Exercise & Sports Science Undergraduate Program - Oxley College of Health & Natural Sciences

Exercise & Sports Science Undergraduate Program

Exercise and sports science practitioners provide health care, technique/skill instruction and performance enhancement for the physically active population. Students gain foundational knowledge for this practice by studying how physical activity influences the human body. Clinical skill acquisition is also a necessary component. Courses within this degree program address both areas.

TU’s exercise and sports science program reflects the unique nature of the university and the community. The program is built on a foundation of scientific knowledge specific to the human body and how it is impacted by physical activity or physical stress. Our program has the flexibility to prepare students for health care graduate or professional programs, such as medicine, athletic training, physical therapy, cardiac rehabilitation and other fields closely related to exercise science, or to enter a corporate or commercial fitness setting.

The science foundation of the bachelor of science in exercise and sports science is complemented by practical application. Students majoring in exercise and sports science complete internships tailored to their specific career goals. Internships are designed to provide students opportunities to acquire clinical skills and ensure they are prepared to function in their chosen career setting. Students gain valuable firsthand experience, which strengthens their knowledge base and enhances their position in the job market after graduation. The city of Tulsa has an extensive medical community that offers a variety of student internship settings; in particular, physical therapy clinics and wellness/fitness centers.

Students may opt for the following tracks:

  • Traditional – general studies for employment in wellness and fitness
  • Rehabilitation and therapeutics – for work in cardiac and orthopedic rehabilitation and strength training
  • Pre-health professional degree – provides prerequisites for physician assistant, dentist or physical therapist degrees
  • Pre-athletic training – Prepares students to enter TU’s master of athletic training program

Depending on a student’s choice of major, along with a possible minor and electives, he or she can prepare for diverse fields. For example, a student under the traditional track may add a business minor, preparing them to work and perhaps later own a fitness center.

  • Program Learning Outcomes
    1. Demonstrate comprehension of the sciences applied to human function and exercise.
    2. Demonstrate the ability to appraise behavioral and physiologic outcomes related to musculoskeletal, neuromuscular, and cardiovascular function.
    3. Demonstrate the ability to manage and critically analyze data relevant to the improvement of health and human performance.
    4. Demonstrate the ability to effectively retrieve, summarize, and disseminate, both written and orally, information relevant to the improvement of health and human performance.
    5. Demonstrate the ability to design and implement strategies, utilizing contemporary techniques, for improving health and human performance.
    6. Demonstrate the professional behaviors necessary to participate as responsible members of their chosen profession and community.
  • Degree Options

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    Provides structured classroom and clinical experiences to prepare a student for an entry-level position in exercise and sports science.

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    The coaching minor prepares students for coaching positions in a variety of athletic settings and is offered to non-exercise and sports science/athletic training majors.

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    The minor provides students with the knowledge necessary to understand exercise and sports science concepts, such as functional movement, responses, and adaptations. The coursework increases a student’s knowledge base, enhances qualifications, provides competitive edge in the allied health, wellness or fitness world and builds credibility. Students who complete this minor are eligible to sit for the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA) Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS) or the NSCA Certified Personal Trainer (CPT) exams.

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    The Health Sciences minor is intended to provide students with a broader understanding of universal concepts related to health and healthcare. It is recommended for students from any major who plan to work in any aspect of healthcare. The coursework required for this academic minor allows students to tailor the 12 required credit hours from a list of courses that represent a variety of health and healthcare related disciplines.

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    Students interested in pursuing studies in medicine, physician’s assistant or similar programs.



  • Typical Four Year Schedule
    FRESHMAN – FALL SEMESTERFRESHMAN – SPRING SEMESTER
    Exposition and ArgumentationHuman Physiology with Lab
    Math with ApplicationsPrevention and Treatment
    Concepts and Issues in Sports ScienceBusiness and Society
    Human Anatomy with LabBlock I - Aesthetic Inquiry & Creative Experience
    OrientationStrategies for Healthy Living
    SOPHOMORE – FALL SEMESTERSOPHOMORE – SPRING SEMESTER
    Human Anatomy and Kinesiology with LabBlock II - Historical & Social Interpretation
    Sports NutritionExercise Physiology with Lab
    Human SexualityBlock I - Aesthetic Inquiry & Creative Experience
    Block II - Historical & Social InterpretationPedagogy of Sport Skills/Outdoor Sports
    Introduction to SpreadsheetsBlock III - Scientific Investigation
    JUNIOR – FALL SEMESTERJUNIOR – SPRING SEMESTER
    Drug Education and PharmacologyClinical Methodology
    SPA or ElectiveSPA or Elective
    Methods for Elementary and Special PopulationsLegal Aspects in Athletic Training
    Development of Strength and Conditioning ProgramsInstructional Methods in Health
    Statistics IElective
    ElectiveElective
    SENIOR – FALL SEMESTERSENIOR – SPRING SEMESTER
    Allied Health ResearchInternship
    InternshipMotor Control
    BiomechanicsWriting for the Professions
    Writing ElectiveUnderstanding Electrocardiography
    ElectiveElective
    Elective