Program Information

The Applied Exercise Science (AEXS) major is a rigorous and demanding science-based professional preparation program designed to prepare graduates to work in exercise, fitness and wellness professions. Graduates are employed in corporate, commercial, and agency fitness settings as well as personal training and strength and conditioning. In addition to the major requirements, students can choose one of three tracks that are consistent with their professional goals: 1) Sport Performance, 2) Fitness Management and Personal Training, and 3) Clinical.

The AEXS program has an extensive experiential learning component. Students complete three separate fieldwork/internship experiences. These experiences include working in the College’s wellness and strength and conditioning facilities and at off-campus settings selected with advisor based input based on the student’s achievements and professional goals. These off-campus fieldwork/internship opportunities (national and international) include traditional fitness settings, spa and wellness settings, professional sports, university, and college athletics, clinics and hospitals.

The program is designed to assist students in their preparation for nationally recognized certifications, including those offered by the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM), the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA), and the YMCA.

The program of study comprising the applied exercise science major is designed to develop knowledge, skills, and ability that will enable the graduate to:

• Perform fitness-related tests independently.
• Administer and interpret fitness-related testing for normal healthy individuals.
• Administer and interpret appropriate fitness-related testing for individuals with special needs (in compliance with nationally recognized guidelines).
• Design and implement exercise programs for normal healthy individuals.
• Design and implement exercise programs for individuals with special needs (In compliance with nationally recognized guidelines).
• Recognize the subdisciplines within exercise science and understand trends and issues within each.

To support their professional development, all students majoring in applied exercise science are required to complete a 400-hour fieldwork experience during their senior year.

For more information on the Applied Exercise Science major, click here.

To view a major program sequence to assist with course planning, click here.

Degree Information

Degree: Bachelor of Science (B.S.) with a major in Applied Exercise Science

(120 Credit Hours) Requirements are subject to change.

Contact Information

For more information about the applied exercise science major, contact Dr. Elizabeth O’Neill of the Exercise Science and Sports Studies Department at (413) 748-3485 or the Admissions Office at (800) 343-1257.

Curricular Requirements

General Education Program (40 - 46 credits)

The General Education program at Springfield College is informed by its century-old Humanics tradition of educating the whole person in spirit, mind, and body, for leadership in service to humanity. These requirements have the goal of developing literate, thoughtful, socially responsible students, and instilling in them a spirit of inquiry into the nature of humankind and the universe. Towards those ends, the requirements emphasize and encourage: the acquisition of knowledge, understanding, and competency essential for the improvement of the human condition in a diverse society; a search for personal and spiritual values; and the development of an understanding and appreciation of physical well-being. 

For specific requirements, see the General Education Program - Traditional Undergraduate Students (40 - 46 credits)  section.

II. Major Requirements

III. Optional Tracks

IV. Electives (to complete a minimum of 120 credits)

It is strongly recommended that students complete one of the following specializations:

Major Program - Course Sequencing Guide

To view a course sequencing guide to assist with course planning, click on the link below and select your major program and catalog year.

Undergraduate Majors - Course Sequencing Guides

Program Standards

Matriculation Requirements

The following details the requirements to matriculate and remain in the Applied Exercise Science major.

1. Appropriate professional and responsible behavior is expected of each Applied Exercise Science student. This includes behavior while a student (on and off campus) and as a member of the college community. Failure to meet the professional behavior standard may result in probation or dismissal from the program.
2. Completion of 10.0 PDPs per year.  Completion of 7PDPs for students transferring in to the program in January.  PDPs reporting forms are due at the start of the Fall semester.
   1. Students failing to acquire 10 PDPs will be issued a professional misconduct report which will go in his/her advising folder. 
3. All AEXS prefixed courses must be passed with a grade of C- or higher. If the student earns less than a C- in an AEXS prefixed course, the student will have to retake the course. If the class in which the unacceptable grade is earned is a pre-requisite, the student will not be permitted to enroll in the next course in the sequence until an acceptable grade (C- or higher) in the pre-requisite class is achieved. A course may be repeated once. The student will be dismissed from the major if still unable to achieve a score of C- or higher in the course.  See page 3 for AEXS Core coursework.
    
4. Students enrolled in the Applied Exercise Science major at Springfield College must maintain a cumulative grade point average of 2.75 to matriculate through the program and graduate.  The academic performance of every student is reviewed at the end of each semester. The probationary range is 2.50-2.74.  Information provided below describes how the cGPA matriculation policy applies to first, second, third and fourth year students.

• Warning: Indicates that the student is not meeting the matriculation standard and is used to alert the student that they are in danger of being placed on academic probation if grades do not improve. Academic Warning applies only during the freshman year of coursework.
   
• Probation: Indicates that the student is not meeting the matriculation standard and alerts the student that if they fail to meet their designated probationary cumulative GPA for two consecutive semesters, they will be dismissed from the program.
   
• Dismissal: Indicates that student’s cumulative GPA is below the probationary range (2.50-2.74) and/or has failed to meet the probationary cumulative GPA for two consecutive semesters, resulting in dismissal from the Applied Exercise Science Major. The student will need to transfer into a new major.

cGPA Regulations:

First Year Students

1. Students with a cumulative GPA between 2.50 and 2.74 will be placed on Academic Warning.
   • Once placed on academic warning, the student’s cumulative GPA must show improvement each subsequent semester. If the cumulative GPA does not increase, the student is placed on Academic Probation.
2. Students with a cumulative GPA between 2.25-2.49 will be placed on Academic Probation.
   • If at the end of the first year, the student’s cumulative GPA is still under 2.50, the student will be dismissed from the major.
3. Students with a cumulative GPA below 2.25 will be dismissed from the program.

Second and Third Year Students

1. Students with a cumulative GPA between 2.50-2.74 will be placed on Academic Probation.
2. Once placed on academic probation, the student’s cumulative GPA must show improvement. If the cumulative GPA does not increase for two consecutive semesters, the student will be dismissed from the major.
3. Students with a cumulative GPA of below 2.50 will be dismissed from the major.

Fourth Year Students

1. In order to enroll in fourth year capstone fieldwork experience (AEXS 486), the student must have achieved a 2.75 or higher cumulative GPA.

1. Once placed on academic probation, the student’s cumulative GPA must show improvement. If the cumulative GPA does not increase for two consecutive semesters, the student will be dismissed from the major.

Note: Transfer students will follow the policy based on the year they are admitted in to the AEXS program.

Appeals Process

A student may appeal any action taken by the Exercise Science and Sport Studies Department and Applied Exercise Science Program regarding their probation or dismissal from the major. The student must submit a letter to the Department Chair requesting an appeal of the decision. This letter should follow the appeal process outlined in the student handbook. The appeal must be submitted within two weeks of the student being notified of their probation or dismissal. The Department Chair will determine if the appeal request warrants further action. For cases warranting further action, the Department Chair will call a meeting of the appropriate faculty to which the student will be invited. The appropriate faculty will include the Program Director and academic advisor. In the case where the Program Director and the academic advisor are the same person an additional program faculty will be included.  The student will be notified within two weeks of the meeting regarding the outcome of their appeal.