Exercise and Health Sciences at The Cliff

Briar Cliff University offers a variety of exercise and health sciences majors, whether you're interested in coaching, attending graduate school, or becoming a personal trainer.

Vision

The vision of the Briar Cliff University Department of Exercise and Health Sciences is to be a regional leader in exercise and health sciences, recognized for our commitment to excellence in education, scholarship, and community engagement. Founded in Franciscan values, we envision a future where our graduates, research, and community efforts contribute significantly to a healthier, more active, and equitable world.

Mission Statement

The Exercise and Health Sciences Department applies an evidence-based approach to exercise and health science, while engaging students in hands-on experiences to promote clinical skills, communication and critical thinking for health promotion within a framework of community service.

Program Outcomes

Upon graduation, students of our programs will

  • Demonstrate the ability to choose and administer health and fitness assessments to prescribe safe and effective goal-oriented programs across the lifespan.
  • Communicate research to athletes, coaches, clients and other stakeholders by presenting scientific information to a nonscientific audience.
  • Possess sound foundational knowledge of human anatomy, physiology and nutrition in relation to kinesiology.
  • Integrate concepts and techniques learned across the program for practical application while serving community partners.

Majors Offered

Kinesiology

Kinesiology students examine the relationship between health, wellness and physical activity to help people of all abilities start, maintain and improve a healthy lifestyle. 

While one outlet of this degree is athletic performance, the Kinesiology degree at Briar Cliff is also designed to prepare students for careers or graduate studies in health care through the inclusion of physical and life sciences coursework. 

Prepare for Graduate School: The capstone of the Kinesiology degree at Briar Cliff is BIOL 411 Advanced Anatomy Lab, a full semester human dissection lab led by our full-time anatomy professor. Through this unique class you will not only gain dissection skills and experience human anatomy in real life, but you will also learn the ethical behaviors and responsibilities that are expected in a human donor lab. This experience will optimally prepare you for any anatomy class you will encounter upon entering a graduate health program and is consistently rated by kinesiology graduates as the most valuable course taken in preparation for their future studies. 

The Kinesiology Curriculum includes: 

  • 20 credits of Biology courses including Anatomy & Physiology, Nutrition and Advanced Anatomy Lab
  • 12 credits of Chemistry and Physics courses
  • 30 credits of Kinesiology and Human Performance courses including Intro to Research, Exercise Physiology, Exercise Testing and Prescription, Strength and Conditioning, Biomechanics and Kinesiology, Motor Learning, and Sports Nutrition
  • 5 credits of experiential learning through Practicum and Internship classes
Human Performance

The Human Performance degree is based on exploring the human response to physiological stress caused by exercise. Students examine the relationship between health, wellness and physical activity to help people of all abilities start, maintain and improve an active lifestyle.

The Human Performance degree at Briar Cliff is designed to prepare students to work in many industries and environments that value physical activity and wellness. This degree prepares students to take the NSCA Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS) exam and the ACSM Exercise Physiologist exam, among others.

Prepare for Your Career: The capstone of the Human Performance degree at Briar Cliff is KHP 430 Personal Training. In this class you will use our fitness center lab to work one on one with a client to design and progress a fitness program over the course of a semester. This course pulls together all the skills and knowledge you have gained throughout the curriculum and prepares you for any certification exam you may decide to take after graduating.

The Human Performance Curriculum includes: 

  • At least 11 credits of Biology courses including Anatomy and Physiology and Nutrition
  • 5 credits of experiential learning through Practicum and Internship
  • 40 credits of Kinesiology and Human Performance courses including Intro to Research, Coaching, Care and Prevention of Injuries, Exercise Physiology, Exercise Testing and Prescription, Strength and Conditioning, Biomechanics and Kinesiology, Motor Learning, Sports Nutrition, Personal Training
  • Opportunities for additional electives in Biology, Stress Management, Research and Psychology courses
Human Performance and Management

The Human Performance and Management degree at Briar Cliff is an innovative and pioneering program within the region. It is designed to prepare students to manage a sports or fitness facility, own their own fitness or coaching business, or pursue graduate studies. Students will learn about the exercise science and business management aspects of the sports performance and fitness industries through interdisciplinary coursework. 

As a Human Performance and Management student at Briar Cliff, you will take Business classes such as Sports Management, Sales and Marketing. You will also take Human Performance coursework that will give you a base of knowledge in Exercise Physiology, Exercise Testing & Prescription, and Nutrition. The curriculum is intentionally left flexible to allow you to tailor it to your interests within the sports and fitness industry or add electives from other academic departments that will enhance your skills and marketability.

Prepare for Your Career: The capstone of the Human Performance and Management degree at Briar Cliff is SPMA 429 Strategic Sports Management. In this class you will integrate all the concepts of business operations and marketing in developing a business strategy. You will learn how to analyze the market to build competitive advantage while understanding issues of social responsibility and internal management of your operation.   

The Human Performance and Management Curriculum includes: 

  • 27 credits of business courses including Sports Management, Human Resource Management, Business Law, Sales, Sports Marketing, Risk Management, and Finance
  • 32 credits of Kinesiology and Human Performance classes including Anatomy and Physiology, Exercise Physiology, Exercise Testing & Prescription, and Nutrition courses
  • 5 credits of experiential learning through Practicum and Internship
  • Electives tracks in Coaching, Psychology, Personal Training, Biomechanics & Motor Control or additional business courses

3 Majors

150 Hours of Experiential Learning for Each Major

Know Your Professors

As an Exercise and Health Sciences student at Briar Cliff, you will learn through hands-on experiences in small lab classes using industry-standard equipment and technology. Our full-time faculty teach all classes and labs from freshman through senior level and will help you realize your educational and career goals by getting to know you well. Our goal is your success. 

Experiential Learning

In each major, you will acquire at least 150 hours of experiential learning through practicum and internship classes, allowing you to explore different areas of your future career while providing service and gaining valuable work experience. Through these opportunities, important relationships are fostered that promote the Franciscan tradition of service, caring and openness to all.

Career and Graduate School Options

  • Exercise Physiologist
  • Strength & Conditioning Coach
  • Personal Trainer
  • Sit for ACSM or NSCA Certification Exams
  • Coach
  • Fitness Center Manager
  • Wellness Coordinator
  • Prosthetic & Orthotic Assistant
  • Community Health and Wellness Educator
  • Activities and Recreation Director
  • Athletic Director
  • Fitness or Coaching Entrepreneur
  • Health Clinic Manager
  • Fitness or Sports Marketing
  • Physical Therapy (DPT) or Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA)
  • Occupational Therapy (OTD, MSOT) or Occupational Therapist Assistant (OTA)
  • Athletic Training (MS AT)
  • Chiropractic (DC)
  • Podiatry (DPM)
  • Orthotics and Prosthetics (MPO)
  • Biomechanics (MS)
  • Exercise Physiology or Exercise Science (MS)
  • Dietetics or Nutrition (MS)
  • Public Health (MPH)
  • Recreational Therapy (MS)
  • Healthcare Administration (MHA)
  • Sports Management (MA)