Program Overview

MS in Clinical Exercise Physiology

The Master of Science (MS) program in Clinical Exercise Physiology prepares students for clinical, applied, or research careers focused on preventing and treating chronic health-related conditions.

Program Overview

This nationally accredited graduate program trains students for clinical and research careers related to exercise and physical activity to prevent and treat chronic health-related conditions. Students gain strong foundational knowledge and hands-on experience as they prepare for careers in cardiac rehabilitation, pulmonary rehabilitation, diabetes prevention, cancer prevention and rehabilitation, obesity prevention and treatment, and other related careers.

Program Facts

• Degree Type: Master of Science
• Program Duration:
  • Full-time: 12 months for non-thesis and 18-24 months for thesis
  • Part-time (non-thesis): 18-24 months
• Time Commitment: Full-time or Part-time
• Term of Enrollment: Fall
• Course Requirements:
  • 30 credits (non-thesis)
  • 36 credits (thesis)
• Application Deadline: Rolling admission, with priority for graduate assistantships given to those applications received by January 15

Admission Requirements

• Bachelors degree
• Applicants need to demonstrate undergraduate coursework in human anatomy, human physiology, exercise physiology, and exercise testing and prescription. Applicants without this training can be admitted provisionally and will be required to take these undergraduate courses prior to full admission.
• School of Education online admissions application, including:
  • Resume or curriculum vitae (CV)
  • Goal statement
  • Contact information for three professional references
  • Academic transcript

Curriculum

The MS in Clinical Exercise Physiology offers a non-thesis track for 30 credits and a thesis track for 36 credits.

Comprehensive Examination

Students must complete a comprehensive examination based on core competencies prior to graduation. Students will be eligible to sit for the comprehensive examination after completion of a minimum of 24 credits.

Career Pathways

• Careers in cardiac rehabilitation, pulmonary rehabilitation, diabetes prevention, cancer prevention and rehabilitation, obesity prevention and treatment, and other related careers.
• Preparation for additional training programs in areas such as physical therapy, occupational therapy, and other related disciplines.
• Preparation for admission to high-quality doctoral programs.

Program Faculty

• Kelli Davis, Associate Professor of Practice and Associate Co-Chair, Department of Health and Human Development
• April Chambers, Associate Professor
• Benjamin DH Gordon, Assistant Professor
• Anne Hays, Clinical Instructor
• Duck-chul Lee, Director, Physical Activity Research Center (PARC) and Professor
• Sharon Ross, Associate Professor and Interim Director, Office of Child Development
• Carma Sprowls-Repcheck, Clinical Assistant Professor and Clinical Internship Coordinator

Accreditation

The MS in Clinical Exercise Physiology degree is fully accredited by the Commission for Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP), considered the gold standard in the industry.

Student Achievement Data

• Job placement in the field or accepted to graduate school: 92%
• Employed as exercise physiologists in clinical settings: 66%
• Employed in research role focused on exercise and physical activity in clinical populations: 33%

Graduate Assistantship

Students who submit their applications by January 15 may be eligible for a graduate assistantship position.