Exercise and Sport Science Comprehensive Major: Clinical Exercise Science Emphasis

Program Requirements

A minimum of 73 credits is required, including the 15-credit Exercise and Sport Science Nucleus:

To graduate, all exercise and sport science majors must complete ESS 181 Foundations of Exercise and Sport Science and ESS 185 Lifetime Wellness with a minimum grade of “C”:

Exercise and Sport Science Nucleus
ESS 181Foundations of Exercise and Sport Science3
ESS 185Lifetime Wellness3
ESS 320Psychology of Sport and Physical Activity3
ESS 490Sociology of Sport and Physical Activity3
Select one of the following ESS Capstone courses: 13
Senior Seminar in Exercise and Sport Science
K-12 Student Teaching
Internship in Exercise and Sport Science
Total Credits15
1

EDUC 410 K-12 Student Teaching is a capstone option for K-12 Physical Education majors seeking Colorado licensure; ESS 498 Internship in Exercise and Sport Science is a capstone option for the ESS Standard Emphasis.

First Aid/CPR competency and the following:

BIOL 150Biological Principles (with laboratory) (GT-SC1)4
BIOL 372Human Anatomy and Physiology I (with laboratory)4
BIOL 373Human Anatomy and Physiology II (with laboratory)4
CHEM 111General Chemistry I (GT-SC2)3
CHEM 112General Chemistry Laboratory I (GT-SC1)1
CHEM 113General Chemistry II3
CHEM 114General Chemistry Laboratory II1
ESS 275Motor Development and Learning3
ESS 298Fitness Instruction3
ESS 330Exercise Physiology3
ESS 331Exercise Physiology Lab1
ESS 380Biomechanics3
ESS 410Assessment and Exercise Prescription3
ESS 411Wellness Elevated I3
ESS 412Exercise Biochemistry3
ESS 430Topics in Clinical Exercise Physiology3
ESS 431Wellness Elevated II3
MATH 140College Algebra (GT-MA1)3
PHYS 140Introductory Physics (with laboratory) (GT-SC1)4
One of the following:3
Basic Nutrition
Nutrition for Wellness and Performance
Total Credits58

Chiropractic Education

Western has a 3+1 agreement with Palmer College of Chiropractic. Students must complete 90 credits at Western, including General Education and the Clinical Exercise Science Emphasis. Students who meet Palmer’s entrance requirements may enroll at one of the three Palmer campuses, and after successful completion of the first year of the D.C. program, receive credit for completion of their fourth year at Western, transferring Palmer credits back to Western in order to complete their undergraduate degree. Appropriate coursework should be taken in consultation with an academic advisor.

Plan of Study Grid
Year OneCredits
"C" or better required for both ESS 181 and ESS 185 to receive credit toward ESS degree.
 Credits0
Fall
ESS 181
Foundations of Exercise and Sport Science
or Lifetime Wellness
3
CHEM 111 General Chemistry I (GT-SC2) Milestone course & prerequisite for BIOL 372. 3
CHEM 112 General Chemistry Laboratory I (GT-SC1) 1
ENG 102 Writing and Rhetoric I (GT-CO1) 3
MATH 140 College Algebra (GT-MA1) 3
HWTR 100 First Year Seminar 1
Gen Ed General Education Courses 3
 Credits17
Spring
ESS 181
Foundations of Exercise and Sport Science
or Lifetime Wellness
3
BIOL 150 Biological Principles (with laboratory) (GT-SC1) Milestone course & prerequisite for BIOL 372. 4
CHEM 113 General Chemistry II 3
CHEM 114 General Chemistry Laboratory II 1
Gen Ed General Education Courses 3
ENG 103 Writing and Rhetoric II (GT-CO2) 3
 Credits17
Year Two
Fall
BIOL 372 Human Anatomy and Physiology I (with laboratory) Milestone course. Must achieve a "D" or better to enroll in many higher level ESS classes. 4
PHYS 140 Introductory Physics (with laboratory) (GT-SC1) 4
Gen Ed General Education Courses 6
 Credits14
Spring
ESS 275 Motor Development and Learning 3
ESS 298 Fitness Instruction 3
BIOL 373 Human Anatomy and Physiology II (with laboratory) Milestone course. Must achieve a "D" or better to enroll in many higher level ESS classes. 4
Gen Ed General Education Courses 6
 Credits16
Year Three
Fall
ESS 330 Exercise Physiology Milestone course. Must achieve a "D" or better to enroll in many higher level ESS classes. 3
ESS 331 Exercise Physiology Lab Milestone course. Must achieve a "D" or better to enroll in many higher level ESS classes. 1
ESS 380 Biomechanics 3
Gen Ed General Education Courses 9
 Credits16
Spring
ESS 410 Assessment and Exercise Prescription 3
ESS 320 Psychology of Sport and Physical Activity 3
ESS 412 Exercise Biochemistry 3
Elective Elective/Minor/2nd Minor 6
 Credits15
Year Four
Fall
ESS 360 Nutrition for Wellness and Performance 3
ESS 411 Wellness Elevated I 3
ESS 430 Topics in Clinical Exercise Physiology 3
Elective Elective (upper division) ESS/Minor/2nd Major 6
 Credits15
Spring
ESS 431 Wellness Elevated II 3
ESS 495
Senior Seminar in Exercise and Sport Science
or Internship in Exercise and Sport Science
3
ESS 490 Sociology of Sport and Physical Activity 3
Elective Elective (upper division) ESS/Minor/2nd Major 3
 Credits12
 Total Credits122

Western is committed to doing our part to provide each student a clear path to graduation. This four‐year degree plan is a sample map for fulfilling requirements in the major and General Education. The pathway that you take to your degree may differ somewhat from this illustration, depending on where you start and the detours and side trips you may take along the way. You are responsible for ensuring your overall, upper division, and major‐specific credits as well as GPA requirements are fulfilled for graduation.