Exercise Science is newest major

Exercise Science has been elevated from a concentration to a major, creating a pathway for students looking for careers in fitness assessment, exercise prescription and program leadership.

The major is geared toward those with an eye on careers in exercise physiology, personal training, strength and conditioning, cardiac rehab, lifestyle management, corporate wellness, private health clubs and exercise programs for special populations (think elderly).

"Originally, our program concentrated on competencies for personal training and fitness instruction,” said Jerry McDonald, assistant professor and chair of Human Performance and Sport Studies. “The new major will be more rigorous and better prepare students for graduate school and occupations in clinic and hospital settings."

The Exercise Science major is designed to prepare students for certification by the National Strength and Conditioning Association and the American College of Sports Medicine, the standards in the fitness world, McDonald explained. Eligible students will be qualified to sit for their certification exams by the spring of their final semester at Heidelberg.

As part of the program, Heidelberg will open an exercise science lab where students will get hands-on experience using diagnostic equipment for testing of fitness levels.

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Announcements

End-of-year inventory has been completed early.

You will start to see an increase in activity on campus in the upcoming days and weeks.

The bookstore will be closed for sales following Alumni Weekend through the 4th of July weekend as we conduct end-of-year inventory.
All Heidelberg faculty and staff are invited to attend an upcoming QPR (Question, Persuade, Refer) Suicide Prevention Training on Monday, May 18th at 11:00 AM in Herbster Chapel.
Alumni Weekend 2026, "Clue at the Berg: Sweet Alma Home Edition," is coming soon, and everyone is invited! Please consider joining us and/or volunteering to be part of our team from Friday, June 19, to Sunday, June 21, 2026.
Summer positions are available at Krammes Service Center.