | Found Ex Science & Wellness | 3 |
| ES160 | First Aid & CPR | 1 |
| ES211 | Theory of Coaching | 3 |
| ES320 | Gender in Sports | 3 |
| or IH310 | Integrative Women’s Health | |
| ES360 | Administrative Aspects of Sport | 3 |
| ES392 | Coaching Internship | 3 |
| ES310 | Sport & Exercise Psychology | 3 |
| or PS242 | Psychology of Gender | |
| Total Credits | 19 | |
For more information on program requirements, consult the Undergraduate Catalog.
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Full-time Faculty
Michael Wortley, Ph.D.
Associate Professor
Hackensack Meridian Health School of Nursing and Wellness at GCU
Wellness Center (529)
zjbegyrl@trbetvna.rqh
732-987-2475
Sachiko Komagata, Ph.D.
Associate Professor of Integrative Health
Hackensack Meridian Health School of Nursing and Wellness at GCU
Wellness Center (527)
fxbzntngn@trbetvna.rqh
732-987-2663
Vincent C.W. Chen, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor of Exercise Science
Hackensack Meridian Health School of Nursing and Wellness at GCU
Wellness Center (529)
ipura@trbetvna.rqh
732-987-2494
Fast Facts
