Saint Mary’s College introduces new academic program for Fall 2025 semester

Saint Mary’s College is launching a new academic program for the Fall 2025 semester. The exercise science program will offer two distinct concentrations for students to pick from. The Bachelor of Arts with a Health and Fitness concentration and the Bachelor of Science with a Rehabilitative Science concentration will each prepare students to take the American College of Sports Medicine exam.

According to an article on Saint Mary’s College’s website, Cassie Majetic, who is the STEM division director and a professor of Biology, explained the new program and the concentrations within them, noting that while the program is offered through the biology department, it is a multidisciplinary program. Majetic is quoted as saying, “The Bachelor of Arts with a Health and Fitness concentration is a 51-52 credit hour program  designed for students who are interested in pursuing graduate work in occupational therapy, athletic training, or a career in health and fitness. The Bachelor of Science with a Rehabilitative Science concentration is a 60-credit hour program designed for students who are interested in pursuing graduate work in exercise science, kinesiology, exercise physiology and related fields. It will also provide excellent preparation for professional programs in health sciences, including physical therapy or medical school.”

The benefits of the new program are plentiful, as exercise science professionals, including physical therapists and athletic trainers, are in demand. Women in this field are underrepresented, as Calli Versagli, who is an associate professor in Biology and a Pre-Health Advisor, explained: “For example, women athletic trainers are underrepresented in men’s professional sports. In 2020, the NFL had only eight full-time female athletic trainers across all teams. By offering an Exercise Science program and leveraging our strong general education program, Saint Mary’s would be well equipped to change this paradigm and empower the success of women in this field. Women are needed in exercise science, and the opportunities continue to grow.”

No matter which concentration within the new program students choose, they will become prepared to sit for the American College of Sports Medicine exam, which provides students who pass the test with the certification to be an Exercise Physiologist. Any student who pursues the exercise science major will study Kinesiology, Exercise Physiology, Strength and Conditioning, Exercise Testing and Prescription, Exercise Programming for Special Populations, Exercise Science Practicum, Research Methods in Exercise Science, Nutrition for Health and Healing, Intro to Psychology, and Statistics, and depending on their chosen concentration, they will also take courses like Anatomy and Physiology, Integrated General, Organic, and Biochemistry, Immunology, Cancer Biology, General Physiology, Comparative Vertebrate and Human Anatomy, and Organic Chemistry.

There are two groups of students who may be especially interested in the major, according to Versagli and Majetic: those who want to become physical therapists, and those who were studying nursing but no longer wish to pursue it.

Versagli said, “To become a certified athletic trainer, students now must complete a master’s in athletic training for licensure. Saint Mary's major in exercise science offers an excellent pathway for students who plan to attend graduate school for athletic training.”

Majetic added, “For our nursing students who decide to switch majors after their first one-to-two years, Exercise Science is an attractive option. It will allow them to maintain a healthcare focus with many of their Nursing track courses transferring to their new major.”

The new major and both concentrations will be available beginning in the Fall 2025 semester.

For more information about Saint Mary’s College, visit the school’s website.