Exercise Physiology

Mission

To educate and train students through a structured, innovative and engaged learning construct to become credentialed Exercise Physiologists. To learn more about the field and career of exercise physiology click here.

Vision

To be recognized and respected by pertinent professional organizations and employers as one of the premier Exercise Physiology programs in the United States.

Accreditation

The Valdosta State University undergraduate Exercise Physiology program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (www.caahep.org) upon the recommendation of Committee on Accreditation for the Exercise Exercises. The undergraduate Exercise Physiology program was awarded initial accreditation effective July 31, 2015 through July 31, 2020.

Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs25400 US Highway 19 N., Suite 158 Clearwater, FL 33763727-210-2350 www.caahep.org

History

1992-1993. Tom Jackson, PhD, Professor of Exercise Physiology, proposals a BS in Health Fitness degree to meet the needs of students and the profession.
Fall 1994. The program of study first appeared in the undergraduate catalog as a Bachelor of Science in Health Fitness, in the College of Education, Department of Health, Physical Education and Athletics. The program was physically located in the Physical Education Complex. Dr. Mark J. Kasper, newly hired for the position, directors the degree program.
October 1998. The program of study transitioned from the Bachelor of Science in Health Fitness to the Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science (BSES).
January 2000. Dr. LaGary Carter takes over as Director of the BSES degree.
1999. The Department of Health, Physical Education and Athletics was changed to the Department of Kinesiology and Physical Education.
July 2001. The status of “Educational Recognition Program” was conferred upon the Exercise Science program by the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA).
July 2001. The Exercise Science curriculum received recognition by the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) University Connection Program (UCEP) which was developed to assure program quality and consistency among colleges and universities.
November 2001. The Exercise Science program was recognized by the ACSM Committee on Certification and Registry Boards (CCRB) as meeting the knowledge, skills and abilities (KSAs) for the ACSM Health Fitness Instructor® certification.
May 2005. The Exercise Science program was recognized by the ACSM Committee on Certification and Registry Boards (CCRB) as meeting the knowledge, skills and abilities (KSAs) for the ACSM Exercise Specialist®.
August 2007. The program of study was renamed as a Bachelor of Science in Exercise Physiology with approval by the Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia and was one of the first undergraduate programs nationwide that officially conferred the “Bachelor of Science in Exercise Physiology” on the graduation diploma. The Bachelor of Science in Exercise Physiology curriculum was based upon the desired educational content and outcomes recommended by ACSM.
May 2008 – cumulative number of graduates tops 250.
May 2010 – cumulative number of graduates tops 300.
April 2012. The first Exercise is Medicine Symposium is held at Valdosta State University. Hosted by the Exercise Physiology club, Ben Hogan, MD is one of the speakers.
July 1, 2013, the Exercise Physiology, Athletic Training, Nutritional Science minor and Dental Hygiene programs officially became the School of Health Sciences and merged with the College of Nursing to form the College of Nursing and Health Sciences.
March 29, 2014. The Exercise Physiology club host the 2^nd annual Exercise is Medicine Symposium in Jennett Lecture Hall. EP alumni Lori (Bodiford) Betts, PT, Amanda Martin, PT, and Jonathan Jones, PT speak at the event.
April 1, 2014. All programs were moved and housed within the newly constructed Health Sciences and Business Administration building on the VSU’s north campus. Students admitted into the Dental Hygiene program complete the program of study at Wiregrass Technical College.
April 18, 2014. Official opening - Ribbon Cutting - for the new Health Sciences and Business Administration building.
April 23, 2014 - 3^rd annual Exercise is Medicine symposium.
February 15, 2015 – 4^th annual Exercise is Medicine symposium.
July 2015. Sarah Fretti takes over as Director, BSEP degree.
July 31, 2015. Based upon the recommendation by the Committee on Accreditation for the Exercise Sciences (CoAES), the Exercise Physiology degree program was awarded a 5-year certification of accreditation by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP). Valdosta State University was the first and only B.S. degree program in the State of Georgia to have accreditation and one of less than 50 programs in the entire United States.
January 2016. The Center for Exercise Medicine and Rehabilitation opens. Sarah Fretti is the director of the fitness and Sean Hutchinson is the director of the athletic training.
April 23, 2016 - 5^th annual Exercise is Medicine symposium.
April 29, 2017 – 6^th annual Exercise is Medicine symposium.
July 2017. Dr. Mark J. Kasper takes over as Director, BSEP degree.
August 2017. The first cohort of the M.S. Exercise Physiology degree begins course work. Dr. Mike Webster is the director of the degree.
March 24, 2018 – Over 200 people attend VSU’s 7^th annual Exercise is Medicine symposium. Jim Stoppani, PhD, is the main draw and included an afternoon workout session at the intercollegiate weight room.
May 2018. VSU earns Exercise is Medicine on Campus gold status in large part to the efforts of exercise physiology faculty and staff in collaboration with campus recreation, campus wellness, and other campus entities.
December 2018. The first graduating class – 4 students - of the M.S. Exercise Physiology degree earns their diplomas.
January 1, 2019. Kaleb Noviello, VSU BSEP and MSEP is hired as Director of CEMR, fitness.
April 1, 2019. Paul Higgs is hired as Director of CEMR, athletic training.
April 6, 2019 – Over 83 people attended the 8^th annual VSU’s Exercise is Medicine symposium. The theme was cardiovascular diseases.
May 2019. VSU earns Exercise is Medicine on Campus silver status in large part to the efforts of exercise physiology faculty and staff in collaboration with campus recreation, campus wellness, the Center for Exercise Medicine and Rehabilitation and other campus entities.
August 2019. The number of cumulative graduates exceeds 800.