Exercise, Health, and Sport Sciences

Overview

Chair of the Department: James Graves

Professors: Graves, Scott; Associate Professor: Toy; Assistant Professors: Dangi, George, Madden, Ross, Van Langen; Lecturers: Bean, Generali, Neptune

The Department of Exercise, Health, and Sport Sciences offers undergraduate degrees in exercise science, health sciences, and recreation and leisure studies with a concentration in therapeutic recreation. The Department also offers a master’s degree in athletic training. In addition, there are minors in disabilities studies, holistic and integrative health, nature tourism, and recreation leadership, and a certificate in foundations of holistic health.

The Department’s athletic training program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education (CAATE). Upon completion of the curriculum, the athletic training student will be eligible to challenge the Board of Certification (BOC) examination leading to national certification as an Athletic Trainer (ATC) and licensure as an Athletic Trainer (LAT) in most states, including Maine.

The Department’s exercise science program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP). Upon completion of the exercise science curriculum, students are prepared to take a variety of national certification examinations including the American College of Sports Medicine’s (ACSM) Certified Personal Trainer® and Certified Exercise Physiologist® certification examinations and the National Strength and Conditioning Association’s (NSCA) Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist® (CSCS) examination.

Health sciences graduates are prepared for careers in general health science fields and for admission to graduate professional programs.

Graduates in recreation and leisure studies are prepared for careers as a recreation therapist, recreation staff in a variety of municipal or nonprofit environments, activity coordinator, or recreation generalist. Students who complete internships under the supervision of a Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist will be eligible to sit for the National Council for Therapeutic Recreation Certification examination.

Admission Requirements

In addition to requirements established for admission to the University, applicants to programs in exercise science and health science should have successfully completed high school chemistry and biology with labs.

Change of Major

Students enrolled in other USM programs of study who desire to enroll in exercise science or health sciences through the change of major process must have a minimum USM GPA of 2.50. Students cannot double major within department offerings.

Additional Information

Experiential Learning Requirements

Most department majors require supervised clinical, practicum, or internship experiences. Thus, the exercise, health, and sport sciences faculty reserve the right to limit enrollment in these programs.

In addition, clinical, practicum, and internship experiences occur in a variety of settings in the southern Maine area. Thus, students must provide their own transportation to rural as well as urban areas. It is highly recommended that students purchase professional liability insurance.

Programs

• Exercise Science, B.S.
• Health Sciences, B.S.
• Recreation and Leisure Studies, Therapeutic Recreation Concentration, B.S.

• Disabilities Studies Minor
• Holistic and Integrative Health Minor
• Nature Tourism Minor
• Recreation Leadership Minor

• Foundations of Holistic Health Certificate