To increase the success rate in Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS) exam outcomes, all students pursuing the Strength and Conditioning concentration must satisfy the following requirements:
Admission to the Concentration
To declare a concentration in Strength and Conditioning, students must:
- Complete at least 40 credits (including transfer credits) at Wittenberg University.
- Maintain an overall Wittenberg GPA of 2.5 or higher.
- Maintain a GPA of 2.7 or higher in the required SC program courses.
- Complete the following courses with a minimum grade of C- in both:
- EXSC 170: Introduction to Exercise Science
- EXSC 350: Gross Anatomy
Sample timeline for key courses:
- First year: EXSC 170, both or either BIOL 170 or BIOL 180
- Fall, sophomore year: EXSC 350
Students who have not yet met these prerequisites may initially declare the B.S. in Exercise Science major with the program director of the concentration and formally switch to the Strength and Conditioning concentration upon meeting all admission criteria.
Program continuation
- Once accepted into the SC program, students must:
- Maintain an overall Wittenberg GPA of 2.5 or higher.
- Maintain a GPA of 2.75 or higher in all required SC program courses.
- Achieve a grade of C- or higher in all required EXSC and SPMG courses.
- If a student's GPA falls below these thresholds, the student will have one semester probationary period to meet the required standards.
- If a grade below C- is earned in a required course, the course must be retaken, and the student must achieve the minimum grade.
- Failure to meet above criteria may result in a recommendation to switch to the BS in Exercise Science major (not in the SC program) or other majors.
Graduation requirement
- To graduate with a B.S. in Exercise Science with a Concentration in Strength and Conditioning, students must meet all university graduation requirements as well as all program-specific criteria listed above.
Appeal process
- Students who are advised to switch to another major may appeal by submitting a written petition to the SC program director. The petition must include supporting documentation explaining how the student plans to meet program standards. The appeal will be reviewed by designated faculty members, and a written decision will be communicated to the student in a timely manner.