Exploring the UCF Exercise Physiology Programs: A Comprehensive Overview

The University of Central Florida (UCF) offers a comprehensive suite of exercise physiology programs designed to equip students with the knowledge, skills, and practical experience necessary for successful careers in various health, fitness, and sports-related fields. From undergraduate studies to doctoral research, UCF's Kinesiology programs provide a pathway for students to become leaders and innovators in the exercise physiology and rehabilitation science landscape.

Kinesiology B.S. Program

The Kinesiology B.S. program at UCF is a four-year degree program requiring 120 credit hours for completion. Full-time students transferring with an AA degree from a Florida public state college or university can typically complete the degree in an average of two to three years. The curriculum is designed to provide a strong foundation in human movement, exercise science, and related disciplines.

General Education and Prerequisite Requirements

Students in the Kinesiology B.S. program must fulfill the University General Education Requirements or their equivalent. The program also recommends completing all prerequisite courses at the time of application, including:

Anatomy & Physiology: 8 credit hours total, including labs. Options include:
- One semester of 4 credits Physiology with lab & one semester of 4 credits Anatomy with lab.
- Two semesters (8 credits total) Anatomy/Physiology combined courses with labs.
Biology / Biological Science: Two courses, 6 credits total.
Chemistry: Two courses, 8 credits total.
Physics: Two courses, 8 credits total.
Psychology: One course, 3 credits.

Strength and Conditioning Track

Within the Kinesiology B.S. program, the Strength and Conditioning Track focuses on training students to understand and apply fundamental principles of human movement as it relates to careers in rehabilitation and recovery, human performance, and sports science.

Accreditation

The University of Central Florida’s Kinesiology BS - Strength and Conditioning Track is accredited by the Council on Accreditation of Strength and Conditioning Education (CASCE). This accreditation demonstrates a commitment to upholding high standards of quality and excellence in strength and conditioning education. Students enrolled in CASCE-accredited programs who wish to file a complaint may contact CASCE, providing their name, contact information, program name, and a clear description of the concern.

Undergraduate Internship

An internship with the Division of Kinesiology offers students a hands-on work experience, allowing them to apply classroom learning to real-world settings.

Course Modality and Enrollment

Most courses are offered face-to-face or in a mixed mode format. However, some courses have online versions, which can be identified on myUCF. Students are given an enrollment time, indicating when they can register for courses. Enrollment is possible from the beginning of the enrollment appointment until the Add Deadline of the term. Students are encouraged to register as soon their “enrollment appointment” opens as courses fill quickly.

Kinesiology M.S. Program

A master’s degree from UCF in kinesiology prepares students with the education and experience to pursue careers in exercise physiology, sport science, strength and conditioning, or to pursue a doctoral degree in a related field. The M.S. in Kinesiology program offers two tracks: Human Performance and Clinical Exercise Physiology (CEP). All options require a minimum number of credit hours beyond the bachelor’s degree. All students are automatically placed in the non-thesis option which, in addition to the typical coursework, requires credit hours of internship(s) and/or review of literature, depending on track. Students wishing to pursue the Thesis option must receive approval from the graduate program director and have a commitment from a faculty member to serve as the thesis committee chair. Graduate assistantship positions in the Division of Kinesiology are generally allocated through specific faculty and there is typically limited availability which makes the process of securing them highly competitive.

Human Performance Track

The Master of Science in Kinesiology, Human Performance Track provides an in-depth study of applied human physiology and how it relates to non-clinical settings (i.e. apparently healthy individuals and/or individuals with controlled disease) focused on exercise, athletic performance, and health and wellness across the lifespan. The Master of Science in Kinesiology, Human Performance track offers a Non-Thesis option and a Thesis option for students. All options require a minimum of 30 credit hours.

Clinical Exercise Physiology (CEP) Track

The Master of Science in Kinesiology, Clinical Exercise Physiology (CEP) Track is designed to prepare students to become clinicians and/or scholars in a range of Clinical Exercise Physiology specialties. The CEP track provides students with the knowledge and skills within the cardiovascular, pulmonary, metabolic, gerontology, neoplastic, musculoskeletal, neuromuscular, immunologic, and behavior change practice areas. The curriculum is designed to prepare students to sit for and pass the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) Clinical Exercise Physiology (ACSM-CEP) certification exam, allowing students to enter the field as qualified healthcare professionals. Students who graduate from this track are also prepared to pursue advanced studies in health-related fields or doctorate/PhD in the CEP field. The Master of Science in Kinesiology, Clinical Exercise Physiology Track only offers a non-thesis option. The CEP track requires a minimum of 33 credit hours. Students in the Kinesiology MS, Clinical Exercise Physiology Track are required to participate in APK 6946 - Graduate Internship in Kinesiology, equivalent to 600 clinical hours within various settings. The non-thesis Clinical Exercise Physiology track requires completion of three separate internship experiences (once per semester, beginning in the second semester) for a total of 9 credit hours.

Graduate Internship

An internship with the Division of Kinesiology is an exciting, hands-on work experience that allows students to apply classroom learning to real-world settings. Students typically complete the program in 4-6 semesters, but this is dependent upon course availability and individual scheduling. Completion time depends on full-time vs. part-time enrollment.

Kinesiology, PhD Program

The purpose of the Kinesiology, PhD program is to develop the next generation of teacher-scholars and professional leaders to advance the broad discipline of kinesiology through exploration of human movement, applied physiology, sports performance, sports medicine, and clinical rehabilitation. The Kinesiology, PhD program requires a minimum of 63 credit hours beyond the master’s degree. Students must complete 24 credit hours of foundational research core courses, 24 credit hours of specialization elective courses, and 15 credit hours of dissertation after being admitted to candidacy. Doctoral students learn through collaborative opportunities with local healthcare and fitness facilities, sports organizations, and the UCF Sports Science Initiative. Ample research opportunities help students foster a team-approach to healthcare and wellness through interdisciplinary research conducted with faculty through the Institute of Exercise Physiology and Rehabilitation Science. UCF's PhD in Kinesiology program has had a job placement rate for graduates.

Admission

The UCF Kinesiology, PhD program admits students once per year for the fall semester. Applicants must apply online and all requested materials must be submitted by the established deadline.

Research Opportunities

UCF offers extensive research opportunities for students interested in exercise physiology and related fields. These opportunities are primarily facilitated through various specialized laboratories and the Institute of Exercise Physiology and Rehabilitation Science.

Institute of Exercise Physiology and Rehabilitation Science

The UCF Institute of Exercise Physiology and Rehabilitation Science hosts an annual conference that blends the fields of exercise and sport physiology with clinical rehabilitation. Monthly research seminars are also conducted to facilitate learning from exercise and rehabilitation experts. The mission of the IEPRS Advisory Board is to provide guidance, strategic direction, and advocacy to the Director, laboratory PIs, and university leaders.

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Research Laboratories

Cellular Exercise Physiology Laboratory (CEPL): Examines how the immune system and inflammatory mediators influence recovery and adaptation following exercise interventions. It also examines how nutrition and dietary supplements impact these responses.
Clinical Applications for Rest and Exercise (CARE) Lab: Applies physiological, behavioral, and clinical approaches for the prevention and management of chronic diseases, through the integration of sleep and exercise physiology.
Exercise Physiology Intervention & Collaboration (EPIC) Laboratory: Administers exercise interventions of various modalities and houses technologies for the assessment of neurocognitive, neuromuscular, and functional aspects of exercise performance.
Spine & Mobility (SAM) Lab: Focuses on clinically-relevant research that improves clinical outcomes and identifies the most accurate and efficient approach to treating various neuromusculoskeletal conditions.
CNS Lab: Conducts interdisciplinary clinical research among diverse populations of all ages, investigating the neurophysiological origins of lower extremity musculoskeletal injuries.
Physiology of Work & Exercise Response (POWER) Laboratory: Assesses the physiological response to exercise modalities and nutritional interventions aiming to enhance health, fitness, and athletic performance.
Rehabilitation Assessment and Motor Performance (RAMP) Lab: Aims to advance the rehabilitation of patients with musculoskeletal pain by researching how treatments provided by physical therapists reduce pain and biopsychosocial factors associated with this response.
Rehabilitation Engineering And Diagnostics Yield (READY) Lab: Aims to advance neuromuscular assessment, musculoskeletal imaging, and rehabilitation methods for the lumbopelvic-hip complex.
Strategies for Therapeutic Rehabilitation and Optimization of Neuromuscular Growth (STRONG) Laboratory: Identifies exercise and/or rehabilitation strategies that elicit the most robust physiological responses among men and women with a particular emphasis on neuromuscular and cardiovascular function.

Research Studies

UCF's research laboratories are actively involved in numerous studies, offering students opportunities to participate and contribute to the advancement of knowledge in exercise physiology. Examples of research studies include:

The effects of ATP (adenosine 5’- triphosphate disodium) supplementation on cognitive performance.
The reliability and validity of the Fit3D body composition analyzer.
The validity of the Desmotec D.EVO isoinertial training device for assessing maximum voluntary isometric contraction.
The influence of menstrual phases on neutrophil recruitment and adhesion dynamics, markers of muscle damage, and functional recovery following resistance exercise in eumenorrheic women.

Publications

UCF faculty and students actively publish their research findings in respected academic journals and present at regional, national, and international conferences.

Career Paths

Graduates of UCF's exercise physiology programs are well-prepared for a variety of careers in:

Clinical Exercise Physiology
Sports Science
Strength and Conditioning
Rehabilitation
Wellness Programs
Research

Clinical exercise physiology is a relatively new career field, founded within the healthcare realm, that focuses on individuals with chronic diseases, conditions, and comorbidities. The clinical exercise physiologist is a certified health professional that utilizes scientific rationale to perform clinical exercise testing, exercise prescription, physical activity counseling, exercise supervision, and health education/promotion to assist in the recovery from illness and prevent or manage chronic disease. Clinical exercise physiologists work in a variety of clinical, community, and public health settings.

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