Exercise Physiology - Ph.D.

Program Overview

The Ph.D. in Exercise Physiology prepares students for careers in research, academia, or practice, focusing on the scientific basis of exercise and its application to health and performance. The program emphasizes foundational courses, specialized electives, and a comprehensive dissertation, leading to the development of research competencies and the ability to contribute to the field. Graduates are equipped to pursue advanced roles in academia, healthcare, or industry, where they can lead and innovate in exercise physiology and related disciplines.

Program Outline

Degree Overview:

The Ph.D. degree in Exercise Physiology prepares students for a wide variety of career options, including exercise prescription and research. The program develops the competencies needed for those who intend to teach exercise physiology, pursue research or apply exercise physiology in practice.

Outline:

• Course List:
• EXPH 73050 RESEARCH PROCESSES IN ATHLETIC TRAINING AND EXERCISE PHYSIOLOGY (3 credit hours)
• EXPH 73051 QUANTITATIVE AND RESEARCH METHODS IN ATHLETIC TRAINING AND EXERCISE PHYSIOLOGY (3 credit hours)
• Exercise Physiology Electives, choose from the following: (9 credit hours)
• EXPH 75075 MUSCLE FUNCTION AND EXERCISE
• EXPH 75076 ENVIRONMENTAL STRESS AND EXERCISE
• EXPH 75081 ENERGY METABOLISM AND BODY COMPOSITION or EXPH 75083 EXERCISE ENERGY METABOLISM
• Physiology Electives, choose from the following: (6 credit hours)
• EXPH 70610 PHYSIOLOGY OF AGING: IMPLICATIONS FOR HUMAN BEHAVIOR
• EXPH 75080 PHYSIOLOGICAL BASIS OF EXERCISE AND SPORT
• EXPH 75086 NEUROBIOLOGY OF EXERCISE AND MOVEMENT
• Additional electives as approved by faculty advisor
• EXPH 83098 RESEARCH (12 credit hours)
• EXPH 83199 DISSERTATION I (230 credit hours)
• Minimum Total Credit Hours: 65
• Graduation Requirements Summary:
• Minimum Major GPA: 3.000
• Minimum Overall GPA: 3.000
• Candidacy Examination: Students will be required to pass an oral and written candidacy examination after coursework is completed before beginning their dissertation.
Prior to taking the candidacy examination, the student must demonstrate his or her ability to conduct independent research related to the field of exercise physiology. This may be in the form of a completed thesis, an independent study project or an article published in an acceptable research journal. The acceptability of such evidence is to be determined by faculty advising students in exercise physiology.

Careers:

• Biological science teachers, postsecondary (9.3% much faster than the average, 64,700 number of jobs, $85,600 potential earnings)
• Exercise physiologists (11.3% much faster than the average, 19,800 number of jobs, $50,280 potential earnings)
• Medical scientists, except epidemiologists (6.1% faster than the average, 138,300 number of jobs, $91,510 potential earnings)

Other:

• The program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs.
• The program is designed to prepare students to sit for applicable licensure or certification in Ohio.
• Students must enroll in EXPH 73091 for two semesters.
• Upon admission to candidacy, each doctoral candidate must register for EXPH 83199.
It is expected that a doctoral candidate will continuously register for Dissertation I for a total of 30 credit hours, and thereafter EXPH 83299, each semester until all requirements for the degree have been met. The dissertation must show that the student has the competency to conduct research in a discriminating and original manner. The quality of the dissertation must be such that one or more articles acceptable for publication in a professional journal may be expected to be derived from it.
• Only in rare instances does a student fulfill the educational and research expectations within the minimum-credit-hour requirement for this degree.
Any deficiencies in a doctoral student’s academic preparation must be corrected very early in the approved academic program.
• Graduates of this program will be able to:
• Present their research data regionally and nationally at conferences.
• Publish their research data in peer reviewed publications.
• Teach classes associated with exercise physiology.
• Work in the field and implement community-based exercise programing.