The need for educated professionals in the field of fitness and nutrition is greater than ever.
Are you passionate about fitness, health, and wellness? A 2-year degree in Exercise Science from Minnesota State College Southeast in Winona will prepare you to make a meaningful difference in this exciting career field.
With chronic disease and obesity on the rise, the need for educated professionals in the field of fitness and nutrition is greater than ever.
When you earn the Exercise Science Transfer Pathway associate of science degree, you will develop a thorough understanding of the human body, including the principles of biology, chemistry, nutrition, human anatomy, human physiology, and kinesiology as they relate to physical fitness and wellness.
Graduates will havethe background to explore workforce options right away, or seamlessly transferto a related major at a Minnesota State university.
Transfer opportunities include college and university programs in physical therapy, exercise physiology, public health, rehabilitative medicine, and other health-related fields.
Apply now for admission to MSC Southeast
Transfer Pathways
The Exercise Science Transfer Pathway AS offers students a powerful option: the opportunity to complete an Associate of Science degree with course credits that directly transfer to related bachelor's degree programs at Minnesota State universities.
The curriculum has been specifically designed so that students completing this pathway degree and transferring to one of the seven Minnesota State universities enter the university with junior-year status.
All courses in the Transfer Pathway associate degree will directly transfer and apply to the designated bachelor’s degree programs in a related field.
The Exercise Science Transfer Pathway (AS) degree transfers to the following 4-year degree programs:
| Transfer College | 4-Year Degree Name |
|---|
| Bemidji State University |
Exercise Science, BS |
| Minnesota State University, Mankato |
Exercise Science, BS |
| Minnesota State University Moorhead |
Exercise Science, BS |
| Southwest Minnesota State University |
Exercise Science, BS |
| St. Cloud State University |
Exercise Science, BS |
| Winona State University |
Exercise Science, BS |
| Winona State University |
Health & Wellness Management, BAS |
Download the Program Plan
Courses
Associate of Science Degree General Requirements for Exercise Science Transfer Pathway
Download Exercise Science Transfer Pathway Planning Worksheet (PDF)
- A minimum of 60 semester credits.
- A minimum grade point average (GPA) of 2.0.
- A minimum cumulative MnTC GPA of 2.0.
- A minimum of 20 semester credits applied toward the degree must be taken at Minnesota State College Southeast.
- Completion of the specific degree requirements below:
Minnesota Transfer Curriculum (MnTC) Requirements
A minimum of 40 credits to complete all 10 goal areas. A MnTC course may satisfy more than one goal area; however, the credits only count once.
CORE GOAL AREAS:
Goal 1 Communication (Three courses) - 9 credits
- ENGL1215 - College Writing 1 (3 credits)
- ENGL2525 - College Writing 2 (3 credits)
- COMM1228 Interpersonal Communications (3 credits)
Goal 2 Critical Thinking (met when 40 MnTC credits satisfying all 10 goal areas have been completed)
Goal 3 Natural Science - 7 credits
- CHEM1122 Environmental Chemistry (3 credits)
- BIOL 1200 Human Biology (4 credits)
Goal 4 Mathematical/Logical Reasoning - 3 credits
- MATH1230 Introduction to Statistics (3 credits)
Goal 5 History and the Social and Behavioral Sciences - 9 credits
- PSYC1110 Introduction to Psychology (3 credits)
- SOCS1110 Introduction to Sociology (3 credits)
- PSYC2522 Positive Psychology (3 credits)
Goal 6 The Humanities and Fine Arts - 9 credits
- Any MnTC Goal 6 Elective Courses (9 credits)
THEME GOAL AREAS:
Goal 7 Human Diversity (One course) - 3 credits
- *Fulfilled by SOCS1110 Introduction to Sociology (3 credits - See Goal 5)
Goal 8 Global Perspective - 3 credits
- Any Goal 8 Elective (3 credits)
Goal 9 Ethical and Civic Responsibility - 3 credits
- Fulfilled by PSYC2522 Positive Psychology (3 credits - see Goal 5)
Goal 10 People and the Environment - 3 credits
- Fulfilled by CHEM 1122 Environmental Chemistry (3 credits - see Goal 3)
Total minimum credits to complete the MnTC ten goal areas: 40 credits
In addition to completing the MnTC, the remaining 20 credits will include:
- INSP1525 Career and Education Planning (1 credit)
- EXSC1204 Personal & Community Health (3 credits)
- EXSC1280 Introduction to Exercise Science (3 credits)
- BIOL1226 Nutrition (3 credits)
- BIOL2515 Anatomy & Physiology I (4 credits)
- BIOL2516 Anatomy & Physiology II (4 credits)
- Career Focus Electives (credits as needed to complete program)
*While a course may meet more than one goal, credit hours may only be counted once.
Estimated Costs for this Major
| Approximate Tuition/Fees: | $12,414 |
|---|
| Minimum Tool Cost: | N/A |
|---|
| Books/Supplies: | $580 |
|---|
| Estimated Total: | $12,994 |
|---|
Career Opportunities
- Athletic Trainer
- Exercise Physiologist
- Personal Fitness Trainer
- Aerobics Instructor
- Physical Therapist
- Physical Therapy Assistant
Career Information
Use the MN DEED Career and Education Explorer Data Tool to learn about wages, job growth, And much more in this career field.
Outcomes
Program graduates will be able to:
- Demonstrate sound foundational understanding of the principles of biology, chemistry, nutrition, human anatomy, human physiology, and kinesiology as they relate to physical fitness and wellness.
- Demonstrate basic laboratory skills pertaining to assessments, laboratory methods, sound experimental and analytical practices, data acquisition, and reporting in the exercise sciences.
- Advocate nutrition and physically active lifestyles as a means to improve quality of life and reduce the prevalence of lifestyle-related diseases.
- Recognize the limitations and scope of practice for the exercise science professional as it relates to typical clients and special populations.
- Demonstrate requisite skills and abilities for maintaining professional status and meaningful employment and/or continuing education in exercise science related areas.
Important Documents
Exercise Transfer Pathway Planning Worksheet (PDF)
Highlights
- By developing a thorough understanding of the human body, students in the Exercise Science program are prepared for a variety of careers in health-related fields.
- Program graduates can seamlessly transfer to the Athletic Training program at Winona State University.
- Additional transfer opportunities into other college and university programs in physical therapy, exercise physiology, public health, rehabilitative medicine, and other health-related fields.
Instructors
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Elizabeth (Liz) Micheel
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Liz Micheel has been on the faculty of MSC Southeast since 2010. She left her seasonal position as a wildland firefighter in Idaho in 2009 to begin a career as a teacher. Liz continues to do wildland firefighting in the summer and prescribed burning locally in the spring. She is actively involved in the community in Sustain Winona and as a Therapeutic Riding Instructor. She holds Bachelor's and Master's degrees in Biology from the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse.