Exercise and Sports Science Program

Exercise and sports science practitioners provide health care, technique/skill instruction, and performance enhancement for the physically active population. Foundational knowledge for this practice is gained through study of how physical activity influences the human body. Clinical skill acquisition is also a very necessary component. Courses within this degree program address both areas.

Outcomes for the exercise and sports science program are:

• Demonstrate comprehension and functional knowledge of the sciences applied to human performance and exercise,
• Retrieve, manage, and critically analyze data relevant to the improvement of health and human performance, and
• Participate as professionally prepared and responsible members of their chosen profession and community.

Exercise and sports science graduates will be prepared to seek several entry-level certifications from agencies such as the American College of Sports Medicine and the National Strength and Conditioning Association. This degree also prepares students for graduate studies in any one of a number of sports medicine-related fields of study. Students pursuing entrance into professional allied health care programs must be advised that the specific school or program might dictate additional course requirements. These students are advised to obtain the most current admission requirements from that school and work with their advisor in assuring all requirements are met.

Students pursuing this degree must earn a grade of C or higher in all courses with the ATRG prefix, as well as BIOL 2153 , BIOL 2151 , BIOL 2173 , and BIOL 2171 . Internship experiences have prerequisite courses and enrollment requires the permission of the advisor. Any student who receives a failing grade in an internship course is subject to immediate dismissal from the program. Internships may not be taken simultaneously. Students pursuing teacher certification must meet the School of Urban Education  criteria for admission into teacher education and student teaching.

Students completing this degree should be advised that the following requirements must be met prior to observation or internship courses:

Criminal Background Check: Students are required to submit to a criminal background check prior to observation or internship courses as required by the contract with off-campus clinical agencies. This will allow proper placement of students for offcampus rotations.

Liability Insurance: Liability insurance is required for any student enrolled in Exercise and Sports Science internship courses. Insurance fees are listed under Health sciences program fees and are automatically billed to the student’s account through the Bursar’s Office.

Health Requirements: Prior to beginning observation and internship courses and yearly thereafter, students must complete online training in blood-borne pathogens, HIPAA, the Right to Know (OSHA communication standard), and TB prevention. Students are required to present proof of the following immunizations and screenings to the School of Nursing: TB test (using CDC guidelines for two step method or chest X-ray), measles, mumps, rubella (MMR), diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis (TdaP), hepatitis B, varicella and flu. These may be done at the Alexander Health Center on campus for a fee or at a private physician’s office. Students who do not desire the required rubella or hepatitis B immunization must sign a waiver.

Transportation and Uniforms: Students are responsible for providing their own transportation to clinical areas and are required to buy their own uniforms, in accordance with the program dress code. See the Exercise and Sports Science Clinical Handbook for dress code.

Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR): Students must provide documentation of American Heart Association Basic Life Support for Healthcare Providers certification prior to observation or internship courses and must maintain continuous certification throughout the program.

Programs

• Exercise and Sports Science, General Emphasis, B.S.E.S.S.
• Exercise and Sports Science, Pre-professional Emphasis, B.S.E.S.S.
• Exercise and Sports Science, Teacher Certification Emphasis, B.S.E.S.S.