Sports and Exercise Sciences (BS)

Program Description

The undergraduate degree with a major in Sports and Exercise Sciences (SPE) is designed to prepare the graduate to work in the health, fitness, and sports industry. Students gain competencies in the complexities of performance assessment and programming, which can be applied in sport science, sports medicine, strength and conditioning or rehabilitation fields.

Specific skills include: evaluating healthy behaviors, risk factors, fitness assessments, exercise prescriptions, and motivating individuals to maintain a positive lifestyle. As an integral part of the health and wellness team, a Sports and Exercise Sciences professional, with their knowledge in sports, health, and wellness, can work in a variety of sports and healthcare settings leading and demonstrating these clients in safe and effective methods of exercise. In this major, students are taught using a range of methods by which health promotion can be achieved. The program utilizes traditional and experiential education principles as the foundation for its curriculum.

Open All | Close All

  • 听

    Admission Criteria

    Applicants must meet the entrance requirements of the University. In addition, to gain acceptance to the program students must fulfill the following criteria:

    Freshmen

    First-time college students must have a minimum high school GPA of 2.50 and have completed two years of high school mathematics with a grade of C or higher. Scores on the College Entrance Examination Board (SAT) or the American College Test (ACT) will also be examined but could be optional. High school graduates who are properly prepared to undertake the SPE program should have a college preparatory program as outlined in the “Recommended High School Preparation” section of this catalog under “Admission to the University.”

    Transfer

    Transfer students must have a minimum undergraduate GPA of 2.00 and must complete Detroit Mercy placement tests in English composition and mathematics. Satisfying the MTA (Michigan Transfer Agreement) at a Michigan community college may shorten your list of core requirements at Detroit Mercy.

  • 听

    Academic Standards and Handbook

    Students in the Sports and Exercise Sciences program must attain a minimum grade of “C” or better in all SPE courses and required support courses MTH 1010 or MTH 1020+1030+1040 (or higher such as MTH 1400 or MTH 1410), STA 2250. In addition, students must maintain a cumulative 2.0 grade point average.*  The academic policies in the Student Handbook govern academic conduct, progression, withdrawal and dismissal. 

    Students interested in pursuing graduate studies in healthcare are encouraged to

    1. Maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher
    2. Obtain a grade of “B” or higher in all science courses
  • 听

    Degree Requirements - Bachelor of Science in Sports and Exercise Sciences (120 credits)

    To obtain this undergraduate degree, the student must fulfill the requirements of the University Core Curriculum, the requirements for the program major, supportive courses, and complete a minimum of 120 credit hours.

     

    Sports and Exercise Sciences (SPE) Major Requirements - 36 credits

    • HLS 2009 Medical Conditions and Implications (3 credits)
    • BIO 2040 Applied Nutrition (3 credits)
    • HLS 3013 Physical Health and Wellness (3 credits)
    • SPE 3200 Exercise Physiology (2 credits)
    • SPE 3300 Exercise Physiology Lab (1 credits)
    • SPE 3400 Exercise Testing and Prescription (3 credits)
    • SPE 3031 Adapted Sports (3 credits)
    • HLS 3037 Care of the Human Spirit OR RELS 3530* Dynamics of Spiritual Growth OR ADS 4600 Health & Spirituality (3 credits)
    • SPE 3081 Kinesiology (3 credits)
    • SPE 4011 Biomechanics and Movement Science (3 credits)
    • SPE 4000 Internship (3 credits)
    • SPE 4010 Senior Seminar (3 credits)
    • SPE 4800 Clinical Research (3 credits)

    Supportive Science Course Requirements - 17 credits (or 16 credits with CHM 1040)

    • BIO 1200 /1210 General Biology I with Laboratory OR BIO 1220/1230 General Biology II with Laboratory (5 credits)
    • BIO 2300 Human Anatomy & Phys I (3 credits)
    • BIO 2310 Human Anatomy & Phys Lab I (1 credit)
    • BIO 2320 Human Anatomy & Phys II (3 credits)
    • BIO 2330 Human Anatomy & Phys Lab II (1 credit)
    • CHM 1050 Intro to General Chemistry OR CHM 1070 AND CHM 1100 General Chemistry I with Laboratory I (4 credits)
      • OR CHM 1040 General, Organic and Biological Chemistry for the Health Sciences (3 credits)

    Other Supportive Course Requirements - 21 credits

    • PYC 1000 Introduction to Psychology (3 credits)
    • PYC 4500 Sport Psychology (3 credits)
    • SOC 1000 Introduction to Sociology (3 credits)
    • STA 2250 Statistics OR BIO 2900 Biostatistics (3 credits)
    • ETH 3580 Health Care Ethics (3 credits)
    • HOM 3585 Health Organization Management (3 credits)
    • PYC 4890 Group Dynamics (3 credits)

    A minimum of 120 total credit hours is required for graduation. Students in the SPE are encouraged to elect a minor, concentration, or select targeted electives (18 ± credits) to support entry to a graduate or professional program.

  • 听

    Program Contact Information

    Elizabeth "Liz" Boyar
    Administrative Support Personnel - SPE Program
    College of Health Professions, 115
    McNichols Campus
    Phone:  313-993-2445, Fax: 313-993-1271
    Email: turzael@udmercy.edu

    Ashraf Elazzi, PT, PhD
    Associate Dean
    College of Health Professions, 118
    McNichols Campus
    Phone: 313-993-1523
    Email: elazzaam@udmercy.edu

Detroit Mercy Catalogs


Undergraduate Catalog
2025-2026