The graduate specialization in exercise physiology is designed to prepare individuals to work in the fields of exercise testing in a supervisory capacity and in cardiac rehabilitation as a designer of exercise rehabilitation programs.

The program will focus on the physiological effects of exercise and training with application to improvement of health and functional capacity of hospitalized and non-hospitalized individuals with heart disease. The program will emphasize the role of exercise in diagnosis, prevention, and rehabilitation heart disease.

The program will enable students to develop the competencies required by the American College of Sports Medicine for certification as an Exercise Specialist, a Health Fitness Director, and a Program Director. Provisions will be made to enable those students entering the program without an Exercise Test Technologist Certification and a Health/Fitness Instructor Certification to develop those prerequisite competencies.

Admission Requirements

An applicant for admission to graduate study must meet the existing criteria set forth by the Florida Board of Regents. Presently, these are a 3.0 GPA in the undergraduate program, or a combined score of 1000 on the GRE (verbal and quantitative sections), or completion of a master's degree program at an accredited university. All applicants must submit a GRE test score.

Prerequisite Classes

One class is required in each of the following areas: exercise physiology, kinesiology, anatomy, physiology, and nutrition.

Degree Hours (30)