Introduction
You can study the body’s response to exercise and physical activity, including exercise physiology, biomechanics, motor behavior, and the psychology of physical activity, while earning a Bachelor of Science in Education degree in sports science. Both classroom and supervised practical experiences prepare you to work in the health and fitness industry. You can work in commercial, university, corporate, or community settings where clients participate in health promotion, fitness, and sports performance activities.
Why Choose the Sports Science Program?
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. With the development of our new Sports Medicine concentration, the Sports Science degree is a pathway to healthcare graduate programs. The concentration meets all the requirements for graduate programs in athletic training. With a minor program of study modifications, the concentration can be a pathway to graduate programs in physical therapy, occupational therapy, and physician assistant.
The Sports Science program at Wright State University is fully accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP). We assure program quality through alignment to the national standards set forth by CAAHEP that prescribe the specific knowledge, skills, and abilities that programs should develop in future practitioners in the field of Sports Science.
Sports science classes at Wright State University are small, typically 25 students or less. Lectures and labs are taught by seasoned professors; not by graduate students. Faculty-directed student research is highly encouraged at Wright State University. Our program is one of only 43 nationally accredited programs in the country, and one of four in Ohio. We also boast a 92.7% student retention rate, a job placement rate of 86% after graduation and a 100% employer satisfaction rating!
Health and Fitness Concentration
Certifications
Students will be prepared and required to take a nationally recognized certification. Below are examples of some of the certification exams students will be prepared to take:
American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) Health/Fitness Instructor exam
American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) Certified Personal Trainer (ACSM-CPT) exam
National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA) Certified Personal Trainer (NSCA-CPT) exam
National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA) Certified Strength & Conditioning Specialist (NSCA-CSCS) exam
All students are required to be certified by attending an American Red Cross (ARC) or American Heart Association (AHA) workshop (at the students' expense) in First aid and CPR certification.
Internship
Students are required to complete a 12-credit internship (400 contact hours). Internship sites include hospitals and clinics, wellness centers, health care facilities, nursing homes, fitness centers, spas, resorts, sports science laboratories, government/community agencies, or other approved locations.
Sports Medicine Concentration
Allied Health Capstone Project
This 4-hour course will allow the student to design a culminating project/experience to meet his/her educational needs. The course will also emphasize preparation for graduate school including such topics as finding the right school, specific graduate program requirements, applying to graduate school, resume writing, interview skills, etc.
Careers
Health and Fitness Concentration
Wellness program coordinator
Cardiopulmonary rehabilitation specialist
Exercise oncology instructor
Group exercise instructor
Corporate or recreational fitness director
Certified personal trainer
Certified strength and conditioning coach
Sports Medicine Concentration
(careers listed will require additional education)
Athletic trainer
Physical therapist
Occupational therapist
Physician assistant
Chiropractor
Sports Psychologist
Learning Outcomes
To demonstrate core knowledge, skills, and abilities associated with health promotion, disease prevention, and healthcare.
To describe internal and external factors and trends impacting healthcare.
To explain the legal and regulatory environment in healthcare.
To collaborate with a variety of healthcare professionals in the decision-making process for patient care.
To prepare students to pursue advanced degrees in healthcare and eventually to practice effectively as healthcare providers.
Admission
Admission Requirements
Cumulative minimum GPA of 2.5
Successful completion (grade of 'C' or above) of an introductory level class
For Health & Fitness Concentration: KNH 2410
For Sports Medicine Concentration: ATR 2610
