Curriculum and Learning Outcomes | Master of Science in Exercise Physiology
The Carroll University Master of Science in Exercise Physiology Program has a Clinical Exercise Physiology (CEP) focus. The MEXP program requires a total of 58 credit hours (including practicum courses). Students will complete a traditional thesis or an applied graduate project.
The majority of lectures and labs are offered at the Center for Graduate Studies, which houses a state-of-the-art exercise physiology lab. Practicum courses are held at Carroll University and various community partner clinics.
About the CEP Focus
Upon completion of the MEXP Program, students will be eligible to sit for the ACSM-CEP certification exam, would be prepared to work in a variety of clinical rehabilitation settings, and prepared for a job in inpatient, transitional, outpatient and maintenance rehabilitation programs, stress testing, and a variety of community and hospital-based preventive cardiology programs. The scope of practice for a clinical exercise physiologist includes:
- Working with individuals referred by or currently in the care of a physician
- Working with individuals with cancer, cardiovascular, pulmonary, metabolic, musculoskeletal, neuromuscular, immunologic and hematologic disease to provide primary and secondary prevention
- Performing clinical exercise testing and data interpretation
- Developing complex and clinically-based exercise prescriptions and interventions
The curriculum prepares students to deliver clinical exercise physiology services that focus on:
- Combating diseases and their negative side effects through an exercise prescription
- Reversing specific chronic diseases
- Improving both physiological and psychological parameters
- Chronic disease management
- Reducing risks for early development or recurrence of chronic diseases
- Creating lifestyle habits that promote enhancement of health and fitness
- Facilitating the elimination of barriers to long-term lifestyle changes through goal setting and wellness coaching
- Improving the ease of activities of daily living
- Increasing the likelihood of long-term physical, social and economic independence
Your advanced degree will prepare you for opportunities in multiple job settings, including:
- ​Cardiac rehabilitation/preventive cardiology
- Cancer rehabilitation
- Pulmonary rehabilitation
- Diabetes treatment center
- Outpatient clinics
- Stress testing
- Physician groups
- Hospital-based fitness centers
- Hospital-based research centers
- National organizations and government agencies related to health and fitness
- Universities and colleges
Learning Outcomes
Graduates of the Master of Science in Exercise Physiology Program will be able to:
- Identify, perform and interpret appropriate screenings to assess the health status of persons from diverse populations and health conditions
- Appropriately apply the principles, recommendations and skills for exercise testing and prescription, and evidence-based decision making in planning safe and effective exercise programs for persons from diverse populations and health conditions
- Understand common chronic diseases and disabilities, disease progression, treatments and adaptations resulting from exercise, and apply this information in developing, implementing and evaluating comprehensive programs that address clients' needs and goals
- Understand and apply problem-solving skills and current practices in risk factor reduction and lifestyle management to include goal setting, behavior change theory, motivational strategies and health/wellness coaching
- Ability to evaluate and use an array of testing and exercise equipment and technologies to support clinical/sports medicine practice
- Demonstrate competence in communication and interpersonal skills in the provision, instruction and supervision of programs and services in clinical/sports medicine practice
- Examine and critique the scientific literature in the discipline, synthesize relevant information and appropriately convey that information in scientific writing and oral communication
- Evaluate and understand the importance and value of ethical and professional standards of practice to include being accountable for individual non-medical judgments and decisions about health and fitness, and preventive, rehabilitative, educational and/or research services