CLINICAL EXERCISE PHYSIOLOGY
Program Requirements
Related Links:
La Crosse Exercise and
Health Program
The Master of Science degree in Clinical
Exercise Physiology is a 43-credit program that provides the
theoretical, laboratory, research and clinical experiences
necessary for a career in a cardiopulmonary rehabilitation
setting. Each year’s class (15 students) entering the
four-semester program, summer, fall, spring, summer, receives
practical, hands-on experience in Phases I and II cardiac
rehabilitation, as well as graded exercise testing, in
cooperation with area hospitals and clinics. In addition,
students also participate in the on-campus La Crosse Exercise
and Health Program (LEHP), which provides adult fitness, Phases
III and IV cardiac rehabilitation programming, and health and
nutrition services to over 300 participants each week. The
required internship, three months during the last semester,
presents opportunities for further experience at a site of the
student’s choosing. The completion of a thesis project is
required before the student is allowed to begin the internship.
Degree candidates typically have an
undergraduate degree in physical education, fitness, exercise
science, or other allied health related fields such as biology,
health education, nursing, or physical therapy. A minimum
undergraduate grade point average of 3.00 is required for
admission. Application deadline is February 1 of each year.
Graduates are prepared to:
- conduct graded exercise tests
- design exercise programs for healthy and diseased populations
- organize and administer adult fitness, corporate fitness, and cardiopulmonary rehabilitation programs
Graduates are employed in:
- colleges and universities
- adult fitness centers (public, private, and corporate)
- clinic, hospital, and "free standing" rehabilitation facilities
- sports medicine centers
Prerequisites or their equivalent for admission into the program are:
| Credits | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| ESS | 205 | Human Anatomy | 3 |
| ESS | 206 | Human Physiology | 3 |
| ESS | 281 | Prevention and Care of Athletic Injuries | 2 |
| ESS | 302 | Physiology of Exercise | 2 |
| Category A - Research | |||
| (12 credits) | |||
| EFN | 730 | Introduction to Research | 3 |
| EFN | 735 | Interpretation of Statistical Data | 3 |
| ESS | 799 | Research: Thesis | 6 |
| Category B - Core Requirements | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| (31 credits) | Credits | ||
| ESS | 744 | Laboratory Techniques for Clinical Exercise Physiology | 3 |
| ESS | 770 | Physiology of Activity | 3 |
| ESS | 774 | Clinical Practicum in Cardio Pulmonary Rehabilitation | 2 |
| ESS | 775 | Practicum in Adult Fitness | 2 |
| ESS | 776 | Practicum in Phase III/IV Cardiac Rehabilitation | 3 |
| ESS | 780 | Philosophy and Organization of Preventive and Rehabilitative Programs | 2 |
| ESS | 781 | Program Leadership in Adult Fitness/Cardiac Rehabilitation | 1 |
| ESS | 782 | Electrocardiography | 3 |
| ESS | 783 | Graded Exercise Testing/Exercise Prescription | 3 |
| ESS | 784 | Advanced Cardiovascular Physiology | 3 |
| ESS | 785 | Internship: Clinical Exercise Physiology | 5 |
| ESS | 786 | Advanced Cardiac Life Support | 1 |
| Total Credits | 43 | ||