About

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. Students participate in, and learn to appreciate, the application of scientific research to real world problems and service for the benefit of the community. The program specifically prepares students to enter graduate or specialized post-baccalaureate professional programs in critical high-demand, healthcare arenas including:

• Physical and Occupational Therapy
• Physicians' Assistants
• Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation
• Sports Medicine - Athletic Training
• Chiropractice Medicine
• Accelerated Nursing Programs
• Metabolic Disorder Clinics
• Orthotics and Prosthetics

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

Program Learner Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this program, students will be able to:

• Demonstrate knowledge of structural components and the interrelationships between these structural components in the human organism.
• Demonstrate knowledge of the physiologic processes that govern organism functioning and maintain homeostasis with specific emphasis on humans.
• Describe the impact of personal behaviors - lifestyle decisions (e.g.) physical activity and energy balance on human structural and functional integrity.
• Identify, describe, and employ the various components of scientific inquiry including deductive reasoning, the analysis of data and the establishment of defensible conclusions.

Pre-Admission Requirements

A grade of C or higher is required in all pre-admission, required courses, and elective courses in this major. Students who intend to pursue careers in PT, PA, DC, or Medicine, the CHEM 181-183 series is required by most post-bac professional programs.

• CHEM 111 - Introduction to Chemistry (4)
• CHEM 111LAB - Introductory Chemistry Laboratory (1)
• OR
• CHEM 181 - General Chemistry I (4)
• CHEM 181LAB - General Chemistry Laboratory I (1)
• AND
• CHEM 112 - Introduction to Organic Chemistry (4)
• CHEM 112LAB - Introduction to Organic Chemistry Laboratory (1)
• OR
• CHEM 182 - General Chemistry II (4)
• CHEM 182LAB - General Chemistry Laboratory II (1)
• AND
• CHEM 113 - Introduction to Biochemistry (4)
• CHEM 113LAB - Introduction to Biochemistry Laboratory (1)
• OR
• CHEM 183 - General Chemistry III (4)
• CHEM 183LAB - General Chemistry Laboratory III (1)
• AND
• PHYS 111 - Introductory Physics I with Laboratory (5)
• OR
• PHYS 121 - Introductory Physics for Life Sciences I (5)
• OR
• PHYS 181 - General Physics I with Laboratory (5)

Pre-Admission Total Credits: 20

Required Courses

Electives

TOTAL CREDITS TO COMPLETE THE MAJOR: 100

Recommended 4-Year Academic Plan

The following table provides an overview of a standard four-year plan for successful completion of the clinical physiology major. The culminating Clinical Field Experience (EXSC 493) requires completion of all courses in the major. General Education and other non-major aspects of graduation are determined by General Academic Advising and Degree Checkout, not the clinical physiology program.

Student Resources

To explore different healthcare career options, check out this Healthcare Career Guide! To learn more about a specific healthcare profession, see the links below:

Physical Therapy

• The American Physical Therapy Association
• The Physical Therapist Centralized Application Service
• How to Become a Physical Therapist Assistant
• Paying for Physical Therapy School

Occupational Therapy

• The American Occupational Therapy Association
• Occupational Therapy Career Information - Accredited Schools Online
• How to Become an Occupational Therapist

Nursing

• The American Association of Nurse Practitioners
• Men in Nursing - Accredited Schools Online
• Minorities in Nursing - Accredited Schools Online
• Nursing Scholarships and Financial Aid - Accredited Schools Online

Physician's Assistant

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

Sports Medicine - Athletic Trainer

• The National Athletic Trainers' Association

Chiropractic Medicine

• The American Chiropractic Association

Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation

• The American Association of Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Rehabilitation

Orthotics and Prosthetics

• The American Orthotist and Prosthetist Association
• OP Careers

Clinical Physiology Faculty

Program Director

• Jared Dickinson

Faculty

• Eric Foch
• Hillary Connor
• Jared Dickinson
• Karen Roemer
• Kelly Pritchett
• Leonardo D'Acquisto
• Robert Pritchett
• Ryan Galindo
• Timothy Burnham
• Vincent Nethery

Laboratory Technician

• Bryan Contreras

Application Procedures

1. Take preparatory courses during freshman and sophomore years. You must earn a grade of C or better.
2. Contact the Academic Advisor for Health Sciences early to build 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.

Patrick Coffey
Academic Advisor for Health Sciences
(509) 963-3580
patrick.coffey@cwu.edu

Jared Dickinson, PhD, FACSM
Program Director, Clinical Physiology
(509) 963-2341
jared.dickinson@cwu.edu