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School of Medicine

Exercise Physiology, BS

As part of a school of medicine on a comprehensive academic medical center campus, the WVU Exercise Physiology program pairs unmatched clinical proximity with opportunities for our students to learn and lead alongside future nurses, physicians, pharmacists, dentists, occupational and physical therapists, and more. Coursework taught by the same faculty who teach courses in the WVU medical school and for students in other graduate and professional programs in the Health Sciences Center provides a high level of academic rigor that prepares students well for careers and postgraduate study in a variety of health care fields. With a robust regional network of affiliated hospitals and innovative and immersive learning spaces like the human cadaver lab, motion capture lab, strength lab, and more, students gain hands-on experience, access to research opportunities, and lifelong industry connections from day 1.

Academics

HSC exercise physiology major Alexis Cipoletti, left, uses a stethoscope to listen to Kendra Bostic’s lungs during an examination in the HSC STEPS lab in Morgantown.
  • WVU’s exercise physiology program is housed within the School of Medicine and within the larger Health Sciences Center, providing students with points of connection to faculty, students, and resources in other health-related programs. This allows our undergraduate students to learn from the same professors who teach graduate and professional students in programs like medicine, physical therapy, and physician assistant studies, making the transition to postgraduate studies, like medical school, much smoother.
  • For exercise physiology students at WVU, hands-on learning is just an elevator ride away. Many of our undergraduate students complete their internship experience in our Human Performance Lab, where our experts create customized exercise plans for healthy individuals and those with a range of chronic health conditions – from diabetes to Parkinson’s disease, to those recovering from bariatric surgery or from a heart attack. Others find job shadowing and internship opportunities at WVU Medicine’s flagship J.W. Ruby Memorial Hospital – right next door – or at other sites within the WVU Medicine System and in the community and state.
  • WVU exercise physiology offers 2 areas of specialization that are uncommon at the undergraduate level: performing arts medicine and aquatic therapy. Not only does this provide additional employment opportunities, but it also allows our students to stand out as applicants to rehab-focused graduate and professional programs like athletic training and physical therapy.

Internships

Students are required to complete an internship or research class in their senior year.

Exercise Physiology Club

Exercise Physiology Club is 1 of the largest clubs on campus (18th).

Hands-On Learning

Tons of great client-facing hands-on learning experiences, and with a strong alumni network and excellent advising center, it’s easy to get connected.

Industry Growth

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, there is a 9% job growth in the next decade.

"Together As One" message displayed on WVU Medicine Ruby Memorial

Academic Medical Campus

WVU has West Virginia’s only comprehensive academic medical center and is 1 of only 11 universities in the country that offers 5 distinct professional health schools (dentistry, medicine, nursing, pharmacy, and public health) on a shared campus.
Student works with a client in the Rec Center pool as faculty member Lori Sherlock looks on

Aquatic Therapy Clinic

Exercise Physiology students in the aquatic therapy emphasis gain real-world experience by providing free aquatic therapy sessions at the Student Rec Center. Under faculty supervision, seniors work 1-on-1 with adults and children, creating personalized treatment programs for each client.
Orthopaedics residents inspect a cadaver in the Gross Anatomy Lab

Gross Anatomy Lab

Undergraduates in the School of Medicine and other Health Sciences schools have exclusive access to the cadaver, or gross anatomy, lab. This course and wet-lab setting provide students with hands-on learning of the body’s anatomical functions and the respect placed on those who have donated their bodies to science.

Human Performance Lab

Located in the Health Sciences Center, the HPL gives students opportunities to work with clinical patients on individualized plans for disease prevention, management, and rehabilitation.
Explore the Human Performance Lab
A student wearing sensors moves as their motion is displayed on a large screen.

Motion Capture Lab

The Mountaineer Sports Medicine Research Lab uses motion capture, a type of advanced biomechanical imaging and movement analysis technology, to study human motion in order to understand injury mechanisms, improve rehabilitation strategies, and optimize athletic performance.
Respiratory therapy student practices on an infant manikin in the STEPS Center

Simulation Training and Education for Patient Safety Center

Our state-of-the-art STEPS Center provides a safe and supportive environment for individuals and teams to practice clinical skills and inter-professional collaboration. STEPS has 14,000 square feet of instructional space, which includes 4 intensive care unit setups for life-like manikins; 2 10-bed open lab spaces for practicing nursing, basic life support, and ultrasound skills; 12 patient exam rooms; a room for obstetrics and pediatric practice; a large surgical skills unit; and more.
Explore the Simulation Training and Education for Patient Safety Center
Student watches another student lifting weights

Strength Lab

The WVU Exercise Physiology Strength and Conditioning Lab is a teaching facility where students learn to perform and coach Olympic weightlifting. It’s also a training space for 100+ students who use the facility to train for club sports and ROTC.

People Prove Our Point

HSC exercise physiology major Alexis Cipoletti smiles as she talks with Kendra Bostic after taking her blood pressure in the HSC STEPS lab

Endurance and Reassurance

Exercise physiology conditions first-generation student to give back to West Virginia

HSC exercise physiology major Alexis Cipoletti smiles as she talks with Kendra Bostic after taking her blood pressure in the HSC STEPS lab

Endurance and Reassurance

Exercise physiology conditions first-generation student to give back to West Virginia

Request Info

Want to know more about Exercise Physiology at WVU? Fill out our request form to receive more information.

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