Sport & Movement Science

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Faculty

Associate Professor: Christopher H. Schoen, Chairperson

Professors: George Abboud, Katharine C. Bloom, Steven P. Dion, Jennifer El-Sherif, Heidi A. Fuller, Ann Marie Gallo, Joseph A. Gallo, Philip W. Kelly, Peter Smolianov

Associate Professors: Robin C. Benton, Anthony D’Amico, Jason Gillis, Stuart G. McMahon

Assistant Professors: Brett Ely, Jaclyn Norberg, Kevin Silva

Faculty Emeriti

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

Associate Professors: Nancy R. Clifford, George Jacobson

Assistant Professor: George H. Blackwell

Programs Offered

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

Concentrations and Program Directors

Exercise Science - Honors Track    (Professor Jason Gillis)
Exercise Science - Professional Track   (Professor George Abboud)
Exercise Science - Pre-Rehabilitation Science Track  (Professor George Abboud)

Recreation Management - Park Management   (Professor Katharine Bloom)
Sport Management   (Professor Stuart G. McMahon)
Sport and Movement Science, Teacher Education Minor, BS-MEd.   (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)

Certificate

Certificate in Community Wellness

* 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 the 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 the areas of fitness, health and sport.

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

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

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 Honors Track.

The Pre-Rehabilitation Science Track will help prepare the student to pursue an advanced degree in the allied health sciences such as Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Chiropractic, Speech Pathology, etc. Additional pre-requisites will need to be taken based on your specific allied health interest.

The Professional Track will prepare the student to work with clients on the front lines of exercise, strength and conditioning, cardiac rehabilitation and/or health and wellness.

The Honors Track (part of the Commonwealth Honors Programs (CHP)) will help prepare the student to pursue a master’s degree in fields such as Exercise Physiology, Strength and Conditioning, or Biomechanics, etc…

Retention in the Exercise Science Pre-Rehabilitation Science Track

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

Students accepted into the program are expected to complete the required courses. No changes will be made unless approved by the Program Director or the SMS Chairperson.
A 3.20 overall GPA.
A grade of “C+” or better in the following courses: BIO 200 Anatomy and Physiology I, BIO 201 Anatomy and Physiology II, SMS 300 Kinesiology, ATR 301 Prevention and Care of Athletic Injuries

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 advised into the Professional Track in Exercise Science or an alternate program of their choice if they are unable to maintain the required overall GPA and coursework standards following their sophomore year.

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 pre-practicum 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 EDC 115 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.

Graduate Certificate in Sport Development and Management

Unique and versatile, the graduate certificate in sport development and management is designed to prepare graduates to move into leadership positions at any profit and non-profit sport, fitness and leisure organization. This program expands and deepens professional knowledge of strategic aspects of sport management such as finance, marketing, event and facility management. The program also explores the world’s most systematic and progressive ways to develop sporting organizations and services with a focus on lifelong nurturing of participants for better performance, health, education, and social harmony.