Exercise Science Programs - Clinical Exercise Physiology
Program Description
The M.S. Clinical Exercise Physiology program is designed to prepare professionals who provide exercise programs to patients diagnosed with chronic diseases, such as cardiovascular and pulmonary diseases, metabolic diseases such as diabetes, cancer, immunological diseases, and neuromuscular diseases or disabilities. Clinical exercise physiologists work primarily in hospitals, and clinics under the supervision of a licensed physician. The program provides the academic preparation, skills and experience needed for certification as a Registered Clinical Exercise physiologist by the American College of Sports Medicine.
Faculty
Dr. Lesley White, Dr. Ellen Evans and Dr. Kevin McCully are the primary advisors of students in the program.
Admission
Persons holding a baccalaureate degree, or a foreign equivalent, from a regionally accredited institution are eligible to apply for admission to the Graduate School. Admission is based on the student’s prior academic record, Graduate Record Exam (GRE) scores, recommendations, prior experience, unique attributes contributing to diversity and statement of purpose. There are no absolute minimum GPA and GRE requirements, but an undergraduate GPE above 3.0 on a 4-point scale, and verbal reasoning, quantitative reasoning and analytical writing scores above the 30th percentile are recommended. International applicants whose primary language is not English must submit official scores on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) exam with a minimum overall score of 80 and scores of 20 on the speaking and writing sections. For students interested in an assistantship, admission applications should be submitted prior to January 15.
Prerequisites
For admission to the Graduate School, candidates are expected to have completed the equivalent of an undergraduate major in the proposed field of study (kinesiology, exercise science, physical education, or a health-related area). Undergraduate foundation classes in anatomy, physiology, exercise physiology, biomechanics, physical fitness assessment and development, and nutrition are assumed or must be completed as undergraduate or graduate courses as deficiencies.
Advisory Committee
As described in the UGA Graduate Bulletin, before the end of the first semester, an advisory committee, consisting of the major professor and two other faculty, should be appointed. The advisory committee, in consultation with the student, is charged with planning and approving the student’s program of study and with administering the final oral examination if a passing score on the certification examination is not obtained.
Program of Study
The program of study is developed by the student, major professor and advisory committee, based on the student’s background, interests and career goals. Thirty-six semester hours of course work, including 600 hours of supervised internship, is required. The program requires 2 years of full time graduate study.
Required Courses (30 hours)
| KINS 6300 | Exercise Epidemiology (3) |
| KINS 6310 | Exercise Prescription for Special Populations(3) |
| KINS 6690/6690L | Neuromuscular Exercise Physiology (4) |
| KINS 7150 | Research Methods in Kinesiology (3) |
| KINS 7330/7330L | Metabolic and Cardiorespiratory Aspects of Exercise (4) |
| KINS 7310/7310L | Clinical Exercise Physiology (4) |
| KINS 7140* | Seminar in Clinical Exercise Physiology (2) |
| KINS 7450 | Internship in Kinesiology (6) |
| KINS 7800 | Practicum in Kinesiology (1) |
*Two one- hour seminars are required. One in the fall, taken the first semester or as soon as possible after starting the program (if the student begins spring or summer) and one in the spring of the first or second year.
Elective Courses (6 hours)
| KINS 6320 | Exercise and Aging (3) |
| KINS 7140 | Current Problems in Kinesiology – Introduction to Preventative Health in People with Disabilities (3) |
| KINS 8300 | Advanced Topics in Exercise Physiology (4) |
| HPRB 7070 | Program Planning in Health Promotion and Disease Prevention (3) |
Required Clinical Experience
To qualify for certification as a Registered Clinical Exercise Physiologist by the American College of Sports Medicine, a minimum of 600 hours of preceptor-supervised clinical experience with patients in the following areas is needed (recommended hours in parenthesis): cardiovascular (200), pulmonary (100), metabolic (120, orthopedic (100), neuromuscular (40), immunological/hematological (40). The recommended hours are only guidelines. Some hours should be obtained in each of the areas, but there is flexibility in the number of hours earned in each area.
The internship hours are earned by working in the summer or approximately 20 hours/week during academic year 2 of the program in local hospitals and clinics.
Required Certification Exam (Final Exam)
The culminating experience (final written exam) for the degree is taking the certification exam for the Registered Clinical Exercise Physiologist by the American College of Sports Medicine. If a passing score on the exam is not obtained, a final oral exam must be taken.
For additional information on this program, contact Dr. Ellen Evans (emevans@uga.edu, 706-542-4395). For more information on application and admission, contact Melissa Farmer (kins@uga.edu, 706-542-4378), graduate coordinator’s assistant.
