The APSM program provides a rigorous curriculum for understanding the biological basis of health and fitness and the business background required of professionals in the sport, health, coaching and fitness industries. The program leads to a B.S. degree with specializations/concentrations available in applied physiology and health management, sport management, and sport performance leadership. Specializations/concentrations require coursework in the physiological sciences and business.
The core curriculum introduces the discipline; establishes the scientific basis of health, fitness and human performance; introduces the business principles and skills necessary to establish and maintain a sport- or fitness-related business; and familiarizes students with the legal and ethical aspects of the fitness, health, coaching and sport industries. Woven throughout the program are experiential learning opportunities as well as science courses structured in accordance with evidence-based practices and augmented by reviews of current research. The program culminates in a research methodology course and an internship. Students are ultimately prepared for a variety of career paths, including commercial health and fitness facility management; corporate fitness and wellness programming; graduate programs in the allied health professions (i.e., physical therapy, nursing, physician assistant); coaching; health management; sports marketing; management of professional, collegiate or amateur sport organizations; representation of professional athletes; sport public relations; and sport facility and event management.
All students must complete 12-16 hours of core courses and 27–30 hours of specialization/concentration courses to obtain the B.S. degree in APSM. The core courses and specialization are described below.
Applied Physiology and Health Management Specialization
The applied physiology and health management specialization ensures that students are able to develop effective lifestyle prescriptions that include research-based training methods, to design and manage fitness and health facilities, and to serve in meaningful professions within the health management and allied health industries. The course offerings within this specialization focus on holistic fitness and health outcomes and are formulated and presented around the central theme of evidence-based practice. This strategy equips students with the analytic skills necessary to evaluate and properly incorporate research results into professional practice. The program provides students with the solid research foundation that is necessary for leaders, educators and practitioners to contribute to the prevention of chronic diseases that plague society and affect the health care system.