powered by
Center for Curriculum and Transfer Articulation
Associate in Arts, Emphasis in Exercise Science
Major: 8121
Effective Term: 2023 Fall   
Award Type: AA

CIP Code: 31.0505
 Program Availability: CG   EM   GC   GW   MC   PC   PV   RS   SC   SM  
Instructional Council: Exercise Science, Health & Physical Education, Recreation & Wellness
Total Credits: 60-64
GPA: 2.00
SOC Code: Upon completion of a bachelor`s degree, students may pursue a career as:
21-1091.00 Health Promotion Specialist
21-1094.00 Community Health Workers
39-9031.00 Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors
29-1128.00 Exercise Physiologists
11-9179.01 Fitness and Wellness Coordinators
21-1091.00 Health Education Specialists

Upon completion of a graduate degree, students may pursue a career as:
29-1123.00 Physical Therapists
29-1122.00 Occupational Therapists
29-9091.00 Athletic Trainers
29-1071.00 Physician Assistants
29-1229.06 Sports Medicine Physicians
29-1128.00 Exercise Physiologists


Description: The Associate in Arts (AA), Emphasis in Exercise Science provides the first two years of a four-year curriculum for students who wish to specialize in Exercise Science, Kinesiology, Clinical Exercise Physiology, Sport Science, Healthy Lifestyles Coaching, or Fitness and Wellness. With a bachelor`s degree, students may pursue a career as a fitness specialist or director, strength and conditioning specialist, healthy lifestyles coach, or an exercise physiologist. With a graduate degree, students may pursue careers in a number of fields, including but not limited to physical therapy, occupational therapy, athletic training, exercise physiology, medicine, and physician assistant. Certificates of Completion (CCLs) in Personal Trainer and Personal Trainer Advanced as well as an Associate in Applied Science (AAS) in Exercise Science: Health, Fitness, and Sports Performance are also available.

Program Learning Outcomes
1. Examine human movement using a fundamental understanding of human anatomy and physiology and the relevant scientific concepts of biology, the physical sciences, and psychology. (EXS101, EXS125, EXS146, EXS215, EXS217, EXS246, EXS255, EXS257, EXS275++, BIO156++, BIO160, BIO181++, BIO182++, BIO201++, BIO202, CHM130, CHM130AA, CHM130LL, CHM150, CHM150AA, CHM151, CHM151AA, CHM151LL, CHM152, CHM152AA, CHM152LL, GBS221, MAT206, PHY111, PHY112, PHY121, PHY131, PSY101, PSY230, SWU225, [MA])
2. Integrate knowledge of the human body and psychological concepts to promote health and well-being in self and others. (EXS101, EXS125, EXS146, EXS215, EXS217, EXS246, EXS255, EXS257, EXS275++, HES100, BIO156++, BIO160, BIO181++, BIO182++, BIO201++, BIO202, FON241, FON241LL, PSY101, [HU], [SB])
3. Locate and critically evaluate relevant scholarly literature. (EXS101, EXS125, EXS215, EXS217, EXS275++, EXS290, HES100, PSY230, (CRE), [FYC])
4. Use relevant scholarly literature, quantitative and qualitative reasoning, and statistical analysis to inform decision making and solve problems. (EXS101, EXS125, EXS146, EXS215, EXS217, EXS246, EXS255, EXS257, EXS275++, EXS290, HES100, BIO156++, BIO160, BIO181++, BIO182++, BIO201++, BIO202, CHM130, CHM130AA, CHM130LL, CHM150, CHM150AA, CHM151, CHM151AA, CHM151LL, CHM152, CHM152AA, CHM152LL, FON241, FON241LL, GBS221, MAT206, PHY111, PHY112, PHY121, PHY131, PSY230, PSY275, SWU225, (CRE), [FYC], [MA])
5. Interpret foundational assessments of health and human movement. (EXS101, EXS125, EXS146, EXS215, EXS217, EXS246, EXS255, EXS257, EXS275++, HES100, BIO160, BIO201++, CHM130, CHM130AA, CHM130LL, CHM150, CHM150AA, CHM151, CHM151AA, CHM151LL, CHM152, CHM152AA, CHM152LL, FON241, FON241LL)
6. Design basic movement programs. (EXS101, EXS125, EXS146, EXS215, EXS217, EXS246, EXS255, EXS257, EXS275++, HES100, PED101++, BIO160, BIO201++)
7. Effectively communicate with diverse audiences and within varied contexts. (EXS101, EXS125, EXS146, EXS215, EXS217, EXS246, EXS255, EXS257, EXS275++, EXS290, HES100, FON241, FON241LL, GBS221, MAT206, PSY230, SWU225, (COM), (CRE), [FYC], [HU], [SB], [MA])
8. Collaborate with diverse individuals to achieve common goals. (EXS101, EXS125, EXS146, EXS215, EXS217, EXS246, EXS255, EXS257, EXS275++, EXS290, HES100, FON241, FON241LL, (COM), (CRE), [FYC], [HU], [SB])
9. Integrate social and ethical responsibility in decision making and actions. (EXS101, EXS125, EXS146, EXS215, EXS217, EXS246, EXS255, EXS257, EXS275++, EXS290, HES100, FON241, FON241LL, GBS221, MAT206, PSY230, PSY250, SWU225, (COM), (CRE), [FYC], [HU], [MA], [SB])
10. Demonstrate dependability, adaptability, and persistence to set and achieve goals. (EXS101, EXS125, EXS146, EXS215, EXS217, EXS246, EXS255, EXS257, EXS275++, EXS290, HES100, BIO156++, BIO160, BIO181++, BIO182++, BIO201++, BIO202, CHM130, CHM130AA, CHM130LL, CHM150, CHM150AA, CHM151, CHM151AA, CHM151LL, CHM152, CHM152AA, CHM152LL, FON241, FON241LL, GBS221, MAT206, PHY111, PHY112, PHY121, PHY131, PSY101, PSY230, SWU225, (COM), (CRE), [FYC], [HU], [MA], [SB])
Required Courses
EXS101 Introduction to Exercise Science 3
+ EXS290 Introduction to Evidence-Based Practice 3

FYE101 Introduction to College, Career and Personal Success (1) OR
FYE103 Exploration of College, Career and Personal Success (3) 1-3

+ GBS221 Business Statistics (3) OR
+ MAT206 Elements of Statistics (3) OR
+ PSY230 Introduction to Statistics (3) OR
+ SWU225 Statistics for Social Research/Justice and Government (3) 3
Students intending to transfer to NAU should choose MAT206 or PSY230.
PSY230 recommended for all students.

PSY101 Introduction to Psychology 3
 Credits: 13-15

+ indicates course has prerequisites and/or corequisites.
++ indicates that any suffixed course may be selected.
MCCCD Governing Board Approval Date: June 27, 2023

All information published is subject to change without notice. Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of information presented, but based on the dynamic nature of the curricular process, course and program information is subject to change in order to reflect the most current information available.