Division of Exercise Physiology

Master of Science Program

Clinical Track
The Clinical Track Master of Science program in exercise physiology provides course work and laboratory experience that prepares students for careers in adult fitness, hospital or corporate-based wellness programs, or cardiac rehabilitation. Students specialize by completing a 200-hour clinical internship. This is a two-year program, which will qualify students to sit for the national certification examination for a "Registered Clinical Exercise Physiologist" of the American College of Sports Medicine.

Thesis Track
The Thesis Track Master of Science program in exercise physiology is intended to give exceptional students knowledge in basic medical and scientific areas to prepare them for entry into advanced research intensive or professional careers (e.g., Ph.D., MD/Ph.D.; PT, OT, dentistry, pharmacy, etc). Students in the thesis track will typically take 2 academic years to complete the course work and research thesis. Graduate work involves a program of study and research individually designed to utilize the abilities and strengths of the faculty and accommodate the needs of the student within an area of specific interest. Although there are common goals, expectations, and courses that will be universal for all masters' graduate students, the exact content of a program of study may differ from one student to another. The handbook and course selections are detailed in the "Policies and Procedures" Handbook.

Admission Requirements
Approximately 10 students are accepted into the clinical track and 5 students are accepted into the thesis track once a year on a competitive basis. Applicants must have a baccalaureate degree in an allied field from an accredited institution with a minimum undergraduate grade-point average of 3.0 (based on A = 4.0 grade points). Three letters of reference and GRE scores are required. Applicants are selected for admission on the basis of scholastic standing (special attention is given to science grades), and recommendations. The graduate application, three letters of reference, GRE scores and college transcripts must be submitted by January 15th. ALL immunization forms and records must be submitted prior to starting classes in the Fall semester. Immunization forms can be found on the Health Forms Page.

Application Process:
There are six (6) basic steps that you will need to complete before February 15, 2008 if you would like to apply to our graduate program. (Late applications will be considered, but we anticipate that all of the offers of admission will be sent by March 15, 2008).

1. Download and Complete the Application for Graduate Admission
    
   1. DOWNLOAD and MAILGraduate Admission Application:
      http://www.arc.wvu.edu/admissions/forms/Graduate_Application.pdf
       or:
      DOWNLOAD the same file here: Graduate_Application.pdf
      
      International applicants download:
      http://www.arc.wvu.edu/admissions/forms/International_Application.pdf
      or
      DOWNLOAD the same file here: International_Application.pdf
   
   
   
   2. The code for Exercise Physiology is 8335.
       
   3. Under point 16, "Areas of Concentration/Teaching Certification" indicate if you are seeking a
      Thesis track (T) or Clinical track (C) degree.
      Note: This is point 12 for international applications.


2. Complete the Application for Graduate Assistantship 
   (DOWNLOAD: Application for Graduate Assistantship.pdf)
   
   
3. Complete a letter (not to exceed 2 pages) indicating why you want to obtain a masters degree from Exercise Physiology at West Virginia University, School of Medicine, and indicate your career goals.  (No special form for this.) Include in your letter why you are selecting the clinical or the thesis track.
    
4. Take GRE and arrange to have scores sent to Admissions and Records.
   
   
5. Arrange to have a minimum of 3 letters of reference sent to Admission and Records. A form letter is below that you can download and print out and give to your references.  However, your references can write a letter on their own letter head and not use this form, as long as their letter contains the information identified in this form.
   
   DOWNLOAD :  GRADUATE PROGRAM RECOMMENDATION FORM-2008.pdf
    
6. Double check that you have everything completed (including your interest in the clinical or thesis track) and send all of the materials above (A - E) by February 15, 2008.

Clinical Track Program Requirements
A minimum of 36 semester hours of credit is required for graduation. The following courses or course equivalents are required:

* Or other suitable course as approved by the student’s advisor and graduate committee

* Or other suitable course as approved by the student’s advisor and thesis committee
** Elective courses may be appropriate graduate level courses as recommendation by the Chair of the student’s thesis committee and with approval of the members of the thesis committee. For example these might be CCMD793E (Advanced Muscle physiology); independent study; new courses developed for EXPH at a 700 level such as” Advanced Training methods for diabetes or Cell signaling in diabetes & obesity & exercise; or graduate level biochemistry or nutrition courses

Recommended Electives

• EXPH 793 History of Exercise Physiology (Spring) - 3 credits
• HN&F 619 Nutrition in the Prevention of Human Disease (Spring) -3 credits
• AGBI514 Animal Biotechnology (Fall) - 4 credits
• CCMD793E - Muscle Structure and Function (Spring) - 2 credits
• CCMD 793N -Cardiorespiratory systems biology (Spring) - 3 credits

Admissions and curriculum requirements are subject to change without prior notice.

Policy for Grades and Academic Standards in Graduate School
Masters students in both clinical and thesis tracks must achieve a grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 or better to graduate. Any letter grade less than a "B" is considered unsatisfactory because it is "Substandard for graduate students" at West Virginia University (pp. 30 of the West Virginia University Graduate Catalogue). ALL graduate courses should have a letter grade of "B" or better and ALL EXPH courses must have a letter grade of "B" or better to graduate. The graduate policy for Exercise Physiology is that for graduation, students can obtain a maximum of one (1) "C" in a non-EXPH course that is considered non-essential (i.e., of an elective nature). If a student obtains a "C" in an EXPH or an essential course, the student must retake that course and/or take another appropriate replacement course as approved by the student’s advisor and graduate committee, and obtain a grade of "B" or better in that course before being certified for graduation. For example, if a student obtained a "C" in EITHER (not both) STAT 511 or PHARM 559 in the masters curriculum and the student's cumulative GPA was 3.0 or above, the student could still graduate. If the student obtained a letter grade of "C" in EXPH670, he/she must retake the class even if their GPA is above 3.0. Students who are not sure if a "C" that they obtained is in an essential course should contact their academic advisor for clarification.