Exercise Science, Physical Education, & Recreation: Strength & Conditioning Concentration, Bachelor of Science
The Strength & Conditioning concentration is designed from the National Strength & Conditioning Association (NSCA) standards and CSU Pueblo is a recognized school with the NSCA. The course work includes classes on:
- human anatomy & physiology,
- exercise physiology,
- kinesiology/biomechanics,
- nutrition,
- principles of strength & conditioning
- exercise technique/exercise prescription with concentration in anaerobic exercise,
- and program design as related to strength & conditioning.
The BS degree in EXPER prepares program graduates for professional positions in worksite, clinical, school, fitness, government, and community settings.
- Graduates of the Strength & Conditioning Concentration are prepared to take the National Strength & Conditioning Association Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist exam. Graduates can find employment in fitness and recreation facilities, high school & college athletics, and allied health industries.
- As of September 2024, 38 students are enrolled in the Strength & Conditioning Program.
- CSCS Exam first time pass rate: Coming Soon!
Ryland Townsend, PhD, CSCS
Program Director of Strength & Conditioning
ryland.townsend@csupueblo.edu
With a degree in Strength and Conditioning, you have a variety of career paths available, depending on your interests and goals. Here are some of the most common options:
1. Athletic Performance and Coaching
Strength and Conditioning Coach (S&C Coach): Design and implement training programs for athletes at high schools, colleges, or professional teams.
Performance Coach: Work with individual athletes to optimize their strength, speed, agility, and endurance.
Sports Coach (Specializing in Conditioning): Coach specific sports while emphasizing conditioning techniques.
Youth Athletic Development Coach: Train young athletes in foundational strength, agility, and injury prevention.
2. Fitness Industry
Personal Trainer: Work with clients to achieve their fitness goals through strength training.
Group Fitness Instructor (Strength Focused): Lead strength-based fitness classes (e.g., CrossFit, HIIT, weightlifting).
Fitness Facility Manager: Oversee the operations of gyms, training studios, or sports performance centers.
Online Strength Coach: Offer remote coaching, personalized training plans, and fitness programs.
3. Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation
Rehabilitation Specialist (with further certification): Work with physical therapists to help injured athletes recover.
Corrective Exercise Specialist: Focus on improving clients' movement patterns and preventing injuries.
Post-Rehabilitation Trainer: Guide clients who are transitioning from physical therapy to regular training.
4. College and Professional Sports
College Strength and Conditioning Coach: Design and oversee training programs for collegiate athletes.
Professional Sports Team S&C Coach: Work with elite athletes in major sports leagues (NFL, NBA, MLB, etc.).
Assistant S&C Coach: Gain experience while working under a head coach at a collegiate or professional level.
Sports Science Coordinator: Use data to enhance athlete performance and recovery.
5. Tactical Strength and Conditioning
Military Fitness Specialist: Train soldiers in physical preparedness.
Law Enforcement Fitness Coordinator: Develop fitness programs for police officers, firefighters, or first responders.
Tactical Performance Coach: Design fitness protocols for specialized units (SWAT, Navy SEALs).
6. Research and Education
Strength and Conditioning Educator: Teach at colleges or universities.
Researcher in Sports Science: Conduct studies on strength training methods, injury prevention, and performance enhancement.
Author or Content Creator: Write books, articles, or online content related to strength training.
7. Sports Technology and Consulting
Sports Performance Analyst: Use technology (like motion tracking, force plates) to analyze athletic performance.
Strength and Conditioning Consultant: Advise sports teams, fitness centers, or athletes on effective training methods.
Sports Equipment Specialist: Work with companies that design and sell strength training equipment.
8. Entrepreneurship in Strength and Conditioning
Own a Gym or Sports Performance Facility: Start your own training center.
Develop a Strength and Conditioning App: Create online training programs or coaching services.
Online Coaching Business: Provide virtual training, custom workout plans, and video-based coaching.
Student Learning Outcomes
- Possess content knowledge and skills necessary for their perspective fields of study.
- Exhibit the ability to read and interpret scientific research with application of the scientific methods, statistics, study design, and reporting.
- Evaluate and integrate critical concepts and skills acquired in the EXPER program to common professional problems in the fields of interest.
- Exhibit effective oral and written communication regarding subjects related to EXPER in individual and group setting.
- Apply and demonstrate knowledge, skills and critical problem solving in a field-based setting.
Specific Program Requirements
Program Overview
| Requirement | Credits |
|---|---|
| General Education | 35 |
| Major Requirements | 29 |
| Concentration Requirements | 45 |
| Minor | 11 |
| Total Credits | 120 |
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Required General Education Courses | ||
| BIOL 223 & 223L | Human Physiology and Anatomy I (GT-SC2) and Human Physiology and Anatomy I Lab (GT-SC1) | 4 |
| BIOL 224 & 224L | Human Physiology and Anatomy II (GT-SC2) and Human Physiology and Anatomy II Lab (GT-SC1) | 4 |
| CID 103 | Speaking & Listening | 3 |
| MATH 101 | Introductory College Mathematics (GT-MA1) | 3 |
| PSYC 151 | Human Development (GT-SS3) | 3 |
| English | 6 | |
| History | 3 | |
| Humanities | 6 | |
| Social Science | 3 | |
| Required Major Courses | ||
| AT 232 | First Aid | 2 |
| EPER 101 | Intro to EXPER | 2 |
| EPER 162 & 162L | Personal Health and Personal Health Lab | 4 |
| EPER 212 | Sports Nutrition | 3 |
| EPER 222 | Behavior Facilitation | 3 |
| EPER 245 | Motor Learning and Development | 3 |
| AT 260 | Injury/Illness Care and Prevention | 3 |
| EPER 343 | Research and Statistics | 3 |
| EPER 350 | Leadership & Ethics | 3 |
| EPER 461 | Managing Events & Programs | 3 |
| Required Concentration Courses | ||
| AT 323 | Functional Exercise Training | 2 |
| CIS 104 | Introduction to Excel Spreadsheets | 1 |
| EPER 110L | Weight Training | 1 |
| EPER 201 | Drugs and Healthy Lifestyles | 3 |
| EPER 301 | Fitness Technology & Applications | 1 |
| EPER 310L | Adv Methods Strength & Conditioning | 2 |
| EPER 320 | NSCA Test Preparation | 3 |
| HS 330 | Epidemiology & Disease Prevention | 3 |
| or AT 301 | Physical Assessment | |
| EPER 344 & 344L | Exercise Physiology and Exercise Physiology Lab | 4 |
| EPER 364 | Kinesiology | 3 |
| EPER 432 | Applied Sport & Exercise Psychology | 3 |
| EPER 436 | Exercise Assessment & Prescription | 3 |
| EPER 440 | Biomechanics | 3 |
| EPER 493 | Seminar | 2 |
| EPER 498 | Internship | 8 |
| PSYC 205 | Introduction to Sport Psychology | 3 |
| Electives or Minor | 11 | |
| Total Credits | 120 | |
All HSHM Majors are required to:
- Complete a concentration of study with a cumulative GPA of 2.50 or higher.
- Earn a 2.0 overall GPA to enroll in 300 or 400-level courses in the department;
- Earn a minimum grade of a “C” in all prerequisite and major courses;
- Repeat prerequisite and major courses with a grade of “D” or lower until a grade of “C” or higher is achieved; and
- Earn a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or higher in required English and speech communication courses.
- Earn at least 120 credit hours with at least 40 upper-division credits.
- Successfully complete an internship or field experience course.
- Submit a graduation contract by the deadline the semester of graduation.
Planning Sheet
Disclaimer: The Planning Sheet is designed as a guide for students planning their course selections. The information on this page provides only a suggested schedule. Actual course selections should be made with the advice and consent of an academic advisor. While accurately portraying the information contained in the college catalog, this form is not considered a legal substitute for that document. Students should become familiar with the catalog in effect at the time in which they entered the institution.
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | ||
| Fall | ||
| EPER 101 | Intro to EXPER | 2 |
| EPER 162 | Personal Health | 3 |
| EPER 162L | Personal Health Lab | 1 |
| ENG 101 | Rhetoric & Writing I (GT-CO1) | 3 |
| CIS 104 | Introduction to Excel Spreadsheets | 1 |
| MATH 101 | Introductory College Mathematics (GT-MA1) | 3 |
| Credits | 13 | |
| Spring | ||
| AT 260 | Injury/Illness Care and Prevention | 3 |
| EPER 110L | Weight Training | 1 |
| EPER 201 | Drugs and Healthy Lifestyles | 3 |
| PSYC 151 | Human Development (GT-SS3) | 3 |
| General Education English | 3 | |
| Credits | 13 | |
| Year 2 | ||
| Fall | ||
| BIOL 223 & 223L |
Human Physiology and Anatomy I (GT-SC2) and Human Physiology and Anatomy I Lab (GT-SC1) |
4 |
| CID 103 | Speaking & Listening | 3 |
| EPER 212 | Sports Nutrition | 3 |
| EPER 222 | Behavior Facilitation | 3 |
| PSYC 205 | Introduction to Sport Psychology | 3 |
| Credits | 16 | |
| Spring | ||
| AT 232 | First Aid | 2 |
| BIOL 224 & 224L |
Human Physiology and Anatomy II (GT-SC2) and Human Physiology and Anatomy II Lab (GT-SC1) |
4 |
| General Education Humanities and Social Sciences | 6 | |
| Elective or Minor | 4 | |
| Credits | 16 | |
| Year 3 | ||
| Fall | ||
| EPER 301 | Fitness Technology & Applications | 1 |
| EPER 343 | Research and Statistics | 3 |
| Elective or Minor | 6 | |
| General Education Humanities and History | 6 | |
| Credits | 16 | |
| Spring | ||
| EPER 310L | Adv Methods Strength & Conditioning | 2 |
| EPER 350 | Leadership & Ethics | 3 |
| EPER 364 | Kinesiology | 3 |
| EPER 432 | Applied Sport & Exercise Psychology | 3 |
| HS 330 or AT 301 |
Epidemiology & Disease Prevention or Physical Assessment |
3 |
| Elective or Minor | 2 | |
| Credits | 16 | |
| Year 4 | ||
| Fall | ||
| EPER 344 | Exercise Physiology | 3 |
| EPER 344L | Exercise Physiology Lab | 1 |
| EPER 440 | Biomechanics | 3 |
| EPER 461 | Managing Events & Programs | 3 |
| EPER 493 | Seminar | 2 |
| Elective or Minor | 4 | |
| Credits | 16 | |
| Spring | ||
| AT 323 | Functional Exercise Training | 2 |
| EPER 320 | NSCA Test Preparation | 3 |
| EPER 436 | Exercise Assessment & Prescription | 3 |
| EPER 498 | Internship | 6 |
| Credits | 14 | |
| Total Credits | 120 | |