Exercise & Sport Science

College of Health Sciences
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Degree Options

On-Campus Degrees & Certificates

Minors and Certificates

Online Degrees & Certificates

Who Would Be Interested in Exercise & Sport Science?

Students who love sports and exercise and who have an interest in working with people to improve their health and fitness and/or athletic performance would be well suited for these options. Regardless of your future career plan as a certified athletic trainer (ATC), exercise physiologist, physical therapist (DPT), sport administrator for a professional sports team, athletic director, sports information director, college coach or a certified personal trainer, you can get there from here with an Exercise and Sport Science degree from Eastern Kentucky University. 

Why Exercise & Sport Science?

Our degree programs prepare students with cutting edge theory combined with practical learning experiences taught by outstanding faculty in state-of-the-art facilities. Our graduates leave ready to make their mark as professionals in exercise science and personal training because of the strong communication and critical thinking skills developed at EKU. Additionally, students desiring to become a Certified Athletic Trainer (ATC) or Physical Therapist (DPT) are provided with the required foundational knowledge and experience to make them competitive for these post Baccalaureate degree programs when they complete the BS in Exercise & Sport Science Concentration in Pre-Athletic Training/ Pre-Physical Therapy. 

The department offers a nationally accredited Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education (CAATE) MS in Athletic Training, which students who complete the BS in ESS pre-athletic training/ pre-physical therapy concentration can apply for admission.

Learn From The Best

Faculty in this discipline are experts in exercise and sport science, athletic training, fitness and wellness, coaching and sports administration. Many are regionally and nationally renowned in their fields and contribute to the discipline through scholarly publications in journals, books, and newspapers, presentations at professional conferences, leadership positions in professional organizations, and regional stewardship projects in the service region.

Internship and Co-Op Opportunities

Students in the pre-athletic training/ pre-physical therapy concentration complete practicums to engage practicing AT’s and PT’s and patients to provide insight into their future career field.  Fitness and Wellness Management concentration students complete a capstone internship at a fitness or wellness agency during their final semester that matches their career field area aspirations. Sport Management majors complete a capstone internship during their final semester. Co-op opportunities involving work at a fitness/wellness, sport, or physical education agency are also available.

These internship and practicum experiences provide our students with invaluable experience and networking opportunities for our students to secure their first job upon graduation

What Are the Program Requirements?

Students in all program concentrations must meet the requirements to be admitted to the University.  Students in the Pre-Athletic Training / Pre-Physical Therapy concentration need to maintain very high cumulative GPA’s and GPA’s in professional program pre-requisite to be competitive for selection into athletic training and/or physical therapy graduate programs.

Where Are Recent Graduates Employed?

Graduates of these options are employed as:

  • Campus/Community Wellness Center Directors/Staff
  • Strength and Conditioning Coaches or Specialists
  • Private or Corporate Wellness Center Directors/Staff
  • Certified Personal Fitness Trainers
  • Sports Information Directors/Athletic Directors/Team Managers or Administrators
  • Coaches

Graduates of these concentrations commonly purse graduate professional degree programs in:

  • CAATE Accredited Professional Athletic Training Programs to become Licensed/Certified Athletic Trainers (ATC)
  • CAPTE Accredited Doctorate in Physical Therapy Programs to become Licensed Physical Therapists
  • Master's Degree in Exercise & Sport Science

How Do I Get More Information?

On-Campus Program Information

Dr. Eric J. Fuchs, ATC, AEMT
Chair, Dept. Exercise & Sport Science 
www.ess.eku.edu /www.athletictraining.eku.edu
College of Health Sciences
Moberly Bldg  Rm 233
Email:  eric.fuchs@eku.edu
Telephone: 859 622 1889
Fax: 859 622 1254

Contact Dr. Wardell Johnson
Associate Professor for Sport Management
wardell.johnson@eku.edu

Online Program Information

ekuonline.eku.edu/sport
Lindsay Greenwell, Online Enrollment Advisor
859-622-7926
Lindsay.Greenwell@eku.eku

Are There Scholarship Opportunities?

Merit Scholarships based on academic excellence, leadership, and service participation are awarded to students in the program.