Clinical Exercise Physiology, M.S.

Faculty: Dressler (Exercise Clinic Coordinator); Kobes (Fieldwork Coordinator); Lang (Program Director); Nustad (Department Chair), Tyrrell (Gradiuate Clinical Coordinator)

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 (i.e. programs for people with Parkinson’s Disease, cancer, diabetes, etc.), leadership in community and corporate fitness environments, strength and conditioning, research, 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.
• Thesis options of traditional research or systematic scoping review.
• 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.

UMary CEP Priority Admissions Policy

1. Applicants must be in progress to complete a bachelor’s degree currently in a junior year status (60-89 credits). A bachelor’s degree or higher in any field must be completed prior to beginning the University of Mary Master of Science Clinical Exercise Physiology Program. Applications are submitted directly to the University of Mary via the CEP website.
2. Applicants must have been accepted into the UMary Program in Exercise Science and in good academic standing OR have completed any 4 of the required 6 pre-requisite courses: Anatomy & Physiology I (and lab), Anatomy & Physiology II (and lab), College Chemistry (and lab), Exercise Physiology (and lab), any college psychology course, college math at College Algebra or higher. An unofficial transcript is required at the time of graduation and prior to start date of the CEP Program.
3. A minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale is required. Students may retake pre-requisite course one time. Students may only retake a total of 3 of the 6 pre-requisite courses.
4. Students must provide a list of 3 professional references, including full name, professional title, email, and phone contact information.  Letters of recommendation are NOT needed.
5. Students who are accepted to the Priority Admissions Program may begin the CEP Program the fall semester following completion of their bachelor’s degree.

Clinical Exercise Physiology Program Outcomes

Based upon the mission of the University of Mary, the School of Health Sciences, and the Department of Exercise Physiology, graduates of the Master of Science degree program in Clinical Exercise Physiology will have the knowledge, skills, and abilities to:

1. Apply physical activity and behavioral interventions for those with clinical diseases and health conditions for both therapeutic and/or functional benefit. 
2. Provide primary and secondary prevention and rehabilitation strategies designed to improve physical fitness and health in healthy and clinical populations across the lifespan.
3. Conduct high quality clinical research aimed at improving health, quality of life, and quality of care in a clinical world of constant change and discovery.
4. Demonstrate a commitment to professionalism grounded in professional guidelines/standards, servant leadership, and Benedictine Values.