The goal of the Fitness Professional (FP) Track is to prepare students to assume roles as leaders in the fitness field and the area of fitness research.  To accomplish this, students will obtain a minimum body of knowledge that will serve as the academic basis for a career within the fitness industry via classroom lectures, labs, and community (practicum) experiences. This blend of theoretical coursework and practical experience will assist the student in preparing for national fitness certification exams and career opportunities.

Educational Requirements

All students majoring in the Exercise and Sport Science (EXSS) Program must meet the University’s General College and Arts and Sciences requirements in addition to fulfilling their FP Track requirements.  Students are advised to carefully monitor their course registration to ensure that they meet the basic skill, perspective and free elective requirements.  Students are encouraged to maintain a C grade or better in all FP coursework.  For better opportunities, at least a “B” average is recommended. Practicum placement will depend upon completed required core courses and specific electives as well as academic performance in the coursework.

Fitness Professional Faculty

A.C. Hackney, Ph.D., FACSM, Professor:  EXSS 360, 276

R. McMurray, Ph.D., FACSM, ACSM-CES, Professor, EXSS 360, 276, 376

B.L. Marks, Ph.D, FACSM, ACSM-CES, Associate Professor, EXSS 376, 379, 410, 412

C. Battaglini, Ph.D., AFAA,  Assistant Professor, EXSS 376, 410

C. Hirth, M.S., PT, ATC, CPT, PES, CSCS, Lecturer, EXSS 476, 379

L.M. Katz, M.D., FACEP, Assoc. Prof. Emerg .Med, UNC Hospital,  EXSS 410L, 412L

L. Schimmelfing, M.A., ACSM-CES, IBM, Research Triangle Park, EXSS 159

                                                Contact Information

General:  Dept. of Exercise and Sport Science, Fetzer Gym, CB# 8700, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC  27599-8700.  Phone:  919-962-0017 or  919-962-0018.

Bonita L. Marks, Ph.D., Director, EXSS FP Track, marks@email.unc.edu

Chris Hirth, PT, MS, Assistant Director, EXSS FP Track, chirth@email.unc.edu

Meredith Petschauer, Ph.D.,  EXSS Undergraduate Academic Advisor, mbusby@email.unc.edu

Sherry Salyer, Ph.D., Director of  EXSS Undergraduate Studies, salyer@email.unc.edu

                                                    Program of Study

 Courses                                                                                              Credit  hours

                                                Potential Electives

Adapted Physical Education (EXSS 211)

Analysis of Sports Skills III (EXSS 207)

Disability Culture and Therapeutic Recreation (RECR 475)

Emergency Care of Injuries and Illness (EXSS 188 - strongly suggested)

Ethics of Sport (PHIL 266)

Financial Accounting (BUSI 100)

Finance and Economics of Sport (EXSS 324)  

Foundations of Exercise Science (EXSS 101)

Fundamentals of Sports Marketing (EXSS 322)

Health Psychology (PSYC 504,)

Introduction to Nutrition (NUTR 240)

Leadership and Group Dynamics (RECR 130)

Legal Aspects of Sport (EXSS 326)

Marketing (BUSI 406)

Neuromuscular Control and Learning (EXSS 380)

Personal Health (EXSS 141)

Public Speaking (COMM 113)

Sports Marketing and Advertising (JOMC 376)

Topics in Clinical Laboratory Medicine (CLSC 150)

 (More suggestions will be found in the FP Manual under development)

Prerequisite Guide

Prerequisite courses are courses to be completed prior to taking a desired course. These courses will be flagged during the registration process.

Course Sequence                

EXSS 385 (pre-req EXSS 175, Math 110),  EXSS 273, EXSS 181, and electives may be taken at any time point in the major. For the other courses, the following sequence is required due to the building-block nature of the academic material. Practicum (EXSS 379) can only be taken one time. Your electives should be chosen based upon your personal objectives as well as your desired practicum site.  Practicum normally is scheduled in the student’s senior year after appropriate course work (for the site) has been completed. Hospital/Clinic-based practicums as well as certain established internship sites will require more coursework, time and regulations than other sites.

Year 1, Semesters 1 & 2,  Freshman Year - Fall/Spring  (~30  cr)       (Total Credits  = 120)

Year 2, Semesters 3 & 4,  Sophmore Year - Fall/Spring (~30 cr)

Year 3, Semesters 5 & 6,  Junior  Year - Fall/Spring  (30 cr)

Year 4, Semesters 7 & 8,  Senior Year - Fall/Spring (30-32 cr)

                                                       Practicum Objectives

Practicum is intended to be an introductory practical experience course designed to enable the FP Track student to apply basic exercise science knowledge and skills obtained in coursework within an exercise program designed for healthy / lower risk populations under the direct supervision of an experienced professional in the field. With adequate justification, alternative practicum experiences may be approved by the FP practicum coordinator. Practicum registration requires special permission from the practicum coordinator.  Class enrollment is limited to 12 students per semester. Registration is available Fall and Spring.  Summer "retroactive" practicum credit is not available.

Practicum is not simply unpaid labor for a Site.  Facilities without adequate supervisory personnel will not be approved.

Practicum is not an independent or directed study course.  Please refer to the EXSS course description for EXSS 90, Independent Study, for that 1-3 credit course option. 

Practicum is not a ‘quick filler’ 1 credit course to meet graduation hour requirements.

Please see the undergraduate faculty advisor should this need arise.

          Practicum Sites   

The Practicum will provide the FP student opportunities to both observe and assist in applied fitness experiences relative to the nature of the practicum. The student is responsible for finding his or her  own practicum site and getting approval from the FP Practicum Coordinator.  Students will not be automatically placed into a practicum site.  Students must review professional organizations’ internship / practicum website listings, review posted advertisement fliers, and call local facilities for potential opportunities.

Potential sites may include, but are not limited to:

·      UNC-SRC, Ram's Head

·      UNC- Meadowmont Wellness Center (fitness, rehab, camps, etc.)

·      UNC-EXSS Research

·      Duke’s Center for Living

·      IBM, Johnson & Johnson  and other [nationwide] corporate fitness sites in RTP/RDU area

.      Private fitness and sports clubs/centers

Practicum Criteria

The following criteria were developed in order to ensure Practicum quality control within the FP Track:

• GPA:  Students are encouraged to maintain a C grade or better in all FP core  coursework.  For better opportunities, at least a  “B” average is recommended.

• FP Coursework:  Students should have completed most of their core FP coursework prior to Practicum placement.  The Practicum experience usually occurs during the student’s senior year or upon completing required prerequisites.

• Practicum Site Supervisor Qualifications (minimum):  Bachelor’s degree in the exercise/health fitness field and certification from one of the major professional certifying bodies (e.g. ACSM, NSCA, NASM, ACE, NATA, etc.).

• Site Selection:  The site/proposal must be approved by the EXSS FP Track Director by the last day to drop a course during the semester preceding when you wish to enroll in this course (i.e. to take Practicum in the Spring, you must have gained site approval before the drop period ends during the preceding Fall semester).  The Practicum begins ONLY after the FP Track Practicum Coordinator and sponsoring agency have agreed (signed agreements) and student is formally assigned (in writing) to that site. The Practicum should be different from any other work experiences the student may have had and should complement/reinforce his/her coursework.

• Hours:  Practicum requires a minimum of 50 contact hours during a 10-week period, however sites may require more hours. The student should not exceed 150 hours (approximately 15 hours/week) during the regular full-time academic year. Some sites may require a minimum of 20 hours per week – this type of practicum time requirement should only be attempted when the student is not enrolled full-time (e.g. summer) and/or has no competing employment commitments. The student’s practicum work schedule, specific objectives, and hours will be arranged between the student and practicum site supervisor and a binding agreement form will be signed. For optimal learning, it is suggested that the practicum hours be consecutive in terms of days or weeks of experience.  

• School Holiday Policy: Check with your assigned site to determine if the UNC School Holiday Schedule is compatible with your facility. Many facilities are still open on holidays. All are open during Fall and Spring breaks.  You may be expected to be present if the holiday/break falls on one of your regularly scheduled days.  You will need to negotiate these days off in advance.

• Compensation / Stipends: Stipends (small salaries, room and board payment, travel reimbursement, club membership, other gifts) are occasionally offered on a competitive basis for internship sites. Check with the FP Track Director and/or your NCAA Athletics Compliance Officer to determine if it is permissible for you to accept any type of payment, award, or gift from your Site, its members, or staff.

• Orientation Sessions:  Both the University and Site will hold required orientation sessions.  Your general course orientation will be held during the first week of classes in the EXSS Dept. to review various practicum policies. Exact days/times will be announced via class registration, email, the undergraduate EXSS listserv, and posted on departmental bulletin boards.  Your facility site will arrange your facility orientation days with you within the first week of your practicum experience.  Failure to attend the required orientation sessions will result in an automatic drop from the course for that semester. 

• Updates: The student must provide regular updates to the FP Track Practicum Coordinator throughout the semester.

• Practicum Application Forms:  Forms are downloadable in PDF format. One semester before registering for Practicum, (prior to the last day of the DROP  period) the student must meet with the FP Track Director to review his or  her academic  record.  Before permission is granted to register for Practicum, the following forms must be completed  and be in the student’s file with the FP Track Director and/or Practicum Coordinator:

The student is responsible for retaining a copy of these forms for him / herself and for providing copies to the Practicum Site Supervisor. Grading expectations and additional forms necessary for Practicum Evaluations will be contained in the FP Manual and distributed at the required Practicum orientation session(s).