’Berg alum Michael Stull credits his Heidelberg education for a large part of his success as an exercise physiologist and wellness trainer in Florida. His ’Berg degree and experience have been more than the foundation and driving force he needed to launch his career.
“My Heidelberg education helped give me the confidence and ability to deliver exceptional service and value to all my clients,” says Mike, who graduated in 2007 with a double major in Sport Management and HPE. Among his multiple certifications is one through the National Strength and Conditioning Association. He is a published author, a motivational speaker, a wellness/fitness consultant and a personal trainer.
Want to be like Mike?
Students looking for careers in fitness assessment, exercise prescription and program leadership soon will have a new path to that goal.
Beginning in the fall, Heidelberg will offer an Exercise Science major. The major is geared toward those with an eye on careers in exercise physiology, personal training, strength and conditioning, cardiac rehab, lifestyle management, corporate wellness, private health clubs and exercise programs for special populations (think elderly).
Originally, our program concentrated on competencies for personal training and fitness instruction,” said Jerry McDonald, assistant professor and chair of Human Performance and Sports Studies. “The new major will be more rigorous and better prepare students for graduate school and occupations in clinic and hospital settings.
The Exercise Science major is designed to prepare students for certification by the National Strength and Conditioning Association and the American College of Sports Medicine, the standards in the fitness world, McDonald explained. Eligible students will be qualified to sit for their certification exams by the spring of their final semester at Heidelberg.
As part of the program, Heidelberg will open an exercise science lab where students will get hands-on experience using diagnostic equipment for testing of fitness levels.
“We are looking for the synergy that will come with integrating Exercise Science into the overall science program,” said Dr. Bryan Smith, dean of the School of Natural Sciences and Allied Health Sciences. Smith added that the search has begun for an assistant professor of exercise science.
As part of the program, a series of new courses have been added to the curriculum, including Emergency Care, Foundations in Exercise Science, Group Exercise Leadership, Exercise Testing and Prescription and Exercise Prescription for Special Populations.
Previously a concentration, Exercise Science was overhauled to replace the Health and Human Performance major. The department has a new name, too – Exercise and Sport Studies – and also houses the Sport Management major and minors in Wellness, Athletics Coaching and Sport Management.
It comes at a time when demand in the field of fitness assessment and exercise prescription is experiencing significant growth. “Employment opportunities in those fields is showing overwhelming growth potential in the next 10 years,” McDonald said. “There will be more jobs created and the career outlook for those with an exercise science degree is very promising.”
The growth is driven in part by an aging population, an obesity epidemic and other health issues facing our nation. And because there’s a big push for preventive health care, especially in the workplace, exercise is being prescribed more and more within the medical field.
Smith said students could opt to double major in Health Science and Exercise Science. “That would be a powerful combination. The students I know are looking for a career in a clinical or education setting,” he said. “This will get them there.”
While it will be a strong major for direct entry employment and certification, Smith said Exercise Science also will be a great foundation for two graduate-level programs at Heidelberg: a master’s degree in Athletic Training (beginning in 2021) and the PlusOne Advantage® Free MBA.