Lake Erie College in Painesville recently announced that its bachelor of science in exercise science major has received official approval from both the Ohio Department of Higher Education and the Higher Learning Commission, marking a milestone in the college’s continued investment in high-quality, career-focused academic programs.
The HLC is an independent accrediting organization recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Its approval affirms that Lake Erie College’s exercise science major meets nationally recognized standards for higher education, as well as rigorous standards for academic quality, institutional effectiveness, and student success, according to a news release.
The Ohio Department of Higher Education’s approval confirms that the program meets state-level requirements and aligns with Ohio’s standards for quality and workforce relevance.
“The commission’s approval of our program reflects the strength of all the academic programs at Lake Erie College, as well as our commitment to continuous improvement,” President Jennifer N. Schuller stated in the release. “The exercise science major is a powerful example of how Lake Erie College combines academic rigor with hands-on learning opportunities.”
The exercise science program features a strong core curriculum, along with the opportunity for students to select one or more concentrations, including exercise physiology, strength and conditioning, and pre-allied health.
The major is designed to prepare students for a wide range of career paths and graduate degree programs in areas such as exercise physiology, strength and conditioning, personal fitness training, health education and promotion, athletic training, physical therapy, occupational therapy, chiropractic medicine, and more.
The college’s exercise science degree program is currently in the process of completing the accreditation application for the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs through the Committee on Accreditation for the Exercise Sciences as well as for the Council on Accreditation of Strength and Conditioning Education.
This new approval comes as Lake Erie has begun offering additional new majors in data science, cybersecurity, and nutrition.