Clinical exercise physiology is a relatively new career field, founded within the healthcare realm, that focuses on individuals with chronic diseases, conditions, and comorbidities. The clinical exercise physiologist is a certified health professional that utilizes scientific rationale to perform clinical exercise testing, exercise prescription, physical activity counseling, exercise supervision, and health education/promotion to assist in the recovery from illness and prevent or manage chronic disease. Clinical exercise physiologists work in a variety of clinical, community, and public health settings.
The Master of Science in Kinesiology, Clinical Exercise Physiology (CEP) Track is designed to prepare students to become clinicians and/or scholars in a range of Clinical Exercise Physiology specialties. The CEP track provides students with the knowledge and skills within the cardiovascular, pulmonary, metabolic, gerontology, neoplastic, musculoskeletal, neuromuscular, immunologic, and behavior change practice areas. The curriculum is designed to prepare students to sit for and pass the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) Clinical Exercise Physiology (ACSM-CEP) certification exam, allowing students to enter the field as qualified healthcare professionals. Students who graduate from this track are also prepared to pursue advanced studies in health-related fields or doctorate/PhD in the CEP field.
The Master of Science in Kinesiology, Clinical Exercise Physiology Track only offers a non-thesis option. The CEP track requires a minimum of 33 credit hours. Students in the Kinesiology MS, Clinical Exercise Physiology Track are required to participate in APK 6946 - Graduate Internship in Kinesiology, equivalent to 600 clinical hours within various settings. Students in the CEP Track are prepared to sit for the American College of Sports Medicine Clinical Exercise Physiology (ACSM-CEP) certification exam, allowing students to enter the field as qualified healthcare professionals.
Track Prerequisites
The MS in Kinesiology requires that all applicants successfully complete (with a grade of C or higher) the equivalent of 8 semester hours of anatomy and physiology, with labs.
One of two options must be met:
- Option 1: Human Anatomy with lab and Human Physiology with lab
- Option 2: Anatomy/Physiology combined with labs
Degree Requirements
Required Courses
12 Total Credits
- Complete the following:
- APK6116 - Exercise Physiology I (3)
- APK6713 - Research Methods in Kinesiology (3)
- APK6111 - Clinical Exercise Physiology (3)
- APK6129C - Clinical Assessment and Exercise Testing (3)
Track Requirements
18 Total Credits
- Complete all of the following
- Complete the following:
- APK6171 - Exercise Prescription for Special Populations (3)
- APK6090 - Professional Practices in Kinesiology (3)
- APK6415 - Exercise Behavior Change and Client Education (3)
- Earn at least 9 credits from the following:
- APK6946 - Graduate Internship in Kinesiology (3 - 6)
- APK 6946 will typically be taken three times (once per semester, beginning in the second semester) for a total of 9 credit hours. A single 3-credit internship is equivalent to 200 contact hours. Students may substitute an elective course for 3 credit hours of APK 6946 with prior approval. Students may earn no more than one C grade prior to enrollment in APK6946 Graduate Internship in Kinesiology.
- Students are recommended to sit for the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) Clinical Exercise Physiology certification in the final semester prior to graduation.
Electives
3 Total Credits
- Complete all of the following
- Earn at least 3 credits from the following:
- APK6102 - Functional Anatomy and Kinesiology (3)
- APK6104 - Youth Physical and Athletic Development (3)
- APK6107C - Cardiovascular Exercise Physiology (3)
- APK6118C - Neuromuscular Physiology of Human Movement (3)
- APK6124 - Environmental Exercise Physiology (3)
- PHT6161C - Neuroplasticity of Human Movement (3)
- APK6167 - Sport Nutrition and Ergogenic Aids (3)
- APK6173C - Body Composition and Anthropometrics (3)
- APK6176 - Program Design in Strength and Conditioning (3)
- APK6168 - Exercise, Nutrition and Weight Control (3)
- APK6235 - Kinesiology Instrumentation (3)
- APK6612 - Monitoring Training and Athletic Performance (3)
- APK6703 - Statistical Methods in Kinesiology (3)
- APK6408 - Motivational Aspects in Athletic Performance (3)
- APK6127 - Assessment and Evaluation in Kinesiology (3)
- APK6170 - Exercise Physiology II (3)
- APK6407 - Peak Performance in Sports (3)
- All electives are subject to course availability and selected in conjunction with the student's graduate advisor or the graduate coordinator.
- With prior approval, credit hours earned toward completion of the Anatomical Sciences Graduate Certificate (https://healthprofessions.ucf.edu/physicaltherapy/anatomical-sciences/) may be substituted for Elective Courses.
Grand Total Credits: 33
Financial Information
Graduate students may receive financial assistance through fellowships, assistantships, tuition support, or loans. For more information, see the College of Graduate Studies Funding website, which describes the types of financial assistance available at UCF and provides general guidance in planning your graduate finances. The Financial Information section of the Graduate Catalog is another key resource.
Fellowship Information
Fellowships are awarded based on academic merit to highly qualified students. They are paid to students through the Office of Student Financial Assistance, based on instructions provided by the College of Graduate Studies. Fellowships are given to support a student's graduate study and do not have a work obligation. For more information, see UCF Graduate Fellowships, which includes descriptions of university fellowships and what you should do to be considered for a fellowship.
Students in the Kinesiology MS, Clinical Exercise Physiology Track are required to participate in APK 6946 - Graduate Internship in Kinesiology, equivalent to 600 clinical hours within various settings. Students in the CEP Track are prepared to sit for the American College of Sports Medicine Clinical Exercise Physiology (ACSM-CEP) certification exam, allowing students to enter the field as qualified healthcare professionals.
The Master of Science in Kinesiology, Clinical Exercise Physiology (CEP) Track only offers a non-thesis option. The CEP track requires a minimum of 33 credit hours.
Students may have no more than 1 C grade in courses used for the Kinesiology MS program prior to enrolling in APK 6946 - Graduate Internship in Kinesiology.
Equipment Fee
Full-time students in the Kinesiology MS, CEP track pay a $28 equipment fee each semester that they are enrolled. Part-time students pay $14 each semester that they are enrolled.
Independent Learning
All students are required to complete an internship in conjunction with their coursework.
