Cardiac rehabilitation is a vital component of physical therapy. Through this program, you will prepare to treat and rehabilitate patients who have undergone cardiovascular surgeries by offering both care for their well-being and knowledge of how to best treat them and design a healthy lifestyle for them. Cardiac rehabilitation specialists are highly sought after in the job market today, and a Christ-centered education from Cornerstone University provides a well-rounded education for your heart and mind.
Cardiac rehabilitation is a multidisciplinary approach that focuses on patient education, including personal exercise training, risk factor education and counseling. Through this program, you will prepare to treat and rehabilitate patients who have had a cardiovascular event or surgery.
After graduating with an exercise science degree from Cornerstone and passing the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) Clinical Exercise Physiologist certification exam, a career in cardiac rehab is available to you.
Careers
Careers in cardiac rehabilitation are steadily increasing every year. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, careers in this field are expected to rise 30% by 2022. Cardiac rehabilitation specialists are highly sought after Exercise Specialists that help cardiac patients rebuild a healthy lifestyle. Here are some job opportunities available to cardiac rehabilitation specialists.
Opportunities
Inpatient (Phase I) Cardiac Rehab
Outpatient (Phase II) Cardiac Rehab
Stress Testing Specialist
EKG Technician
Program Supervisor
Internships
Cardiac rehabilitation students at Cornerstone have unique opportunities all across West Michigan to learn from experts in their field. Students can even choose to engage with the global health community by interning at healthcare facilities around the country or around the world.
100%
Of 2019 cardiac rehab graduates were employed within six months of graduating.
100%
Of students participate in internship or practicum experiences.
15:1
Student-to-faculty ratio with an average class size of 22.
Restoration for God’s Glory
Health care is about restoration—restoring patients to health, to their full strength. At Cornerstone, we believe health care is a reflection of God’s love and compassion for us, and our goal for students is to help them communicate that to every patient they come in contact with.
Course List and Learning Outcomes
The exercise science program with a concentration in cardiac rehabilitation is designed to inspire your intellect, deepen your character and prepare you to lead in your career with influence and wisdom. Other exercise science concentrations include pre-occupational therapy and pre-physical therapy.
Exercise Science Major Courses
Program Core
BIO-151 General Biology
BIO-241 Anatomy and Physiology I
BIO-242 Anatomy and Physiology II
KIN-341 Anatomical Kinesiology
Electives—choose one of the following:
MAT-110 College Math
MAT-121 College Algebra
MAT-122 Pre-calculus
MAT-131 Calculus I
Required Courses
BIO-347 Introduction to Nutrition
KIN-211 History and Principles of Kinesiology
KIN-251 Motor Development and Learning
KIN-342 Exercise Physiology
KIN-345 Measurement and Evaluation
KIN-346 Exercise Testing & Prescriptions
KIN-362 First Aid and Injury Prevention
KIN-402 Professional Capstone Seminar
KIN-403 Professional Capstone Research Project
KIN-444 Advanced Exercise Physiology
MAT-151 Statistics
Cardiac Rehabilitation Concentration Courses
BIO-353 Pathophysiology
KIN-361 ECG (Electrocardiography)
KIN-364 Cardiovascular Disease and Risk Management
KIN-381 Cardiac Rehab Internship*
PSY-239 Adult Psychology
SCI-242 Medical Terminology
SCI-346 Pharmacology
*1,200 documented clinical hours in one experience required to take ACSM certification exam
Program Learning Outcomes
This program reflects our commitment to developing students’ knowledge, skills and attitudes in five distinct yet interconnected areas.
Specialized Knowledge
Demonstrate a sound foundational knowledge of the principles of biology and nutrition and an advanced understanding of the anatomical and physiological aspects of the human body.
Understand the physiological basis for exercise and physical activity in application to lifelong physical fitness and the reduction of lifestyle-related diseases.
Demonstrate an understanding of the principles of nutrition and the role of diet and exercise on body composition and weight management.
Applied Knowledge and Collaborative Learning
Apply your knowledge base and laboratory skills to create smoothly functioning movement experiences in a range of environments.
Collect, manage and critically analyze data relevant to the improvement of health and/or human performance.
Foster relationships with colleagues and clinicians and community agencies to support your professional growth as well as serve as an outreach to the community.
Successfully gain employment and/or admittance to graduate school in your chosen field of study.
Be eligible to sit for the ACSM Certified Exercise Physiologist exam.
Intellectual Skills
Demonstrate your ability to integrate both traditional and non-traditional cognitive skills, including analytical inquiry, information literacy, quantitative fluency and communicative fluency.
Civic and Global Learning
Demonstrate intercultural competence in addressing civic, social, environmental and economic issues.
Biblical Worldview Integration
Articulate a Christ-centered worldview and its personal, professional and communal embodiment through Christian virtues.
The professors put effort into getting to know their students, and I love that. I am thankful for the professors that I have had and grown relationships with outside of the classroom.
Carlee Odom (B.S. ’22)
Faculty
Faculty in the Science & Kinesiology Division at Cornerstone have deep knowledge of their field and real-world experience that they translate to classroom teaching.