Aquatic Therapy Area of Emphasis

Aquatic therapy is a rapidly developing health profession with increasing job opportunities, and is an area presently staffed by exercise physiologists, occupational therapists, and physical therapists. The WVU Division of Exercise Physiology offers a special emphasis in this exciting area of specialization, available to both graduate and undergraduate students.

West Virginia University is the only university in the United States to offer a comprehensive curriculum to prepare students to sit for the Aquatic Therapy and Rehabilitation Exam, the national certifying exam for aquatic therapists. The curriculum provides many opportunities for a variety of aquatic certifications valued by prospective employers. 

The first class, offered during the fall semester, can be taken as a sophomore or junior. The area of emphasis curriculum includes a total of 15 credit hours:

• EXPH 450 (4 hours): Theory of Aquatic Therapy
• EXPH 451 (3 hours): Application of Aquatic Therapy
• EXPH 452 (3 hours): Aquatic Therapy Facility Management
• EXPH 491 or 672 (5 hours): Professional Field Placement

Questions? Contact Lori Sherlock, MS, CSCS, ATRIC.