Examples of Possible Careers*
Biological science teachers, postsecondary
- 9.3% much faster than the average
- 64,700 number of jobs
- $85,600 potential earnings
Medical scientists, except epidemiologists
- 6.1% faster than the average
- 138,300 number of jobs
- $91,510 potential earnings
Additional Careers
- Strength and Conditioning Coach
Contact Information
- Program Coordinator: J. Derek Kingsley | jkingsle@kent.edu | 330-672-0222
- Chat with an Admissions Counselor
Fully Offered
- Delivery:
- In person
- Location:
- Kent Campus
Admission Terms
- Fall
- Spring
- Summer
*Note
Source of occupation titles and labor data is from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics' Occupational Outlook Handbook. Data comprises projected percent change in employment over the next 10 years; nation-wide employment numbers; and the yearly median wage at which half of the workers in the occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less.
Description
The Master of Science degree in Exercise Physiology prepares graduates for a wide variety of career options, including exercise prescription and research, as well as future doctoral study. Representative faculty research includes the areas of body composition, metabolism/nutritional requirements, environment, clinical exercise physiology and the physiology of aging as it is influenced by physical activity and fitness.
Athletic training faculty also support the degree path with their areas of expertise in clinical and educational research in the field of athletic training.
The Exercise Physiology major includes the following optional concentration:
- The Athletic Training concentration is designed to serve the needs of post-certification (or certification-pending) students who wish to further their knowledge and skills in the athletic training profession while pursuing a master's degree. Students have the opportunity to pursue advanced clinical and academic training while obtaining knowledge and skills relative to effective clinical instruction and supervision. Advanced research skills are also a critical component to this advanced track program. Opportunities to perform research independently and/or in conjunction with program faculty are widely available.
Accreditation
Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs
Admission Requirements
- Bachelor's degree in exercise science, or equivalent preparation, from an accredited college or university
- Minimum 2.750 undergraduate GPA on a 4.000 point scale (effective spring 2023 admission)
- Official transcript(s)
- Goal statement
- Two letters of recommendation
- English language proficiency - all international students must provide proof of English language proficiency (unless they meet specific exceptions) by earning one of the following:
- Minimum 550 TOEFL PBT score (paper-based version)
- Minimum 79 TOEFL IBT score (Internet-based version)
- Minimum 77 MELAB score
- Minimum 6.5 IELTS score
- Minimum 58 PTE score
- Minimum 110 Duolingo English Test score
Degree applicants are expected to have substantial preparation in the sciences, usually including coursework in biology, chemistry, physics, mathematics, anatomy, kinesiology and exercise physiology.
For more information about graduate admissions, visit the graduate admission website. For more information on international admissions, visit the international admission website.
Program Learning Outcomes
Graduates of this program will be able to:
- Pass one of the American College of Sports Medicine's (ACSM) or NSCA exams: Certified Exercise Physiologist (C-EP) or Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS).
- Demonstrate understanding of the physiology of human movement across the lifespan.
- Demonstrate detailed knowledge of the anatomy and physiology of the human and health and disease.
- Demonstrate knowledge of the pathophysiology of disease, risk factors and special exercise populations, according to the American College of Sports Medicine.
Graduates of the Athletic Training concentration will be able to:
- Apply the principles of the research process in athletic training by engaging with faculty and clinical staff in graduate research initiatives.
- Engage health care professionals and apply the knowledge gained, through their education in both the classroom and clinical settings.
- Engage in program improvement as part of a continuous quality improvement initiative by evaluating the effectiveness of the program through multiple evaluation resources.
Professional Licensure Disclosure
This program is designed to prepare students to sit for applicable licensure or certification in Ohio. If you plan to pursue licensure or certification in a state other than Ohio, please review state educational requirements for licensure or certification and contact information for state licensing boards at Kent State's website for professional licensure disclosure.
Program Requirements
Major Requirements
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Major Requirements | ||
| ATTR 53018 | ETHICAL LEADERSHIP FOR HEALTH CARE | 3 |
| EXPH 63050 | RESEARCH PROCESS IN ATHLETIC TRAINING AND EXERCISE PHYSIOLOGY | 3 |
| EXPH 63091 | RESEARCH SEMINAR | 1 |
| Additional Requirements or Concentration | ||
| Choose from the following: | 27 | |
| Additional Requirements for Students Not Declaring a Concentration | ||
| Athletic Training Concentration | ||
| Minimum Total Credit Hours: | 34 | |
Additional Requirements for Students Not Declaring a Concentration
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Major Requirements | ||
| EXPH 63051 | QUANTITATIVE AND RESEARCH METHODS IN ATHLETIC TRAINING AND EXERCISE PHYSIOLOGY | 3 |
| EXPH 65081 | ENERGY METABOLISM AND BODY COMPOSITION | 3 |
| or EXPH 65083 | EXERCISE ENERGY METABOLISM | |
| EXPH 65082 | CARDIO-RESPIRATORY FUNCTION | 3 |
| or EXPH 65084 | CARDIOVASCULAR-RESPIRATORY DYNAMICS DURING EXERCISE | |
| Thesis or Non-Thesis Option, choose from the following: | 6 | |
| THESIS I | ||
| RESEARCH and INTERNSHIP IN EXERCISE PHYSIOLOGY | ||
| INTERNSHIP IN EXERCISE PHYSIOLOGY | ||
| Suggested Electives, choose from the following: | 12 | |
| HUMAN GROSS ANATOMY I | ||
| HUMAN GROSS ANATOMY II | ||
| BIOLOGY OF AGING | ||
| NEUROENDOCRINOLOGY | ||
| EXERCISE LEADERSHIP FOR THE OLDER ADULT | ||
| EXERCISE TESTING | ||
| ELECTROCARDIOGRAPHY FOR THE EXERCISE PHYSIOLOGIST | ||
| PHYSIOLOGY OF EXERCISE | ||
| PHYSIOLOGY OF AGING: IMPLICATIONS FOR HUMAN BEHAVIOR | ||
| RESEARCH | ||
| PHYSIOLOGICAL BASIS OF EXERCISE AND SPORT | ||
| NEUROBIOLOGY OF MOVEMENT AND EXERCISE | ||
| SPORTS NUTRITION | ||
Addtional Electives Chosen in Consultation with Advisor | ||
| Minimum Total Credit Hours: | 27 | |
Athletic Training Concentration Requirements
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Concentration Requirements | ||
| ATTR 62010 | CONTEMPORARY ISSUES IN ATHLETIC TRAINING | 3 |
| ATTR 62012 | EDUCATION AND SUPERVISION PROCESSES IN ATHLETIC TRAINING | 3 |
| ATTR 62014 | ADVANCED CLINICAL PROCEDURES IN ATHLETIC TRAINING AND SPORTS MEDICINE | 3 |
| ATTR 62016 | CLINICAL INQUIRY IN ATHLETIC TRAINING | 3 |
| Thesis or Non-Thesis Option, choose from the following: 1 | 3-6 | |
| THESIS I | ||
| RESEARCH | ||
| Suggested Electives, choose from the following: 1 | 9-12 | |
| MEDICAL PHYSIOLOGY II | ||
| HUMAN GROSS ANATOMY I | ||
| HUMAN GROSS ANATOMY II | ||
| BIOLOGY OF AGING | ||
| BIOENERGETICS | ||
| NEUROENDOCRINOLOGY | ||
| ENDOCRINOLOGY | ||
| MAMMALIAN PHYSIOLOGY I | ||
| MAMMALIAN PHYSIOLOGY II | ||
| BIOCHEMISTRY: BIOMOLECULE STRUCTURE AND FUNCTION | ||
| EXERCISE LEADERSHIP FOR THE OLDER ADULT | ||
| EXERCISE TESTING | ||
| ELECTROCARDIOGRAPHY FOR THE EXERCISE PHYSIOLOGIST | ||
| PHYSIOLOGY OF EXERCISE | ||
| PHYSIOLOGY OF AGING: IMPLICATIONS FOR HUMAN BEHAVIOR | ||
| QUANTITATIVE AND RESEARCH METHODS IN ATHLETIC TRAINING AND EXERCISE PHYSIOLOGY | ||
| RESEARCH | ||
| MUSCLE FUNCTION AND EXERCISE | ||
| ENVIRONMENTAL STRESS AND EXERCISE | ||
| PHYSIOLOGICAL BASIS OF EXERCISE AND SPORT | ||
| ENERGY METABOLISM AND BODY COMPOSITION | ||
| CARDIO-RESPIRATORY FUNCTION | ||
| EXERCISE ENERGY METABOLISM | ||
| CARDIOVASCULAR-RESPIRATORY DYNAMICS DURING EXERCISE | ||
| NEUROBIOLOGY OF MOVEMENT AND EXERCISE | ||
| MICRONUTRIENT NUTRITIONAL BIOCHEMISTRY | ||
| SPORTS NUTRITION | ||
Addtional Electives Chosen in Consultation with Advisor | ||
| Minimum Total Credit Hours: | 27 | |
- 1
Students who select the non-thesis option must take additional coursework to meet the minimum credit hours required for the degree.
Graduation Requirements
Only in rare instances does a student fulfill the educational and research expectations within the minimum credit-hour requirement for this degree. Any deficiencies for a doctoral academic preparation must be corrected very early in the approved academic program.