The exercise science program at Missouri Baptist University promotes the integration of the Christian faith with the theory and practice of human movement, sport, and individuals’ prevention and rehabilitation needs. Exercise science majors learn how to positively influence the health and well-being of all individuals and advance the body of knowledge in their field.
CoAES/CAAHEP Accreditation Statement
All necessary accreditation standards mandated by the Committee on Accreditation for the Exercise Sciences (CoAES) were met by Missouri Baptist University in the fall of 2008. The exercise science program was subsequently accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) in the summer of 2009. Continuing accreditation standards were met in the Fall of 2014 and again in the Fall of 2019. The program has received continuing accreditation through 2030. It is the only program in the state of Missouri to have earned this accreditation and acclaim.
As an accredited program, the following goal defining minimum expectations are maintained: “To prepare competent entry-level Exercise Science professionals in the cognitive (knowledge), psychomotor (skills), and affective (abilities) learning domains.”
2022-2023 Exercise Science Retention Rate: 89%
2022-2023 Graduation Rate: 78%
2022-2023 Positive Placement Rate: 86%
For more information regarding program outcomes, please contact the exercise science program director or the Health and Movement Sciences Associate Dean.
Required Skills and Abilities:
Possible Job Titles in Exercise Science
Suggested Certifications
Typical Work Activities
Partnership Programs
EXERCISE SCIENCE MAJOR
With Minors in Health Science and Physical Education
Required Natural Sciences for General Education and Degree Requirements:
BIOL 103+101 Introduction to Biology 1
BIOL 213+211 Anatomy and Physiology I 2 , 3
CHEM 113+111 Introduction to Chemistry4
CHEM 123+121 Survey of Organic and Biochemistry 2
1Satisfies general education requirement in biology
2Satisfies 1 of 2 additional sciences required for BS degree
3A grade of C or better is required for minors
4Satisfies general education requirement in chemistry or physical
science
NOTE: A grade of C or better is also required in KHSC 333 Health and Wellness for the minor in Health Science.
Major Requirements:
Required Biology (BIOL) courses:
BIOL 223+221 Anatomy and Physiology II 4
BIOL 303 Nutrition Science 3
Required Exercise Science (EXSC) courses:
EXSC 113 Introduction to Exercise Science 3
EXSC 233 Care and Prevention of Athletic Injuries/Illnesses 3
EXSC 313 Exercise Physiology I 3
EXSC 321 Exercise Physiology II Lab 1
EXSC 323 Exercise Physiology II Lecture 3
EXSC 343 Motor Learning and Control 3
EXSC 363 Adapted Physical Activity 3
EXSC 411 Exercise Testing and Prescription Lab 1
EXSC 413 Exercise Testing and Prescription 3
EXSC 433 Biomechanics 3
EXSC 443 Exercise Physiology Laboratory Experience 3
EXSC 453/5531 Fitness Management 3
EXSC 463 Senior Seminar 3
EXSC 476 Internship in Exercise Science 6
EXSC 483/5831 Principles of Human Performance 3
Required Health Science (KHSC) courses:
KHSC 413/5231 Chronic Diseases and Obesity 3
Total Hours: 60
EXERCISE SCIENCE MINOR
EXSC 113 Introduction to Exercise Science
EXSC 313 Exercise Physiology I
EXSC 321+323 Exercise Physiology II and Lab
EXSC 343 Motor Learning
EXSC 363 Adapted Physical Education
EXSC 411+413 Exercise Testing and Prescription and lab
Total Hours: 20
2020-2021
2019-2020
2018-2019
2017-2018
2016-2017
2015-2016
Division Chair & Director of Distance Learning
Contact information:
greg.comfort@mobap.edu
314-392-2282
Bio:
Greg completed his doctoral work at the University of Arkansas in 1992 and has held teaching positions at Liberty University (1988-1999), Wichita State University (1999-2003), and Missouri Baptist University (2003-current). He currently serves as the chair of the Health and Sport Sciences Division and teaches undergraduate and graduate classes in sport management. Greg enjoys singing bass in the Lake Saint Louis Baptist Church choir throughout the year and riding his bike during the summer.
Courses Taught:
SMGT 113 – Introduction to Sport Management
SMGT 333 – Sport Sociology
SMGT 403/503 – Sport Management Project
SMGT 583 – Leadership in Sport
SMGT 533 – Sport Psychology
SMGT 576 – Sport Management Internship
Instructor of Health and Sport Sciences
Contact information:
janet.comfort@mobap.edu
Bio:
Janet earned her B.S. degree in Accounting at Liberty University in 1991. In 1998 she coached women’s softball at Lynchburg College while earning her Master’s degree in Accounting. After moving to Wichita, Kansas in 2002, Janet completed a graduate degree in Sport Administration at Wichita State University and taught at several area colleges. Janet moved to the Saint Louis area in 2003 and began teaching online classes for Missouri Baptist University (MBU). Continuing to teach online, Janet owned and operated a business in the O’Fallon, Missouri area from 2006-2014. After teaching on campus Accounting classes in 2014, Janet decided to return to the online classroom in 2015 because of her love for online learning.
Courses Taught:
SMGT 463/563 – Sport Finance
SMGT 501 – Sport Management Orientation
SMGT 523 – Sport Law
SMGT 563 – Sport Finance
Assistant Professor of Health and Sport Sciences
Contact information:
guy.danhoff@mobap.edu
314-744-5352
Bio:
Guy holds a M.S. degree (1992) in Exercise Science as well as a B.S. degree (1990) magna cum laude in Corporate Fitness from Western Illinois University. He has recently completed the coursework for his Doctorate in Business Administration (ABD) with a specialization in marketing from Northcentral University. Mr. Danhoff began his teaching career at MBU in 2008 after serving 14-years in the fitness industry with positions in sales, sales management, business development, marketing, operations, and his last appointment as the director of fitness entertainment technology. Guy currently serves as the Graduate Fitness Management Program Coordinator and teaches fitness and sport management courses in both the undergraduate and graduate programs. Mr. Danhoff also serves as the sideline field reporter for MBU football home games and as is a broadcast color analyst on the Spartan Digital Network.
Courses Taught:
EXSC 453/553 – Fitness Management
EXSC 463 – Senior Seminar
PHED 533 – Sport Entrepreneurship
SMGT 263 – Communication in Sport
SMGT 373 – Sport Marketing
SMGT 423/523 – Sport Law
SMGT 513 – Research Methods
SMGT 543 – Advanced Sport Marketing
SMGt 573 – Sport Public Relations
SMGT 583T – Thesis Proposal
SMGT 583D – Thesis Defense
Assistant Professor of Health and Sport Sciences
Contact information:
andrew.elvington@mobap.edu
314-485-8405
Bio:
Prior to joining the Missouri Baptist University family in the fall of 2015, Dr. Elvington completed a BS in Microbiology at Clemson University, after which he completed his PhD in Biomedical Sciences, awarded with distinction, from the Medical University of South Carolina. Active in scholarly research, Dr. Elvington conducted biomedical research and maintains a research collaboration at Washington University School of Medicine. In addition to the current course load, Dr. Elvington is highly experienced in gross anatomy, immunology and pathology, and public health coursework, among others. Personally, Dr. Elvington is married with two boys, Henry and Samuel, and currently lives in south Saint Louis County
Courses Taught:
EXSC 313 – Exercise Physiology I
EXSC 321 – Exercise Physiology II Lab
EXSC 323 – Exercise Physiology II
HSCI 113 – Introduction to Health Sciences
KACT 101F – Aerobic Theory & Practice
KACT 101G – Golf
KHSC 333 – Health & Wellness
Assistant Professor of Health and Sport Sciences
Contact information:
kimzey@mobap.edu
3143922275
Bio:
Professor Mark A. Kimzey is an alumnus of Missouri Baptist University (90’). He has earned an A.S. in Religion (88’), B.A. in Religion (90’), a M. Div. (94’), and a M.S.E – Kinesiology (06’). Professor Kimzey began his career at Missouri Baptist University in 1992. In 1996 Professor Kimzey began teaching as an adjunct instructor, and moved to full-time teaching in 2006. He served as the Exercise Science Program Coordinator for ten years, leading the team to accreditation under CoAES/CAAHEP in 2009, and again through the five-year accreditation visit in 2014. Professor Kimzey has a great passion to see all students reach their full potential, and to help them see God’s great work in their lives.
Courses Taught:
EXSC 113 – Introduction to Exercise Science
EXSC 343 – Motor Learning and Control
EXSC 363 – Adapted Physical Activity
EXSC 476 – Internship/Practicum in Exercise Science
KHSC 333 – Health and Wellness
Contact information:
michael.nolan@mobap.edu
Bio:
Michael Nolan holds a B.S. in Athletic Training from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and an M.S.Ed. in Kinesiology from Southern Illinois University-Carbondale. Michael brings clinical experience into the classroom as he has served Missouri Baptist University (MBU) in the Athletics Department since 2011 as an athletic trainer. Previous to MBU, Michael served as an athletic trainer at SIU-Carbondale and AAA minor league baseball. Michael currently serves on the NAIA Athletic Training Executive board and is the Co-Chair for the NAIA Council for Student Athletes.
After serving as an adjunct professor for five years, Michael accepted a full-time faculty position at MBU in 2018. He hopes to encourage every student and help cultivate their God given gifts and talents. Michael is married to his wife, Whitney, and they have two daughters, Madelyn and Katelyn.
Courses taught:
EXSC313 – Exercise Physiology I
EXSC323 – Exercise Physiology II
EXSC321 – Exercise Physiology II Lab
EXSC373 – Lab Assistantship
EXSC433 – Biomechanics
KACT101F – Fitness Theory
Assistant Professor of Health and Sport Sciences
Contact information:
david.pierce@mobap.edu
3146407658
Bio:
Dave Pierce holds a BS degree in Education, a MS degree in Sport Management, and brings a wealth of experience in the field into the classroom. Dave served as an intercollegiate athletic director for almost 30 years, retiring from Maryville University in 2002. Dave is a member of four Sport Hall of Fames and is currently serving on the Lakeland University Board of Trustees.
After serving as an adjunct professor for two years, Dave accepted a fulltime teaching position and the undergraduate sport management coordinator position at MBU in 2006. As the undergraduate sport management coordinator, Dave hopes to continue to use his many contacts on both the local and national front to help undergraduate sport management students at MBU reach their full potential and the undergraduate program reach higher levels of prominence in future years.
Courses Taught:
PHED 413/513 – Sport Facility Management
SMGT 223 – Sport Practicum
SMGT 253 – Tournament and Event Management
SMGT 323 – Governance and Leadership in Sport
SMGT 476 – Sport Internship
SMGT 483 – Senior Seminar
SMGT 486 – Sport Management Apprenticeship
Assistant Professor of Health and Sport Sciences
Contact information:
jessica.stapleton@mobap.edu
3144858492
Bio:
Dr. “J” Stapleton became a Spartan in 2014 after completing her Ph.D. in Ontario, Canada. She is a Sport and Exercise Psychologist who studies social influence on physical activity among persons with mobility impairment and self-regulation among collegiate athletes. She enjoys teaching sport and exercise psychology and consulting athletes. When not at MBU, Dr J is resistance training, playing basketball, and frequenting local parks with her Newfoundland, Zion.
Courses Taught:
EXSC 113 – Introduction to Exercise Science
EXSC 223 – Practicum in Exercise Science
EXSC 413 – Test & Prescription
EXSC 411 – Test & Prescription Lab
EXSC 443 – Exercise Physiology Lab Experience
EXSC 403/503 – Exercise Psychology
EXSC 373/473 – Lab Assistantship
EXSC 473B – Internship in Exercise Science
KHSC 413/513 – Chronic Diseases & Obesity
SMGT 433 – Sport Psychology
Contact information:
joy.brueggeman@mobap.edu
Courses Taught:
KACT 101L – Stretching for Flexibility
KHSC 333 – Health and Wellness
PHED 263 – Movement and Rhythms
Contact information:
randy.curless@mobap.edu
Courses Taught:
SMGT 313 – Sport Evangelism
Contact information:
iris.dixon@mobap.edu
Courses Taught:
KHSC 103 – Substance Abuse
SMGT 373 – Sport Marketing
Contact information:
meredith.dill@mobap.edu
Courses Taught:
EXSC 233 – Care and Prevention of Athletic Injuries
Contact information:
deno.merrick@mobap.edu
Courses Taught:
KHSC 333 – Health and Wellness
Contact information:
mark.sisson@mobap.edu
Courses Taught:
PHED 133 – First Aid and Emergency Care
KACT 101X – Bowling
Contact information:
tom.smith@mobap.edu
Courses Taught:
SMGT 583 – Leadership and Management in Sport
Contact information:
eddie.uschold@mobap.edu
Courses Taught:
KHSC 333 – Health and Wellness
EXSC 283 – History and Philosophy of Sport
KACT 101A – Archery