Movement Science Degree, Sports Medicine Concentration, B.S.

Overview

The Sports Medicine concentration is a pre-professional preparation option, which completes requires for a Sports Medicine and Human Performance Major with an integrated concentration in Sports Medicine.

Students are required to create an individualized plan of study appropriate to be eligible to apply for graduate school and other forms of continuing education in the allied health fields.  Further study is required to obtain credentials in an allied health profession; however entry-level health care career pathways are accessible for the student completing all program requirements.

Topics Covered

  • Professional Issues in Exercise Science 
  • Medical Terminology and Documentation 
  • Evaluation of Upper/Lower Extremity Injuries 
  • General Medical Aspects of Physical Activity 
  • Therapeutic Exercise and Modalities 
  • Fitness/Rehabilitation for Special Populations 

Program Highlights

  • 27 Credits in the Major’s Core 
  • 34 Credits (including 7 electives) in the Concentration 

Outcomes

Preparation of students for graduate school (needed to obtain certification for a career as a Physical Therapist, Occupational Therapist or a Physician’s Assistant) or continuing education for credentials in an allied health profession.

  • 120

    credits

  • 20% Growth

    in field by 2024

  • Career Opportunities

    in Health-Related Fields

Requirements

Sports Medicine Concentration, Major Core Requirements - 27 Credits
Sports Medicine Concentration

About the Program

The Sports Medicine concentration is a pre-professional preparation option which completes requirements for a Movement Science major with an integrated concentration in Sports Medicine and Health Science. Students are required to create an individualized plan of study appropriate to be eligible to apply for graduate school and other forms of continuing education in the allied health fields. Further study is required to obtain credentials in an allied health profession; however, entry-level healthcare career pathways are accessible for the student completing all program requirements. The integrated curriculum provides students the opportunity for inter-professional learning and problem solving; skill sets required by the evolving healthcare system and graduate programs.

Requirements

All majors in the Department of Sports Medicine and Human Performance must complete the twenty-seven (27) credits of courses specific below. A minimum grade point average of 2.5 in the Major Core Classes is required to be eligible to graduate with a degree from the department.

In order to successfully complete the Sports Medicine Concentration, students must:

  • Earn a minimum GPA of 2.5 in the Major Core courses.
  • Take all required Sports Medicine Concentration courses.
  • Earn a health care (or related) credential (EMT, CNA, PCA, HHA, phlebotomy, scribe, etc.)
  • Meet academic and professional development criteria necessary to earn both Intermediate and Advanced Standing in the Movement Science Department, as outlined in the Departmental Benchmarks section.
  • In addition, students pursuing a career in an allied health field must meet prerequisite standards for graduate level education in that field (i.e. PT, OT, PA, etc.). Information on these requirements may be obtained directly from the programs to which the student intends to apply.

Required Course List:

 

Also required is:

7 credits of courses selected from the following list in consultation with the advisor:

Professional Development Procedures

In order to progress through the Movement Science majors, students must meet the academic and professional development criteria necessary to earn intermediate and advanced standing in the department.

Intermediate Standing

Requirements for Intermediate Standing to progress through the Movement Science majors are as follows:

  • Minimum GPA of 2.5 in the following courses:
  • MOVP 0100 - Science of Physical Activity and Health
  • MOVP 0194 - Musculoskeletal Structure and Function
  •  Additional Requirements:Student Acknowledgement Form Copy of Degree Evaluation First Aid/CPR Certification Earn a minimum of 12 Professional Development points across four (4) different areas (Academic, Clinical, Professional, Social Justice; three in each area) Writing Sample (ENGL 0101; graded B- or higher) Additional requirements that are specific to Physical Education can be found on the Physical Education concentration page.

Advanced Standing

Advanced Standing is required for those completing an internship, ATEP clinical experience, or student teaching practicum. The requirements are as follows:

  • Minimum GPA of 2.5 in the Major Core area (27 credits)
  • Minimum GPA of 2.7 in the courses required within the chosen concentration (Physical Education requires a minimum GPA of 3.0 within the concentration)
  • Minimum overall GPA of 2.8
  • Personal Statement
  • Resume
  • First Aid / CPR Certification
  • Membership in a professional organization
  • Earn a minimum of 16 Professional Development Points across four different areas (Academic, Clinical, Professional, Social Justice; four in each area)
  • Three (3) Faculty Recommendations and two (2) additional recommendations from outside the department

Additional requirements for Physical Education students can be found on the Physical Education concentration page.

Additional information can be found in the SMHP Department manual.

Additional Graduation Requirements

All students must meet the University Graduation Requirements and complete a general education or common core of studies, distributed among the different academic areas as detailed in General Education: WISE or Common Core.

Learning Outcomes

  • Students will understand and demonstrate cultural competence.
  • Students will understand the need for and will demonstrate proficiency in written and oral communications and be able to utilize different forms of current technology.
  • Students will use reflective practices to plan, implement and evaluate program, personal, community and professional goals.
  • Students will demonstrate an ability to explain the relevance of scientific and theoretical knowledge appropriate to his/her chosen field of study to everyday problems.
  • Students will utilize critical inquiry to advance knowledge and apply that knowledge to practice.
  • Students will understand the importance of and will engage in professional behaviors including pursuit of appropriate credentials.
  • Students will understand the role of Physical Activity in the Health and Wellness of individuals across the lifespan.
  • Students will value and participate in Civic Engagement.
A Westfield Student Sports Medicine student works with another student.

Still have questions?

Program Director
Dr. Holly Noun
hnoun@westfield.ma.edu