Master's in Kinesiology - Exercise Physiology

The Master’s in Exercise Physiology Program at UNC Greensboro teaches students the impact of exercise at the whole body, system, and cellular level. Students can apply this knowledge to work with healthy and clinical populations to impact positive alterations with various physical activity programs. The knowledge gained in the academic field of exercise physiology may be acquired through the scholarly study of physical activity and through laboratory measurements of physiological outcomes that can impact health and/or performance.

Exercise physiology involves educating individuals on how and why to employ specific types of physical activity to improve performance, health, and well-being. The program offers a thesis and non-thesis option.

master’s in kinesiology, exercise physiology Program Distinctions

The Master’s in Kinesiology, Exercise Physiology Program focuses on interdisciplinary education and hands-on clinical experience. The degree is combined with diverse, dynamic programing to ensure students are prepared for post-graduate life.

The Department of Kinesiology has been a cornerstone department of the University for more than a century. Beginning as the Department of Physiology and Physical Culture in the Woman’s College in 1892, the department took the progressive view that women should be physically active to improve their health and wellness. The department grew with the University and our name changed. The mission to promote education in and instruction of physical health remains at our core.

The Master’s in Exercise Physiology Student Experience

The Master’s in Exercise Physiology offers a thesis and non-thesis option. The thesis option is for students interested in pursuing a doctoral degree. The non-thesis option is coursework with internship opportunities and is for students who want to work in the exercise programming of healthy adults or people living with chronic diseases. The non-thesis option includes a 6-credit capstone experience, which may include an internship or other experiential learning.

Nearly all students are admitted into the non-thesis option. Students who show strong initiative in learning laboratory skills, and identify a mentor and research topic may later be admitted into the thesis track. This occurs late in the first or early in the second semester. Student progress through the degree based on their individual plan of study.

Students will have access to several labs with state of the art instrumentation:

• Exercise Endocrinology Lab
• Cardiac Metabolic Lab
• Exercise Physiology Research Lab
• Metabolic, Energetics and Sleep Laboratory (METS)

Students in Exercise Physiology Program will be offered opportunities in career specializations. These include:

• Personal training
• Group fitness instruction
• Clinical careers, such as cardiopulmonary or cancer rehabilitation
• Allied health professions
• Exercise instruction
• Exercise psychology
• Exercise physiology

Clinical Exercise Physiology

The M.S. in Kinesiology with a concentration in Clinical Exercise Physiology is a coursework only (non-thesis) program. It prepares students to enter careers in exercise programming and diagnostic exercise testing of people who have or are at a high risk for chronic diseases. The curriculum includes coursework in exercise testing and prescription, pathophysiology, pharmacology, and electrocardiography. The non-thesis program also includes 12 credit hours of internship at two or more clinical sites. Common internship sites include:

• Cone Health
• Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist
• Duke University Medical Center
• Other sites across north central North Carolina

After Graduating with your master’s in kinesiology, exercise physiology

We have a strong record of placing our students in the top facilities in central North Carolina. Career opportunities include:

• Hospital-based wellness centers
• Fitness centers
• Specialized sports training facilities
• Strength and conditioning
• Public schools
• Coaching
• Retirement communities
• Research settings

Apply to the graduate kinesiology, exercise physiology Program

To apply to the Master’s in Exercise Physiology Program, interested individuals should fill out a UNCG graduate application. See additional application requirements for the program here: Process and Requirements.