Skip Navigation

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:

Required Courses
ES100Exploration of Exercise Science1
ES111Found Ex Science & Wellness3
ES220Introduction to Nutrition3
ES251Biomechanics 13
ES252Kinesiology & Applied Anatomy3
ES330Exercise Physiology4
ES350Exercise Testing & Prescription4
ES390Internship I3
ES391Internship II 23
ES470Research Methods in Exercise & Sport3
Exercise Science electives6
Related Courses
BI111Life: Human Biology4
or BI121 Cellular Organiz., Energetics & Function
BI203Experimental Design & Statistics3
BI213Human Anatomy & Physiology I4
BI214Human Anatomy & Physiology II4
Select one of the following:4-8
CH151
Chemistry for the Health Sciences
CH113
CH114
General Chemistry I
and General Chemistry II
MA109College Algebra 33
Total Credits58-62
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:

Required Courses
ES111Found Ex Science & Wellness3
ES160First Aid & CPR1
ES220Introduction to Nutrition3
ES252Kinesiology & Applied Anatomy3
ES330Exercise Physiology4
ES340Health & Weight Management3
ES350Exercise Testing & Prescription4
HPE/ES260Motor Development, Learning & Teaching3
HPE/ES355Methods of Secondary Health & Phys.Ed.3
PE (1 credit) courses that include at least one single, dual, and team activity6
Related Courses
BI213Human Anatomy & Physiology I4
BI214Human Anatomy & Physiology II4
CH151Chemistry for the Health Sciences4
PS221Child & Adolescent Development3
PS225Educational Psychology3
PS245Psychology of the Exceptional Child3
Total Credits54

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:

ES111Found Ex Science & Wellness3
ES330Exercise Physiology4
ES350Exercise Testing & Prescription4
ES electives9
Total Credits20

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:

PS111Introduction to Psychology3
or PS113 Foundations of Psychology
SO101Principles of Sociology3
PS223Psychopathology3
PS227Lifespan Development3
Total Credits12

Pre-Physical Therapy Track

In addition to the required courses for the exercise science concentration in the major, students must take:

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
PS111Introduction to Psychology3
or PS113 Foundations of Psychology
PS223Psychopathology3
Select one of the following:4
BI204
Genetics & Evolution
BI219
Microbiology
BI407
Neurobiology
Total Credits21-22

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:

BI203Experimental Design & Statistics3
or MA103 Introduction to Statistical Thinking
BI204Genetics & Evolution4
MA115Calculus I 14
PH115
PH116
College Physics I
and College Physics II
8
PS111Introduction to Psychology3
or PS113 Foundations of Psychology
SO101Principles of Sociology3
Social science coursework 26
EN111Academic Writing and Research I3
or EN221 Honors Argument: Rhetoric & Research
Additional English course3
Total Credits37
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:

BI204Genetics & Evolution4
BI219Microbiology4
CH113General Chemistry I4
CH114General Chemistry II4
CH223Organic Chemistry I4
HRP200Medical Terminology3
PS111Introduction to Psychology3
or PS113 Foundations of Psychology
Total Credits26



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.

Required Courses
ES111Found Ex Science & Wellness3
ES160First Aid & CPR1
ES211Theory of Coaching3
ES320Gender in Sports3
or IH310 Integrative Women’s Health
ES360Administrative Aspects of Sport3
ES392Coaching Internship3
ES310Sport & Exercise Psychology3
or PS242 Psychology of Gender
Total Credits19



For more information on program requirements, consult the Undergraduate Catalog.

Events

Full-time Faculty​

Michael Wortley

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

View Faculty Profile
Sachiko Komagata

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

View Faculty Profile
Vincent Chen

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

View Faculty Profile

Expand Possibility

Fast Facts