Health and Physical Activity - Clinical Exercise Physiology, MS

Admissions Requirements

The admission requirements include the following:

1. Applicants who possess an undergraduate degree in Exercise Science or a closely related field, or who can demonstrate foundational knowledge in key areas (human anatomy, human physiology, exercise physiology, exercise testing and prescription) are admitted to the Master of Science degree program provided that they meet all other School of Education admission requirements.
2. Applicants who do not possess an undergraduate degree in Exercise Science or a closely related field, or who cannot demonstrate foundational knowledge in key areas are provisionally admitted to the Master of Science Program provided that they complete coursework in the following areas prior to admission into the Master of Science Program in the Department of Health and Human Development (this was previously approved by the University in Spring 2018):
   1. Human Anatomy
   2. Human Physiology
   3. Exercise Physiology
   4. Exercise Testing and Prescription

Accreditation and External Credentials

The MS in Clinical Exercise Physiology degree is fully accredited by the Commission for Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP). This national accreditation - considered the gold standard in the industry - is based on a rigorous review of our curriculum, faculty, facilities, and more.

This accreditation enables our students to sit for the American College of Sports Medicine Clinical Exercise Physiologist Certification following graduation and accumulation of 600 hours of clinical experience.  Starting in 2027, all students who wish to sit for this certification must have graduated from an accredited program

Curriculum

ore Requirements (21 credits)

• HHD 2268 - PHYSICAL ACTIVITY AND HEALTH  
• HHD 2320 - PSYCHOSOCIAL ASPECTS OF HEALTH    
• HHD 2380 - BEHAVIOR CHANGE AND HEALTH COACHING  
• HHD 2381 - CLINICAL EXERCISE AND PHYSICAL ACTIVITY PHYSIOLOGY 1  
• HHD 2382 - CLINICAL EXERCISE AND PHYSICAL ACTIVITY PHYSIOLOGY 2  
• HHD 2383 - ADVANCED CLINICAL HEALTH AND PHYSICAL ACTIVITY ASSESSMENT  
• HHD 2384 - MOVEMENT SCIENCE IN HEALTH AND PHYSICAL ACTIVITY  

Students completing the thesis option (15 credits)

• Research Design Course: HHD 2375 - RESEARCH AND EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN IN EXERCISE PHYSIOLOGY  or EFOP 2030 - EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN  
• Statistics Course:HHD 2410 - STATISTICS IN HPA RESEARCH  or EFOP 2018 - STATISTICS 1: DESCRIPTIVE AND INFERENTIAL STATISTICS  
• Approved Elective (3 credits)
• HHD 2999 - MASTER’S THESIS RESEARCH  (6 credits)

Students completing the non-thesis option (9 credits)

• HHD 2385 - INTERNSHIP IN HEALTH AND PHYSICAL ACTIVITY  
• Approved Electives (6 credits)

Comprehensive Requirement

Students must complete a comprehensive exam based on core competencies prior to graduation. Students will complete this exam at the end of spring term (or approximately 24 credits) as a part of a core spring course requirement, which includes both a practical and written assessment. Students will be provided guidance and practice time to assist in their preparation for the comprehensive exam. An 80% or pass is required for graduation.

Total Credits: 30 or 36

Thesis Option: 36 credits

Non-thesis Option: 30 credits

Graduation Requirements

• 3.0 cumulative Pitt graduate GPA
• Completion of all required courses
• Successful completion of comprehensive exam
• Students pursuing the Thesis Option must write and defend their thesis