Strength and Conditioning

About this Composite Major

The Strength and Conditioning Specialist major is primarily designed to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of the principles, theories, and practical applications related to strength training, conditioning, and athletic performance enhancement. Students choosing this major will find their learning enhanced by exposure to state-of-the-art equipment and an exercise physiology lab housed in the Gaukler Family Health, Wellness, and Physical Education Center.

Students pursuing a Strength and Conditioning major can expect to study a variety of subjects related to exercise science, physiology, nutrition, and psychology. They will also gain knowledge in marketing and management to prepare them for facility management. The curriculum is led by current Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialists (CSCS) and enhanced by field experiences where professionals mentor students. Students who complete this program of study will be prepared to seek employment in the sport and fitness industry and sit for a national exam.

Meet a Student

The Strength and Conditioning program helped bridge the gap between science and hands-on coaching. Learning training concepts, theories, and program design, as well as how to work with clients was a phenomenal experience. It was an opportunity to implement everything you learned and see how it worked in real world application.

The teaching staff truly made the opportunity special. These educators have a talent for making students feel engaged, unique, and cared for. After finishing my undergraduate degree, I was able to secure internships with multiple Division 1 and 2 athletic departments, training collegiate athletes. The knowledge and guidance provided by these educators gave me the confidence to succeed at each internship. I am beyond grateful for the experience given to me at Valley City. — Chris Holden, Covina, CA, Strength and Conditioning Coach at LMR Technical Group

Career Opportunities

- A VCSU student lifting weights as part of the curriculum.

Studying strength and conditioning provides life-long benefits, but also opens multiple career fields. Some careers that graduates can pursue with this degree include:

Strength and conditioning coach

Exercise Physiologist
Personal trainer
Cardiac Rehab
Exercise Trainer/Fitness Instructor

Get Involved in the Major

- Students of VCSU’s Exercise Science club visit a gymn in Fargo to learn about sports leadership

The Kinesiology and Human Performance Club empowers students by providing invaluable opportunities such as attending professional conferences, crafting resume materials, preparing for exams like the GRE and PRAXIS, navigating the application processes for professional graduate programs, and studying for certifications and credentialing exams. The club is dedicated to cultivating students' growth and achievement within their discipline, fostering success in both academic and professional environments.

Contact Information

Department Chair and Faculty Contact

Dr. Rachelle Hunt, rachelle.hunt@vcsu.edu, (701) 845-7260

Department Location

Gaukler Family Wellness & Physical Education Center, 149, (701) 845-7580

Schedule your visit today!

http://visit.vcsu.edu/

(701) 845-7101 or (800) 532-8641

General Education Requirements

Course List
Code	Title	Credits
English Composition
Select one of the following:		6
ENGL 110	College Composition I
ENGL 120	College Composition II
or ENGL 125	Introduction to Professional Writing
or
ENGL 120	College Composition II
or ENGL 125	Introduction to Professional Writing
ENGL 210	College Composition III: Persuasive Writing
Speech Communication
Select one of the following:		3
COMM 110	Fundamentals of Public Speaking
COMM 212	Interpersonal Communication
COMM 216	Intercultural Communication
Mathematics
Select one of the following:		3
MATH 103	College Algebra
MATH 104	Finite Mathematics
MATH 107	Precalculus
MATH 110	Mathematics in Society
MATH 165	Calculus I
MATH 210	Elementary Statistics
Lab Science
Select two of the following, one must come from the Natural and Physical Sciences category		8
Natural and Physical Sciences (ND:LABSC)
BIOL 111	Concepts of Biology
BIOL 150	General Biology I
BIOL 151	General Biology II
BIOL 170	General Zoology
CHEM 115	Introductory Chemistry
CHEM 116	Introduction to Organic and Biochemistry
CHEM 121	General Chemistry I
CHEM 122	General Chemistry II
GEOL 100	Introduction to Earth Science
GEOL 106	The Earth Through Time
PHYS 100	Concepts of Physics
PHYS 110	Introductory Astronomy
PHYS 211	College Physics I
PHYS 212	College Physics II
PHYS 251	University Physics I
PHYS 252	University Physics II
Additional Sciences (ND:SCI)
PSYC 240	Cognition and Brain Science
TECH 161	Technology, Engineering, and Design
TECH 165	Technology Solutions for Society
Wellness
Select one of the following:		2
HPER 100	Concepts of Fitness and Wellness
HPER 212	Introduction to Stress Management
Computer Science and Literacy
Select one of the following:		3
CIS 147	Principles of Information Security
CIS 170	Introduction to Computer Information Systems ²
CSCI 120	Introduction to Programming
CSCI 127	Introduction to Programming in Java
CSCI 160	Introduction to Structured Programming I
CSCI 289	Social Implications of Computer Technology ²
SE 110	Discovering Computing
Humanities
Literacies
Select one of the following:		3
ASL 101	American Sign Language I
ASL 102	American Sign Language II
COMM 211	Oral Interpretation
ENGL 220	Introduction to Literature
ENGL 225	Introduction to Film
ENGL 231	Bible as Literature
ENGL 232	Mythology
ENGL 236	Women and Literature
ENGL 241	World Literature I
ENGL 242	World Literature II
ENGL 261	American Literature I
ENGL 262	American Literature II
HUM 201	Civilization, Thought, and Literary Heritage
PSYC 200	Ethics and Philosophy of Science
SPAN 101	1st Year Spanish I
SPAN 102	1st Year Spanish II
SPAN 201	2nd Year Spanish I
SPAN 202	2nd Year Spanish II
THEA 110	Introduction to Theatre Arts
Art and Music
Select one of the following:		3
ART 110	Introduction to the Visual Arts
ART 115	Introduction to Digital Media
ART 210	Art History I
ART 211	Art History II
ART 233	History of Craft
HUM 202	Fine Arts and Aesthetics
MUS 100	Music Appreciation
MUS 101	Music Fundamentals
MUS 201	World Music
MUS 207	History of Popular/Rock Music
Social Science
Select 6 credits from the following:		6
COMM 112	Understanding Media and Social Change
COMM 114	Human Communication
ECON 201	Principles of Microeconomics
ECON 202	Principles of Macroeconomics
GEOG 151	Human Geography
HIST 103	United States to 1877
HIST 104	United States to Present
HIST 211	World Civilizations to 1500
HIST 212	World Civilizations since 1500
HIST 267	Environmental History
HIST 270	Native American Studies
POLS 115	American National Government
POLS 116	State and Local Government
PSYC 111	Introduction to Psychology ¹
SOC 110	Introduction to Sociology
SOC 111	Introduction to Anthropology
Additional Humanities or Social Science
Select one additional course from Humanities or Social Science or select from the following:		2
ART 122	Two-Dimensional Design
ART 130	Drawing I
ART 150	Ceramics I
ART 180	Photography I
GEOG 111	Survey of Geography
MUS 104	Group Piano for Non-Majors
MUS 105	Group Piano for Non-Majors
MUS 130	Valkyries
MUS 131	Concert Choir
MUS 140	Athletic Band
MUS 141	Concert Band
PHYS 275	Planetarium Science
THEA 201	Theatre Practicum
Total Credits		39

¹: Required
²: Course satisfies the Digital Literacy graduation requirement.

Major Requirements

Course List
Code	Title	Credits
Required Courses
BUSI 214	Business Communications	3
COMM 414	Social Media Management	3
HPER 109	Exercise Techniques and Program Design	3
HPER 127	Introduction to Kinesiology	3
HPER 128	Communication for Health Care Professionals	3
HPER 207	Prevention and Care of Athletic Injuries	2
HPER 210	First Aid & CPR	1
HPER 212	Introduction to Stress Management	2
HPER 220	Practical Application of Fitness Education	3
HPER 240	Principles of Nutrition	3
HPER 258	Applied Anatomy, Physiology, and Human Performance	3
HPER 259	Applied Anatomy, Physiology, and Human Performance	3
HPER 309	Sport Nutrition Concepts	3
HPER 350	Sport Ethics	2
HPER 382	Strength and Conditioning for High School Athletes	3
HPER 384	Fitness Assessment and Prescription	3
HPER 405	Advanced Topics in Strength and Conditioning	3
HPER 425	Sport Psychology	3
HPER 438	Organization and Administration for Kinesiology	3
HPER 444	Exercise Physiology of Peak Performances	3
HPER 487	Field Experience	2
MGMT 302	Principles of Management	3
MRKT 301	Principles of Marketing	3
Directed Electives		12
COMM 312	Gender Communication
COMM 314	Public Relations
COMM 360	Group Dynamics
COMM 415	Sports Information
HPER 222	Recreation and Leisure in Modern Society
HPER 287	Field Experience
HPER 300	Drug Education and Information
HPER 315	Communicable and Non-Communicable Diseases
HPER 328	Therapeutic Exercise
HPER 387	Field Experience
HPER 388	Outdoor Pursuits for the Physical Educator
HPER 454	Evidence-Based Practice
MGMT 372	Foundations of Leadership
SPAN 101	1st Year Spanish I
SPAN 102	1st Year Spanish II
Total Credits		75

Total General Education 39 Hrs
Total Major Requirement 75 Hrs
Total Credits Needed to Graduate 120 Hrs

Plan of Study

First Year
Fall	Credits	Spring	Credits
HPER 100 (Gen Ed)	2	HPER 128	3
HPER 127	3	English Composition (Gen Ed)	3
English Composition (Gen Ed)	3	Lab Science (Gen Ed)	4
Lab Science (Gen Ed)	4	Literacies (Gen Ed)	3
Computer Science and Literacy (Gen Ed)	3	Speech Communication (Gen Ed)	3
UNIV 150	1
	16		16
Second Year
Fall	Credits	Spring	Credits
HPER 220	3	HPER 109	3
HPER 258	3	HPER 207	2
BUSI 214	3	HPER 212	2
PSYC 111 (Gen Ed)	3	HPER 259	3
Math (Gen Ed)	3	Social Science (Gen Ed)	3
		Directed Elective	3
	15		16
Third Year
Fall	Credits	Spring	Credits
HPER 382	3	HPER 210	1
MGMT 302	3	HPER 309	3
MRKT 301	3	HPER 350	2
Directed Elective	3	HPER 384	3
Elective	3	COMM 414	3
		Additional Humanities or Social Science (Gen Ed)	2
	15		14
Fourth Year
Fall	Credits	Spring	Credits
HPER 438	3	HPER 405 (even years)	3
HPER 444	3	HPER 425	3
Art & Music (Gen Ed)	3	HPER 487	2
Elective	3	Elective	3
Elective	3	Elective	3
	15		14
Total Credits 121

Please note: This plan is intended for general information only. Students are strongly encouraged to meet with their academic advisor each semester before registration.

Learning Outcomes

Students will be able to demonstrate the ability to develop safety procedures in the fitness venue.
Students will be able to perform fitness evaluations and exercise testing to assess physical condition.
Students will design, implement and/or modify safe and effective exercise prescriptions to improve health and performance.
Students will create projects that demonstrate communication, managerial, fiscal, and leadership concepts.
Students will demonstrate the ability to relate concepts of anatomy, physiology, and biomechanics to movement activities.