American College of Sports Medicine
The mission of the Illinois State University Graduate Exercise Physiology Program is to provide advanced knowledge in how the body's structures and functions are altered when exposed to acute and chronic bouts of exercise. The concepts of exercise physiology are often applied in the training of individuals to maximize their physical potential. The role of scholarship and focused disciplinary study is emphasized. This advanced knowledge prepares these graduates to think conceptually and analytically, and to positively impact professional practices and policies in their field.
Exercise physiology students focus their academic course work on developing the ability to understand and apply the principles of exercise physiology to the acquisition, performance, and refinement of motor skill. Additionally, students learn to use physical activity as an educative tool for health promotion and personal well-being in health, fitness, and sport settings. As a culminating experience, students in the exercise physiology sequence will complete a thesis or independent study. Students accepted into this sequence will be expected to demonstrate a high level of academic performance in the foundation courses of exercise science and will have been previously involved with basic or applied research projects. Acceptance into the program is also based on the student's desired area of study. It is important that students identify an area of study that matches with the interests and expertise of the exercise physiology faculty members.
Completion of the exercise physiology sequence prepares students for future study in exercise physiology at the doctoral level, for research and development, for self-employment in the fitness industry, or for advanced positions in health, fitness, and wellness settings.
Dale Brown, Ph.D., Southern Illinois University at Carbondale
Physical fitness and activity, exercise in health and disease, and exercise metabolism
Kristen Lagally, Ph.D., University of Pittsburgh
Perceived exertion responses during exercise (particularly resistance responses)
David Thomas, Ph.D., Arizona State University
Physical fitness, physical activity and health, obesity
In addition to the requirements for admission to the graduate program in KNR, the exercise physiology sequence requires a bachelor's degree in exercise science and fitness. If the applicant’s bachelor's degree is from a discipline other than exercise physiology/exercise science, the student is then required to complete all of the following undergraduate courses before proceeding to the graduate sequence core of exercise physiology classes; Human Anatomy and Physiology (181 & 182 - 2 semesters), 280 Exercise Physiology, and 282 Biomechanics (alternative course may be substituted with approval of advisor/mentor).
