Clinical & Applied Movement Sciences

The Department of Clinical & Applied Movement Sciences prepares students for healthcare careers in prevention, evaluation, treatment, and rehabilitation of physical dysfunction and injury. All four programs require hands-on clinical experience opportunities along with professional experience (internship). Upon graduation, students are eligible to take licensure examinations or certification examinations in their specified field.

Physical Therapy

Physical therapists are health professionals who work with individuals in preventing, evaluating, and treating physical dysfunction and injury. An understanding of human movement serves as the foundation for the practice of physical therapy.

The physical therapy program at the University of North Florida provides graduates with the knowledge and skills to become generalist practitioners of the highest caliber. Physical therapists are graduates of an accredited physical therapy program who have passed a state licensure examination. UNF's physical therapy program has received accreditation of its Doctorate degree program and graduates are eligible to take the national licensure examination.

Applicants to the professional physical therapy program must have completed a baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university recognized by the University of North Florida prior to entering the program.

The professional curriculum, all of which takes place at the graduate level, consists of 102 credit hours taken over eight semesters.  Applicants must comply with all requirements and procedures of the University of North Florida related to admission to graduate level programs.

The number of students to be admitted each year will be determined by the Brooks College of Health, in consultation with physical therapy program faculty, with consideration of the resources available to the program, the quality and size of the applicant pool, and current market conditions.  Normally, 30 students will be admitted to the program each year, so students who meet minimum requirements are not necessarily guaranteed admission to the program. 

UNF's Physical Therapy program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE), and graduates are eligible to take the national licensure examination.

Athletic Training

The Department of Clinical & Applied Movement Sciences offers a challenging pathway to a career in the prevention, evaluation, treatment, and rehabilitation of injuries and conditions among patients and athletes.  The Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Athletic Training will prepare students for the Board of Certification Examination to become a Certified Athletic Trainer and a career at the secondary school, college and university, and professional athletic, clinic, hospital, industrial, and performing arts settings.

Many of our students continue their education in a variety of medical fields.  The Athletic Training Program provides a strong foundation in the sciences for students interested in pursuing graduate study in athletic training or in the related fields of exercise physiology, occupational therapy, physical therapy, recreational therapy, physician's assistant, and medicine. 

The program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education (CAATE).

Exercise Science

The Department of Clinical & Applied Movement Sciences offers an undergraduate and graduate Exercise Science concentration. This concentration culminates in both Bachelor of Science in Health (BSH) and Master of Science in Health (MSH) degrees. The BSH concentration is in Exercise Science and the MSH concentration is in Exercise Science and Chronic Disease. Of major concern to society is the health and well being of its citizens. Our programs provide a curriculum that focus on exercise physiology, clinical exercise physiology, exercise epidemiology and research. Exercise Physiologists are health care professionals that utilize knowledge of the human body’s adaptive responses to exercise to address an individual’s health, fitness, or performance goals. Exercise Epidemiologists are advanced exercise practitioners and scientists that conduct original research examining the associations between physical activity, physical fitness and chronic diseases (e.g., obesity, metabolic syndrome).

Exercise Science students who wish to continue their academic studies will benefit from a well-rounded curriculum designed to prepare students for admission into graduate (Masters and Doctorate) programs in Exercise Physiology or other Health Care professions. Our Exercise Science curriculum provides a strong foundation for students interested in the advanced degrees of Physical Therapy and Public Health. Other graduate programs that are of interest to Exercise Science students are: Epidemiology, Occupational Therapy, Chiropractic, Medicine, Physicians Assistant, Sports Psychology, and Pharmacy.