Program Overview
Clinical Exercise Physiology, MS
The Master of Science program in Clinical Exercise Physiology is designed to provide students with the knowledge, clinical experience, and skills needed to successfully complete the examination for the registered clinical exercise physiologist certification offered by the American College of Sports Medicine.
Program Description
The program focuses on the use of primary and secondary prevention strategies to improve, maintain, or abate declines in fitness and health in populations of various age groups. Students learn to collaborate with medical professionals to guide exercise and rehabilitation programs for at-risk clients and those with chronic diseases.
At a Glance
- College/School: College of Health Solutions
- Location: Downtown Phoenix
- STEM-OPT Extension Eligible: Yes
Accelerated Program Options
This program allows students to obtain both a bachelor's and a master's degree in as little as five years. Accelerated bachelor's plus master's degree programs are designed for high-achieving students who want the opportunity to share undergraduate coursework with graduate coursework to accelerate completion of their master's degree.
Degree Requirements
- 31 credit hours and a written comprehensive exam, or
- 31 credit hours, a thesis, and a written comprehensive exam
Required Core (21 Credit Hours)
- EXW 535 Advanced Exercise Assessment and Prescription (3)
- EXW 542 Health Promotion (3)
- EXW 560 Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation (3)
- EXW 565 Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Physiology (3)
- EXW 568 Management and Treatment of Chronic Disease for the Clinical Exercise Physiologist (3)
- KIN 547 ECG Interpretation (3)
- NTR 502 Statistics in Research (3)
Seminar (1 Credit Hour)
- EXW 591 Seminar: Clinical Exercise Physiology (1)
Other Requirement (3 or 9 Credit Hours)
- EXW 500 Research Methods (3) or
- EXW 515 Advanced Exercise Physiology (3) and EXW 584 Internship (6)
Culminating Experience (0 or 6 Credit Hours)
- Written comprehensive exam (0) or
- EXW 599 Thesis (6)
Admission Requirements
- General university admission requirements
- Applicants must have earned a bachelor's or master's degree in exercise science, exercise physiology, kinesiology, or a closely related field from a regionally accredited institution.
- Minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 (scale is 4.00 = "A") in the last 60 hours of their first bachelor's degree program, or in an applicable master's degree program.
Application Materials
- Graduate admission application and application fee
- Official transcripts
- Resume or curriculum vitae
- Letter of intent
- Three references (academic or professional)
- Proof of English proficiency
Tuition Information
Tuition information can be found on the university's website.
Application Deadlines
- Fall: Priority deadline is February 15
Program Learning Outcomes
- Synthesize the current literature and guidelines on the epidemiology, pathophysiology, progression, risk factors, key clinical findings, and treatments of chronic diseases.
- Create exercise training interventions for patients with chronic disease.
- Analyze patient status changes through continuous monitoring of exercise interventions while incorporating behavior modification models that support active patient engagement.
Career Opportunities
Clinical exercise physiology is an exciting and growing profession in the healthcare realm. Career opportunities are available in:
- Hospital-based clinical research facilities
- Hospitals
- Outpatient clinics
- Physician offices
- University and research laboratories
- Worksite wellness centers
Professional Licensure
ASU programs that may lead to professional licensure or certification are intended to prepare students for potential licensure or certification in Arizona. Completion of an ASU program may not meet educational requirements for licensure or certification in another state.