Gain the knowledge and skillset to understand how physical activity and exercise affect human health and performance. By completing the necessary pre-requisite coursework, you will be prepared to apply to a graduate Physician Assistant Studies program upon graduation.

Why Study the Pre-Physician Option at UMass Lowell?

Exercise science students at UMass Lowell practice taking pulse readings
  • Join a nationally and regionally recognized program. 
  • 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.
  • Work with a dedicated pre-health advisor who will guide you through the Physician's Assistant (PA) application process, including discussion on how to obtain clinical or patient care experience hours, taking the GRE, and more.
  • 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. 
  • Eligibility for review to enter the Exercise Science-Doctor of Physical Therapy cohort.

Career Options

Graduates are prepared to apply to all New England Physician Assistant programs, and most if not all nationally. Students will work with a dedicated pre-health advisor, ensuring that you have completed the pre-requisites for the school you wish to apply to for your master’s degree in Physician Assistant studies. 

Examples of institutions where our graduates of the Exercise Science BS Pre-Physician Assistant concentration have been accepted include:

  • MGH Institute of Health Professions (MGHIHP)
  • Boston University
  • Northeastern University
  • Tufts University
  • Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences (MCPHS)
  • Yale University
  • Bay State University
  • Westfield State University
  • Springfield College
  • Assumption University

Internships

Students enrolled in the pre-physician assistant 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
  • Genetics
  • Organic Structures and Reactions with Lab
  • Clinical Microbiology and Microbial Pathogenesis with Lab

For students who entered fall 2024 and beyond.

Freshman Year

Fall Semester

Course NumberCourse NameCredits
Total16
BIOL.1110Principles of Biology I3
BIOL.1170LPrinciples of Biology I Lab1
HSCI.1011Medical Terminology for Healthcare Professionals1
HSCI.1010Human Anatomy and Physiology I (SCL)3
HSCI.1030Human Anatomy and Physiology Lab I (SCL)1
HSCI.1051Interprofessional Education First Year Seminar1
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 II (SCL)1
xxxx.xxxxArts and Humanities Perspective (AH)3

Sophomore Year

Fall Semester

Course NumberCourse NameCredits
Total14
HSCI.2510 /
CHEM.1210
Physiological Chemistry I /
Chemistry I
3
HSCI.2530 /
CHEM.1230L
Physiological Chemistry I Lab /
Chemistry I Laboratory
1
MATH.2830Introduction to Statistics (MATH)3
NUTR.2060Human Nutrition3
PHYS.1030General Physics I (STEM)3
PHYS.1030LGeneral Physics I Lab1

Spring Semester

Course NumberCourse NameCredits
Total17
HSCI.2520 /
CHEM.1220
Physiological Chemistry II /
Chemistry II
3
HSCI.2540 /
CHEM.1240L
Physiological Chemistry II Lab /
Chemistry II Laboratory
1
HSCI.3400IPE Research Methods (IL), (QL)3
PHYS.1040General Physics II3
PHYS.1040LGeneral Physics II Lab1
PUBH.1021Introduction to Public Health (SS)3
xxxx.xxxxArts and Humanities Perspective (AH)3

Junior Year

Fall Semester

Course NumberCourse NameCredits
Total15
HSCI.2110Clinical Microbiology and Microbial Pathogenesis3
HSCI.2130Clinical Microbiology and Microbial Pathogenesis Lab1
HSCI.3500Human Biochemistry3
EXER.3050Exercise Physiology (WOC), (CTPS)3
EXER.3070Exercise Physiology Lab1
EXER.3150Anatomical Kinesiology3
EXER.3170Anatomical Kinesiology Lab1

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
xxxx.xxxxArts and Humanities Perspective (AH)3

Senior Year

Fall Semester

Course NumberCourse NameCredits
Total16
BIOL.2350Genetics3
BMSC.2420Organic Structures and Reactions I13
BMSC.2440Organic Structures and Reactions I Lab1
EXER.4240Motor Control and Learning3
EXER.4250Clinical Exercise Physiology3
PSYC.2720Abnormal Psychology (SS)3

Spring Semester

Course NumberCourse NameCredits
Total13
EXER.4120Clinical Practicum I and II (SRE), (AIL)4
HSCI.3060 /
PSYC.3600
Introduction to Gerontology /
Adult Development and Aging
3
PSYC.2600Child and Adolescent Development3
xxxx.xxxxSocial Sciences Perspective (SS), (DCA)3

Total Minimum Credits = 122.

1Taking Organic Structures and Reactions I is equivalent to Organic Chemistry I for most PA schools that require it. Students should reach out to interested PA schools to confirm. If this course is not needed, please substitute with free electives during senior year.

No more than two Breadth of Knowledge (BOK) 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

“The Exercise Science program gave me a deep understanding of how the body works, and that knowledge is what I rely on every day when making medical decisions for my patients.”

Randy Nadir '19
Physician Assistant
ConvenientMD Urgent Care

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