Exercise Science

Exercise and fitness professionals must be good communicators and like working with people. They need to be able to comfortably speak to individuals and groups and must have excellent writing skills. Further, those majoring in exercise science are usually committed to their own health and are excited about helping others improve theirs. Creativity is a real plus for exercise and fitness professionals, as it often takes creative thinking to motivate and help individuals or communities to change health behaviors. 

Both the behavioral and biological sciences form the foundation for exercise science. Course work is required in such areas as human anatomy and physiology, exercise physiology, kinesiology, statistics, and more.

Graduates of this program will be prepared for the careers listed below. All opportunities may not be listed.

Below are options for students to minor in that is associated with Exercise Science:

• Public Health
• Sport Administration
• Sport Coaching

CECH Student Services Center
College of Education, Criminal Justice, and Human Services
PO Box 210014
Cincinnati, OH 45221
513-556-2336
cechssc@uc.edu

The Exercise Science program, at the University of Cincinnati, is one of the premier programs in the country. This program has 10 full-time faculty serving students in the program. UC’s faculty members are well-known in the profession and are recognized leaders at the local, state and national levels. For example, UC’s faculty have served as presidents of national associations, served on boards of directors of national associations, participated in accreditation visits and site reviews of other health promotion programs, served on numerous professional committees, acted as editors of national journals and continue to receive some of the highest student evaluations for their teaching and mentoring in the college.

UC faculty regularly present papers at professional meetings, publish in professional journals and write textbooks that are used throughout the profession. As a result of their involvement, UC faculty members are well connected with other health educators in the profession, which helps students effectively network, enter graduate school and obtain employment in the field.

Opportunities for internships are outstanding in the Greater Cincinnati area. Our students have interned with Proctor & Gamble, YMCA of Greater Cincinnati, GE Aircraft Engines, St. Elizabeth Healthcare, TriHealth Corporate Health and TriHealth Fitness and Health Pavilion, the American Heart Association, UC Athletics, the Cincinnati Reds, locally-owned personal training and group fitness facilities, and many other outstanding companies and agencies. Another advantage to studying at UC is the fact that the program offers bachelor's, master’s and doctoral degrees. This provides students with the opportunity to obtain advanced degrees and to interact with graduate-level health promotion and education students.

Students that complete this degree program also have the opportunity to obtain additional professional credentials including:

American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) Certified Exercise Physiologist (ACSM-EP®)

The ACSM-EP® credential is available to fitness professionals with a minimum of a bachelor’s degree in exercise science. Individuals with this credential are qualified to pursue careers in university, corporate, commercial, hospital, and community settings. ACSM-EP’s are trained to conduct and interpret physical assessments to prescribe appropriate, personalized exercise programs for people who are healthy or have medically controlled diseases. Candidates are eligible to take the examination in the last semester of their degree program, and possess an Adult CPR/AED certification.

National Strength and Conditioning Association Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (NSCA-CSCS®)

Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialists® (CSCS®) are professionals who apply scientific knowledge to train athletes for the primary goal of improving athletic performance. They conduct sport-specific testing sessions, design and implement safe and effective strength training and conditioning programs and provide guidance regarding nutrition and injury prevention. Candidates must have at least a bachelor’s degree or currently be enrolled as a college senior and have a current Adult CPR/AED certification to sit for this exam.

During the program or upon graduation, students may also choose to pursue other credentials such as Certified Personal Trainer or Certified Group Fitness Instructor from organizations such as:

• National Academy of Sport Medicine (NASM) 
• American Council on Exercise (ACE) 
• American College of Sport Medicine (ACSM) 
• National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA)

CECH Student Ambassadors
The Student Ambassador program represents CECH at the University of Cincinnati by assisting with the recruitment and retention of students in the college. CECH Student Ambassadors provide a valuable service by representing the student perspective of university life to prospective and new students. Ambassadors also represent the college at numerous collegiate functions, professional events and key promotional events. Being selected as a CECH Student Ambassador is an honor that reflects academic rigor and a commitment to the fields of education, health promotion and education, and criminal justice.

CECH Tribunal
The purpose of the CECH Tribunal is to ensure that the interests of CECH students are voiced and to provide student representation on behalf of all undergraduate students in CECH. Also, the tribunal organizes programs and social events for students of the college.

In order to graduate from the UC College of Education, Criminal Justice, and Human Services, a student must:

• Complete all required course work and program requirements.
• Obtain a grade of C- or better for all health education/exercise science courses.
• Obtain at least a 2.0 university grade point average.
• Be in good academic standing; that is, not on academic or disciplinary probation or suspension.
• Meet the college's residency requirement of 30 semester credit hours.
• File formal application for the degree by the posted deadline.

Admission to this program is generally available for students transferring to the University of Cincinnati if they were admissible directly from high school and have a 2.0 cumulative GPA (all prior institutions combined).

Students who were NOT admissible directly from high school must have:

• 24 semester (36 quarter) hours earned
• at least a 2.0 cumulative GPA (all prior institutions combined)

Admission to this program is generally available for University of Cincinnati students enrolled in other colleges of the University of Cincinnati if they were admissible directly from high school and have a 2.0 cumulative GPA (UC and any prior institutions combined).

Students who were NOT admissible directly from high school must have:

• 24 semester (36 quarter) hours earned
• at least a 2.0 cumulative GPA (UC and any prior institutions combined)

Current UC students wishing to transfer into the program should contact the CECH Student Services Center at (513) 556-2336 or via email.

International students should contact the University of Cincinnati's Office of Admissions for details at 513-556-1100 or email.