Current Exercise Science Students: Resources to Help You Succeed

Welcome! These resources provide helpful information not only as you begin the Exercise Science (ES) program but as you progress through the program to graduation. You will see the UMass Lowell undergraduate catalog referenced often. Please note when registering for courses, each student assumes full responsibility for knowledge of and compliance with the definitions, regulations and procedures for the university, as set forth in the undergraduate catalog.

General Resources

General Policies and Continued Matriculation Requirements

Here are helpful links in the academic catalog related to general policies of the ES program: 

For learning outcomes and degree pathway see the ES program page or go right to the catalog:

Each student must meet with their advisor in person every semester for pre-registration advising. Students can find out who their faculty advisor is on SiS. The purpose of this meeting is to guide the student toward the correct course selection, identify and adhere to appropriate policies and procedures, and promote success in the program and their chosen career field. 
The two week advising period dates are listed on the Undergraduate Academic Calendar. 
The first contact for students should be your faculty advisor for any discussions on academic planning or guidance on completing their degree pathway. 
To understand the consequences of all academic decisions, students should always check with their advisor before deleting or withdrawing from a course. 
Meet with Your Advisor
A few specifics that will be discussed during your advising meeting include: 
  • Identify any existing ‘Holds’ for the student and discuss measures to remove them. 
  • Review each course taken according to SiS Advisement Report and compare to the Exercise Science Program’s degree pathway. 
  • Honors College progress (if this applies to you). 
  • Other student concerns such as selecting a minor (see section B below), study abroad, changing majors.
  • Review career choices.

Faculty are here to assist you. When seeking help, please adhere to the appropriate chain of command and direct concerns in order to the: 
  1. Course Instructor or Advisor 
  2. Exercise Science Program Director 
  3. Physical Therapy & Kinesiology Department Chair 
  4. Asst. or Associate Dean of the Zuckerberg College of Health Sciences 
  • Please ensure you wait 24-48 hours for a reply before attempting to re-contact the person or contact another. Do not email all parties at the same time. 
  • Students and faculty will maintain unconditional positive regard for each other in all interactions. Students must use their UMass Lowell email accounts and address for communication with faculty. Students are expected to check student email accounts frequently for information and updates. 
  • Students are welcome to make appointments with faculty and/or academic advisor to discuss issues confidentially. 
  • Students will resolve conflict in an appropriate fashion by discussing the situation first with the faculty member involved, with follow-up as needed to the Exercise Science Program Director, then Physical Therapy & Kinesiology Department Chair. 
  • No cell phone will be used in class or throughout practicum experience. 
  • Students are required to notify faculty of absences prior to the start of class. 
  • Students are expected to keep SiS updated with current postal address, phone number and email addresses, should a change occur. 

Use of Facilities and Laboratory Space 

Use of classroom or laboratory space outside of designated course time must receive prior approval from the Exercise Science Program Director. This includes club related activities, events, or seminars.

Students should be appropriately dressed (gym attire) for lab activities – it is expected that all students participate and this may include sweating. A professional atmosphere will be maintained in the lab at all times. Dignity of subjects should be respected, and comfort and safety always provided. 
Students are expected to:
  • Take personal responsibility for the care and maintenance of labs and all equipment. 
  • Leave sinks and surrounding areas as clean as possible.
  • Return equipment and furniture to appropriate places after each use. 
  • Get written permission from an instructor to remove any equipment or supplies from the building. 
  • Tape a “Do Not Use” note on any equipment that appears broken or is not functioning properly and submit written information concerning the problem to an instructor. 
  • Place linen in the appropriate container when soiled. 
  • Not wear shoes on any equipment which contacts human skin (i.e. plinths, exercise mats, tilt table). 
  • Wash hands prior to and at the completion of all laboratory work, including prior to touching each new subject. 
  • Occupy the room with a minimum two students at all times.

We've designed an informational site specifically for junior and senior exercise science students in preparation for your practicum experience in your senior year.

Exercise Science Club

The Exercise Science club’s main objective is to provide further educational opportunities and experiences for Exercise Science majors but to also have a ton of fun while promoting an active and healthy lifestyle. 

This club is open to all majors and fitness levels! The Exercise Science club works very closely with the Physical Therapy (DPT) club promoting annual events such as the Wheelchair Basketball game and joint social events. The Exercise Science Club is also interested in community involvement. 

If you are interested in joining the Exercise Science Club, visit the Campus Groups website where UML clubs are listed.

ES Student Ambassador (ESSA) Program

UMass Lowell Exercise Science Student Ambassadors (ESSA) are baccalaureate student volunteers (sophomore – senior) whose role responsibilities are to assist the Department of Physical Therapy and Kinesiology and the Exercise Science Program by: 
  • Serving as the Exercise Science Program’s premier student liaisons 
  • Participating in Open Houses, Early Action and Welcome Day receptions, and other department events (Note: Events may be held during evenings, weekdays, or weekends) 
  • Being available to help conduct Zuckerberg College of Health Sciences and Department of PTK tours for prospective students, their families, friends, and visitors. 
  • Applications are due every Spring semester. The application will be emailed to students during the spring semester. 

ESSA Requirements:

  • Must be in good academic standing (i.e. achieving all GPA requirements) 
  • Must have strong communication and interpersonal skills
  • Must be courteous and professional (including appearance)
  • Must be well rounded (i.e. academic performance, activities and/or athletics, and leadership)
  • Must attend periodic general meetings as needed
  • Must attend required annual orientation
  • Remain active for two consecutive semesters
  • ESSAs are expected to represent the Department of PTK and Exercise Science Program in a responsible, ethical and professional manner
  • Complete at least two events per academic year

Benefits of membership are:

  • Build relationships with Department of PTK and Exercise Science Program faculty, staff and students
  • Experience University, ZCHS, and Department traditions firsthand
  • Opportunity to experience behind the scenes preparation for ZCHS and department events
  • Peer mentor opportunities with current Student Ambassadors

If you are interested in this program, contact the Exercise Science Program Director, Kyle Coffey, Ph.D. (Email Kyle_Coffey@uml.edu).

Professional Organizations & Certifications 

American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) 

American Society of Exercise Physiologists (ASEP) 

American Association of Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Rehabilitation (AACVPR) 

National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA) 


Graduate Program Resources

Physical Therapy

Students who meet the qualifications as incoming freshmen may be notified in their letter of acceptance to the university from Admissions that they have been admitted into the ES to DPT cohort. Students must be enrolled in the Clinical Option to be eligible for this designation and must complete the BS in Exercise Science program with a cumulative Overall GPA of 3.400 (or higher) and a DPT Pre-Requisite Science GPA of 3.4 (or higher) to continue into the graduate Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) program. 

These GPAs are calculated at the end of junior and senior year. Students must also obtain real-world experience by completing 35 hours of physical therapy observation prior to their senior year.

If you are uncertain about your status, please contact the Exercise Science Program Director Kyle Coffey, email Kyle_Coffey@uml.edu.

Athletic Training, Chiropractic and Occupational Therapy

An undergraduate degree in exercise science can provide an excellent foundation not only for physical therapy but also for graduate programs in athletic training, chiropractic, and occupational therapy.

Get Started

Review Professional Program Directories

Meet with an Advisor and Plan Your Courses

  • Meet with an academic advisor and review professional-program requirements well before graduation.
  • Students in the ES major should use free electives strategically to complete courses commonly required for professional-school admission. Requirements vary by institution, so students should identify potential programs they wish to apply to early and verify each course with the program’s admissions office.
  • Check required course titles, laboratory requirements, minimum grades, prerequisite GPAs, and credit totals.
  • Review course expiration policies and whether courses must be completed before application or enrollment.
  • Plan observation, shadowing, volunteer, or patient-care experiences early.
  • Confirm course equivalencies with each program’s admissions office before registering.

Athletic Training (AT)

To learn about what athletic trainers do in their careers, visit the Commission of Accreditation of Athletic Training Education (CAATE) webpage. 

UML Exercise Science students typically meet most, if not all, of the athletic training graduate program requirements. Common prerequisites and recommended courses include:

  • Human Anatomy & Physiology, preferably with laboratory
  • General Biology, Chemistry, and Physics
  • Intro/General Psychology
  • Statistics
  • Exercise Physiology
  • Biomechanics/Kinesiology
  • Human Nutrition
  • Medical Terminology
  • Introduction to Athletic Training or Sports Medicine (Intro to Exercise Science)
  • Research Methods
  • Health Psychology or Psychology of Sport Injury

Students should also expect many programs to require observation or shadowing hours with a certified athletic trainer. Explore programs and review CAATE professional-program standards in the CAATE Program Directory.

Chiropractic

For information on the chiropractic career field, please visit the Massachusetts Chiropractic Society FAQ webpage. 

UML Exercise Science students complete most of the common prerequisites and recommended courses for chiropractic schools. Courses below in bold are ones not required in the ES degree that students may need, depending on which program they want to apply:

  • General Biology I and II, typically with laboratories
  • General Chemistry I and II, typically with laboratories
  • Organic Chemistry I
  • Organic Chemistry II, often recommended
  • General Physics I and II
  • Human Anatomy & Physiology
  • Microbiology
  • General Psychology
  • Statistics
  • College Algebra or another quantitative course
  • English Composition I and II
  • Oral Communication or Public Speaking
  • Additional biology, chemistry, or science electives
  • Humanities and social science coursework

Many programs also require or strongly recommend chiropractic observation, clinical exposure, community service, leadership activities, and health-care experience. Applicants should also review the admissions requirements for each chiropractic program under consideration.

Occupational Therapy (OT)

To learn about occupational therapy as a career, please visit the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) webpage. 

UML Exercise Science students complete most of the common prerequisites and recommended courses for OT schools. Courses below in bold are ones not required in the ES degree that students may need, depending on which program they want to apply:

  • Human Anatomy & Physiology with laboratory
  • General Biology, Chemistry, and Physics
  • Intro/General Psychology
  • Developmental Psychology or Lifespan Development
  • Abnormal Psychology
  • Statistics
  • Sociology or Anthropology
  • Medical Terminology
  • Human Development
  • Neuroscience or Neuroanatomy
  • Kinesiology or Biomechanics
  • Exercise Physiology
  • Human Nutrition
  • Research Methods
  • Technical or professional writing (College Writing)

Many programs also require or strongly recommend observation or volunteer experience in occupational therapy settings. Applicants should also review the admissions requirements for each chiropractic program under consideration.