UVM Exercise Science Program Receives National Accreditation

The University of Vermont College of Nursing and Health Sciences Exercise Science bachelor’s degree program has just earned national accreditation from the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) and the Committee on Accreditation for the Exercise Sciences (CoAES). This accreditation status shows how valuable the education is for UVM Exercise Science students as they prepare for careers in the health, fitness, and exercise industry. Graduates of a CAAHEP-accredited exercise science program are also eligible for advanced ACSM national certifications.

The program director, Connie Tompkins, said, “Graduates of our program are ready to help people of all ages and backgrounds improve their health. Students earning their degree from an accredited exercise science program can be sure that they receive a high-quality education that prepares them for employment in the health, fitness, and exercise industry or further graduate studies.”

The Exercise Science program, which consists of 124 credits, introduces theoretical approaches and applied skills using current evidence-based science to appraise risk, assess physiological function, and develop exercise prescriptions for various populations. It also provides hands-on experiential opportunities in the on-campus human performance center and adapted physical activity laboratories, as well as with community partners.

Senior students complete a capstone involving faculty-supervised clinical, research, or community-based experiences integrating knowledge and clinical skills. Capstone internships have included UVM Medical Center Cardiac Rehabilitation, Long Trail Physical Therapy, and Vermont Adaptive Ski and Sports, among others.

UVM alums are well-prepared to enter the workforce or pursue graduate study upon completing the degree. Recent graduates have taken positions with The New York Rangers (NHL), Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital, Vermont Adaptive Ski and Sports, and Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. They are also pursuing further education in occupational and physical therapy and physician’s assistant programs.

Zachary Klein ’19, who’s seeking an advanced degree in occupational therapy, credits UVM’s exercise science faculty with providing the valuable skills and knowledge he needed to reach his goals. He plans to continue his work in disability rights advocacy and wilderness therapy to create an outdoor sports program for people with mental and physical health challenges.

Dean Noma Anderson of the College of Nursing and Health Sciences said, “Exercise science is so important right now because of the prevalence of chronic, preventable health problems in the U.S. and awareness of health disparities among diverse populations. Those who study exercise science are equipped to develop exercise prescriptions with the potential to improve health outcomes for everyone.”

The University of Vermont is one of only 149 universities and colleges worldwide to be named an Exercise is Medicine® campus for its efforts to create a culture of wellness on campus. Exercise Science students’ passion for making moving a daily campus culture and helping others in the campus community cultivate lifelong physical activity habits helped UVM earn the gold-level designation for the sixth year in a row from the Exercise is Medicine® On Campus program.

The College of Nursing and Health Sciences, part of an academic health sciences hub that includes the UVM Health Network and Larner College of Medicine, enrolls about 300 graduate students and 1000 undergraduates across four academic departments: Biomedical and Health Sciences, Communication Sciences and Disorders, Nursing, and Rehabilitation and Movement Science. CNHS calls students to a higher standard of care and teaches them to reach across divides for the benefit of patients, to become leaders among the next generation of culturally competent health professionals.

The University of Vermont, since 1791, has worked to move humankind forward. UVM’s strengths align with the most pressing needs of our time: the health of our societies and the health of our environment. Our size—large enough to offer a breadth of ideas, resources, and opportunities, yet intimate enough to enable close faculty-student mentorship across all levels of study—allows us to pursue these interconnected issues through cross-disciplinary research and collaboration. Providing an unparalleled educational experience for our students, and ensuring their success, are at the core of what we do. As one of the nation’s first land grant universities, UVM advances Vermont—and the broader society—through the discovery and application of new knowledge.