The Bachelor of Science - Clinical Physiology degree provides students with a solid grounding in the factual and conceptual mastery of the interdisciplinary nature of the study of human structure and function.  The curriculum is designed to promote critical thinking, effective writing, clear articulation and presentation, and to promote analytical skills that transcend the subject matter.  Students also participate in, and learn to appreciate, the application of scientific research to real world problems and/or service for the benefit of the community. Upon graduation, clinical physiology majors should be equipped with the skills necessary to succeed in graduate school and/or professional fields of study, at the completion of which they will have a diverse array of certified and licensed healthcare career options.
 

Clinical physiology is characterized by:

• Integration with other departments in the sciences
• Moderate sized classes
• An emphasis on the importance of experiential learning
• A faculty that interacts with the students in and out of the classroom, as well as after graduating
• Promoting undergraduate research
• Faculty that are active in research and have leadership roles in their professional organizations
• Offering a variety of opportunities in professional internships and practicums

Career Orientations*

• Physical Therapy (PT)
• Physician's Assistant (PA)
• Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation
• Sports Medicine - Athletic Training
• Chiropractic Medicine (DC)
• Accelerated Nursing Programs
• Metabolic Disorder Clinics
• Occupational Therapy (OT)
• Orthotics and Prosthetics (O&P)
• Graduate Programs - Integrated Human Physiology

* Most clinical health-care professions require education beyond the bachelor degree level. Additional courses may be needed to satisfy pre-requisites for admission eligibility to some graduate and professional programs.

Interested in Allied Health Professions?

Clinical physiology specifically prepares students to enter specialized post-baccalaureate professional programs in critical high‐demand, health­‐care  arenas such as, physical therapy, occupational therapy, physician's assistant, sports medicine-athletic training, chiropractic medicine, accelerated nursing, prosthetics and orthotics, and cardiopulmonary rehabilitation. Students with an interest in medicine should consult with Dr. Levente Fabry-Asztalos (Organic Chemistry, Medicinal Chemistry)

The Clinical Physiology program has reciprocal, coordinated, and integrated relationships with many academic departments in order to provide students with objective, appropriate, and up-to-date information.

To help best prepare for a future in a health care profession, check the related links for resources.  Start with the American Medical Association listing of health professions as well as the web site established and maintained by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs. In addition, the Healthcare Career Guide describes many career options and the steps needed to attain these career goals. Listed below are a few important websites to assist with learning more about different health professions.

Physical Therapy (PT)

• The American Physical Therapy Association
• The Physical Therapist Centralized Application Service.
• How to become a Physical Therapist Assistant.

Occupational Therapist (DOT)

• The American Occupational Therapy Association
• The Occupational Therapist Centralized Application Service.
• Occupational Therapy Career Information - Accredited Schools Online
• How to become an Occupational Therapist

Nursing Professions

• The American Association of Nurse Practitioners
• Men in Nursing - Accredited Schools Online
• Minorities in Nursing - Accredited Schools Online
• Nursing Scholarships & Financial Aid - Accredited Schools Online
• There are numerous accelerated nursing programs for students that have a degree in health science related fields such as clinical physiology.

Physician Assistant (PA)

• The American Academy of Physician Assistants
• Physician Assistant Education Association
• How to become a Physician's Assistant

Sports Medicine - Athletic Trainer (ATC)

• The National Athletic Trainers’ Association

Chiropractic Medicine (DC)

• The American Chiropractic Association

Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation

• The American Association of Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Rehabilitation

Orthotics and Prosthetics

• The American Orthotist and Prosthetist Association
• Master's Degrees in Orthotics and Prosthetics
• Learn more about Orthotics and Prosthetics
• Additional O&P Career Information

Application to the Major

Admission to Central Washington University does not ensure acceptance into the clinical physiology program. The clinical physiology degree includes several preparatory courses in Chemistry and Physics that may also satisfy general education requirements. All courses in the curriculum require a grade of C or better to graduate.

Application procedures:

1. Review the Clinical Physiology website carefully and take preparatory courses during freshman and sophomore years.
2. Contact the Health Careers Counselor (see below) early to formulate a comprehensive undergraduate academic plan.
3. Schedule an appointment with the Director of Clinical Physiology early to complete the application to the major and ensure timely graduation. (see faculty listing)

Recommended Curriculum Timeline

Freshman and Sophomore Years

• Chemistry sequence (specific courses depend on career orientation) If unsure, take CHEM 181-183
• Physics, preferably PHYS 121 (Some post baccalaureate health professional programs require a full year of physics)
• PSY 101 and NUTR 101 (needed as pre-requisites for several elective courses, many of which are required for entry into post-bac professional programs
• Application for admission to the major

Junior and Senior Years

• Required clinical physiology course work.
• Elective course work.
• Clinical Field Experience - culminating component of the degree.

Four-year Plan for the Clinical Physiology Major

The following table provides an overview of a typical four-year plan for successful completion of the Clinical Physiology Major. Most courses offered in the junior and senior year are scheduled multiple times quarters during the year. The culminating Clinical Field Experience (EXSC 493) requires completion of all courses in the major. For a detailed four year plan click (here).

General Education and other non-major aspects of graduation are determined by General Academic Advising and Degree Checkout. The Clinical Physiology Program has no purview over elements that are outside of the major. The following table is an important guide to facilitate graduation in a timely manner.

Clinical Physiology Course Work

Valuable Resources For Current Health-Care Professionals or Those Seeking Degrees & Certifications Around The U.S.

• Online Medical Assistant Programs
• Premier Health and Fitness Resources

Clinical Physiology Faculty

• Dr. Vince Nethery, Director, Clinical Physiologist, netheryv@cwu.edu
• Dr. Eric Foch, Clinical Biomechanist,  FochE@cwu.edu
• Dr. Jim DePaepe, Human Physiologist, James.Depaepe@cwu.edu

Clinical Physiology Adjunct/Visiting Faculty

• Dr. Marcus Jaffe, DPT, Physical Therapist, marcus.jaffe@cwu.edu
• Brad Callan, MSPT,  Physical Therapist, bradford.callan@cwu.edu
• Dr. Nick Gray, DPT, Physical Therapist, nicholas.gray@cwu.edu
• Dr. Emily Andrews, DPT, Physical Therapist, emily.andrews@cwu.edu
• Ken Kladnik, M.A., LAT, AT-C, Kenneth.Kladnik@cwu.edu

• Bryan Contreras, M.S.,  Clinical Physiology & Exercise Science, ContrerB@cwu.edu

Call to arrange an appointment

Pre-Major Drop-in advising with Pat Coffey
Bouillon Hall Room 205
Wednesdays 8am - 11am
Thursdays 8am - 10am