BS in Sport Science with Emphasis in Strength and Conditioning

Degree Program Description

The Bachelor of Science in Sports Science emphasis area in Strength and Conditioning prepares students to become evidence-based practitioners in athletic and human performance. This program provides students with the expertise to design, implement, and evaluate training programs tailored to sport-specific and occupational demands. Rooted in applied exercise physiology, biomechanics, performance training, and data interpretation, students develop skills that translate directly to real-world environments.

Students in the Sports Science emphasis in Strength and Conditioning degree gain a combination of classroom instruction and hands-on professional experience as they learn to collaborate with coaches, athletes, and rehabilitation specialists. Throughout the program, students build meaningful connections within a network of strength and conditioning professionals, enhancing mentorship and career opportunities.

Graduates are prepared for careers in collegiate and high school athletics, private performance facilities, tactical strength and conditioning, performance rehabilitation, and more. The Sports Science emphasis in Strength and Conditioning curriculum is accredited by the Council on Accreditation of Strength and Conditioning Education and is designed to prepare students to sit for the National Strength and Conditioning Association Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS) exam, positioning them for professional certification upon graduation.

Major Program Requirements

Students earning a Bachelor of Science in Sport Science must meet degree and University requirements, including University general education requirements. 

In addition to completing major program requirements, students earning the Strength & Conditioning emphasis must complete the following emphasis requirements. A grade of C- or higher is required in the courses below.

SP_SCI 3630The Female Performance Blueprint3
SP_SCI 4500Sport Science Capstone: Strength and Conditioning3
SP_SCI 4560Strength and Conditioning Internship3-6

Semester Plan

First Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
STAT 12003ENGLSH 10003
NEP 10343HIST 1100, POL_SC 1100, or HIST 12003
College of Health Sciences Elective3PSYCH 10003
Humanities3Elective3
Elective3Elective3
 15 15
Second Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
PTH_AS 22013SP_SCI 21311
COMMUN 1200 or AGSC_COM 22203SP_SCI 22003
SP_SCI 21303College of Health Sciences Elective3
College of Health Sciences Elective3Writing Intensive Elective3
Elective3Physical Science with Lab3
 Humanities3
 15 16
Third Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
SP_SCI 31303SP_SCI 32503
SP_SCI 31311PH_THR 4420 (or MPP 3500)3
College of Health Sciences Elective3Elective3
Elective3Elective3
Elective3Elective3
Elective3 
 16 15
Fourth Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
SP_SCI 36303SP_SCI 45003
SP_SCI 4440W3SP_SCI 45603-6
Elective3Elective3
Elective3Elective1
Elective3 
 15 10-13
Total Credits: 117-120

Degree Audit

The degree audit is an automated report reflecting a student’s academic progress toward the completion of a degree. 

MU students can request a degree audit by logging in to myDegreePlanner. Students may also access myDegreePlanner via myZou, in the Student Center, click on the Academic Progress Tile, then select Request Degree Audit. The audit automatically pulls in the student’s MU course work, transfer courses and courses in progress. This is available to current students, admitted students, and those who last attended less than three terms ago.

Past MU students can request a degree audit by contacting the Academic Advising Unit of the division in which they were last enrolled at MU. For contact information, go to https://advising.missouri.edu/contact/.

Prospective students, can access a preliminary MU degree audit via https://www.transferology.com. Information on the college credits already earned will have to be manually entered before it can be evaluated against current degree requirements.

For additional details on degree audits, go to https://registrar.missouri.edu/degrees-audits/degree-audits/.

Major and Career Exploration

The University of Missouri has many resources to assist you in exploring majors and career possibilities. For guidance, visit the Majors and Careers website or view specific resources below.

  • Change your Major. If you are considering changing your undergraduate major or are choosing between several majors, schedule an appointment with an advisor in the Discovery Center by calling (573) 884-9700 or through the Discovery Center service in your MU Connect success network.
  • Decided on a Major. If you have decided on a major, visit an academic advisor in the School or College that you are interested in to discuss the process of declaring that major.
  • Identify your Interests and Strengths. If you would like to learn more about your career interests, abilities, values, and talents, visit the staff at the MU Career Center. No appointment is necessary to explore career options with one of our staff members.
  • Explore MU Majors. If you would like information about MU majors and degree programs, visit Majors at Mizzou or the Degrees, Majors (Degree Programs), Emphasis Areas, Minors and Certificates page in the catalog.

For additional major and career exploration resources, visit Major & Career Exploration in the catalog.