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.

    Donald Rogers holding award.
    Donald Rogers 24', 25'
    Exercise Science, Master of Public Health

    Donald Rogers gained research experience as an exercise science major, which fueled his desire to become a physician scientist.

    The professional experiences that I’ve had are incredible.
    Zachary Kyros stands outside a building wearing a medical coat.
    Zachary Kyros '26
    Exercise Science

    Exercise science major Zachary Kyros is one of the first UML students accepted into the Boston University Early Medical School Selection program.

    I’m so grateful for all of the support I received from UMass Lowell faculty, staff and pre-med advising.
    Lily Boccelli sitting with two people at an event with a crowd behind them.
    Lily Boccelli '25
    Exercise Science

    The exercise science program provided Lily Boccelli ’25 with the flexibility to prepare for a wide range of graduate programs.

    (Faculty) are all incredibly knowledgeable and passionate about their class content.

    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