Master of Science in Exercise Physiology
Barton’s Exercise Physiology graduate program in Wilson, NC takes your knowledge of fitness, human performance, and exercise science to the next level. You will gain the edge you need in your career through the national certifications incorporated within your coursework.
4+1 Fast Track to Your Exercise Physiology Master’s Degree in North Carolina!
Barton undergraduates can earn their B.S. in Exercise Science and an M.S. in Exercise Physiology at the same time. Meet with your academic advisor to declare your interest in the 4+1 program. In this pathway, students take one graduate course in the fall and spring of senior year.
Five Years. Two Degrees.
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Program Details
Exercise Physiology Degree Admission Requirements
- 3.00 GPA or higher
- 2.75 Provisional GPA
Students may enter the program under probationary status and would have the first semester to prove they can maintain a 3.0 in graduate school. Students with a 3.0 GPA are fully accepted into the program.
Prerequisites for a Master’s Degree in Exercise Physiology
The M.S. in Exercise Physiology prerequisite courses include Exercise Physiology, Physiology or Biomechanics, Nutrition, Statistics, Exercise Testing and Prescription, Program Design and Implementation (Resistance Training), and Anatomy and Physiology (minimum of four credits).
Exercise Physiology Program Admission Process
- Apply online through our application portal.
- Send official transcripts from accredited undergraduate college or university. If you are a Barton alumnus, the College already has your transcript on file.
- Email required documents to [email protected]:
- Resume
- Personal statement listing academic and career goals
- Two recommendations addressing your potential to successfully complete graduate-level coursework
Recommendation Form
After the application is complete, you will be contacted for an interview with the Program Director.
Tuition
Tuition for applicants who hold a baccalaureate degree is $625 per graduate semester credit hour. This includes the cost of course materials and books needed throughout the program and certifications.
Included in tuition is the cost of your first attempt at a professional certification. Depending on your career goals, this can include the National Strength and Conditioning Association’s Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (NSCA-CSCS) exam, the ACSM Exercise Physiologist (ACSM-EP) or the ACSM Clinical Exercise Physiologist (ACSM-CEP) exam.
Curriculum
The Master of Science in Exercise Physiology graduate program prepares graduates for exercise physiology-related professions. The program emphasizes the application of evidence-based practice through use of a research project and field experiences in the curriculum.
The curriculum is a two-year pathway with 32 credits. Program entry is in the Fall semester. Students have the option to enroll in the Applied Exercise Physiology or the Clinical Exercise Physiology Concentration. The tracks feature 15 credits of specialized courses, practicum experience to align with career outcomes, and a related certification exam. Students also complete a thesis research project as part of their graduate coursework.
Core coursework (17 credits) includes Applied Statistics and Research Methods, Advanced Exercise Physiology, Graduate Practicum classes, and Graduate Research Capstone class.
Applied Exercise Physiology Track
Students on the applied exercise physiology track work with the program director to select electives that align with their career goals. Students can plan their elective coursework with options such as:
- Advanced Methods in Strength Training
- Biomechanics
- Advanced Conditioning Methods
- Special Topics in Kinesiology
- Advanced Concepts in Corrective Exercise
- Advanced Exercise Assessment and Prescription
- Clinical Exercise Physiology
- Cardiopulmonary Exercise Testing
- Advanced Pathophysiology
- Independent Research Study
Clinical Exercise Physiology Track
The primary goal of the clinical exercise physiology track is to prepare competent entry-level clinical exercise physiologists in the cognitive (knowledge), psychomotor (skills), and affective (behavior) learning domains. This track requires 600 hours of field experience in clinical domains. This track also requires students to sit for the ACSM Clinical Exercise Physiologist (ACSM-CEP) exam.
Clinical Exercise Physiology coursework includes:
- Advanced Concepts in Corrective Exercise
- Advanced Exercise Assessment and Prescription
- Clinical Exercise Physiology
- Cardiopulmonary Exercise Testing
- Advanced Pathophysiology
Graduate Internships for Exercise Physiology Students
Practical field experience is a core component of Barton’s curriculum. The curriculum requires a minimum of 320 hours internship experience, or 600 hours for students in the Clinical Exercise Physiology pathway. Recent students have completed their internships at the following locations in North Carolina:
- Barton Sports Performance Center (Wilson, N.C.)
- ECU Health (Greenville, N.C.)
- Manual Physical Therapy (Wilson, N.C.)
- WakeMed Cardiac Rehabilitation (Raleigh, N.C.)
- UNC Cardiac Rehabilitation (Chapel Hill, N.C.)
- Cape Fear Valley Cardiac Rehabilitation (Fayetteville, N.C.)
- Foundation YMCA (Wilson, N.C.)
- Methodist University Strength and Conditioning
- Elon University Strength and Conditioning