Ferris State University is launching its first ever Exercise Science program this fall to prepare students to earn careers in the growing health and wellness industry.
Ferris State University is kicking off its first exercise science program this coming fall. The program has been designed to help students build the skills they need in order to successfully start their careers in the health and wellness industry.
The focus of the program will be on the science of the body, how it moves and performs, and how to make it thrive. Students will learn about topics related to the human body such as biomechanics, physiology, and anatomy, and how to apply what they learn in a practical way to everyday life.
Students who go for this degree will be able to enter various career pathways such as corporate wellness, sports performance, and health and fitness, among others.
The exercise science degree can also serve as a first step toward graduate programs like physician assistant studies, physical therapy, or athletic training.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics notes that there is a high demand for workers with exercise science degrees, especially if they are aiming to become exercise physiologists. The Bureau is estimating a 10 percent growth in demand for exercise physiologists through the next seven years, which is higher than average.
The bureau predicts that every year exercise physiologist positions will see around 1,600 openings, and earn an average annual wage of just under $60,000.
The dean of the school’s College of Health Professions Lincoln Gibbs teamed up with Marla Jones, who is the department head, to develop the program. Their goal was to create a program that would benefit students who wanted to use their undergraduate education in practical, real world settings, as well as go on to pursue advanced degrees if they wished.
Students interested in this degree program will be able to go on to find jobs in places like medical fitness centers, sports performance facilities, and commercial gyms.
The program will provide students with the ability to build a resume through the building of hands-on experience that will look good to sport, corporate, community, and clinical performance facilities.
The curriculum of the program has been designed not only to meet the needs of the incoming student body, but also to position the exercise science program to be able to earn accreditation in the future.
In an article posted on Ferris State University’s website, Marla Jones was quoted about the program, saying, “Students feel far more confident when they do hands-on training, practice skills, and put knowledge into play from what they’ve learned. I hope this program serves Ferris State students well by preparing them to be employed and by preparing them adequately for a graduate program they desire.”
More information about the exercise science program can be found on its webpage.
More information about Ferris State University in general can be found on the school’s website.