Sport Studies Programs

Robert Malekoff, Assistant Professor, Chair
Kathleen A. Tritschler, Professor

Lavon Williams, Associate Professor

Craig A. Eilbacher, Instructor
John Jensen, Instructor

The Department of Sport Studies offers two majors: (1) exercise and sport sciences and (2) sport management. In addition to these majors, the department currently offers minors in sport administration, sport marketing and dance. These programs emphasize the development of critical thinking, writing and oral communication skills, which are necessary for effective problem solving to succeed in professions related to human movement and the exercise and sport industry. The sport studies department also offers an elective physical activity program available to all Guilford students.

The sport studies department focuses on the study of human movement and on the exercise and sport industry, which offers preparation for continued study and work in a variety of exercise- and sport-related professions. Students desiring careers related to sport administration and business will find the sport management major attractive. Students interested in careers such in physical/occupation therapy, athletic training, personal training and health/wellness will find the exercise and sport sciences major appealing. Students opting for this major will select one of two educational tracks designed to offer students more focused pre-professional study in either sports medicine or health and fitness.

All sport studies major programs contain strong interdisciplinary and field-based components with significant opportunities for practical experiences. Students may double-major in any of the department majors by completing all requirements for the two majors.

Exercise and Sport Sciences Major:

The primary goal of the exercise and sport sciences (ESS) major is to develop life-long learners who have the knowledge, skills, and aptitudes for service in careers in exercise, sport and health venues or for graduate study in the field of ESS (e.g., exercise physiology, sport and exercise psychology) or in related professional programs (e.g., physical/occupational therapy, athletic training). Students will select either the sports medicine or health and fitness track.

The sports medicine track educates students about the prevention, treatment and rehabilitation of injuries/illnesses to the athletes and other active populations. This track is designed to develop students who are grounded in the liberal arts while also having a comprehensive didactic and clinical background in the study of the human body and the specific theories and practices of the field. The sports medicine track will appeal to students who are pursuing careers and/or future study to prepare for careers in athletic training, physical therapy, occupational therapy or other such rehabilitative career options.

With the completion of the sports medicine track, students may seek a masters' degree in athletic training and then pursue the NATABOC certification. This program offers a route for students to engage in co-curricular activities (e.g., athletics, student government) while gaining valuable hands-on experiences with our athletic training staff.

The department recommends a double major with the health sciences major for students who are interested in health professions such as physical/occupation therapy, medicine, and physician assistant. The ESS-sports medicine and health sciences double major will strengthen the background of students wanting to pursue graduate or professional degrees in related fields. Because each profession has different course requirements for application to graduate school, students interested in pursuing these fields should consult with Craig Eilbacher (x2203) in sport studies or Anne Glenn (x2234) in health science early in their Guilford career to assure that they fulfill all necessary requirements to attend the graduate or professional program of their choice.

The health and fitness track focuses on understanding the maintenance and improvement of physical health and fitness while preparing students for a wide variety of exercise, sport and health science careers. Examples of ESS careers include fitness or wellness director, personal trainer and strength and conditioning coach. This track also prepares students to pursue graduate study in one of the ESS sub-disciplines of exercise physiology, biomechanics, sport psychology, sport sociology, and physical education; or to pursue graduate study in an ESS-related field such as public health education, health promotion or nutrition. When paired with a health science major, this track also provides another avenue for application to physical therapy, occupational therapy, and physician assistant (see Anne Glenn x2234 in health science or for admission requirements to these professional programs).

Embedded within the health/fitness track is the opportunity to pursue a specialization in strength and conditioning.  Many required courses include focused study related to the knowledge, skills, and aptitudes (KSAs) that have been identified by the National Strength and Conditioning Association as requisite for employment in strength and conditioning.  An internship in a strength and conditioning setting that is supervised by a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS) will further develop the KSAs for strength and conditioning.  SPST 455: The Science of Strength and Conditioning, taken in the senior year, will prepare students to sit for the CSCS exam themselves.  Students who are interested in the strength and conditioning specialization should consult Kathy Tritschler (x2145)

Sport Management Major:

Sport management, an interdisciplinary major conducted in cooperation with the departments of Accounting, Business Management and Economics, requires 40 credits emphasizing the practical application of knowledge through field experiences and classroom case studies. The sport management major is closely related to traditional business operations, including marketing and promotion and facility and event management.

 

Degrees Offered

The Bachelor of Science degree is offered in exercise and sport sciences and sport management.

Major Requirements

 

The ESS major requires a minimum of 56 credit hours. The ESS major requires a minimum of 56 credit hours. Students will choose one of two tracks: health and fitness (60 credit hours) or sport medicine (56 credit hours). A five-course Core is common to both tracks, plus a minimum of six emphasis courses. Each track offers some flexibility for students to develop an individual plan of study with the guidance of their academic advisors.

Core requirements for all students majoring in ESS:
1.  SPST 120 Introduction to Exercise and Sport Sciences	4 credits
2.  SPST 241 Motor Learning and Performance	4 credits
3.  SPST 246 Biomechanics of Sport and Exercise	4 credits
4.  SPST 311 Sport and Exercise Physiology	4 credits
5.  SPST 340 Psychology of Sport and Exercise	4 credits
Additional Courses Required for ESS - Health/Fitness Track:
6.   BIOL 111 Integrative Biology: Molecules and Cells*	4 credits
7.   BIOL 341 Human Anatomy and Physiology I*	4 credits
8.   BIOL 342 Human Anatomy and Physiology II*	4 credits
9.   Advisor approved psychological or sociocultural course	4 credits
10.  SPST 314 Perspectives in Sport and Exercise Nutrition	4 credits
11.  SPST 343 Measurement and Evaluation in Sport and Exercise	4 credits
12.  SPST 432 Legal Aspects of Sport and Exercise	4 credits
13.  SPST 455 Science of Strength and Conditioning**	4 credits
14.  Four credits of Health/Fitness skill-based courses, for example:	4 credits
PHYE 100 Strength and Conditioning (1 credit)
PHYE 100 Yoga (1 credit)
SPST 112/THEA 101 Modern Dance I (2 credits)
SPST 142 First Aid (2 credits)
15.  SPST 485 Health/Fitness Internship (in field of interest) or SPST 455 Science of Strength and Conditioning	4 credits
Total credit hours required for B.S. degree in exercise and sport sciences, health/fitness track	60 credits
Additional Courses Required for ESS - Sports Medicine Track:
6.   BIOL 111 Integrative Biology: Molecules and Cells*	4 credits
7.   BIOL 341 Human Anatomy and Physiology I*	4 credits
8.   BIOL 342 Human Anatomy and Physiology II*	4 credits
Sports Medicine Emphasis Courses:
9.   SPST 245 Emergency Procedures in Sports Medicine	4 credits
10.  SPST 320 Organization and Administration of Sport Exercise and Health Programs or	4 credits
SPST 432 Legal Aspects of Sport and Exercise
11.  SPST 373 Therapeutic Modalities and Rehabilitation with Lab	4 credits
12.  SPST 445 Research Methods in Sport Studies or
SPST 343 Measurement and Evaluation in Sport and Exercise	4 credits
13.  SPST 474 Physical Examination and Assessment with Lab***	4 credits
14.  SPST 485 Sports Medicine Internship (in field of interest)	4 credits
Total credit hours required for B.S. degree in exercise and sport sciences, sports medicine track	56 credits

* A grade of C- or better is required in these biology courses, which are prerequisites for SPST 246 and SPST 311.

** It is strongly recommended that ESS majors with an health/fitness track specialization take an in-field certification test in the spring semester of their senior year. Appropriate certifications include, but are not limited to, the CSCS certification from the National Strength & Conditioning Association, the Health / Fitness Instructor certification from ACSM and the Personal Trainer certification from NASM.

***Prerequisites for this course include SPST 246 and SPST 311. A grade of C- or better is required in all prerequisite courses.

Major Requirements for the Sport Management Major

The sport management major requires a minimum of 40 credit hours (10 courses).

1.   SPST 234 Sport Finance	4 credits
2.   SPST 320 Organization and Administration of Sport, Exercise and Health Programs	4 credits
3.   SPST 432 Legal Aspects of Sport and Exercise	4 credits
4.   SPST 445 Research Methods in Sport Studies	4 credits
5.   SPST 485 Internship	4 credits
6.   ACCT 201 Introduction to Accounting	4 credits
7.   BUS 324 Principles of Marketing	4 credits
8.   One course from:	4 credits
SPST 232 Sociology of Sport and Exercise
SPST 247 Historical & Philosophical Perspectives on Sport
SPST 340 Psychology of Sport and Exercise
9.  ECON 221 Macro: US in World Econ or
ECON 222 Micro: Public Policy	4 credits
10.  ENGL 282 Journalism or
BUS 310 Professional Communications	4 credits
Total credit hours required for B.S. degree in sport management	40 credits