Application Info | Apply | Graduate Handbook | Overview | Curriculum | Experiential Learning | Faculty 

1. Completion time shortened: Program may be completed in 4 semesters or 16 months

a. December graduation including summer semester between first and second years
b. May graduation not including summer semester

2. Graduation requirements reduced:

a. Total courses reduced from 15 to 13 courses
b. Total semester hours reduced from 41 to 36 SH

3. Research opportunities expanded:

a. To include thesis in clinical or basic research
b. To provide graduate research assistantships

Overview
Northeastern University offers the only master's program in Clinical Exercise Physiology in New England. This Master of Science program gives students the opportunity to develop advanced knowledge and competencies in Clinical Exercise Physiology. As a practitioner in clinical exercise physiology, you will provide preventative and rehabilitative exercise to healthy people and people with various cardiopulmonary, metabolic, musculoskeletal, neuromuscular, and immunological chronic diseases such as asthma, heart disease, emphysema, diabetes, obesity, osteoporosis, Parkinson’s, and multiple sclerosis.

The Clinical Exercise Physiologist performs exercise assessments, and prescribes exercise and physical activity, primarily in hospitals, clinics, or other health-care provider settings.  The Clinical Exercise Physiologist assists individuals in developing self-management skills to promote and maintain good health.

The two-year American College of Sports Medicine endorsed curriculum includes coursework in exercise and health sciences, practice-based laboratory work in our state of the art laboratory, and clinical practice in Boston’s finest hospitals and health-care facilities.  A clinical internship and thesis options are offered.  Students interested in a clinical career are encouraged to take the clinical internship option and those intereseted in a research career or further study at the doctorate level are encouraged to take the thesis option. Full and part-time study is available.  Graduate Teaching and Research Assistantships and scholarships are offered for qualified candidates.

You will conduct your training in the new Behrakis Health Sciences Building, which boasts one of the finest clinical exercise physiology laboratories in New England, including:

• six patient testing stations fully equipped with treadmill and EK stress monitoring systems
• several metabolic measurement carts
• an underwater weighing tank and DXA for body mass analysis
• a Keiser for strength assessment
• research facilities

Northeastern’s CEP program helps you prepare for the clinical exercise physiology registry examination (RCEP) offered by the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM), which is the qualifying credential in the field. The program also prepares you for the ACSM clinical exercise specialist certification, which is for those interested in advanced-level certification in cardiovascular and pulmonary rehabilitation.

Download the Graduate Handbook (DOC)

Download the Program Viewbook (PDF)

Experiential Learning
Students have been placed at health provider centers including:

Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center
Beverly Hospital
Boston Medical Center
Brigham & Women’s Hospital
Children’s Hospital Boston
Joslin Diabetes Center
New England Baptist Hospital
Norwood Hospital
South Shore Hospital
Tufts Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging
Tufts Medical Center

Faculty

William J. Gillespie, Associate Professor, Director, Clinical Exercise Physiology Graduate Programs 617-373-5695 w.gillepsie@neu.edu

Carmen C. Sceppa, Associate Professor. Director of Research in Clinical Exercise Physiology, 617-373-5543, c.sceppa@neu.edu

Rui Li, Assistant Clinical Professor, Director, Clinical Exercise Physiology Laboratory,
617-373-2526, r.li@neu.edu

Annemarie C. Sullivan,  Clinical Instructor, Director of Clinical Education Program,
617-373-5559, am.sullivan@neu.edu

Ernest V. Gervino, Adjunct Associate Professor, 617-373-3666

Marilyn A. Cairns, Professor Emeritus, 617-373-3666

Janice Gibson, Administrative Assistant, 617-373-3666, j.gibson@neu.edu