Exercise and Sport Science

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Fitness Leadership Concentration - Undergraduate

The Fitness Leadership concentration is designed to prepare students for careers in preventive/rehabilitative exercise and fitness programs. Students completing the concentration will have the necessary academic background to work in areas such as cardiac, pulmonary, diabetes and arthritis rehabilitation, health clubs, corporate wellness, and personal training. Students will be prepared to sit for the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) Exercise Specialist exam. The concentration may be tailored to meet the needs and interests of students planning graduate study in medicine, physician's assistant school, occupational or physical therapy, and exercise physiology.

The Undergraduate Fitness Leadership Concentration FAQs

Are there any special application procedures?
Yes. If you entered into the ESS degree program in or after the fall of 2005, you must apply to be accepted into the Fitness Leadership concentration. The following criteria must be met before a student can apply to the fitness leadership concentration:
a) successful completion of BIO 111, 271, 277 and the first CHE course
b) successful completion of ESS 220 with a minimum grade of “C”
c) GPA of 2.5 or higher
d) be currently enrolled in or have successfully completed ESS 375 [minimum grade of “C”]
The application form is available from the undergraduate secretary, Polly Rich.

**Please note: Transfer and second-degree students must complete the above requirements and successfully complete 12 credits at UNCG prior to application for the fitness leadership concentration.

Are there any other special requirements for the fitness leadership program?
Yes. To be eligible to enroll in upper level fitness leadership classes [i.e. ESS 467, 468, 469, 570 and 595], students must have a cumulative GPA 2.5 or higher and they must have successfully completed all ESS core classes with a grade of “C” or better.

What kind of courses will I be taking?
During the first two years, students will typically take general education classes that are general university requirements for graduation. In addition, students must complete general biology (BIO 111), anatomy (BIO 271), physiology (BIO 277) and chemistry. These classes are prerequisites for some of the exercise and sport science core classes that will be taken during the last two years. During the last two years, students will typically take a combination of exercise and sport science classes that will prepare them for working in the fitness leadership field or that fulfill prerequisites for graduate or professional schools. A sample of the suggested course sequence for all 4 years can be found here [link to course sequence from advising]. Randy…please wait to put the link in…I am reviewing the course sequences to make sure that it is correct…thx Pea.

What else should I do if I want to be a strong applicant for graduate or professional schools?
All applicants to graduate and professional schools have good GPA’s, usually 3.0 or better. Other things that will strengthen your application include volunteering in health care settings, volunteering and participating in scholarly research, volunteering and taking leadership roles in campus and community organizations and/or being active in professional organizations. The graduate and professional schools want to see that applicants are caring individuals who are committed to helping others. Students who have aspirations for graduate or professional schools are encouraged to begin volunteering as soon as possible.

Who should I ask if I have further questions about the Fitness Leadership concentration?

ESS Undergraduate Program Coordinator, Karen “Pea” Poole
ESS Undergraduate Secretary, Ms. Polly Rich
Your ESS personal advisor

Additional information may be found in

Undergraduate admissions
UNCG Registrars office
Undergraduate student bulletins/catalogs
Current course offerings
UNCG academic calanders

Send questions to Karen "Pea" Poole, Undergraduate Program Advising Coordinator

 

Page updated: 14-May-2008

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Department of Exercise and Sport Science
The University of North Carolina at Greensboro
P.O. Box 26170
Greensboro, NC 27402-6170
VOICE 336.334.5308
FAX 336.334.3238
EMAIL ess@uncg.edu