Hesston College will introduce exercise science as a new program of study beginning with the 2014-15 academic year.

 “Exercise science is one of the fastest growing fields right now because students recognize the job opportunities in the field,” said faculty member Clay Stauffer.

 Degrees in exercise science open students to a broad range of career paths, including athletic training, personal training, kinesiology, wellness coaching and other related areas. Students interested in physical education and coaching will also benefit from the courses offered within the program of study.

 Hesston’s program will offer a strong core in the first two years of a four-year degree. It will build on a strong reputation of existing courses like Anatomy and Physiology, Nutrition and Prevention and Care of Athletic Injuries.

 The two-year component offers unique opportunities not found in four-year degree programs. After two years in Hesston’s program and upon completion of the personal training course, students will be eligible to take the national certification exam to earn certification as a personal trainer, expanding their job prospects in entry-level positions while they continue schooling toward a four-year degree.

 The program’s upward trend is bolstered in part by the country’s changing healthcare standards.

 “Growth of exercise science is being directly impacted by the overall state of health in our country and the increasing wellness incentives and programs through health insurance,” said Stauffer. “We are just keeping up with society’s changing demands.”

 The college is aligning its course offerings with private and public four-year institutions across the country offering an exercise science degree to ensure ease of transfer for students.

 Even before its official launch date with the beginning of a new academic year in August, the college is already seeing encouraging on-campus responsiveness to the new program with full classes in the program.

For more information about Exercise Science at Hesston College, visit the Exercise Science major.