Cultivate
Provides opportunities inside and outside the classroom to cultivate and enhance your overall learning and academic experience.
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DEPARTMENT OF EXERCISE AND SPORT SCIENCES
Explore the Exercise Science Major
The Exercise Science program is practitioner focused with a strong science foundation. It prepares students to sit for established, nationally recognized certification exams and for entry into the fitness industry or graduate programs.
CAREER MILESTONES
There are nine essential skills you should have in order to find, acquire, maintain, and grow within a job.
Essential skills built through majoring in Exercise Science include:
- Critical Thinking
- Career Development
- Quantitative Reasoning
Click here to learn more about each essential skill.
Students graduating in Exercise Science often find themselves working in strength and conditioning/sports performance,
cardiac rehabilitation, and
fitness facility manager/director of wellness roles.
Click here to explore career opportunities by major.
Students who choose to pursue a graduate degree often consider:
- Physical Therapy (DPT): Regis University, University of Colorado Anschutz
- Exercise Physiology: University of Northern Colorado, University of Colorado – Colorado Springs
- Exercise Science in Strength & Conditioning/Sports Performance (UCCS, DU)
Click here to learn more about applying to graduate school.
WHAT ARE MAJOR MILESTONES?
Major milestones consist of activities students should complete during their first year, middle years and final year at MSU Denver. These milestones will help prospective and current students explore major and career options and create a year-by-year plan to integrate curricular (what happens inside the classroom), co-curricular (what happens inside and outside the classroom, and non-curricular (what happens outside the classroom) experiences. For example, milestones might list specific classes student should take at specific times along their journey or may suggest when students should participate in research opportunities with faculty members.
Simply put, Major Milestones are meant to enhance your student experience and set you up for success.
MAJOR MILESTONES CATEGORIES
Engage
Highlights activities you can engage and participate in globally, nationally and locally to enhance your essential skills and start building your resume.
Prepare
Lists steps to prepare for postgraduate success whether that's entering the workforce, attending graduate school or pursuing other goals and plans.
HOW TO USE THE MAJOR MILESTONES TOOL
- Click on your year in school from the list below.
- Read the steps listed in each category: Cultivate, Engage and Prepare.
- Complete any necessary steps listed.
- Check out further resources by connecting with your academic advisor, the Classroom to Career Hub, and your department faculty.
All options listed below are available in-person and online unless noted otherwise.
ARRIVE - Your First Year at MSU Denver
Explore What to Do in your First Year at MSU Denver
First Year Milestones
- Attend orientation and register for classes.
- Meet with your Academic Advisor.
- Complete FAFSA/CASFA/COF and the General Scholarship Application.
- Join a student organization and get connected to support on campus.
- Declare a major, (explore our fully online programs!) or meet with an exploratory advisor to learn about options.
- Attend signature events on campus (Convocation, Fall Fest, Spring Fling, etc.).
- Check out Career Link for on campus and career-aligned jobs.
- Attend Classroom to Career Hub (C2Hub) career workshops and events.
- Write your early experience resume and utilize resume resources from the C2Hub.
- Take EXS 1640 Physical Fitness Techniques and Programs to gain a basic understanding of the exercise science profession and how to assess different types of health-related fitness components.
- Meet with the department general advisor to ensure you know what classes to take moving forward.
- Talk to other students!
- Join the Exercise Science Club and actively participate
- Talk with an Exercise Science faculty member about opportunities to become involved in local and national organizations
- In EXS 1640 students learn the importance of pursuing 1) industry-specific experience DURING their undergraduate degree and 2) pertinent professional memberships and certifications needed for post graduate success.
- Attend a Rocky Mountain American College of Sports Medicine (RMACSM) meeting and talk with graduate students from around the region about their experiences and programs.
- Join the Exercise Science club and actively participate.
- Enroll in EXS 1640 and actively participate in the discussion and assignment related to career discovery.
THRIVE - Your Middle Years at MSU Denver
Explore What to Do in your Middle Years at MSU Denver
Middle Years Milestones
- Consider adding a minor or certificate to your chosen major.
- Explore resources like the tutoring program or the writing center.
- Get familiar with MSU Denver’s Academic Planning Tool.
- Explore student leadership on campus and volunteering in your community.
- Earn credit and gain experience through an internship, study abroad, or community-engaged learning.
- Attend identity or interest-based campus events like the Richard T. Castro speaker series.
- Connect with the Undergraduate Research and Scholarship program.
- Attend an in-person Career Fair to network and secure a professional headshot.
- Connect with the Classroom to Career Hub (C2Hub) for opportunities for professional mentoring and job shadowing.
- Participate in a faculty led research project OR ask faculty about starting a research project.
- Meet with an Exercise Science faculty advisor to discuss degree completion and internship opportunities.
- Attend the IDEA and ACSM Health and Fitness Summit or NSCA State Clinic Conference with peers and faculty members.
- Be an exchange student and go to the Lithuanian Sports University (LSU) in Kaunas, Lithuania for a semester.
- Apply to be a teaching assistant for ESS 3340 Physiology of Exercise
- Actively participate in the Departments “Preview Days” that coincide with the University Open House.
- Enroll in EXS 3841 Comparative Fitness to get a better idea of the potential employment and internship opportunities available by visiting internship agencies in the Denver/Metro area.
- Speak with an Exercise Science faculty member to discuss graduate school and/or the benefit of taking a nationally recognized certification exam.
- Enroll in EXS 4680 where students must demonstrate competence in specific health related skills like taking skinfold measurements and instructing a client on how to perform muscular fitness and flexibility exercises.
SOAR - Your Final Year at MSU Denver
Explore What to Do in your Final Year at MSU Denver
Final Year Milestones
- Meet with your advisor to complete remaining graduation requirements.
- Ready to Graduate? Check out this guide from the registrar!
- Attend or present in-person at a major-specific or industry-specific conference or networking event.
- Attend in-person alumni and campus-wide networking events.
- Submit a proposal to present in-person at the Undergraduate Research Conference.
- Seek to collaborate with local civic organizations.
- Finalize your portfolio of relevant projects and skills.
- Attend in-person career-focused events with an industry-ready resume.
- Identify needs for Professional Certifications or MCAT/LSAT etc. and prepare for professional school admissions.
- Prepare and submit applications for jobs, graduate school, or relevant post-grad training.
- Complete a 10-credit internship which meets the Senior Experience requirement for a student’s degree.
- Enroll in EXS 4780 where students apply what they have learned in previous courses and get to train an actual client, for six weeks, on campus.
- Attend a professional conference to meet graduate students and talk to faculty from other institutions in the area.
- Join, as a student, a nationally recognized professional organization like the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) or National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA).
- Attend a regional/state held conference from the Rocky Mountain Chapter of the American College of Sports Medicine or the National Strength and Conditioning Associations Colorado State Clinic.
- Participate in the departments study abroad (every other spring) to the University of the West of Scotland.
- Take a nationally recognized certification from the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) or National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA).
- Create and refine a resume or academic CV highlighting the skills learned during the degree.
- Successfully complete a 10-credit internship and get the “real world” knowledge and skills that employers are looking for.
Roadrunner Roads
Things every student should do at MSU Denver.
Roadrunner Upkeep
- Complete FAFSA/CASFA/COF/Scholarship Applications every year.
- Stay on track for graduation by meeting with your advisor every year and check into the Rowdy Pit Stop every semester.
- Read The Runner in your email every Monday.
Roadrunner Career Readiness
- Find and get hired for jobs during college and beyond by visiting the Classroom to Career (C2) Hub and utilize their resources for students.
- To be prepared for any opportunity that comes your way, update your resume early & often.
- Explore options for hands-on learning and graduate school & get prepared for both.
- Log in to Career Link each month to stay up to date on programs, events, and job/internship opportunities.
Roadrunner Wellbeing
- Explore wellness and belonging resources from CESA.
- Access mental wellbeing support through the Counseling Center.
- Visit Rowdy’s Corner when you need some food access support.
- Nourish your physical well-being by checking out the Rec Center and Exercise Sciences, including for-credit courses.
- Determine your need for a Health Insurance Opt-Out Waiver each semester.
Contact the Department of Exercise and Sport Sciences
Connect with Us
Phone: 303-615-1818
Email: [email protected]
Campus Location: PE and Event Center Building 217
Denver, CO 80217-3362