Exercise Science, Comprehensive Major

Exercise Science, Comprehensive Major (B.S.)


The following is a sample degree plan, based on the 2024-2025 catalog. It is based on the 120-credit graduation requirement and assumes no transferred credits, no requirements waived by placement tests, no courses taken in the summer or winter, no repeated courses, and no remedial courses that may be required. This sample degree plan is intended for first-year students entering UW-Eau Claire in the fall semester. Your own degree plan may differ depending on the course of study selected (second major, minor, etc.). UW-Eau Claire cannot guarantee all courses will be offered as shown, but will provide a range of courses that may enable prepared students to fulfill their requirements in a timely period. This sample degree plan is just a guide. Please consult your advisor, your degree audit, and the catalog to create your own degree plan. Note: In order to earn the required minimum of 120 credits for the degree in four years, you should plan to take 15 credits each semester or 30 credits each year.

To earn a degree, students must fulfill all University Graduation Requirements, including the Liberal Education (LE) Core.  LE Core course work in the following sample degree plan uses abbreviations such as LE-K1, LE-S2, LE-R3, and LE-I1 to represent the learning outcomes students will meet via completion of their liberal education course work.  Please click here for a description of the Liberal Education Core outcomes and requirements.  Note that the LE Core may be completed through both course and non-course experiences.

SOMETIME IN THE FIRST YEAR
Writing Requirement:2-5
Intensive Blugold Seminar in Critical Reading and Writing (LE-S1)
or
Blugold Seminar in Critical Reading and Writing (LE-S1)
or
Accelerated Blugold Seminar in Critical Reading and Writing (LE-S1)
or
Blugold Seminar in Critical Reading and Writing for Transfer Students (LE-S1)
Science (K1) choose one4-5
Physical Science (LE-K1)
General Physics (LE-K1)
LE Free Choice - See "Liberal Education Core"3
LE Free Choice - See "Liberal Education Core"3
KINS 200Orientation to Kinesiology1
KINS 294Anatomical Kinesiology3
ES Secondary Choice *3
ES Secondary Choice *3
LE Free Choice - See "Liberal Education Core"3
LE Free Choice - See "Liberal Education Core"3
TOTAL28-32
SOMETIME IN THE SECOND YEAR
BIOL 151Biology of Humans (LE-K1)4
MATH 246Elementary Statistics (LE-S2)4
LE Free Choice - See "Liberal Education Core"3
LE Free Choice - See "Liberal Education Core"3
ES Secondary Choice *3
KINS 309Introduction to Exercise Science3
KINS 304Biomechanical Kinesiology3
KINS 308Exercise Physiology3
ES Secondary Choice *3
LE Free Choice - See "Liberal Education Core"3
TOTAL32
THIRD YEAR
FIRST SEMESTER
KINS 312Psychology of Sport and Physical Activity3
LE Free Choice - See "Liberal Education Core"3
LE Free Choice - See "Liberal Education Core"3
ES Secondary Choice *3
ES Secondary Choice *3
SECOND SEMESTER
KINS 357Essentials of Strength and Conditioning3
BIOL 196Human Nutrition3
LE Free Choice - See "Liberal Education Core"3
ES Secondary Choice *3
ES Secondary Choice *3
TOTAL30
FOURTH YEAR
FIRST SEMESTER
KINS 426Motor Development Across the Lifespan3
KINS 476Exercise Science Seminar3
ES Secondary Choice *6
LE Free Choice - See "Liberal Education Core"3
SECOND SEMESTER
KINS 498Exercise Science Internship (LE-I1, LE-SL) **6
ES Secondary Choice *6
LE Free Choice - See "Liberal Education Core"3
TOTAL30

Minimum total for the baccalaureate degree = 120 credits 

*

Numbers of credits and courses required in "ES secondary choice" areas will depend on the professional area that the student is working toward

**

KINS 498 can be taken in the fall, spring or summer semester

Numbers of credits and courses required/recommended in “ES Secondary and “Electives” will depend on the student’s career and/or graduate school goals. Your academic and faculty advisors will assist you with choosing the correct classes each semester to prepare you for post-graduation plans. 


Application to Major 

The Exercise Sciences Program Committee will screen students for admission to the program. At the time of admission, students must: 

  1. Have completed KINS 304KINS 308, and KINS 309 with a grade of C or better. 

  2. Demonstrate an overall cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher in all university coursework. 

Students who are not admitted into the upper sequence of courses (KINS 312, 357, 476, and 498) within the Exercise Science program may seek admission the following or subsequent semesters provided all admission criteria are met. Those students who choose to be considered for admission are reminded that the program is a two-year course of study once admitted, which could delay their graduation up to one year. 


RECOMMENDATIONS FOR HIGH IMPACT PRACTICES (HIPs) The University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire encourages all students to participate in High Impact Practices.  The following information identifies any specific recommendations that faculty in this major have concerning which HIPs might be most beneficial to students, and any recommendations about when those HIPs best fit into the degree plan. Students should also consult their faculty advisor for information on HIPs. There are many additional high impact opportunities available. Talk to your academic advisor for more information about incorporating HIPs like Study Abroad, Intercultural Immersion, Internship, and/or  Student/Faculty Collaborative Research into your time at UW-Eau Claire.
Required: Students in the Exercise Science major complete an internship during their final semester.

Liberal Education (LE) Core Guidance

Liberal Education Core (LE Core) 

The LE Core comprises 17 learning experiences across 11 learning outcomes. Students must complete a minimum of 36 credits in courses approved for the LE Core. 

  • K1 – Natural Sciences; two experiences (one lab science experience is required in K1 or K2). 

  • K2 – Social Sciences; two experiences (one lab science experience is required in K1 or K2). 

  • K3 – Humanities; two experiences. 

  • K4 – Fine Arts; one experience. 

  • S1 – Written and Oral Communication; two experiences (one experience must satisfy the University writing requirement). 

  • S2 – Mathematics; one experience (must satisfy the University math competency requirement). 

  • S3 – Creativity; one experience (can be fulfilled in a student’s major). 

  • R1 – Equity, Diversity, and Inclusivity; two experiences (one experience must meet the UW System Design for Diversity (DD) requirement). 

  • R2 – Global Perspectives; one experience. 

  • R3 – Civic and Environmental Issues; one experience. 

  • I1 – Integration; two experiences (one experience can be fulfilled in a student’s major). 

  • SL—Service Learning; 30 hours 

Additional LE Core Information 

  • Most LE Core learning experiences are course based, and many courses meet more than one learning outcome (e.g., K3 and R2 or K1 and R3). 

  • Some learning experiences can also be met outside of a traditional course (e.g., undergraduate research (S3), study abroad (I1)). 

  • S1 – An English placement score that fulfills the University writing requirement fulfills one S1 experience. 

  • S1 – A foreign Language placement score that qualifies the student to enter the 102 level satisfies one S1 experience. 

  • S1, R2 – A foreign language placement score that qualifies the student to enter the 202 level satisfies one experience in S1 and the R2 experience. 

  • S2 – A math placement score that qualifies the student to enter Math 111, 112, 113 or 114 fulfills the S2 experience. 

  • S3 – Completion of two credits from any approved music ensemble fulfills the S3 experience. 

  • I1 – Any semester long study abroad program can fulfill one I1 experience. 

The Master of Science in Athletic Training (MSAT) Accelerated Plan allows qualified students to start taking courses in the approved master’s degree while finishing their bachelor’s degree in Exercise Science. Graduate course sequencing allows undergraduate students to complete their fourth year of the Exercise Science major while completing the first-year coursework in the MSAT. This pathway allows students to apply to the Athletic Training program during their third year (junior) and complete the Master’s degree in Athletic Training in five years upon matriculation to UW-Eau Claire.

A student interested in the MSAT Accelerated plan should consult with academic advisors and the Program Director in Athletic Training and declare “pre-athletic training” as their course sequencing. A student will major in Exercise Science in the Department of Kinesiology and earn credits toward their Bachelor of Science degree. Upon successful completion of the fifth year in the MSAT program, a student would graduate with a Master of Science in Athletic Training degree and be eligible for the Board of Certification (BOC) Inc. national certification examination and state licensure as an entry-level athletic trainer.

To maintain good standing in the MSAT Accelerated Plan:

  • Must maintain a minimum 3.0 GPA in all graduate level coursework. 
  • Failure to maintain a minimum 3.0 GPA in graduate level coursework could risk discontinuation from the MSAT Accelerated Plan and/or prevent future acceptance to the MSAT degree program.
  • Must earn a grade of C or better in all graduate level coursework. A graduate course grade below C will not be accepted to the MSAT degree program; grades below C will need to be repeated.

The following MSAT courses will fulfill degree requirements for both the Exercise Science Major and the MSAT Program:

Exercise Science Undergraduate Course
KINS 498Exercise Science Internship6
Exercise Science Secondary Area27
MSAT Course
KINS 780AClinical Practicum I2
KINS 781AClinical Practicum II2
KINS 700APrinciples of Athletic Training (summmer)3
KINS 701AApplied Anatomy (summer)2
KINS 710AFoundations of Clinical Practice (summer)3
KINS 720APhysical Assessment and Treatment of the Lower Extremity (fall)5
KINS 762APsychosocial Aspects in Healthcare (fall)1
KINS 714APathophysiology & Emergency Medicine (fall)3
KINS 721APhysical Assessment and Treatment of the Head and Spine (winter)4
KINS 722APhysical Assessment and Treatment of the Upper Body (spring)5
KINS 763APharmacological Agents in Healthcare (spring)1