PREAMBLE

The Southeast Chapter of the American College of Sports Medicine recognizes the need for guidelines for the professional preparation of students studying Exercise Science leading to careers in which exercise is used in preventive and clinical settings. These recommended content areas are consistent with the knowledge, skills, and abilities needed for day-to-day and long-term functioning and are provided with the aim of improving the preparation of students in Exercise Science programs.

SPECIFIC CONTENT AREAS

The following content areas are not presented as being either definitive or complete, but rather, as a minimum foundation upon which other educational/curricular objectives for training of Exercise Science professionals can be based. These content areas are subdivided into two traditional categories: those suggested for an undergraduate student (e.g., Bachelor's degree) and those suggested for a graduate student (e.g., Master's degree).

Undergraduate level:
Anatomy/physiology
Biomechanics
Kinesiology
Statistics
Physiology of Exercise
Nutrition/weight control
Behavioral change
Exercise testing for normal and special populations
Exercise prescription for normal and special populations
First aid/Athletic Training (including emergency and safety procedures for facilities)
Exercise Leadership for facilities
Practicum (applied) experience
Computer proficiency

Graduate level:
Individual must demonstrate competency in Undergraduate content areas
Research design and statistics
Advanced or clinical exercise physiology
Epidemiology of exercise and disease prevention
Advanced exercise testing and prescription for normal and special populations
Behavioral change in special populations
Pharmacology
Computer applications for exercise science
Internship

APPLICATION

Competence in the above content areas is consistent with the necessary knowledge, skills, and abilities needed by professionals to function in settings in which exercise is used in prevention of or as a nonpharmacological treatment for various health-related problems. Given the range of positions held by exercise science professionals, a degree from academic programs meeting the above expectations would provide evidence that the individual is ready to function in such settings. Further, achievement of an appropriate level of certification from the American College of Sports Medicine would verify such competence, and is strongly recommended as part of a career orientation for Exercise Science majors.

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