Students at
Salt Lake Community College now have a new path to a four-year degree in fitness.
SLCC added an Associate of Science degree in Exercise Science/Kinesiology as
well as several exercise science courses. The new offerings will prepare
students for seamless transfer to four-year degree programs at the University
of Utah and other state schools.
The new degree and new courses, which include Intro to
Exercise Science, Sport and American Society, and Special Topics in Exercise
Science, are designed to complement the college’s existing Associate of Applied
Science degree in the Fitness Technician program. Now, students who want to
gain industry experience while seeking an undergraduate degree in Exercise
Science will be able to enter the workforce more quickly by earning the Fitness
Technician degree, and some of the credits in that program will fulfill the
requirements for the Exercise Science/Kinesiology degree.
Nathan Thomas, associate dean for the Department of Exercise Science, said the added courses and new degree option are more in line
with programs offered at other local and national higher education
institutions.
“The goal is to accommodate the many students, about 75%,
in our program who want to work in the industry while going for their
bachelor’s degree,” said Nathan Thomas, associate dean for the school’s Department
of Exercise Science.