Sport and Movement Science

Return to: College of Arts and Sciences

View Programs and Courses  

view flowsheets   

Faculty

Associate Professor Steven P. Dion, Chairperson

Professors: Caitlin Corbett, Amy Everitt, Heidi A. Fuller, Joseph A. Gallo, Philip W. Kelly, Peter Smolianov, Michele M. Sweeney

Associate Professors: George Abboud, Katharine C. Bloom, Ann Marie Gallo, Meghan McLyman, Stuart G. McMahon, Christopher H. Schoen,

Assistant Professors: Robin C. Benton, Andrew D’Amico, Jennifer El-Sherif, D. Jason Gillis, James Morrow, Jaclyn Norberg

Instructor:  Michelle Varnell

AT Program Assistant: Kevin J. Silva

Faculty Emeriti

Professors: Bette P. Bailey, Joan E. Duda, Patricia A. Everitt, Grant F. Longley, Bonneta Schreck, Joan L. Zardus

Associate Professors: Nancy R. Clifford, William A. Gillis, George Jacobson

Assistant Professor: George H. Blackwell

Programs Offered

Bachelor of Science Sport and Movement Science/Master of Education Physical Education  

Bachelor of Science - Athletic Training  (Professor Joseph Gallo, Program Director)

Bachelor of Science – Sport and Movement Science (Professor Steven Dion, Chairperson)

Concentrations (and Program Directors)

Exercise Science - Research Track    (Professor George Abboud)
Exercise Science - Professional Track   (Professor George Abboud)
Exercise Science - Pre-Rehabilitation Science Track  (Professor George Abbound)
Health Education Teacher Education  ( Professor Steven Dion)
Recreation Management/Aquatic Management Specialization   (Professor Robin Benton)
Recreation Management/Park Management Specialization   (Professor Katharine Bloom)
Sport Management   (Professor Stuart G. McMahon)
Physical Education Teacher Education - 4+1 program and M.Ed. (Professor Ann Marie Gallo)

Minors

Aquatic Management   (Professor Robin Benton)
Coaching  * (Professor Christopher Schoen)
Fitness    (Professor Heidi Fuller)
Health Promotion  (Professor Steven Dion)
Recreation Management   (Professor Katharine Bloom)
Sport Management   (Professor Stuart G. McMahon)

* The minor in Coaching Education is designed primarily for the Education majors as it immediately establishes graduates with the credentials most State of Massachusetts principals and educators are looking for in new hires. Accordingly, a certification of Coaching Education is strongly recommended. This includes comprehensive training in all aspects of coaching education with an emphasis on high school sports programs. To complete the certification students need one additional course beyond the 5 three credit courses which constitute the minor. Required courses; SMS 230 , SMS 231 , SMS 331 , SMS 390 , SMS 435 . For the certificate, one additional course from the following must be taken; SMS 201 , SMS 250 , SMS 302 , OR ATR 356 .

NOTE: Please see Program Director and Chairperson for permission to minor in the Sport and Movement Science Department.

It is the philosophy of the department to promote lifelong wellness by providing all students with the opportunity to learn and participate in lifetime activities and acquire knowledge in fitness and health. The department offers a variety of .5 credits quarter activity courses and 1-credit semester activity courses where students have the opportunity to learn new skills in a safe and educational environment.

In addition, a wide variety of courses are offered as free electives.

The department offers Bachelor of Science degrees in Athletic Training and Sport and Movement Science. Each SMS major student must select one concentration.

In addition, a minor is recommended. Majors must achieve a minimum grade of “C-” in all major and concentration courses, unless otherwise stated.

Bachelor of Science - Athletic Training  

The Commission on Accreditation for Athletic Training Education (CAATE) has mandated that all athletic training programs must change the entry-level Athletic Training (AT) degree to a master’s level degree by 2022. Based on this change in degree requirement, the current undergraduate AT program at SSU will be phased out after the enrollment of the fall 2017 freshmen pre-professional athletic training class. This fall 2017 freshmen class will be the last class eligible to apply to the professional phase during their fall 2018 semester. Students must successfully complete ATR101: Prevention and Care of Athletic Injuries by the end of the spring 2018 semester, this will be the last time that this prerequisite course will be offered.  Eligibility to apply to the program is contingent on completing required prerequisite course work and submitting required application materials prior to November 1, 2018. The last Bachelor of Sciences in Athletic Training class will graduate in 2021. All degree requirements for the BS in Athletic Training must be met by May 2021.

Undergraduate students interested in preparing for entry into a CAATE accredited master’s degree program in Athletic Training can choose to study Exercise Science: Pre-rehabilitation Sciences within the Sport & Movement Science Department beginning fall 2018. Interested students should contact the Athletic Training Program Assistant, Kevin J. Silva, MS, AT at ksilva@salemstate.edu.

The CAATE accredited athletic training education program prepares the student for the Athletic Training Board of Certification examination. The sequencing of athletic training courses will take three and one-half years to complete and should be started as a second-semester freshman, with Prevention and Care of Athletic Injuries (ATR101 ), First Responder Training (SMS175 ), and Anatomy and Physiology I (BIO200 ). In addition to required courses as indicated on the athletic training flow sheet, this program requires the completion of 850 hours of on-site clinical experiences.

This program has limited enrollment and specific requirements for admission and retention. Please see our Admission and Retention Policy for details. NOTE: A felony conviction could affect eligibility to sit for the BOC examination and make an applicant ineligible for a license from the Mass. Board of Registration of Allied Health Professionals.

Additional requirements: Athletic training students must be prepared to provide their own transportation to clinical settings. In addition, students will be required to purchase professional liability insurance (approximate cost $22), 2-3 Athletic Training Program Polos ($20-25/each), and a name tag ($9.00). Students are responsible for annual renewal costs associated with continuous Emergency Cardiac Care certification throughout the professional phase of the program. Students must obtain a TB test, hepatitis B immunization and physical exam.

For complete details concerning curriculum policies and requirements, see the Athletic Training Handbook available in the SMS department.

The Salem State University Athletic Training Program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education (CAATE).

Bachelor of Science - Sport & Movement Science

Exercise Science Concentration

The Exercise Science concentration is designed to provide the student with the competencies necessary to become a skilled and competitive professional in the marketplace. There are three tracts to choose from Pre-Rehabilitation Science, Professional and Research Track. The Pre-Rehabilitation Science Track will prepare you to pursue an advanced degree in the allied health sciences such as Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Physician’s Assistant, Chiropractics, Speech Pathology, etc. The Professional Track will prepare you to work with clients on the front lines of exercise, strength and conditioning, cardiac rehabilitation or health and wellness. The Research Track will prepare you to pursue a master’s degree in fields such as Exercise Physiology, Strength and Conditioning, Biomechanics, etc…

Health Education Teacher Education Concentration

The Health Education concentration prepares students for initial licensure at both the elementary and secondary levels of the Health/Family and Consumer Sciences (PreK-12) teacher license. Candidates for teacher licensure in Massachusetts must take and pass the Communication and Literacy components of the Massachusetts Tests for Educator Licensure (MTEL) in addition to passing the subject matter portion. A unique opportunity is afforded the prospective teacher to gain practical experiences with students in public school settings through courses with prepracticum components. In addition to required courses as indicated on the Health Education flow sheet, this program requires the completion of a minimum of 75 hours of onsite observation, assisting and teaching, and a 300 hour student teaching practicum in a Massachusetts Public School.

Recreation Management Concentration

The Recreation Management concentration curriculum is designed to provide students with the theoretical background and the applied experiences necessary to be managers/leaders in the recreation field upon graduation or to continue studies in a graduate degree program. Students within this concentration have the option of choosing courses within two specializations: Park and Recreation Management and Aquatic Management. These specializations are designed to enhance the student’s experiences within the primary areas of emphasis in the recreation field.

Sport Management Concentration

The Sport Management concentration is designed to prepare students in the rapidly growing and dynamic field of sport management. The program of study emphasizes providing a well-rounded education utilizing global “best practice” delivered locally with a variety of theoretical and practical opportunities available to students. The curriculum provides the student with the knowledge necessary for today’s sport manager, reflecting the needs of the profession and the competencies required by the Commission on Sport Management Accreditation (COSMA) and the National Association of Sport and Physical Education (NASPE).

Combined Bachelor of Science Sport and Movement Science/Master of Education Physical Education

The Sport and Movement Science department also offers an integrated bachelor’s/master’s degree program in Physical Education with an application process occurring in the second year.  Students seeking initial licensure to teach in the public schools must apply to the combined program and complete an approved minor in Teacher Education.  Students will apply to the licensure program in the spring of their second year and will begin the licensure program in their third year.  Students who successfully complete the undergraduate portion will continue to a fifth year and will graduate with a Master of Education with eligibility for initial licensure at the conclusion of the fifth year of study, assuming all academic and licensure standards are met.

Admissions requirements to the licensure program include, but are not limited to:

• A passing score on the Communication and Literacy portions of the Massachusetts Test for Educator Licensure (MTEL);
• 3.0 minimum GPA in prior college course work;
• Demonstrated work with children;
• Interview;
• Recommendation form from EDC115 Exploring Education instructor (if class was taken at SSU);
• In-person writing sample from a prompt.

Exceptions may be made to the above-referenced requirements at the discretion of the admissions committee.  Retention in the program is based on satisfactory academic progress (maintenance of a 3.0 GPA) and the passing of specific MTEL tests required for licensure in the chosen field.  Students who do not meet these retention guidelines must exit the program and complete a degree without licensure. 

Admission to the Athletic Training Education Program

The following criteria are to be satisfied for matriculation into the professional phase of the Athletic Training Education Program:

1. Successful completion of 24 semester hours
2. A grade of “C+” or better in the following ATR courses:
   ATR 101 Prevention and Care of Athletic Injuries  
   ATR 102 Taping, Bracing, and Protective Equipment  
   ATR 202 Injury Evaluation: Lower Body  

Students may be enrolled in one or more of the above courses during the application process, however, the course must be successfully completed with a C+ or better.

3. A grade of “C” or better in the following support courses:
   SMS 175 - First Responder Training 
   BIO 200 Anatomy and Physiology I 
   
      Students may be enrolled in one or more of the above courses during the application process, however, the course must be successfully
      completed with a C or better.
    
4. Completion of assigned observation hours.

The Athletic Training Education Program employs a secondary admissions process during the fall semester of the Sophomore year of the curriculum. Acceptance from the pre-professional phase to the professional phase of Athletic Training is limited each academic year and is based upon the following criteria:

1. Filing of the appropriate forms to the Program Director by the first Monday of November.
2. Three letters of recommendation, with at least one being from a Salem State University faculty member by the required date.
3. A cumulative GPA of 3.0 at the time of application to the program.
4. Scoring a minimum of 70% on the written and oral/practical examination.
5. Successful interview with the Selection Committee.
6. Compliance with the Athletic Training Program Technical Standards, published in the Athletic Training Handbook.
7. Fulfillment of the health and safety requirements as outlined in the Athletic Training Student Handbook. This includes the completion of the Immunization Questionnaire, HIPAA Training, Blood Bourne Pathogens Training, physical examination, health history, proof of health insurance. 
8. Meeting standards does not guarantee admission.

Retention in the Athletic Training Education Program

The following criteria are to be satisfied for retention in the Athletic Training Education Program:

1. Students accepted into the Athletic Training Program will be expected to follow the course sequence outlined below. Changes may be made only with the permission of the Program Director and the SMS Department Chairperson.
2. A grade of C+ or better in all ATR courses. Failure to maintain this level of performance will result in dismissal from the program.
3. A grade of C or better in each of the athletic training and support courses. See the Athletic Training Handbook for a list of courses requiring a grade of C. Failure to maintain this level of performance will result in dismissal from the program.
4. A grade of B- in all Athletic Training Practicum classes.
5. A cumulative GPA of 2.8 is required for retention in the program. Failure to maintain this level of performance will result in dismissal from the program.
6. Only one practicum course may be taken per semester. No more than two practicum courses may be taken per year.
7. Satisfactory completion of competencies and evaluations from a Preceptor.

Athletic Training Four Year Plan

Freshman

Fall

*

Spring

Sophomore

Fall

ATR 202 Injury Evaluation: Lower Body  
*

Spring

Junior 

Fall 

Spring

Senior

Fall

Spring

Retention in the Exercise Science Pre-Rehabilitation Science Track

The following criteria must be satisfied in order to remain in the Pre-Rehabilitation Science Track: 

1. Students accepted into the program are expected to complete the required courses. No changes will be made unless approved by the
    Program Director and SMS Chairperson.

2. A 3.00 overall GPA.

3. A 3.00 GPA or better in all Exercise Science Pre-Rehabilitation Science Track Required and Support Courses is required coursework.

The intended goal of this track is to prepare students for the rigors of an allied health master’s or doctoral degree. Students will be guided out of this program is they are unable to maintain the required overall GPA.

Return to: College of Arts and Sciences