Nov 26, 2024  
2023-2024 Undergraduate Catalog - Evening & Online 
    
2023-2024 Undergraduate Catalog - Evening & Online [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Strength and Conditioning, B.S.


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Department of Health and Human Performance
http://www.citadel.edu/root/eveningundergraduatestudies-2-2-programs/tactical-strength-and-conditioning

Dr. Chris Bellon, Program Director
cbellon@citadel.edu, 843-953-1652

The degree completion program in strength and conditioning was created to provide students with an opportunity to receive a four-year degree from The Citadel online. The requirements for the major consist of a total of 38 credit hours from core courses, 66 credit hours from the strength and conditioning major, and 18 credit hours of lower-division and upper-division electives.

Mission Statement

The mission of this program is to develop highly qualified strength and conditioning practitioners who can provide comprehensive training services for a variety of athlete populations. Graduates of this program will possess in-depth knowledge of training principles as well as their scientific foundations. Additionally, graduates will be able to skillfully perform, teach, and coach exercise technique for a variety of exercises used to enhance athletic performance (e.g. resistance training exercises, springing, plyometrics, etc.) Lastly, students will be able to construct a comprehensive training program designed to maximize athletic performance and reduce risk of injury. This unique combination of content knowledge and practical skills will provide graduates with the necessary tools to compete for employment opportunities across multiple avenues in the field of athletic performance. Employment opportunities include assistant or head strength and conditioning roles within the private, high school, collegiate, professional, and tactical sectors.

Student Learning Outcomes

  1. Candidates will assess acute and chronic responses to exercise and cognitive performance training.
  2. Candidates will perform strength, power, speed, and flexibility exercises in accordance with National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA) technique guidelines.
  3. Candidates will develop comprehensive training programs addressing the physical and cognitive performance demands experienced by sport and/or tactical athletes.
  4. Candidates will demonstrate effective pedagogical practices in coaching athletic movement skills.  
  5. Candidates will demonstrate behaviors essential to becoming influential professionals. They will exhibit professional ethics and culturally competent practices, seek opportunities for continued professional development, and demonstrate knowledge regarding the scope of practice.

Who Should Pursue the Major

This major is ideal for students interested in career paths in coaching, athletic performance, and strength and conditioning.  

Post-Graduation Pathways and Career Options

Graduates will be prepared to earn employment opportunities in any realm of the strength and conditioning industry, including:

  • Elite and professional sports
  • Collegiate athletics
  • High school athletics
  • Adolescent and youth athletics
  • Military populations
  • Fire/rescue populations
  • Law enforcement populations
  • Private sector.

Program Format

The B.S. online degree is delivered 100% online, with all significant courses being offered in 8-week blocks. Coursework is delivered asynchronously, allowing students to complete assignments at their own pace to suit their schedule best.

Application Requirements

In addition to the institutional documentation required as part of the application process, all applicants must submit a one-page letter describing why you are interested in the Strength and Conditioning Program as part of their application.

Computation of Major GPA

All undergraduate courses taken at The Citadel with a subject prefix of EXSC, HLED, LDRS, PHED, and TSAC will count towards the major GPA.

Program Requirements

All undergraduates must pass a background check. Students are responsible for all fees associated with the background check and the check must include social security card copy and fingerprints prior to beginning courses requiring field experience (e.g. STRC 395 ).

Program of Study


Students may begin taking Citadel courses at any time as long as 30 college credit hours have been transferred to The Citadel.

Core Requirements: 38 Credit Hours


Writing/English Composition (6 Hours)


History (6 Hours)


Humanities (6 Hours)


Mathematics (6 Hours)


Science (8 Hours)


Courses must have lab, not necessarily sequential

Social Science (6 Hours)


  • PSYC 201 - General Psychology Credit Hours: 3
  • Any Anthropology, Political Science, Psychology or Sociology course Credit Hours: 3

Major Requirements: 66 Credit Hours


Major Electives: 12 Hours


  • Four upper division courses (300 level and above)

General Electives: 6 Hours


  • Two lower-division courses (101:299)

Total Degree Program: 122 Credit Hours


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