HERS - Exercise and Rehabilitative Sciences: Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation (ERCR) - BS Major

Print Degree Planner (opens a new window) |

BS Major - Exercise and Rehabilitative Science

72 - 81 S.H.(No Minor Required)

A student choosing to major in Exercise and Rehabilitative Sciences may choose Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation, Exercise Science, or Movement Science. Each of these programs leads to a Bachelor of Science degree. The programs in Exercise and Rehabilitative Sciences have been designed in accordance with the requirements of the leading national organizations: American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) and the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA).

Students interested in working with cardiac or pulmonary patients in a clinical setting should choose Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation.
Students interested in exercise and health programming in a variety of settings such as fitness centers, worksite settings, or athletic programs should choose Exercise Science.
Students interested in pursuing graduate studies in exercise or rehabilitative sciences (such as kinesiology, biomechanics, exercise physiology, physical therapy, occupational therapy, physician’s assistant, chiropractic medicine) should choose Movement Science. Additional information on exercise science career opportunities can be found at www.acsm.org, www.nsca.com and www.asep.org.

Academic Requirements

For a checklist of the University’s graduation requirements, see the Academic Policies & University Requirements section of this catalog. Specific academic requirements for Exercise and Rehabilitative Sciences majors are described within each major.

Core Requirements (41 S.H.)

Exercise and Rehabilitative Sciences: Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation (ERCR)

76 S.H.

This clinically focused exercise physiology major has several career-related tracks. Its primary purpose is to prepare students to care for individuals who suffer from cardiovascular and/or pulmonary disease utilizing a therapeutic program of exercise, risk factor reduction and education in a structured rehabilitation setting. Hospitals and/or clinics are the primary employers. The curriculum is structured around the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) knowledge, skill, and ability learner outcomes; students are encouraged to sit for the ACSM (Exercise Specialist) certification exam after graduation. Practical clinical experiences in our on-campus Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation Program and at Winona Health (Winona, MN) are required. A 600-hour “capstone” clinical internship is also required when all coursework is complete. The internship site locations are national in scope of placement.

Many students who enter this field choose related allied health tracks for employment as a result of their practical and internship experience. Some further their education in a special clinical field (ultrasonography is one example). Our students are also satisfactorily employed in Stress Testing (nuclear included) labs, catheter labs, patient education positions, community rehabilitation programs, ECG fields, and other cardiovascular related specialties.

More information can be obtained from www.acsm.org or www.asep.org/ or www.AACVPR.org.

Academic graduation requirements include:

Attain a grade of “C” or better in all major courses.
Attain a 2.80 or better overall GPA.

Required Courses (35 S.H.)

Health, Exercise and Rehabilitative Sciences - HERS (31 S.H.)

HERS 204 - Personal & Community Health (3 S.H.)
◎ HERS 328 - Behavioral Interventions (3 S.H.)
HERS 344 - Electrocardiography (3 S.H.)
HERS 361 - Practicum in Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation (1-3 S.H.)
HERS 385 - Senior Seminar: Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation (3 S.H.)
HERS 402 - Advanced Fitness Programming (2 S.H.)
◆ HERS 403 - Epidemiology (3 S.H.)
HERS 420 - Clinical Exercise Testing and Prescription (4 S.H.)
HERS 497 - Internship in Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation (1-12 S.H.)

Nursing - NURS (3 S.H.)

NURS 361 - Pharmacology for Non-Nursing Majors (1 S.H.)
NURS 392 - Cardiac Risk Prevention (3 S.H.)

Suggested Electives

HERS 389 - Strength and Conditioning Principles and Programming (3 S.H.)
◎ CMST 385 - Health Communication (3 S.H.)
BIOL 171 - Medical Terminology A (1 S.H.)
BIOL 172 - Medical Terminology B (1 S.H.)
PSY 420 - Abnormal Psychology (3 S.H.)
PSY 421 - Cognitive Behavior Therapy (3 S.H.)
SOC 434 - Sociology of Health and Illness (3 S.H.)

Note:

◎ = Oral Intensive

◆ = Math/Critical Analysis Intensive

△ = Writing Intensive