Exercise Science, A.A.S.

(Code 1450)

This program leads to an Associate of Applied Science (AAS) in Exercise Science. It prepares students for immediate career opportunities and pathways to further education in health, fitness, wellness, and human performance by providing a strong foundation in anatomy & physiology, exercise physiology, nutrition, strength & conditioning, and injury prevention. This program combines classroom instruction with hands-on learning experiences in fitness assessment, personal training, strength & conditioning, exercise science, and rehabilitation techniques.

Graduates will be equipped with the knowledge and practical skills necessary for entry-level positions in the fitness industry, including roles as personal trainers, group exercise instructors, and wellness coaches. The program also prepares students for nationally recognized certification exams and serves as a pathway for those interested in transferring to a four-year institution for further study in kinesiology, health sciences, sports medicine, or related fields. A counselor should be consulted if the student plans to transfer to a four-year institution.

Upon completion of this program [CIP: 31.0507], graduates should be able to:

demonstrate foundational knowledge of exercise science
apply practical skills in exercise science
analyze the role of health and wellness
evaluate readiness for industry certification
demonstrate professional and effective communication strategies and evidence-based practice
integrate real-world experience into career readiness
develop pathways for career and educational growth

Please Note:

Prerequisite courses may apply to this program. A minimum of 60 unduplicated credits (100 level or higher) are required for all associate degree programs.

General Education Requirements

Life Skills

The following course prepares students to meet MCC’s General Education Goal of Demonstrating Competence in Life Skills (the skills needed to succeed in work-life including critical thinking, problem solving, collaboration, professionalism, self-awareness, and self-management) and is required in the students’ first semester at MCC:

GNST 100 - Success Skills for the 21st Century 3 Credit:

Written Communication

The following Michigan Transfer Agreement Recommended Courses prepare students to meet MCC’s General Education Goal of Demonstrating Competence in Written Communication, choose one:

ENGL 100 - Freshman English I 3 Credit:
ENGL 101 - Freshman English II 3 Credit:

Oral Communication

The following Michigan Transfer Agreement Recommended Courses prepare students to meet MCC’s General Education Goal of Demonstrating Competence in Oral Communication, choose one:

COMM 210 - Speech 3 Credit:
COMM 215 - Introduction to Human Communication 3 Credit:
COMM 220 - Interpersonal Communication 3 Credit:

Laboratory Science

The following courses prepare students to meet MCC’s General Education Goal of Demonstrating Competence in the Application of Scientific Methodologies. Four are required:

Take:

BIOL 121 - College Biology I 4 Credit:
BIOL 202 - Anatomy & Physiology I 4 Credit:
BIOL 203 - Anatomy & Physiology II 4 Credit:

AND

Choose one:

CHEM 105 - Survey of General Chemistry 4 Credit:
CHEM 220 - College Chemistry I 5 Credit:

Mathematics

The following Michigan Transfer Agreement Recommended Courses prepare students to meet MCC’s General Education Goal of Demonstrating Competence in Basic Computational Methods and Mathematical Concepts and Applications, one required:

MATH 159 - College Algebra 4 Credit:
MATH 190 - Introductory Statistics 4 Credit:

Global and Cultural Awareness

The following Michigan Transfer Agreement Recommended Courses prepare students to meet MCC’s General Education Goal of Demonstrating Competence in Global and Cultural Awareness. Three courses are required in total, divided amongst the subgroups below:

SOCIAL SCIENCE: Take:

PSYC 120 - General Psychology 3 Credit:

AND

Choose one:

HIST 250 - United States History to 1865 3 Credit:
HIST 251 - United States History Since 1865 3 Credit:
POLI 240 - American Political System 3 Credit:

AND

HUMANITIES AND FINE ARTS: Take:

PHIL 222 - Bioethics 3 Credit:

Program Requirements

BIOL 210 - Science of Nutrition (Lecture Only) 3 Credit:
EXSC 110 - Introduction to Exercise Science 3 Credit:
EXSC 120 - Fundamentals of Strength and Conditioning 4 Credit:
EXSC 210 - Personal Training Preparation 3 Credit:
EXSC 260 - Exercise Testing and Prescription 4 Credit:
EXSC 275 - Exercise Physiology 4 Credit:
EXSC 280 - Internship in Exercise Science 1 Credit: