Exercise Science

Programs offered

• Exercise Science (major and minor)

The Exercise Science faculty are committed to delivering a program that promotes health through physical activity while valuing and examining physical activity through a Christian worldview. 

Find out more about this program’s mission, vision, and learning outcomes.

Exercise Science (BS)

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• Exercise Science (BS)

• A minimum 80 credits are required for this major, including 35 upper-division credits.
• In this major, you are required to complete the 54 credits of core courses, as well as the remainder additional credits.
• This major includes 3 elective credits.
• In this major, you are required to complete PE 4899 “Senior Capstone,” in which you research a topic, write a well-documented paper, and present it before your professors and peers.

Exercise Science minor

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• Exercise Science Minor

• A minimum 36 credits are required for this a minor, including 15 upper-division credits.
• Courses include two quarters of “Human Anatomy and Physiology,” “Exercise Physiology,” “Biomechanics,” “Wellness and Physical Activity,” “Psychological Aspects of Health and Physical Activity,” “Applied Exercise Science,” and “Functional Anatomy.”

Entering and completing the major or minor

In order to earn a degree, you must complete at least one academic major. SPU encourages students to explore various academic paths, so if you change your mind about a major or minor, or want to include an additional program, you are able to do so, as outlined below.

Note that the University encourages you to enter your chosen major(s) and minor(s) by the start of your junior year. Students who transfer as juniors and seniors should enter a major within their first two quarters at SPU.

• If this is your first quarter at SPU and you identified a major in this department as your first choice on your application for admission to the University, you have gained entry to the major. To change or add a major or minor, follow these instructions.
• If you are an SPU student with an SPU cumulative GPA of 2.0 or better, follow these instructions to enter a major or minor in this department.
• Students on academic probation (with an SPU cumulative GPA below 2.0) will not be permitted to enter a new major or minor until they regain good academic standing.
• The University requires a grade of C- or better in all classes that apply to a major or minor; however, programs may require higher minimum grades in specific courses. You may repeat an SPU course only once for a higher grade.
• To advance in this program, meet with your faculty advisor regularly to discuss your grades, course progression, and other indicators of satisfactory academic progress. If your grades or other factors indicate that you may not be able to successfully complete the major or minor, your faculty advisor can work with you to explore options, which may include choosing a different major or minor.
• You must complete the major or minor requirements that are in effect in the SPU Undergraduate Catalog for the year you enter the major or minor.

Future teachers

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• Integrated Studies: Health & Fitness Concentration (BA)

Elementary Teacher Certification

If you plan to obtain elementary Residency Teacher Certification and are interested in teaching health and fitness, you must major in the Integrated Studies major with a concentration in Health and Fitness.

The concentration consists of courses in nutrition and health and fitness, and the advisor for the Integrated Studies: Health and Fitness Concentration is Dr. Jarrett Mentink (jmentink@617885.com).

Secondary Teacher Certification

If you plan to seek secondary Teacher Certification and obtain a Washington state teaching endorsement in health and fitness, you must complete a minimum 45 credits in Health and Fitness to obtain your original/first endorsement or a minimum 24 credits in Health and Fitness to obtain a supporting/ second endorsement.

See Certification Requirements in School of Education for more information.

Advisor Dr. Jarrett Mentink can be contacted at jmentink@617885.com or 206-281-2454.