Program Description
Sports Science is the study of the body’s response to exercise and physical activity. The field incorporates various sub-disciplines including exercise physiology, biomechanics, motor behavior, and the psychology of physical activity. Sports scientists rely on scientific principles in the areas of biology, chemistry, and physics to advance their understanding of how the body responds to exercise and to advocate physical activity to prevent and treat chronic diseases such as cancer and heart disease.
Majors in the Sports Science B.S.Ed Program must choose from one of two concentrations: Health and Fitness, or Sports Medicine. Each concentration is described below.
Health and Fitness Concentration
The Health and Fitness concentration will incorporate both classroom and supervised practical experiences to prepare undergraduate students with the knowledge, skills, and abilities to work as professionals in the health and fitness industry. Candidates who complete this program will be eligible to apply for the ACSM Health and Fitness Instructor certification, the NSCA Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS) certification, or other similar professional certifications.
Entry-level health and fitness professionals will be skilled in evaluating health behaviors, risk factors, conducting fitness assessments, developing and implementing safe and effective exercise prescriptions, and motivating individuals to modify negative health habits and maintain positive lifestyle behaviors. Health and fitness professionals can perform these activities in commercial, university, corporate, or community settings where their clients participate in health promotion, fitness, and sports performance activities.
Sports Medicine Concentration
The Sports Medicine concentration is a pathway to healthcare graduate programs. This concentration incorporates both classroom and supervised practical experiences to prepare undergraduate students with the core knowledge, skills, and abilities to pursue an advanced healthcare degree. The concentration meets all the requirements for graduate programs in athletic training, and, with minor program of study modifications, can also be a pathway to graduate programs in physical therapy, occupational therapy, and physician assistant, and other related fields.
Admission Requirements
Health and Fitness Concentration
Students must have at least a 2.5 GPA, and must have earned a grade of C or higher in KNH 2410: Introduction to Kinesiology and Health, prior to being admitted to the program.
Sports Medicine Concentration
Students must have at least a 2.5 GPA, and must have earned a grade of C or higher in ATR 2610: Introduction to Allied Health Care Professions, prior to being admitted to the program.
Program Learning Objectives
Students will:
- Apply scientific principles in the areas of biology, chemistry, and physics to problems in the domains of exercise, physical activity, health, and disease.
- Complete a relevant professional certification exam (e.g., ACSM Certified Personal Trainer, NSCA Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist).
- Conduct fitness assessments to evaluate health behaviors and risk factors.
- Develop and implement safe and effective exercise prescriptions.
- Work with individuals and groups to modify negative health habits and develop behaviors with positive impacts on health and wellness.
- Demonstrate intercultural competence and apply skills ethically and responsibly with diverse groups of clients and patients.
Sports Medicine Concentration
- Demonstrate core knowledge, skills, and abilities associated with health promotion, disease prevention, and healthcare.
- Describe internal and external factors and trends impacting healthcare.
- Explain the legal and regulatory environment in healthcare.
- Collaborate with a variety of healthcare professionals in the decision-making process for patient care.
- Pursue advanced degrees in healthcare and eventually to practice effectively as healthcare providers.
Program Learning Outcomes
As a result of their program learning experiences, students can:
Health and Fitness Concentration
- Apply scientific principles in the areas of biology, chemistry, and physics to problems in the domains of exercise, physical activity, health, and disease.
- Complete a relevant professional certification exam (e.g., ACSM Certified Personal Trainer, NSCA Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist).
- Conduct fitness assessments to evaluate health behaviors and risk factors.
- Develop and implement safe and effective exercise prescriptions.
- Work with individuals and groups to modify negative health habits and develop behaviors with positive impacts on health and wellness.
- Demonstrate intercultural competence and apply skills ethically and responsibly with diverse groups of clients and patients.
Sports Medicine Concentration
- Demonstrate core knowledge, skills, and abilities associated with health promotion, disease prevention, and healthcare.
- Describe internal and external factors and trends impacting healthcare.
- Explain the legal and regulatory environment in healthcare.
- Collaborate with a variety of healthcare professionals in the decision-making process for patient care.
- Pursue advanced degrees in healthcare and eventually to practice effectively as healthcare providers.
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