Best Online Clinical Exercise Physiology Master's Programs (2026)

• Highest Score79.2 out of 100

  University of Florida

  Online Master of Science in Applied Physiology and Kinesiology (Human Performance concentration)

  Florida · M.S.

  University of Florida's M.S. Review
• Lowest Price$502 per credit

  Texas State University

  Master of Science, Major in Exercise Science, Sport Coaching Concentration

  Texas · M.S.

  Texas State University's M.S. Review
• Most FlexibleFully Online, asynchronous, 7-week terms

  Strongest CredentialsCASCE accreditation confirmed on the official list; prepares for ACSM CEP, ACSM EP, NSCA CSCS

  Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi

  Master of Science in Kinesiology (Sport and Exercise Science emphasis)

  Texas · M.S.

  Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi's M.S. Review

A program qualifies here when it's a master's delivered online and either puts clinical exercise physiology in the program, a concentration or the curriculum, or says on its own pages that graduates are prepared for the ACSM-CEP. Nine programs meet the first test. Six meet only the second.

For each program we record cost, clinical hours, campus time and CAAHEP status from the school's pages and CAAHEP's public list. The order follows the six-factor score in our methodology, so it reflects overall value, not how clinical a program is. The fit note under each program tells you how clinical it really is.

• Master's level, delivered online
• Clinical exercise physiology named in the program, a concentration, or the school's ACSM-CEP statement
• Clinical hours, onsite requirements and CAAHEP status noted for each program

Scores are the weighted sum of six factors (Cost 25%, Outcomes 20%, Online Flexibility 20%, Credential Alignment 15%, Program Depth 10%, Track Record 10%), version 1.0. The methodology page shows the rubric for each factor.

What the ACSM-CEP Asks of a Master's Graduate

ACSM's clinical exercise physiologist page lists two routes to the exam. One is a master's degree in clinical exercise physiology or equivalent plus 600 hours of hands-on clinical experience. The other is a bachelor's in exercise science or exercise physiology plus 1,200 hours. Both need Basic Life Support or CPR for the Professional Rescuer. The exam costs $460 for nonmembers and $350 for ACSM members.

That second route is worth knowing about. A master's isn't the only door to the credential. It's the faster clinical path and the one some clinical lead roles ask for.

The bigger change lands August 15, 2027. ACSM's programmatic accreditation page says candidates must graduate from an exercise science or exercise physiology program accredited by CAAHEP, or from one that has started the process through a formal inquiry or a Request for Accreditation Services. ACSM says it will reassess the rules in 2029.

On this list, the University of Mary's program has held accreditation since 2017, and Lebanon Valley College's was accredited in 2022. Both show on CAAHEP's public list. That same list shows a Letter of Review, which is not full accreditation, for Franklin University's and Lander University's master's in exercise science. The University of Cincinnati's listing covers its bachelor's degree, not this master's.

For every other program, ask admissions whether the school has filed an inquiry or a Request for Accreditation Services, and get the answer in writing. Our certification-ready ranking covers both accreditation rules in full.

Clinical Hours and Campus Time in Each Program

Ten of the 15 programs are fully online: University of Florida, Texas State University, Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi, University of Cincinnati, Lander University, University of Connecticut, Southern Nazarene University, Tiffin University and both Franklin University tracks. Clinical work still has to happen somewhere in person, because you can't run a stress test through a screen.

Lebanon Valley College asks for three residency weekends in Annville, Pennsylvania and a 600-hour clinical internship at approved sites. The University of Wisconsin-River Falls asks for one lab weekend a semester and a supervised internship in cardiac or pulmonary rehabilitation at a regional hospital or rehab center. The University of Mary requires a one-week lab visit each semester in Bismarck, North Dakota, plus clinical internships.

Tiffin's 150-hour internship can be done at your current job, which helps if you already work in a clinic. Franklin arranges the clinical internship with industry professionals, states no hours, and says availability varies by state, with some states open only through employer partnerships.

Aurora requires a 3-credit internship, a TB screen and a criminal background check. Lander's non-thesis route has a 3 to 6 credit internship, and its catalog doesn't say how sites are arranged for students far from campus.

Compare the hours to what ACSM wants. If you need 600 and your program supplies 150, the rest has to come from somewhere else.

What These Master's Programs Cost Against Exercise Physiologist Pay

Across the 99 online master's programs in our data, the median price is $610 a credit. Five programs here sit under that: Texas State at $502, Lander at $545, Aurora at $565, Wisconsin-River Falls at $567 and Florida at $585.75. Parker at $871 and Connecticut at $925 are the top of the range.

Total tuition is lowest at Aurora ($16,950), Florida ($17,572.50) and Texas State ($18,072). At the other end, Lebanon Valley's 33 credits come to $26,037, Parker's 30 credits to $26,130 and Connecticut's 30 credits to $27,750. Fees add more: Aurora charges $100 a semester for technology, Franklin $100 a semester as a resource fee, and the University of Mary a $55 per credit distance fee.

Now the pay. The Bureau of Labor Statistics' May 2025 wage data counts 8,560 exercise physiologists with a median wage of $59,460, ranging from $42,760 at the 10th percentile to $80,560 at the 90th. O*NET projects growth of 7% or higher through 2034 and 1,700 openings.

That's a small field. A $26,037 program against a $59,460 median is a real bet, and a bachelor's is the usual entry point for the job. A master's helps for research, clinical lead roles and higher pay. Our exercise physiologist salary page breaks the wages down by state.

Louisiana Licensure and Other State Rules

Louisiana licenses clinical exercise physiologists. The Louisiana State Board of Medical Examiners' application instructions say an applicant needs a master's degree in an exercise studies curriculum from an accredited school that was approved by ACSM or the board when the applicant graduated. The applicant also needs ACSM certification and a 300-hour internship supervised by a licensed exercise physiologist.

That last requirement affects an online student. If you live in Louisiana, ask each program whether it counts as ACSM-approved or board-approved, and whether the internship site you'd use has a licensed exercise physiologist to supervise you.

We read only Louisiana's board page for this list. If you live in another state, check with your state board before you enroll, and check the job postings near you for the credentials employers name. Our ACSM clinical exercise physiologist guide explains the credential in more detail.