Exercise Science


General Planning Tips For Exercise Science

  • Start planning for your study abroad experience early. You can take admission requirements, general education, Exercise Science HSES courses, or HSES electives abroad and still stay on track for graduation.
  • Study abroad is a great way to satisfy your KU Core requirements. Therefore, it is a good idea to reserve some of your KU Core classes to take abroad.
  • Scholarships are available for study abroad both through Study Abroad & Global Engagement and national organizations. Research your opportunities early.
  • U.S. Specific Courses: HSES 473 must be taken at KU. If you choose to complete the 15 credit-hour HSES 580 internship course, it must be completed at an approved site within a 50-mile radius of Lawrence. You may petition to complete this course abroad if your GPA is higher than 3.0.

When To Go

Freshman and Sophomore

  • Schedule a meeting with an exercise science advisor during your first semester at KU to discuss your four year plan and identify specific courses as well as specific timing opportunities for your study abroad experience.
  • After you've met with your academic advisor, continue your program research by visiting the Study Abroad Info Center in Lippincott Hall. Study abroad peer advisors can help you to identify suitable study abroad options based upon the information you received from your advisor.
  • Studying abroad usually requires two letters of recommendation, so it's good to start identifying individuals who can speak to your academic qualifications as well as your ability to be successful during an international experience.
  • There are both summer and full semester study abroad programs that offer general education and KU Core courses. The best time to pursue these programs is the spring semester of your freshman year, fall semester of your sophomore year, or the summer after your freshman or sophomore year.

Junior and Senior

  • The ideal times for Exercise Science students to study abroad are either semester of their junior or senior year. Students planning to participate in the 15 credit-hour HSES 580 internship instead of the Elective Path during spring semester of their senior year, will need to stay within a 50 mile radius of Lawrence. Application deadlines for study abroad are typically on October 1st for spring programs and March 1st for fall programs.
  • There is some degree of flexibility with your course sequencing during your junior and senior year, especially if you have chosen the Elective Path. You might need to take a class or two online during the summer before you go abroad or the summer after you return to KU (Edwards Campus students should plan to take HSES 310 in the summer before or after their junior year). If you need an HSES class that is not available through your study abroad program and only offered at KU during the semester you are abroad, the Exercise Science Department is usually willing to work with you in arranging access to the course via Skype, Lecture Capture, or some other technology.
  • Some junior and senior level exercise science courses that are commonly offered abroad include: HSES 305, HSES 306, HSES 330, HSES 331, HSES 369, HSES 375, HSES 380, HSES 385, HSES 440, HSES 470, HSES 472, and HSES 474.

Courses and Credit

  • Exercise science faculty have already pre-approved a number of exercise science courses abroad. To see available pre-approved courses, visit the Course Equivalency Database.
  • If you want to take a class/classes that have not been pre-approved, complete the credit approval process.

Recommended Programs For Exercise Science

Programs Offering Exercise Science Courses

Bilingual Spanish Language Intensive & Research for Pre-Health Majors - Costa Rica

Recommended Timing: Summer after junior year

Sample Courses: HSES 475, SPAN 170, SPAN 270, SPAN 371

CEA Exercise & Sport Science - Spain

Recommended Timing: Summer after junior year

Sample Courses: Sports Nutrition and Mediterranean Diet, Sport Psychology

Deakin University - Australia

Recommended Timing: Either semester - junior year

Sample Courses: HSES 330, HSES 370, HSES 375, HSES 380, HSES 385, HSES 440, HSES 470, HSES 472, HSES 474 

Massey University - New Zealand

Recommended Timing: Either semester - junior year or senior year

Sample Courses: HSES 305, HSES 306, HSES 310, HSES 330, HSES 331, HSES 369, HSES 375, HSES 380, HSES 385, HSES 440, HSES 470, HSES 472, HSES 474

Universidade de Coimbra - Portugal

Recommended Timing: Fall semester - junior or senior year

Sample Courses: HSES 440, HSES 470, HSES 472, HSES 480

University of Exeter - England

Recommended Timing: Either semester - junior or senior year

Sample Courses: HSES 305, HSES 310, HSES 330, HSES 369, HSES 440, HSES 470, HSES 472, 

University of Leeds - England

Recommended Timing: Spring semester - junior or senior year

Sample Courses: HSES 330, HSES 375, HSES 385, HSES 470, HSES 472, HSES 474

University of Newcastle - Australia - EDWARDS STUDENTS ONLY

Recommended Timing: Spring semester - junior or senior year; EDWARDS STUDENTS ONLY - NOT AN OPTION FOR LAWRENCE STUDENTS

Sample Courses: HSES 330, HSES 375, HSES 385, HSES 418, HSES 440, HSES 470, HSES 472, HSES 474

Programs Offering Experience

Earn HSES 335 credit while gaining valuable work experience overseas. Internship duties vary based on location and student interest. Recommended for summer after junior year.

Hospital Shadowing in Spain

International Internships