Faculty: Dressler (Exercise Clinic Coordinator); Kobes (Fieldwork Coordinator); Leary (Program Director); Nustad (Department Chair)
The Master of Science (MS) degree program in Clinical Exercise Physiology (CEP) prepares competent and collaborative practitioners for the professions in clinical exercise physiology. The MS degree Program in Clinical Exercise Physiology is delivered via a blended model (face-to-face classroom and distance online), designed such that students can work and/or live in another community while completing the degree. The program has a clinical emphasis in exercise prescription for clinical populations (i.e. cardiovascular, pulmonary, metabolic, orthopedic, musculoskeletal, neuromuscular, neoplastic, immunologic, and hematologic etc.) and focuses on advanced study of exercise physiology. Career opportunities are available in areas of cardiac and pulmonary rehabilitation, clinical exercise prescription, leadership in community and corporate fitness environments, strength and conditioning, and higher education.
The Clinical Exercise Physiology Program has achieved accreditation by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP; 25400 US Highway 19 N, Suite 158, Clearwater, FL 33763. Telephone: 727-210-2350).
Mission
The University of Mary MS degree program in Clinical Exercise Physiology exists to develop leaders in clinical exercise physiology and to serve the exercise health and fitness needs of people who are apparently healthy, at risk, or with known chronic diseases or conditions.
Vision
The University of Mary Master of Science degree program in Clinical Exercise Physiology envisions being a premier university program in development of clinical exercise physiology experts including values and evidence based practitioners and researchers in this region and beyond.
Distinctive Features
The University of Mary offers graduate students the opportunity to earn a MS in Clinical Exercise Physiology at an affordable, private, Catholic university.
- Flexible program designed for working professionals that blends online and face-to-face courses (blended delivery model).
- Face-to-face “lab week”, one week (Mon-Sat) per semester to gain hands-on clinical experience, skills acquisition and mastery via practice, repetition and application with real program participants in the Exercise Clinic.
- Comprehensive curriculum grounded in specialty standards and Christian, Catholic, Benedictine values.
- Servant leadership, evidence-based practice and internship experiences.
- Research experiences that create opportunities to advance knowledge and problem solving, while positioning graduates for further study at the doctorate level.
- Prepares students to sit for the ACSM-CEP exam.
- Blended delivery model.
- Student centered learning environment.
- GRE not required.
Graduate Degree Requirements
To achieve the master’s degree, students must complete the clinical exercise physiology program of study with a minimum of 3.0 GPA.
Satisfactory Academic Progress
The student must maintain a GPA of 3 .0 during all of the semesters.
Application/Admission Requirement
Students complete the step by step application process online at the University of Mary website, under Academics, Master of Science Program in Clinical Exercise Physiology.
Clinical Exercise Physiology Program Outcomes
Graduates of the Master of Science degree Program in Clinical Exercise Physiology will be able to serve competently in a variety of professional roles (career opportunities mentioned above). Specifically, graduates will:
- Assess and provide for the fitness and exercise needs of people who are apparently healthy, at higher risk, and with known cardiovascular, pulmonary, renal, metabolic, orthopedic/musculoskeletal, neuromuscular, neoplastic, immunologic, and hematologic disorders.
- Perform as competent technicians in clinical cardiac and pulmonary rehabilitation programs.
- Serve in leadership roles in the health and fitness industry as coordinators and directors of fitness and rehabilitation programs.
- Promote the components of exercise, fitness, health, well-being, healthy lifestyle and rehabilitation in a safe, legal, and ethical manner.
- Interpret, analyze, be resourceful, and think critically in a clinical world of constant change and discovery.
- Demonstrate a commitment to professionalism including lifelong learning, community service, and the Benedictine Values.
