Gain the knowledge and skillset to understand how physical activity and exercise affect human health and performance.

Why Study the Clinical Concentration at UMass Lowell?

A group of exercise science students view a computer in a UMass Lowell lab
  • Learn how disease prevention and evidence-based exercise interventions can improve quality of life and functional outcomes for individuals with chronic conditions and co-morbidities.
  • Train with state-of-the-art equipment in program laboratories and the Campus Recreation Center, preparing you for safe and effective professional success.
  • Eligibility for review to enter the Exercise Science-Doctor of Physical Therapy cohort.
  • Prepare for careers in health, fitness and rehabilitation, or continue to graduate or allied health programs in many fields, such as:
    • Master’s in Exercise Science or Kinesiology
    • Master’s in Clinical Exercise Physiology
    • Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT)
    • Doctor of Chiropractic (DC)
    • Master's of Athletic Training (MSAT) or Doctor of Athletic Training (DAT)
    • Master's of Occupational Therapy (MSOT) or Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD)
  • Eligibility upon graduation to sit for the Certified Exercise Physiologist certification exam (ACSM-EP) from the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM), a gold standard certification for the field.

Careers

Graduates are prepared for entry-level careers in exercise physiology, disease prevention, personal training, and fitness- and health-related professions that work in settings:

  • Caring for patients with cardiac, pulmonary, and metabolic conditions
  • Corporate and private fitness settings
  • Research facilities
  • Biotechnology and medical device companies

Graduates can also continue with graduate studies in many fields such as Master’s in Exercise Science, Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT), Doctor of Chiropractor (D.C.), or athletic training (certified ATC).

Internships

Students enrolled in the clinical concentration are required to complete one (1) field experience or internship during their undergraduate career. This is completed through the Clinical Practicum course.

UMass Lowell has field experience/internship partnerships with world renowned sites like:

Courses You’ll Take

Sample courses include:

  • Exercise Physiology
  • Anatomical Kinesiology
  • Foundations of Strength and Conditioning
  • Exercise Testing and Prescription
  • Motor Control and Learning
  • Clinical Exercise Physiology
  • Sport and Exercise Psychology
  • Sports Nutrition

For students who entered fall 2024 and beyond.

First Year

Fall Semester

Course NumberCourse NameCredits
Total15
BIOL.1110Principles of Biology I3
BIOL.1170LPrinciples of Biology I Lab1
ENGL.1010College Writing I (CW)3
HSCI.1010Human Anatomy and Physiology I (SCL)3
HSCI.1030Human Anatomy and Physiology I Lab1
HSCI.1051Interprofessional Education First Year Seminar1
MATH.2830Introduction to Statistics (MATH)3

Winter Semester

Course NumberCourse NameCredits
Total6
PSYC.1010Introduction to Psychological Science (SS)3
xxxx.xxxxArts and Humanities Perspective (AH)3

Spring Semester

Course NumberCourse NameCredits
Total15
HSCI.1011Medical Terminology for Health Professionals1
HSCI.1020Human Anatomy and Physiology II (SCL)3
HSCI.1040Human Anatomy and Physiology II Lab1
BIOL.1120Principles of Biology II3
BIOL.1180LPrinciples of Biology II Lab1
EXER.2020Introduction to Exercise Science (DCA)3
ENGL.1020College Writing II (CW)3

Summer I Semester

Course NumberCourse NameCredits
Total8
HSCI.2510Physiological Chemistry I13
HSCI.2530Physiological Chemistry I Lab11
PHYS.1030General Physics I (STEM)3
PHYS.1030LGeneral Physics I Lab1

Summer II Semester

Course NumberCourse NameCredits
Total8
HSCI.2520Physiological Chemistry II13
HSCI.2540Physiological Chemistry II Lab11
PHYS.1040General Physics II3
PHYS.1040LGeneral Physics II Lab1

Second Year

Fall Semester

Course NumberCourse NameCredits
Total14
EXER.3050Exercise Physiology (WOC)3
EXER.3070Exercise Physiology Lab1
EXER.3150Anatomical Kinesiology3
EXER.3170Anatomical Kinesiology Lab1
HSCI.3500Human Biochemistry3
NUTR.2060Human Nutrition3

Spring Semester

Course NumberCourse NameCredits
Total17
EXER.4060Foundations of Strength and Conditioning3
EXER.4080Foundations of Strength and Conditioning Lab1
EXER.3560Pharmacology3
EXER.4220Exercise Testing and Prescription (CTPS)3
EXER.4280Exercise Testing and Prescription Lab1
HSCI.3400IPE Research Methods (IL), (QL)3
PSYC.3550Sport and Exercise Psychology3

Summer I Semester

Course NumberCourse NameCredits
Total7
EXER.4120Clinical Practicum I and II (SRE), (AIL)4
PUBH.1021Introduction to Public Health (SS)3

Summer II Semester

Course NumberCourse NameCredits
Total3
EXER.4120Clinical Practicum I and II (SRE), (AIL)0
xxxx.xxxxLifespan Elective23

Third Year

Fall Semester

Course NumberCourse NameCredits
Total15
EXER.4240Motor Control and Learning3
EXER.4250Clinical Exercise Physiology3
NUTR.3570Sports Nutrition3
xxxx.xxxxFree Elective3
xxxx.xxxxFree Elective3

Spring Semester

Course NumberCourse NameCredits
Total12
PSYC.2720Abnormal Psychology (SS)3
xxxx.xxxxArts and Humanities Perspective (AH)3
xxxx.xxxxxArts and Humanities Perspective (AH)3
xxxx.xxxxFree Elective3

Total Minimum Credits = 120

1HSCI.2510 / HSCI.2530 AND HSCI.2520 / HSCI.2540 can be substituted with CHEM.1210 / CHEM.1230L AND CHEM.1220 / CHEM.1240L

2Lifespan Electives:

No more than two Breadth of Knowledge courses can be taken with the same prefix. The Core Curriculum courses may be taken in any sequence. Refer to the Core Curriculum policy for further details. You should meet with your faculty advisor to determine how you will meet the Core Curriculum requirements.

Current UMass Lowell students should use their Advisement Report in SIS. If you need assistance, please contact your advisor.

Restriction on off-campus study:

Be advised that any course taken at another institution must be formally approved prior to enrollment.

See the catalog policy for details.

Breadth of Knowledge (BOK) Glossary

  • SS - Social Sciences Perspective - 9 credits
  • AH - Arts and Humanities Perspective - 9 credits
  • SCL - Sciences with Lab Perspective - 6 credits
  • STEM - Science, Technology, Engineering and Math Perspective - 3 credits
  • CW - College Writing I and II - 6 credits
  • MATH - Math Perspective - 3 credits

Read more about the Breadth of Knowledge requirements.

Essential Learning Outcomes (ELO) Glossary

  • AIL - Applied and Integrative Learning
  • CTPS - Critical Thinking and Problem Solving
  • DCA - Diversity and Cultural Awareness
  • IL - Information Literacy
  • QL - Quantitative Literacy
  • SRE - Social Responsibility and Ethics
  • WOC - Written and Oral Communication

Read more about the Essential Learning Outcomes.

For students who entered fall 2024 and beyond.

Freshman Year

Fall Semester

Course NumberCourse NameCredits
Total15
BIOL.1110Principles of Biology I3
BIOL.1170LPrinciples of Biology I Lab 1
HSCI.1010Human Anatomy and Physiology I (SCL)3
HSCI.1030Human Anatomy and Physiology Lab I1
HSCI.1051Interprofessional Education First Year Seminar  1
ENGL.1010 /
HONR.1100		College Writing I /
First Year Seminar in Honors: Text in the City (CW)		3
PSYC.1010Introduction to Psychological Science (SS)3

Spring Semester

Course NumberCourse NameCredits
Total17
BIOL.1120Principles of Biology II3
BIOL.1180LPrinciples of Biology II Lab1
ENGL.1020College Writing II (CW)3
EXER.2020Introduction to Exercise Science (DCA)3
HSCI.1020Human Anatomy and Physiology II (SCL)3
HSCI.1040Human Anatomy and Physiology Lab II1
MATH.2830Introduction to Statistics (MATH)3

Sophomore Year

Fall Semester

Course NumberCourse NameCredits
Total14
HSCI.2510Physiological Chemistry I13
HSCI.2530Physiological Chemistry I Lab11
HSCI.3400IPE Research Methods (IL), (QL)3
NUTR.2060Human Nutrition3
PHYS.1030General Physics I (STEM)3
PHYS.1030LGeneral Physics I Lab1

Spring Semester

Course NumberCourse NameCredits
Total15
HSCI.1011Medical Terminology for Health Professionals1
HSCI.2520Physiological Chemistry II13
HSCI.2540Physiological Chemistry II Lab11
PHYS.1040General Physics II3
PHYS.1040LGeneral Physics II Lab1
PSYC.2720Abnormal Psychology (SS)3
PUBH.1021Introduction to Public Health (SS)3

Junior Year

Fall Semester

Course NumberCourse NameCredits
Total17
HSCI.3500Human Biochemistry3
EXER.3050Exercise Physiology (WOC), (CTPS)3
EXER.3070Exercise Physiology Lab1
EXER.3150Anatomical Kinesiology3
EXER.3170Anatomical Kinesiology Lab1
NUTR.3570Sports Nutrition3
xxxx.xxxxArts and Humanities Perspective (AH)3

Spring Semester

Course NumberCourse NameCredits
Total14
EXER.3560Pharmacology3
EXER.4060Foundations of Strength and Conditioning3
EXER.4080Foundations of Strength and Conditioning Lab1
EXER.4220Exercise Testing and Prescription3
EXER.4280Exercise Testing and Prescription Lab1
PSYC.3550Sport and Exercise Psychology3

Senior Year

Fall Semester

Course NumberCourse NameCredits
Total13
EXER.4120Clinical Practicum I and II (SRE), (AIL)4
EXER.4240Motor Control and Learning3
EXER.4250Clinical Exercise Physiology3
xxxx.xxxxLifespan Elective23

Spring Semester

Course NumberCourse NameCredits
Total15
xxxx.xxxxArts and Humanities Perspective (AH)3
xxxx.xxxxArts and Humanities Perspective (AH)3
xxxx.xxxxFree Elective3
xxxx.xxxxFree Elective3
xxxx.xxxxFree Elective3

OR

Senior Year

Fall Semester

Course NumberCourse NameCredits
Total15
EXER.4240Motor Control and Learning3
EXER.4250Clinical Exercise Physiology3
xxxx.xxxxArts and Humanities Perspective (AH)3
xxxx.xxxxFree Elective3
xxxx.xxxxFree Elective3

Spring Semester

Course NumberCourse NameCredits
Total13
EXER.4120Clinical Practicum I and II (SRE), (AIL)4
xxx.xxxxLifespan Elective23
xxxx.xxxxArts and Humanities Perspective (AH)3
xxxx.xxxxFree Elective3

Total Minimum Credits = 120

1HSCI.2510 / HSCI.2530 AND HSCI.2520 / HSCI.2540 can be substituted with CHEM.1210 / CHEM.1230L AND CHEM.1220 / CHEM.1240L

2Lifespan Electives:

No more than two Breadth of Knowledge courses can be taken with the same prefix. The Core Curriculum courses may be taken in any sequence. Refer to the Core Curriculum policy for further details. You should meet with your faculty advisor to determine how you will meet the Core Curriculum requirements. 

Current UMass Lowell students should be using their Advisement Report in SiS. If you need assistance, please contact your adviser.

Restriction on off-campus study:

Be advised that any course taken at another institution must be formally approved prior to enrollment.

See the catalog policy for details.

Breadth of Knowledge (BOK) Glossary

  • SS - Social Sciences Perspective - 9 credits
  • AH - Arts and Humanities Perspective - 9 credits
  • SCL - Sciences with Lab Perspective - 6 credits
  • STEM - Science, Technology, Engineering and Math Perspective - 3 credits
  • CW - College Writing I and II - 6 credits
  • MATH - Math Perspective - 3 credits

Read more about the Breadth of Knowledge requirements.

Essential Learning Outcomes (ELO) Glossary

  • AIL - Applied and Integrative Learning
  • CTPS - Critical Thinking and Problem Solving
  • DCA - Diversity and Cultural Awareness
  • IL - Information Literacy
  • QL - Quantitative Literacy
  • SRE - Social Responsibility and Ethics
  • WOC - Written and Oral Communication

Read more about the Essential Learning Outcomes.

Hear From Our Students

“A lot of the research I was doing as an undergraduate had a link with cardiovascular and metabolic health, and I started to become interested in further understanding the factors that contribute to chronic disease on a population level." 

Donald Rogers '24, '25, MD-PhD Student at the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine

“I love what I do every day. I have the flexibility to make it work, and it all started with the experiences and advice I received at UMass Lowell.” 

Alex Sarazen ‘19, Chiropractor, Owner, Resilience Spine and Sports Rehab 

“I’m so grateful for all of the support I received from UMass Lowell faculty, staff and pre-med advising that guided me along this path to medical school.” 

Zachary Kyros ‘26, Boston University Chobanian and Avedisian School of Medicine

Contact Us

For program-specific questions, please contact:

Kyle Coffey PT, DPT, ACSM-EP
Exercise Science Program Director
Phone: 978-934-6462
Email: Kyle_Coffey@uml.edu