The multidisciplinary emphasis of Clinical Exercise Science will prepare you to pursue a career in physical or occupational therapy, nutrition or exercise physiology. Take advantage of learning the fundamentals and application of how exercise science works at one of the highest altitude universities in the country.
Program Overview
Learn everything about the physiological components of movement.
From studying how the human body works during exercise to how physical activity promotes health, clinical exercise science is changing the way we understand sports, health and nutrition.
At Western Colorado University, the Clinical Exercise Science program is grounded in biology, chemistry, math and physics. As one of the highest altitude universities in the country, you’ll have abundant opportunities to conduct original research on campus with graduate students and experienced faculty.
You can also apply your knowledge in our cutting-edge High Altitude Performance Lab (HAP Lab), where you’ll get experience working with clients and learn about the physiological components of exercise. By participating in the Wellness Elevated program–a partnership between Western and the medical community of the Gunnison Valley–you’ll help provide supervised exercise programs for people living with clinical conditions. These unique hands-on experiences will prepare you to pursue graduate school or a career in a variety of health and exercise-related fields.
High Altitude Performance Laboratory
Early exposure to cutting-edge research through the High Altitude Performance Laboratory (HAP Lab)—7,717 feet above sea level—enables students to gain career-ready skills normally found only in graduate school.
Program Requirements
At Western, course rotations are crafted to encompass a variety of subject fields for a comprehensive education and versatile degree. For required courses and degree plans, visit the official University Catalog. Below is a general overview of courses at Western Colorado University related to this area of study.
Program Requirements
A minimum of 73 credits is required, including the 15-credit Exercise and Sport Science Nucleus:
To graduate, all exercise and sport science majors must complete ESS 181 Foundations of Exercise and Sport Science and ESS 185 Lifetime Wellness with a minimum grade of “C”:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Exercise and Sport Science Nucleus | ||
| ESS 181 | Foundations of Exercise and Sport Science | 3 |
| ESS 185 | Lifetime Wellness | 3 |
| ESS 320 | Psychology of Sport and Physical Activity | 3 |
| ESS 490 | Sociology of Sport and Physical Activity | 3 |
| Select one of the following ESS Capstone courses: 1 | 3 | |
ESS 495 | Senior Seminar in Exercise and Sport Science | |
EDUC 410 | K-12 Student Teaching | |
ESS 498 | Internship in Exercise and Sport Science | |
| Total Credits | 15 | |
- 1
EDUC 410 K-12 Student Teaching is a capstone option for K-12 Physical Education majors seeking Colorado licensure; ESS 498 Internship in Exercise and Sport Science is a capstone option for the ESS Standard Emphasis.
First Aid/CPR competency and the following:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| BIOL 150 | Biological Principles (with laboratory) (GT-SC1) | 4 |
| BIOL 372 | Human Anatomy and Physiology I (with laboratory) | 4 |
| BIOL 373 | Human Anatomy and Physiology II (with laboratory) | 4 |
| CHEM 111 | General Chemistry I (GT-SC2) | 3 |
| CHEM 112 | General Chemistry Laboratory I (GT-SC1) | 1 |
| CHEM 113 | General Chemistry II | 3 |
| CHEM 114 | General Chemistry Laboratory II | 1 |
| ESS 275 | Motor Development and Learning | 3 |
| ESS 298 | Fitness Instruction | 3 |
| ESS 330 | Exercise Physiology | 3 |
| ESS 331 | Exercise Physiology Lab | 1 |
| ESS 380 | Biomechanics | 3 |
| ESS 410 | Assessment and Exercise Prescription | 3 |
| ESS 411 | Wellness Elevated I | 3 |
| ESS 412 | Exercise Biochemistry | 3 |
| ESS 430 | Topics in Clinical Exercise Physiology | 3 |
| ESS 431 | Wellness Elevated II | 3 |
| MATH 140 | College Algebra (GT-MA1) | 3 |
| PHYS 140 | Introductory Physics (with laboratory) (GT-SC1) | 4 |
| One of the following: | 3 | |
BIOL 300 | Basic Nutrition | |
ESS 360 | Nutrition for Wellness and Performance | |
| Total Credits | 58 | |
Chiropractic Education
Western has a 3+1 agreement with Palmer College of Chiropractic. Students must complete 90 credits at Western, including General Education and the Clinical Exercise Science Emphasis. Students who meet Palmer’s entrance requirements may enroll at one of the three Palmer campuses, and after successful completion of the first year of the D.C. program, receive credit for completion of their fourth year at Western, transferring Palmer credits back to Western in order to complete their undergraduate degree. Appropriate coursework should be taken in consultation with an academic advisor.
| Year One | Credits | |
|---|---|---|
| "C" or better required for both ESS 181 and ESS 185 to receive credit toward ESS degree. | ||
| Credits | 0 | |
| Fall | ||
| ESS 181 or ESS 185 |
Foundations of Exercise and Sport Science or Lifetime Wellness |
3 |
| CHEM 111 | General Chemistry I (GT-SC2) Milestone course & prerequisite for BIOL 372. | 3 |
| CHEM 112 | General Chemistry Laboratory I (GT-SC1) | 1 |
| ENG 102 | Writing and Rhetoric I (GT-CO1) | 3 |
| MATH 140 | College Algebra (GT-MA1) | 3 |
| HWTR 100 | First Year Seminar | 1 |
| Gen Ed | General Education Courses | 3 |
| Credits | 17 | |
| Spring | ||
| ESS 181 or ESS 185 |
Foundations of Exercise and Sport Science or Lifetime Wellness |
3 |
| BIOL 150 | Biological Principles (with laboratory) (GT-SC1) Milestone course & prerequisite for BIOL 372. | 4 |
| CHEM 113 | General Chemistry II | 3 |
| CHEM 114 | General Chemistry Laboratory II | 1 |
| Gen Ed | General Education Courses | 3 |
| ENG 103 | Writing and Rhetoric II (GT-CO2) | 3 |
| Credits | 17 | |
| Year Two | ||
| Fall | ||
| BIOL 372 | Human Anatomy and Physiology I (with laboratory) Milestone course. Must achieve a "D" or better to enroll in many higher level ESS classes. | 4 |
| PHYS 140 | Introductory Physics (with laboratory) (GT-SC1) | 4 |
| Gen Ed | General Education Courses | 6 |
| Credits | 14 | |
| Spring | ||
| ESS 275 | Motor Development and Learning | 3 |
| ESS 298 | Fitness Instruction | 3 |
| BIOL 373 | Human Anatomy and Physiology II (with laboratory) Milestone course. Must achieve a "D" or better to enroll in many higher level ESS classes. | 4 |
| Gen Ed | General Education Courses | 6 |
| Credits | 16 | |
| Year Three | ||
| Fall | ||
| ESS 330 | Exercise Physiology Milestone course. Must achieve a "D" or better to enroll in many higher level ESS classes. | 3 |
| ESS 331 | Exercise Physiology Lab Milestone course. Must achieve a "D" or better to enroll in many higher level ESS classes. | 1 |
| ESS 380 | Biomechanics | 3 |
| Gen Ed | General Education Courses | 9 |
| Credits | 16 | |
| Spring | ||
| ESS 410 | Assessment and Exercise Prescription | 3 |
| ESS 320 | Psychology of Sport and Physical Activity | 3 |
| ESS 412 | Exercise Biochemistry | 3 |
| Elective | Elective/Minor/2nd Minor | 6 |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Year Four | ||
| Fall | ||
| ESS 360 | Nutrition for Wellness and Performance | 3 |
| ESS 411 | Wellness Elevated I | 3 |
| ESS 430 | Topics in Clinical Exercise Physiology | 3 |
| Elective | Elective (upper division) ESS/Minor/2nd Major | 6 |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| ESS 431 | Wellness Elevated II | 3 |
| ESS 495 or ESS 498 |
Senior Seminar in Exercise and Sport Science or Internship in Exercise and Sport Science |
3 |
| ESS 490 | Sociology of Sport and Physical Activity | 3 |
| Elective | Elective (upper division) ESS/Minor/2nd Major | 3 |
| Credits | 12 | |
| Total Credits | 122 | |
Western is committed to doing our part to provide each student a clear path to graduation. This four‐year degree plan is a sample map for fulfilling requirements in the major and General Education. The pathway that you take to your degree may differ somewhat from this illustration, depending on where you start and the detours and side trips you may take along the way. You are responsible for ensuring your overall, upper division, and major‐specific credits as well as GPA requirements are fulfilled for graduation.
Careers
Take the first steps toward your academic and personal growth.
Fostering your intellectual development is the primary focus of every academic program at Western. Our professors and Office of Career Services will help you identify your strengths, hone your skills, define your goals, and prepare for a fulfilling and enriched life after graduation. Wondering how you can apply your program of choice to your intellectual and personal journey? Check out our “What Can I Do With This Major?” tool to explore the diverse opportunities and pathways within any degree program.
Scholarships
Western’s Scholarship Application portal allows you to search for, apply to and manage your scholarship opportunities. This platform houses over 300+ departmental and privately funded scholarship opportunities available to both new and returning students. Through the scholarship portal, students may identify scholarship opportunities based on academic program, campus involvement, academic standing, specific keywords and more. Students may click below to begin learning about what scholarship opportunities are available to them.
Please check individual scholarship opportunity start dates and deadlines as there are exceptions.
Find your ScholarshipsWestern’s Scholarship Application portal allows you to search for, apply to and manage your scholarship opportunities. This platform houses over 300+ departmental and privately funded scholarship opportunities available to both new and returning students. Through the scholarship portal, students may identify scholarship opportunities based on academic program, campus involvement, academic standing, specific keywords and more. Students may click below to begin learning about what scholarship opportunities are available to them.
Please check individual scholarship opportunity start dates and deadlines as there are exceptions.
Find your ScholarshipsAlumni Association Future Alumni Scholarship
The Alumni Association Scholarship is a one-time scholarship of $1,000 and is applicable for the student’s junior or senior year at Western.
Any child or grandchild of an alumni is eligible to receive the Future Alumni Scholarship.
- This is a one-time non-renewable scholarship of $1,000.
- Only one Future Alumni Scholarship will be awarded per academic year.
- GPA must be 3.2 or above (college).
Due date has been extended to April 30 for 2024. An Alumni selection committee, appointed by the Alumni Advisory Council, will review applicants and select awardee by June 1.
Alumni Legacy Scholarship
The Alumni Legacy Scholarship is a one-time non-renewable scholarship and is only applicable for the student’s first year at Western (incoming freshman or new transfer students are eligible).
Do you have a son or daughter looking at college? Have they considered attending Western? As an alumni, your son, daughter and/or grandchildren are eligible for certain benefits distributed through this scholarship, as follows:
- This is a one-time scholarship of $1,000.
- Nominee must be an incoming first-year student or new transfer.
- The cost of orientation is reduced by half (a $45 value).
- GPA must be 2.5 or above (high school or college of transfer).
The applicant must fill out the application form found below. Application forms are accepted year-round. If the applicant meets the GPA guidelines, the scholarship will be awarded.
Mountaineer Alumni Recommendation Scholarship
The Mountaineer Alumni Recommendation Scholarship is a one-time non-renewable scholarship and is only applicable for the student’s first year at Western. This scholarship is not available to midyear transfers or students beginning in the spring semester.
Are you an alumni or employee of Western and know a prospective (or incoming) student who would be a great fit at Western? A recommendation from alumni and employees can support any new student and provide them a $500 scholarship their first year. (Western employees may not recommend a spouse or dependent receiving tuition benefits).
- Any Western alumni/employee may nominate only one student per academic year to receive the $500 scholarship (distributed $250 per semester).
- The scholarship is good for the first year only and is non-renewable.
- The recommended student must be a full-time undergraduate student, attending Western for the first time.
The applicant must fill out the application form found here. The nominating alumni/employee must fill out the application form and submit the required documents by June 1. The recommended student must meet university admissions acceptance standards and complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
The Presidential Promise is guaranteed to students who have received a scholarship through the Denver Scholarship Foundation (DSF) and/or GearUp—and are eligible for a Pell Grant.
For students who meet these criteria, Western will cover the cost of tuition and fees through the combination of federal, state and institutional aid. For more information on the Presidential Promise, visit our scholarships page.
Western Undergraduate Exchange (WUE) or Central Plains (CP) tuition represents a substantial savings relative to normal, out-of-state tuition. Students eligible for the WUE or CP program will be charged 150% of Western’s total in-state tuition. For 2018-19, total in-state tuition was $8,934. WUE/CP tuition was $13,401. The WUE/CP discount is valued at $4,695.
For more information about the WUE and CP geography-based programs, visit Western’s Tuition Discount Programs Page.
Immediately upon acceptance at Western, every student is considered for a merit scholarship worth between $2,500-$4,500 per year for in-state students and $8,000-$10,000 for out-of-state students. The amount is based on the student’s GPA and ACT/SAT scores. Visit our Net Price Calculator at western.edu/cost to determine whether you qualify for a merit scholarship.
For more information about merit scholarships at Western, visit our scholarships page.
Note: Students enrolled in a Western-CU Boulder Partnership Program (i.e. major) do not qualify for Western Merit Scholarship programs. See the Rady Merit Scholarship section above for scholarship opportunities.
Get Involved
Take your education beyond the classroom.
Get the hands-on learning experience you need to apply your knowledge and launch your career.
- Graduate Research: Collaborate on research projects with students in the High Altitude Exercise Physiology master’s program.
- High Altitude Performance Lab: Take classes and conduct research in our state-of-the-art facility.
- Publish Research: Publish your work in the Center for Wellness and Human Performance Health & Fitness Journal.
- Wellness Elevated: Work with clinical populations and their exercise programming for a semester or more.
- Association for Students of Exercise Sports Science: This club is specifically tailored to ESS majors. Outings and events provide social support, professional development and networking opportunities.
Wellness Elevated
Wellness Elevated provides an evidence-based, supervised exercise program for people living with clinical conditions such as heart disease, stroke, diabetes, cancer, obesity, Parkinson’s Disease and many others.
News & Research
Department Information
Recreation, Exercise & Sport Science (RESS) Department
Department Chairperson
Gary P. Van Guilder, Ph.D.Professor of Exercise & Sport Science; Chair, Recreation, Exercise & Sport Science Department
Administrative Assistant
Terri StinsonAdministrative Assistant
Campus Location
Western Colorado University
Paul Wright Gym 209
1 Western Way
Gunnison, CO 81231
