Master of Science in Exercise Physiology

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Program Overview

Upon completion of program requirements, students will earn a Master of Science degree. The Exercise Physiology (MEXP) program provides extensive hands-on experiences through multiple practicums and internships. Coursework includes lecture, lab, and patient-based experiences, incorporating innovative approaches to medical screening, exercise assessment, exercise prescription, exercise intervention, and rehabilitation.

The mission of the MEXP program is to prepare qualified professionals at the master’s level to work in clinical rehabilitation settings, health promotion/preventative program settings, fitness and sport programs, functional training, and college/university settings.

Upon graduation, students would possess the breadth and depth of knowledge and skills in the field to sit for a variety of clinical and related specialty certifications, and/or doctoral level work in exercise physiology or other allied health disciplines. The specific, clinical emphasis of the program prepares students to sit for the ACSM-CEP, ACSM-EP, and ACE-CMES certification exams. Graduates are prepared to work in cardiac rehabilitation, cancer rehabilitation, stress testing, chronic disease rehabilitation - including diabetes, obesity, and pulmonary, gerontology programs, inpatient and outpatient clinics, medical and other fitness facilities, corporate/employer wellness, and various research settings.

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of the program, students will be able to:

1. Identify, perform, and interpret appropriate screenings to assess the health status of persons from diverse populations and health conditions.
2. 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.
3. Understand common chronic diseases and disabilities, disease progression, interventions, and the adaptations resulting from exercise, and apply this information in developing, implementing, and evaluating comprehensive programs that address client needs and goals.
4. 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.
5. Evaluate and use an array of testing and exercise equipment, and technologies to support clinical/sports medicine practice.
6. Demonstrate competence in communication and interpersonal skills in the provision, instruction, and supervision of programs and services in clinical/sports medicine practice.
7. Examine and critique the scientific literature in the discipline, synthesize relevant information, and appropriately convey that information in scientific writing and oral communication.
8. Evaluate and understand the importance and value of ethical and professional standards of practice to include being accountable for individual non-medical judgments and professional decisions about health and fitness, preventive, rehabilitative, and/or educational services and programs, and applied research.

General Degree Requirement

The Exercise Physiology Program is a 21-month program, requiring a total of 58 credit hours.

Admission

The Exercise Physiology Program admits qualified students regardless of race, color, creed, gender, age, sexual orientation, national or ethnic origin, or disability that does not interfere with the performance of professional practice as provided by law. Students can enter the Exercise Physiology Program in one of three ways:

1. Prior Degree - An individual who has completed an undergraduate or graduate degree at another institution or at Carroll can apply for the Exercise Physiology Program.
2. 3 + 2 Completion - Current Carroll University (CU) and Wisconsin Lutheran College (WLC) undergraduate student seeking a Bachelor of Science degree in Exercise Science (CU) or Sport and Exercise Science (WLC) who intends to follow the 3 + 2 completion plan. The applicant generally is of junior standing when applying to the program. The 3 +2 completion plan requires the first three years of study to be completed at the undergraduate level of study with a major in Exercise Science (CU) or Sport and Exercise Science (WLC) (with verification through a degree audit that 128 total credits will be earned upon completion of year one of the graduate program). The final two years consist of graduate level study in the Exercise Physiology Program. Upon completion of the first year of the Exercise Physiology Program, a bachelor’s degree is awarded, and upon successful completion of all graduate credits (58 total credits), the Master of Science degree is awarded.
3. Direct Admission (freshman or sophomore level of entry) - High school students may apply for direct admission to the Master of Science in Exercise Physiology Program. This is a 3+2 accelerated completion option (three years of undergraduate study and two years of graduate study). Students must satisfy all MEXP admission requirements, prerequisite coursework, major and general education requirements by the end of their junior year of undergraduate study in order to advance into year one of the MEXP program during their senior year.

Applications and credentials for admission to the Exercise Physiology Program must be submitted for processing to the Carroll University Office of Admission. Applications are reviewed case-by-case on a monthly basis, continuously throughout the year and prior to the start of the fall term (September). As decisions are made on applications, applicants are notified through the Office of Admission. Applicants must be eligible to return in good standing (be free of academic or disciplinary probation) to all institutions previously attended.

Admission Requirements for all applicants:

1. Evidence of a baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution or an equivalent institution will be awarded prior to the start of the Exercise Physiology Program for all prior degree applicants and by the completion of senior year for all Carroll 3+2 completion plan applicants.
2. Cumulative and pre-professional GPA of 2.75 (on a 4.0 scale) is recommended to be considered for admission.
   • Pre-professional courses should be completed within the past seven years from the time of application with grades of ‘C’ or better. Candidates with course work older than seven years should have relevant experience within the field to be considered. Pre-professional courses are indicated below with an asterisk.
3. Proof of current American Heart Association Basic Life Support (BLS) for the Healthcare Provider, or American Red Cross Professional Rescuer CPR/AED or BLS for the Healthcare Provider is required prior to commencing the graduate program.
4. Health Screening and Background Check - Exercise Physiology students are required to have completed a health screening (physical), updated immunizations and tuberculosis screening according to current Centers of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommendations for health professionals, criminal background investigation and drug screening as required by internship placement sites. Exceptions to the immunization requirements will be considered on a case-by-case basis where, for example, a student has an allergy to a vaccine or one of its components. If an exception to the immunization requirements is approved, the University cannot guarantee that its affiliated hospitals and clinics will allow the student to participate in patient care, which is a fundamental requirement of the clinical education component of the Program.

Applicants must comply with all admission requirements listed above. Selection decisions will be based on evaluation of:

1. Graduate Studies Application
2. Supplemental application materials:

• List of three references
• Personal Statement
• Professional resume
• Safety and technical standards form

   3. Official transcripts from all post-secondary institutions attended, including both graduate and undergraduate course work.

  International candidates may have additional admission requirements. Please contact the Office of Admission for details.

Prerequisite Course Work

The following courses must be completed prior to matriculation:

• One undergraduate level statistics course
• One undergraduate level psychology course
• One undergraduate level anatomy course with lab
• One undergraduate level physiology course with lab
• One undergraduate level exercise physiology course
• One undergraduate level exercise testing and prescription course is suggested, but not required
  • Course equivalency or related content in exercise testing and exercise programming, strength and conditioning, personal training or wellness coaching will be considered.

Grades achieved in required courses will be used to calculate a pre-professional grade point average.

Admission and progression standards are subject to change based on regulatory, licensing and/or certification needs.

Technical Standards for Admission to and Progression in the Exercise Physiology Program

Successful participation in the Exercise Physiology program requires that a student possess the ability to meet the requirements of the program. Though the program can modify certain course requirements in order to provide a handicapped person (as defined by the federal government pursuant to SS 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973) with an equivalent opportunity to achieve the same results as those students without a handicap, there are no substitutions for the following essential skills. The applicant must initially meet these requirements to gain admission to the program, and must continue to meet them throughout participation in the program.

1. Physical ability: The student must be able to perform gross and fine motor movements with sufficient coordination needed to provide safe and effective assessments and interventions for clients/patients across the lifespan. The student is expected to possess the psychomotor skills and physical abilities necessary to safely and correctly perform a wide variety of health/fitness screenings, assessments, exercise tests, and exercise demonstrations. Examples of assessments include, but are not limited to, resting vitals and other biometrics, cardiopulmonary tests, functional capacity, ECG, anaerobic testing, musculoskeletal fitness, range of motion (ROM), body composition, balance, and functional abilities. Interventions include, but are not limited to, patient education, cardiovascular fitness training, endurance training, resistance training, performance training, flexibility and ROM, neuromuscular training, and functional training.
2. Communication ability: The student must communicate effectively verbally and non-verbally to obtain important information and to clearly explain information to others as well as to facilitate communication among the patient, family members and other professionals. Each student must have the ability to speak and comprehend the English language as well as be able to read and write in a manner that meets the standards for literacy in higher education. Students must be able to actively listen and possess basic interviewing skills. The student must be able to document and maintain accurate records, and present information in a professional and appropriate manner to the target audience.
3. Intellectual/cognitive ability: The student must demonstrate the ability to develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills essential to the field of exercise physiology. Problem solving skills include the ability to measure, calculate, reason, analyze, synthesize, and judge objective and subjective data, and to make decisions in a timely manner that reflect thoughtful deliberation and sound judgment. The student must also possess the ability to comprehend, retain, retrieve and incorporate prior knowledge with new information from multiple sources including, but not limited to self, peers, instructors and related literature to formulate sound decisions for competent client/patient management, practice management, and scholarship.
4. Interpersonal attributes: The student is expected to demonstrate sufficient stable emotional behavior to effectively work with others, perform assessments, and perform intervention activities. Empathy, integrity, motivation, honesty, and caring are personal attributes required of those in the Exercise Physiology program. The student must have the ability to establish rapport and maintain respectful interpersonal relationships with individuals, families, groups and professionals from a variety of social, emotional, cultural and intellectual backgrounds, and to collaborate effectively. Each student must be able to adapt to changing environments, displaying flexibility and a positive demeanor as well as to accept and integrate constructive criticism given in the classroom and professional settings. In addition, the student must demonstrate personal responsibility and accountability for their actions and reactions to individuals, groups, and situations to include the prompt completion of all responsibilities and tasks in the classroom and professional settings. Students must demonstrate continuous self-assessment to improve as a professional.
5. Ability to manage stressful situations: The student must be able to adapt to, and function effectively in relation to, stressful situations encountered in both the classroom and professional settings, including emergency situations. Students will encounter multiple stressors while in the Exercise Physiology Program, and must effectively manage these stressors on an ongoing basis. These stressors might be related to (but are not limited to) personal issues, family, peers, supervisors/faculty, and clients/patients.
6. Health screening and background check: The student is required to complete a health screening/physical, updated immunizations and tuberculosis screening according to current Centers of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommendations for health professionals, criminal background investigation and drug screening as required by internship placement sites. Exceptions to the immunization requirements will be considered on a case-by-case basis where, for example, a student has an allergy to a vaccine or one of its components. If an exception to the immunization requirements is approved, the University cannot guarantee that its affiliated hospitals and clinics will allow the student to participate in patient care, which is a fundamental requirement of the clinical education component of the Program.
7. As part of a comprehensive health science education curriculum, students participate in various clinical education or experiential learning experiences. Carroll-operated health and wellness clinics require standard vaccinations for students in training. These requirements are consistent with CDC recommendations for healthcare providers and are subject to an approved medical/religious exemption. Currently, the Covid-19 vaccine is not required in Carroll operated health and wellness clinics. Similarly, students placed in external healthcare sites will likely have these same or unique requirements. Students must comply with host site vaccination policies, most of which follow CDC Healthcare Provider recommendations, these may include the Covid-19 vaccine. Individual sites may have their own exemption processes for vaccination, defer exemption screening to the University, or may not include an exemption option. 

Caregiver Background and Criminal History Check

On October 1, 1998, the State of Wisconsin Department of Health and Family Services mandated that all persons who seek to be employed and/or licensed in the caregiver industry must fulfill the caregiver and background check requirements in section 50.065 of the Wisconsin Statute. Prior to beginning their internship, students are required to complete a background and criminal history check, and abide by the university and state regulations pertaining to the findings.

Insurance

Professional Liability: Students are required to purchase professional liability insurance on an annual basis through a university endorsed provider.

Academic Progression in Exercise Physiology

Progression Standards   for progression policy.

Dismissed Graduate Students’ Participation in Commencement

A student may be dismissed from a Carroll University graduate program if he/she does not fulfill the academic progression requirements outlined by each program. If a student is dismissed from a graduate program, he/she will not be able to participate in the Commencement ceremony. The student may choose to appeal this dismissal by completing an Academic Petition form which is reviewed by the Academic Steering Committee. Depending on the outcome of the committee’s decision, the student may be eligible to participate in the Commencement ceremony the following academic year.

Fees

Graduate tuition and semester Program Fees are assessed to cover student liability insurance, professional memberships, personal and program related equipment and supplies for the Exercise Physiology Program are published in the Tuition, Fees, Payments, and Refund Policies   section of the Graduate Catalog.

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