Sports and Health Sciences | Alfred University (2024)

Sports and Health Sciences is a broad field of healthcare related to physical activity and sport. Sports and Health Sciences professionals interact with a physically active population and athletes, focusing on either performance enhancement or injury care and management. The mission of the Sports and Health Sciences major is to prepare students professionally to enter a wide variety of healthcare job settings or to continue their education towards advanced degrees in healthcare related fields and to do so using evidence-based learning, hands-on laboratory experiences, and community engagement through observations of clinicians. Students will also have the option to acquire an EMT credential.

SPHS 101 Introduction to Sports and Health Sciences

SPHS 102 Medical Terminology

SPHS 103 Foundations of Sport Injury and Illness

SPHS 111 Emergency Care in Health and Human Performance

SPHS 190 Principles of Strength Training and Reconditioning

SPHS 211 Orthopedic Assessment I

SPHS 212 Orthopedic Assessment II

SPHS 222 Nutrition for Health and Human Performance

SPHS 231 EMT Basic I

SPHS 232 EMT Basic II

SPHS 301 Clinical Experience in Sports and Health Sciences I

SPHS 303 Prevention and Care Strategies for Sport Injury and Illness

SPHS 310 Orthopedic Procedures

SPHS 320 Psychosocial Strategies in Sports

SPHS 350 Therapeutic Interventions

SPHS 393 Physiology of Exercise

SPHS 395 Strength Training and Reconditioning Techniques

SPHS 401 Clinical Experience in Sports and Health Sciences II variable

SPHS 402 Clinical Experience in Sports and Health Sciences III variable

SPHS 410 Medical and Pharmacological Aspects

SPHS 432 Organization and Administration of Athletics

SPHS 459 Research Methods in Sports and Health Sciences

SPHS 470 Capstone in Sports and Health Sciences

The Sports and Health Sciences program gives students the option of choosing from one of the following major concentrations: General, Rehabilitation Sciences, Pre-Physician Assistant, Pre-Athletic Training, and Performance Enhancement.

General Sport and Health Sciences Concentration

The Sports and Health Sciences major with a General Concentration provides students with a comprehensive understanding of various aspects of sports science, exercise physiology, health promotion, and wellness. This program offers a flexible curriculum that allows students to explore a wide range of topics within the field of sports and health, catering to diverse interests and career goals.

Rehabilitation Sciences Concentration

The Sports and Health Sciences major with a concentration in Rehabilitation Sciences provides students with a comprehensive understanding of human movement, injury prevention, and rehabilitation techniques. This concentration provides the framework for students to successfully complete the prerequisite coursework typically required for graduate program admissions in physical or occupational therapy.

Pre-Physician Assistant Concentration

The Sports and Health Sciences major’s Pre-Physician Assistant concentration provides students with a comprehensive understanding of injury recognition, assessment techniques, and plans of care for the physically active and athletic populations. This concentration provides the framework for students to successfully complete the prerequisite coursework typically required for graduate program admissions in physician assistant studies.

Pre-Athletic Training Concentration

The Sports and Health Sciences major’s Pre-Athletic Training concentration provides students with a comprehensive understanding of injury prevention, evaluation, and rehabilitation in athletic settings. This concentration provides the framework for students to successfully complete the prerequisite coursework typically required for graduate program admissions in athletic training.

Performance Enhancement Concentration

The Sports and Health Sciences major with a concentration in Performance Enhancement provides students with a comprehensive understanding of the human body’s structure and function to improve athletic performance and enhance physical fitness in the general and athletic populations through targeted strength training and conditioning programs. Upon graduation, students meet the requirements for various industry-recognized certifications to pursue various career paths in performance enhancement, such as strength and conditioning specialists, athletic performance coaches, or personal trainers.

Sports and Health Sciences majors will be prepared to go on to graduate work or straight into a career. Students interested in going directly into a career will take the General and Performance Enhancement concentrations, which will prepare them for a wide range of occupations, including the following:

1. Emergency Medical Technician (EMT)
2. Early Intervention Specialist
3. Surgical Technician
4. Therapeutic Equipment Sales
5. Orthopedic Technician: Brace and Splint Fitter
6. Clinical Operations Manager
7. Patient Service Specialist
8. Sports Medicine Practice Specialist
9. Campus Recreation Director
10. Home Health Aide
11. Home Health Coordinator
12. Orthopedic Medical Assistant
13. Preventative Injury Specialist (Military, law enforcement, industrial)
14. Sports Medicine Facility Coordinator
15. NCAA/Professional/Olympic-Drug Testing Technician
16. Medical Scribe
17. Pharmaceutical Sales Representative

For students who wish to augment their undergraduate credentials, the pre-professional concentration areas (Rehabilitation Sciences, Pre-Athletic Training, and Pre-Physician Assistant) will prepare students by having them complete the most common admissions requirements for graduate programs in a 300-mile radius from Alfred University.

1. Paramedic
2. Physician Assistant
3. Chiropractor
4. Massage Therapist
5. Athletic Trainer
6. Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist
7. Orthopedic Physician Extender*
8. Concussion Spotter-Professional/Amateur Sports
9. Team Physician
10. Biomechanist
11. Orthotist / Prosthitist
12. Medical Researcher
13. Physical Therapist
14. Occupational Therapist
15. Sport Psychologist
16. Bioengineer