Applied Physiology and Sport Management, B.S.

Applied Physiology and Sport Management, B.S. with a Concentration in Sport Management

Due to the explosion of interest in sport as a business, curricula to prepare management professionals are growing in number and prevalence. Further, as the business of sport becomes more complex, the preparation of professionals has become increasingly sophisticated, relying heavily on successful business theories and principles. The academic discipline of sport management draws on significant research and practices from organization and information management systems, including budgeting, accounting, managing events, managing personnel and facilities, marketing, controlling, directing, evaluating, leading, writing, selling, working with media, developing publications, keeping game notes and statistics, interviewing, promoting, advertising and fundraising. The curriculum prepares students for careers in professional, collegiate or amateur sport organization leadership; representation of professional athletes; management of commercial health and fitness facilities, sport public relations; and sport facility and event management. The program culminates in a research methodology course and an internship.

Applied Physiology and Sport Management, B.S. with a Concentration in Sport Performance Leadership

The concentration in sport performance leadership provides students with academic and experiential training pertinent to the leadership, coaching, and instruction of sport. Graduates of the program are equipped with an evidence-based scientific foundation for their leadership and instructional aspirations. The program serves two objectives:

1. To enhance understanding of scientific evidence for human performance improvement in the context of sport.
2. To provide a philosophical and historical foundation for successful, safe and ethical athletic coaching.

Several features distinguish the program from those at other institutions. Most programs include classes on teaching the fundamentals of sport. Fewer programs apply the psychological component of dealing with motivation, confidence, intensity, focus and emotional well-being. Rarely do programs address the communicative aspect of coaching. SMU’s program in sport performance leadership addresses all three components, equipping students with a unique and dynamic skill set to offer the coaching marketplace. Students also complete three hours of experiential learning. This type of exposure to real-world coaching helps to assure superior preparation for graduates of the program.

Applied Physiology and Sport Management, B.S. with a Specialization in Applied Physiology and Health Management

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, wellness, and health facilities, and to serve in meaningful professions within the health management and allied health 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 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 and prepares students for graduate programs in the allied health professions (i.e., physical therapy, nursing, physician assistant).