The Master of Arts in Exercise Physiology program is designed to prepare students to access key positions in the health, fitness, rehabilitation and research fields and to empower them with the knowledge and hands-on experiences to make a successful transition into post-graduate work. Students experience professional growth in research, scientific writing, and oral communication. They are encouraged to think critically and reflectively in order to promote entrepreneurial creativity in the complexity of life's health and fitness issues and concerns.

Program Description and Format

The program consists of complementary classroom and laboratory courses designed to develop exercise physiologists as critical thinkers, clinicians and researchers. Students will be prepared to assist in the ongoing development of programs in health and wellness, cardiopulmonary rehabilitation, hospital-based clinical research and fitness programs that evaluate athletes and human performance activities. The program also prepares the students for advanced graduate work. The full-time Exercise Physiology graduate program in is a 32 credit concentrated one-year academic degree. Students begin the program in the fall semester and are scheduled to complete the degree at the end of the summer session.

Outcomes

Upon completion of the Exercise Physiology program at The College of St. Scholastica, the graduate will be able to:

• Grow professionally in critical and reflective thinking in research and scientific writing and oral communication.
• Understand the fundamental knowledge of professionalism, ethical behavior, and personal responsibility in the performance of exercise physiology.
• Analyze and understand the practical and scientific aspects of muscle testing, particularly as it relates to dysfunctional lifestyles.
• Sit for the Exercise Physiologist Certified (EPC) exam.
• Show a high degree of commitment and dependability and be prepared for leadership positions in the profession of Exercise Physiology.
• Analyze and understand the steps in performing a graded exercise test, the contraindications for a test and the procedures for and advantages of using oxygen analyzers in assessing cardiorespiratory function.
• Analyze, interpret, and understand the factors underlying cardiorespiratory training and adaptations during systematic exercise, the contribution of central and peripheral factors to oxygen uptake at rest and during exercise.
• Analyze and understand the integrative aspects of cardiovascular control and regulation to upright and inverted postures, and the limitations to maximum oxygen consumption.
• Compare and contrast health, fitness, and exercise related research articles; the methods, designs, statistics, and implications for critical thinking; and analyze, interpret, and understand the role of cardiopulmonary rehabilitation in the health care management of post-myocardial infarction patients.

Program Director

Larry Birnbaum, Ph.D., FASEP, EPC
Department of Exercise Physiology
College of St. Scholastica
1200 Kenwood Avenue
Duluth, MN 55811