Clinical Exercise Physiology Track
UCF Master of Science in Kinesiology
The Clinical Exercise Physiology (CEP) track of the Master of Kinesiology degree prepares students to become credentialed clinical exercise physiologists who designs and delivers evidence‑based exercise programs in hospitals, rehabilitation centers, and community health settings. The program readies students for careers in healthcare through advanced coursework and extensive supervised clinical internship experience, preparing them for the American College of Sports Medicine Clinical Exercise Physiologist (ACSM-CEP) certification examination.
Graduates of the CEP track develop competencies in clinical exercise testing, risk factor assessment, behavior change, patient education, and the prevention and management of chronic disease.
Students who complete the program will be prepared to:
Students in the Clinical Exercise Physiology track benefit from:
- Preparation for eligibility to sit for the American College of Sports Medicine Clinical Exercise Physiologist (ACSM-CEP) certification examination.
- Extensive supervised clinical internships, service-learning opportunities, and other hands-on experiences in healthcare settings.
- Close faculty mentorship and individualized instruction through small class sizes.
- Applied learning in clinical assessment, exercise testing, exercise prescription, behavior change, and patient education.
- Professional networking opportunities through faculty, healthcare professionals, and clinical partners.
Requirements for Degree Completion:
33 credit hours (non-thesis)
9 credit hours of graduate internship, equivalent to approximately 600 hours of supervised clinical experience
Students will complete most coursework in person; select courses are available hybrid or fully online. Most courses are offered late afternoons or early evenings, providing accessibility for students who are also working professionals.
Careers
Graduates are prepared for careers in healthcare, preventive medicine, and clinical wellness settings, including hospitals, outpatient rehabilitation centers, physician practices, and community health programs. Examples include:
- Clinical Exercise Physiologist
- Exercise Physiologist
- Cardiac Rehabilitation Specialist
- Pulmonary Rehabilitation Specialist
- Medical Fitness Specialist
- Corporate Wellness Specialist
- Clinical Research Coordinator or Clinical Research Scientist
Job Growth
Accreditation
The Clinical Exercise Physiology track is currently pursuing accreditation through the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) upon the recommendation of the Committee on Accreditation for the Exercise Sciences (CoAES).
Contact
Sarah Fretti, PhD, ACSM-CEP, NBC-HWC
Clinical Exercise Physiology Track and Graduate Internship Coordinator
Clinical Assistant Professor
KINgrad@ucf.edu
