Exercise Physiology: Health and Fitness (B.S.)
The West Liberty University Exercise Physiology Program is designed to impart students with a foundation of knowledge concerning the human body’s immediate and long-term response to physical activity that will serve graduates in a variety of careers, especially those that concern human movement (for example, clinical exercise physiologist, physical therapist, occupational therapist, physician’s assistant, strength and conditioning coach, personal trainer, and many others). The program is accredited by the American Society of Exercise Physiologists (ASEP), and its learning objectives are aligned with ASEP’s. The curriculum is designed to promote critical thinking skills, effective writing, clear articulation and presentation, and analytical skills that transcend the subject matter. Students are also encouraged to participate in, and learn to appreciate the application of scientific research to real world problems and/or service for the benefit of the community, with consideration of the moral and ethical issues involved.
Exercise physiology students learn by doing. Learning experiences include lectures, laboratories for the development of essential skills and the elucidation of fundamental principles, research, professional development, and field internship wherein students gain practical experience with one or more of the program’s regional partners. Upon graduation, students will have been prepared to challenge the ASEP board certification exam and become board certified exercise physiologists with the EPC credential.
Each student has the choice of a concentration, either Clinical, which is designed to meet many if not all of the prerequisite requirements of popular graduate studies programs in clinical fields; Health and Fitness, which is designed to prepare students for immediate entry into career fields; or Pre-Athletic Training, which is designed to prepare students for entry into the Master’s in Athletic Training program. In addition to courses within the program, students also gain valuable knowledge from the fields of health, psychology, the natural sciences, mathematics, and computer science.
Admission Process
Any individual who has been admitted to WLU as a student is eligible for admission into the program. In order to graduate, students must have a 2.5 overall and a minimum grade of “C” in all EP major component classes. To be eligible for an internship, students must have an overall GPA of 2.5.
Requirements
Required Courses
| BIO 105 | Life Science for Non-majors | 3 |
| BIO 106 | Life Science for Non-majors Lab | 1 |
| CHEM 100 | Foundations of Chemistry | 3 |
| CHEM 101 | Foundations of Chemistry Lab | 1 |
| EP 125 | Introduction to Exercise Physiology | 1 |
| EP 299 | Basic Strength & Conditioning Principles | 3 |
| EP 325 | Exercise Physiology I | 3 |
| EP 326 | Exercise Physiology I Lab | 1 |
| EP 333 | Exercise Metabolism & Nutrition | 3 |
| EP 352 | Sport Rehabilitation | 3 |
| EP 448 | Exercise Physiology II | 3 |
| EP 449 | Exercise Physiology II Lab | 1 |
| EP 450 | Biomechanics | 3 |
| EP 454 | Cardiac Rehabilitation | 3 |
| EP 455 | Modification of Exercise | 3 |
| EP 460 | Theory of Exercise Testing, Prescriptions, & Programs | 3 |
| EP 480 | Exercise Physiology Internshp | 6 |
| HE 300 | Nutrition & Physical Fitness | 3 |
| MATH 160 | Introduction to Statistics | 3 or 5 |
| PE 240 | Anatomy & Physiology | 3 |
| PE 326 | Tests, Measurements & Research Design | 2 |
| PE 395 | Kinesiology | 3 |
| PHYS 190 | The Physical World | 3 |
| PHYS 191 | The Physical World Lab | 1 |
| PSYC 101 | Introduction to Psychology | 3 |
Choose 3 hours from the following:
Choose 20 hours from the following:
| PSYC 252 | Life Span Development | 3 |
| CIS 271 | Practical Computer Applications | 3 |
| SPED 241 | Introduction to Exceptionalities | 3 |
| EDUC 201 | Human Development | 3 |
| PE 258 | Motor Development | 2 |
| PE 211 | Group Fitness Leadership | 2 |
| HE 320 | Mental Health & Drug Use & Abuse | 3 |
| HE 340 | Human Sexuality & the Family | 3 |
| HE 360 | Community & Environmental Health | 3 |
| CIS 271 | Practical Computer Applications | 3 |
| GBUS 140 | Introduction to Business | 3 |