Department
of Kinesiology
Belk Gym 226A
704-687-4695
http://www.health.uncc.edu/knes
Degree
M.S., Graduate Certificate
Coordinator
Michael J. Turner, Associate Professor
Graduate
Faculty
Alan Jung, Assistant Professor
J. Timothy Lightfoot, Professor
Michael Turner, Assistant Professor
Melissa Wdowik, Lecturer
MASTER OF SCIENCE IN CLINICAL EXERCISE PHYSIOLOGY
The Masters of Science in Clinical Exercise Physiology is
designed to prepare students to become Registered Clinical Exercise
Physiologists. Clinical Exercise Physiologists are
employed in inpatient and outpatient clinical/rehabilitation settings (e.g.
Cardiopulmonary Rehab programs), general wellness/fitness commercial and
corporate settings, and industrial settings that provide health care services
for both diseased and healthy populations. Through a blend of classroom
instruction and clinical experience, the degree program teaches a wide variety
of specific health care skills, knowledge, and behaviors within the
cardiovascular, pulmonary, metabolic, musculoskeletal, neuromuscular, and
immunologic practice areas. Students will be required to complete a 30 credit
hour core of classes and an additional 6 credit hours of electives. A complete sequence of courses can be found
at http://www.health.uncc.edu/knes.
Additional
Admissions Requirements
1) Satisfactory scores on either the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) or the Miller Analogies Test (MAT).
2) Cumulative GPA of 3.0 or better in all college course work completed in the Junior and Senior year of their undergraduate program;
3) Successful completion (grade of C or better) of a minimum of 4 credit hours of Anatomy and Physiology, 3 credit hours of Exercise Physiology, and 3 credit hours of Exercise Prescription.
Degree
Requirements
The program requires a minimum of 36 semester hours of graduate credit including 24 hours of core courses, a minimum of 3 hours of Clinical Practicum, 6 hours of electives, and 3 hours of either Thesis or additional clinical practicum.
Assistantships
Positions as a research assistant or teaching assistant may be available. Grant funded assistantships may be available as well. Students seeking assistantships should contact the Graduate Coordinator of the Clinical Exercise Physiology program. In general, graduate assistantship awards for the academic year are made by the preceding April 15.
Clinical
Practicum
As a part of the curriculum, each student must complete, at a minimum, 3 hours of Clinical Practicum. Students, if they choose the Comprehensive Exam option as their capstone experience, are required to complete an additional 3 hours of Clinical Practicum. Each Practicum credit is equivalent to 200 clinical hours. Clinical practicum usually begin in the second semester of the student’s program and are arranged through the Practicum Supervisor within the Department of Kinesiology.
Core
Courses (24 hours)
KNES6120 Advances in Clinical Exercise Physiology (3) - Fall
KNES5134 Advanced Exercise Testing and Prescription (3) – Spring
KNES6280 Advanced Exercise Physiology (3) – Spring
KNES6121 Clinical Practice in Exercise Physiology (3) - Fall
NURS6160 Research Methods in Health Professions (3) – Fall, Spring, Summer
KNES5292 Clinical Athletic Training (3) – Summer
KNES5232 Physiology of Human Aging (3) – Fall
KNES6285 Advanced Cardiopulmonary Physiology (3) - Spring
Clinical Practicum (3-6 hours)
KNES 6490 Advanced Practicum in Clinical Exercise Physiology (1) (taken at least 3 times)
Capstone Experience (student is required to complete
one of two options) (3 hours)
OPTION A - KNES6900 Graduate Thesis (3)
OPTION B - KNES6490 Advanced Practicum in CEP (1) (taken for an additional 3 credits) AND
satisfactory completion of comprehensive examination
Elective Courses (at least 6
hours)
KNES6899 Special Topics in Exercise Physiology (3)
KNES6469 Directed Independent Study (3)
HLTH5299 Epidemiology (3)
HLTH6222 Health Promotion Analysis (3)
BIOL5199 Molecular Biology (3)
BIOL5171 Cell Physiology (3)
BIOL6050 Advanced Human Physiology (Special Topics) (3)
BIOL6050 Pathophysiology (Special Topics) (3)
BIOL5260 Population Genetics (3)
Capstone
Experience
Near the completion of the program of study, each student is required to select either a research thesis or advanced clinical practice that demonstrates a contribution to professional practice or knowledge through systematic evaluation or investigation. The student is responsible for organizing a committee of three faculty members (and an outside community person if appropriate) to supervise, monitor and evaluate the project or thesis.
Advising
Upon acceptance into the program, an academic advisor is assigned to each student. Students are expected to meet with their advisors on a regular basis to plan their progression through their program of study. Any course substitution must be approved by the academic advisor.
Research
Opportunities/Experiences
A range of research opportunities exist in the Department of Kinesiology for qualified students. Students are encouraged to become engaged in the research focus of the department.
Tuition
Waivers
Tuition waivers may be available through a variety of sources. Students interested in pursuing tuition waivers should contact the Graduate Coordinator in the Spring semester prior to enrolling for Fall courses.
Financial
Aid/Financial Assistance
A wide range of opportunities for financial aid/assistance is available to qualifying students, which may be accessed through the financial aid office. See the financial information section of this graduate catalog for more information on the opportunities that are available, and how to contact the financial aid office.
Program
Certifications/Accreditations
Completion of the clinical exercise physiology specialty
qualifies the graduate to take the Clinical Exercise Physiology Registry
Examination (RCEP) administered by the
GRADUATE CERTIFICATE IN CLINICAL EXERCISE PHYSIOLOGY
The Graduate Certificate Program in Clinical Exercise Physiology contributes to the preparation of an allied health practitioner to sit for the Registered Clinical Exercise Physiologist national exam.
Admission
Requirements
Students are admitted to the
Certificate
Requirements
The Graduate Certificate in Clinical Exercise Physiology requires 15 hours in the following approved courses: KNES 5134 (Assessment and Development of Physical Fitness), KNES 6280 (Advanced Exercise Physiology), KNES 5232 (Physiology of Human Aging), KNES 5292 (Advanced Athletic Training), KNES 6121 (Clinical Practice in Exercise Physiology).
Transfer
Credit
Transfer credits are not accepted in the Certificate program. For more information about the Certificate program contact the Department of Kinesiology.
Courses in Clinical Exercise Physiology (Kinesiology)
KNES 5130. Applied Nutrition for Today's Consumer. (3) Principles of
nutrition, dietary guidelines, dietary relationships to diseases and health,
special populations, computerized dietary analysis. (Cross-listed with HLTH 5130 – On demand)
KNES 5134. Assessment and Development of Physical Fitness. (3) Prerequisite:
consent of the instructor. Study of responses and adaptations
to exercise, assessment techniques, exercise prescription, leadership and
programming. (Spring)
KNES 5232. Physiology of Human Aging. (3) This course focuses
on the normal physiological alterations that occur as the human progresses from
a young adult to the latter stages of life. Special attention is given to
interventions commonly promoted to combat the physiological changes that result
from aging. (Fall)
KNES 5292. Clinical Athletic Training. (3) Advanced study of
the clinical applications of common therapeutic modalities and rehabilitation
in the treatment of athletic related injuries. (Summer)
KNES 6120. Advances in Clinical Exercise Physiology. (3) This course introduces students to concepts and topics associated with Clinical Exercise Physiology, including areas of practice in Clinical Exercise Physiology and professional development. (Fall)
KNES
6121. Clinical
Practice in Exercise Physiology. (3) Knowledge and skills required
in the clinical setting including operational standards, examination of current
drug therapies, and legal and social considerations related to practice as a
Clinical Exercise Physiologist. (Spring)
KNES 6280. Advanced Exercise Physiology. (3) Prerequisite: KNES
2280 or similar coursework. Advanced study of the functioning
of physiological systems during exercise with emphasis on current literature
and research. (Spring)
KNES
6285. Advanced
Cardiopulmonary Physiology. (3) This course is designed to develop a
thorough understanding of cardiovascular physiology, ECG interpretation, and
health-related applications. This course
examines in detail, the various parameters of the cardiovascular system, the
implication of disease and structural abnormalities to these parameters, and
the relationship of cardiovascular function to exercise adaptation. Emphasis will be placed on usage of the
information in the clinical setting. (Fall)
KNES
6490. Advanced
Practicum in Clinical Exercise Physiology. (1) Acquisition and
application of knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary for the Registered
Clinical Exercise Physiologist while gaining experiential hours in an
appropriate clinical setting. Three (3) credit hours of Advanced Practicum are
required for graduation; this course may be repeated for up to 6 credit hours. (Every Semester)
KNES
6469. Directed
Independent Study. (1-3) Directed study in areas of specialization
in Clinical Exercise Physiology and related fields. Offered on a Pass/No Credit basis only. (Every Semester)
KNES 6899. Special Topics in Kinesiology. (1-6) Topics and special problems related to issues,
practices or sufficient trends in Kinesiology. Institutes,
workshops, seminars and independent studies. (Every Semester)
KNES 6900. Research and Thesis in Kinesiology. (3) Prerequisite:
Satisfactory completion of research design course; completion of at least 24
hours of graduate program; consent of instructor overseeing thesis research.
Design, implementation, presentation, and evaluation of an approved research
project in student's specialty area. The applied project is of the student's
own design under the supervision of an advisor and graduate committee. Graded Pass/No Credit only. (Every semester)
KNES 7999. Graduate Residence. (1) Independent research. Required of all master's degree students who are working on a thesis but not enrolled in other graduate courses. (Every Semseter)