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Academics Sport And Exercise Science

Sport and Exercise Science

The Wisconsin Lutheran College sport and exercise science major combines a robust interdisciplinary education in the health sciences and liberal arts with diverse hands-on experience in a wide range of laboratory, clinical, and field venues. Successful completion of this major prepares graduates for lives of servant leadership in a wide range of professions.

Academics

  • Student Spotlight

    Emily Seidler

    What attracted me to WLC was the intimate, Christian environment. I've always attended smaller schools, so I knew that WLC would be a place
    where I would fit in right away.

    The Sport & Exercise classes emphasize hands-on and experiential learning. Along with traditional classroom instruction, I am ble to try my skills at taping ankles and assessing knee and shoulder movements in the lab.

    After earning my degree at WLC, I plan to obtain my master's degree in athletic training. I'd love to start my career in a high school or college setting, working with student athletes.

  • WLC sport and exercise science majors are able to take advantage of small, active, and participatory lab experiences. These labs provide hands-on training and experiential learning opportunities. In addition, students are required to participate in an undergraduate research project, culminating in a poster presentation. The combination of experiential learning, strong academics, and undergraduate research successfully prepares WLC sport and exercise science majors for a variety of fields, careers, and graduate studies opportunities. 

    Students desiring to become athletic trainers can take advantage of Wisconsin Lutheran College’s articulation agreement and partnership with the College of St. Scholastica. This partnership provides students meeting all admission requirements with an opportunity to enroll in St. Scholastica’s Master of Science in Athletic Training program. 

    What Makes the Program Distinctive?

    WLC’s sport and exercise science program is broad-based and flexible. Students are able to develop close relationships with faculty, allowing for adaptation of individual programs to meet career aspirations. The inclusion of biology, chemistry, psychology, and communication courses prepares students for careers in a variety of fields, something other programs lack by solely preparing students for limited opportunities in specific professions. 

  • ACADEMICS AND RESEARCH

    Experiential Learning

    Sport and exercise science majors benefit from hands-on learning. Throughout their courses, students participate in various experiential learning exercises, including isokinetic tests, VO2max tests, anatomical analysis of motion, and stimulated muscle contraction of frogs.

    Undergraduate Research

    The Wisconsin Lutheran College sport and exercise science program requires students to conduct an undergraduate research project, culminating in a poster presentation. This capstone experience enhances knowledge in the area of sport and exercise science, as well as leads to further insights and data for the advancement of the discipline.

     

    BEYOND THE CLASSROOM

    Internship Opportunities

    Wisconsin Lutheran College encourages students to consider experiential learning opportunities outside the classroom. Taking advantage of WLC's proximity to the Milwaukee Regional Medical Center, several students have completed internships at Froedtert's Sports Medicine Center in physical therapy, athletic training, and with the Center's Performance Enhancement Program (PEP). Other students have interned in physical therapy at the Aurora Sports Medicine Institute and in occupational therapy at the Rehabilitation Hospital of Wisconsin, Milwaukee Center for Independence, and Children's Hospital of Wisconsin. Two students developed exercises and activities for physical delay for a school in Kenya as part of their internship.

     

    GRADUATE SCHOOL AND CAREERS

    Graduate School

    WLC's sport and exercise science program properly prepares students for success in graduate school. Program alumni have graduated in athletic training from the College of St. Scholastica and the University of Findlay; they are currently enrolled at Manchester University and Texas Tech. One alumnus graduated with a master's degree in kinesiology from UW-LaCrosse and another is enrolled in the same program at the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities. Another alumnus is seeking his physical therapy degree from Carroll University. Two alumni have pursued occupational therapy degrees at Mount Mary University. Another is in the direct admit M.S. Nursing program at Marquette University.

    Careers

    Sport and exercise science career opportunities are growing. While many careers require a master's degree or certification in a specific area, WLC's major prepares students to excel in a variety of graduate studies programs or careers. Students may choose to work as athletic trainers, cardiopulmonary physical therapy specialists, exercise trainers, cardiac rehabilitation technicians, community health and fitness instructors, personal trainers, corporate wellness instructors, exercise test technologists and physiologists, physical therapists, occupational therapists, and strength and conditioning specialists and coaches. Graduates can be found working as personal trainers in area athletic clubs, as a dietary and nutrition assistant in a local natural foods co-op, and in strength and conditioning with a Division I football team.

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