Prospective Students

Welcome to the Health & Exercise Sciences (HES) prospective student home page!  In the Health & Exercise Sciences department, we focus on the study of human life through our programs in Athletic Training, Exercise Science, and Health Science.  If you have any questions about our program, or would like additional information, please contact us! We look forward to hearing from you! 

Degree Programs

The Health & Sciences Department offers three undergraduate programs, each studying a different aspect of human life.  Please find more information about each program below.  We encourage prospective students to contact us if you have any questions or would like more information.  Visit the admissions website to arrange a time to come visit our department and see what HES has to offer. 

Athletic Training (Bachelor of Science)

Athletic training students focus on the prevention and rehabilitation of injury through the Bachelors of Science in Athletic Training program.  The athletic training curriculum consists of courses such as human anatomy, human physiology, injury evaluation, physical rehabilitation, and therapeutic modalities.  Athletic training students obtain clinical experience with Truman’s 21 varsity sports teams throughout their educational career.  Students begin their work with varsity athletics in their first semester.  The athletic training curriculum prepares students to sit for the athletic training Board of Certification (BOC) exam.  Upon passing the exam, the student will be a certified athletic trainer and prepared for an entry-level position in athletic training.   

Exercise Science (Bachelor of Science)

Students in exercise science focus on the acquisition and retention of movement throughout the human body.  Coursework includes human anatomy, human physiology, exercise physiology, biomechanics, and movement neuroscience.  Exercise science students have the unique opportunity to use a medical-school quality human cadaver lab through Truman’s agreement with A.T. Still University.  Students choose one of three specializations to further their studies in a more specific area of interest.  These specializations include: pre-medical sciences, applied/clinical, and physical education/health.  These specializations can be used to pursue careers in medicine, physical therapy, strength and conditioning, physical education, and sport & recreation management.  The exercise science curriculum prepares students to take the American College of Sport Medicine Health Fitness Specialist (ACSM HFS) exam during their senior year.  

Health Science (Bachelor of Science)

Health science students focus on the prevention of disease and the promotion of healthy behaviors through coursework in environmental health, principles of health education, human anatomy, and community & public health.  Students in health science have the unique opportunity to use a medical-school quality human cadaver lab through Truman’s agreement with A.T. Still University.  Health science students choose a pattern to enhance their education in an area of interest.  These patterns include: pre-medical sciences, pre-occupational therapy, pre-physician assistant, health administration, and community, worksite and public health.  The health science curriculum prepares students for the Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES) exam, which is used as the senior exit exam.  

Coaching Minor

Health Studies Minor

Where Do Our Students Go?

Most of our students go on to graduate school in one of many allied health professions (medicine, physical therapy, occupational therapy, physician assistant) or in other professional preparatory programs such as exercise physiology or health administration. 

Truman has made getting into the most competitive graduate schools easier than ever! The HES Department has articulation agreements that provide our students with guaranteed interviews or admission to some of the most competitive graduate programs in the nation.  For more information please visit our articulation agreements web page.

The Advantages of HES

• Small class sizes
• Accredited programs
• Opportunities for undergraduate research
• Close relationships with faculty
• Service learning integrated in many courses
• Outstanding Internship opportunities
• Cadaver-based Anatomy Laboratory

What Do Our Graduates Say?

Click here to see what former HES students have to say about our program and how it has prepared them for successful careers in a variety of settings!

See What Truman has to Offer!

Click here to find out more about Truman State University, including Truman facts, history, information about Kirksville, and even a virtual tour of all Truman has to offer!

Come for a Visit!

We invite you to visit our campus, see our department first hand, meet our faculty, and sit in on a class. If you wish to arrange a personal visit to our campus, please contact Truman’s Admissions office by calling (660) 785-4114 or by email at admissions@truman.edu  You can also find them on the web by clicking on the following link: http://admissions.truman.edu.