Department of Health and Movement Sciences Programs

Southern is one of only 153 universities and colleges around the world to be honored by Exercise is Medicine® for its efforts to create a culture of wellness on campus. The university earned gold-level designation from the Exercise is Medicine® On Campus (EIM-OC) program, as well as earning EIM’s COVID Conqueror Badge, a new honor given to campuses that demonstrated creative adaptations to physical activity programming during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Exercise is Medicine 2021 Gold Campus Award

    
The Department of Health and Movement Sciences offers nationally recognized programs in Athletic Training, Human Performance, Physical Education, Respiratory Care and/or School Health Education. Career options in the fitness and health industry (e.g., in corporate wellness, fitness training, clinical exercise physiology, human performance) are growing; Southern’s graduates have gone on to positively contribute to the health status and wellness-based lifestyles of different segments of the population, from young children to the elderly.

Athletic training is an allied health profession encompassing the prevention, examination, diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation of acute and chronic injuries and medical conditions. Athletic trainers are regulated in 49 states to include Connecticut. Athletic trainers treat a broad range of patients and clients and can be found in many professional settings. Athletic trainers provide preventive and health care services within high schools, colleges/universities, professional sport teams, performing arts, physician offices, military and occupational settings.

Southern’s post-baccalaureate M.A.T. degree in athletic training is expected to begin in the summer of 2021 and will allow its students to complete requirements to sit for the Board of Certification Examination after 2 years. The program is open to students regardless of undergraduate degree provided students have completed prerequisite courses and other admission requirements.

Our unique and innovative curriculum consists of four traditional fall and spring semesters which are preceded by a single summer session. These fall and spring semesters have been divided into 8-week ‘mini-semesters’ with one 8-week period devoted to classroom study and the second 8-week period dedicated to experiential learning. The extensive level of immersive clinical experience offered by our program will give every student maximal opportunity to master their professional skills in all aspects of the athletic training profession.

Program Information

 

In compliance with the CAATE requirements, the following chart represents the current Board of Certification Examination:

Admissions and Retention Requirements
Academic Map
View Accreditation and Outcomes

Athletic training is an allied health profession encompassing the prevention, examination, diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation of acute and chronic injuries and medical conditions. Athletic trainers are regulated in 49 states to include Connecticut. Athletic trainers treat a broad range of patients and can be found in a variety of professional settings. Athletic trainers can be found providing health care services within high schools, colleges/universities, professional sport settings, performing arts, physician offices, hospitals, and several occupational settings.

The Southern Connecticut State University accelerated BS / MAT in athletic training offers eligible students the opportunity to complete their undergraduate degree and a Master’s in Athletic Training within a five-year period. Replacing our successful undergraduate program, this program meets the Commission on Athletic Training Education (CAATE) accreditation requirements that all entry- level athletic training programs be delivered at the graduate level following a reduced undergraduate experience. Our program is the first to meet Connecticut Department of Public Health requirements regarding minimum coursework for athletic trainers to be employed in the occupational setting.

Consistent with Southern’s commitment to access, the undergraduate aspect of our program provides a quality, lower cost alternative to most other programs nationally and facilitates the admission of transfer students. Students apply to Southern Connecticut as an athletic training major and proceed to complete undergraduate and professional prerequisite requirements. Students achieving a 3.0 and meeting all prerequisite courses shall be admitted into graduate professional studies. For a list of prerequisite courses, retention and requirements students are strongly encouraged to visit the Southern undergraduate and graduate catalogs.

Program Information

 

In compliance with the CAATE requirements, the following chart represents the current Board of Certification Examination pass rate for students completing the undergraduate athletic training program.

Admissions and Retention Requirements
Academic Map
View Accreditation and Outcomes

   
At this time, we do not have any graduate students in the program. We are presenting the undergraduate results for historical comparison.

The Allied Health concentration is part of the Exercise and Sport Science major. The concentration is designed to prepare students for advancement to graduate degrees in professional programs in Exercise Science, Applied and Clinical Exercise Physiology, Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy and Physician Assistant programs. Graduates are prepared for employment in the areas of cardiac or pulmonary rehabilitation, research, corporate fitness and health improvement across all ages of the population.

The program is endorsed by the American College of Sports Medicine and was recently accredited by the Commission in Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs

Program Information

83% of our graduating Exercise and Sport Science students seek further education from graduate school or other advanced training, or start their career after college in an exercise science-related workplace.

CAA-HEP accreditation logo

The Exercise Science program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) upon the recommendation of the Committee on Accreditation for the Exercise Sciences.

Sport Science is a concentration within the BS in Exercise and Sport Science degree program. This program is designed for students interested in a fitness, strength and conditioning or clinical rehabilitation setting. Specific occupational opportunities include adult fitness in a corporate, community, commercial or rehabilitative setting, youth fitness, special population fitness across the lifespan and coaching at the high school or college setting. 

The program is endorsed by the American College of Sports Medicine and is accredited by the Commission of Accreditation of Allied Health Programs (CAAHEP). Program graduates are eligible and expected to sit for professional certification examinations related to conditioning and human performance.

Program Information

83% of our graduating Exercise and Sport Science students seek further education from graduate school or other advanced training, or start their career after college in an exercise science-related workplace.

CAA-HEP accreditation logo

The Exercise Science program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) upon the recommendation of the Committee on Accreditation for the Exercise Sciences.

The Bachelor of Health Science (BHSc) degree program prepares its students in the health sciences by providing a comprehensive interdisciplinary foundation in the sciences and allied health fields. Its purpose is to provide each student the necessary prerequisites to apply for admission into professional graduate programs in allied health professions such as athletic training, chiropractic, occupational therapy, physical therapy and other allied health professions. Graduates not seeking admission into professional programs will be equipped to seek out employment in various health care settings.

In addition to specialized courses in the major, the core curriculum includes courses in Biology, Chemistry, Health and Movement Sciences, Psychology, and Respiratory Care. Additional coursework is selected to customize their programs to increase their success in achieving their goals.

 

Program Information

The Bachelors degree program in Physical Education is designed to prepare students to teach physical education in grades Pre-K to 12. Successful completion of this program fulfills the academic requirements of the Connecticut initial educator certificate for preK-12 physical education. Graduates are employed in public and private schools, and related fields in physical fitness, coaching, outdoor recreation and physical activity leadership. 

The Physical Education Teacher Preparation program is nationally accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP) and fulfills all standards established by the Society of Health and Physical Educators (SHAPE America). Additional certification to teach school health education is available as an option for students.

 

Program Information

The accelerated BS Physical Education / MS School Health Education pathway program is designed to have students earn degrees in both Physical Education and School Health Education in 5 years. Upon completion of the program graduates will meet the necessary requirements of the Connecticut initial educator certificate for preK-12 physical education and a cross-endorsement for School Health Education. This is the only program of its kind in New England.

The Physical Education Teacher Preparation program is nationally accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP) and fulfills all standards established by the Society of Health and Physical Educators (SHAPE America). Graduates are prepared to teach physical education and school health in private and public schools and work in related fields such as physical fitness and health education in private/public agencies.

 

Program Information

The AS-to-BSRT program is designed to enhance the student's professional career in Respiratory Therapy. The curriculum provides students who hold Associate degree in the field of respiratory care and RRT certification, with the necessary skills and knowledge to be fully prepared to further assume professional leadership roles in clinical practice, research, education, marketing and management.

The mission of the AS-to-BSRT Program in Respiratory Care at SCSU is to provide sound instruction and resources for currently practicing respiratory care professionals, to enable students to develop the knowledge, skills, attitude, and critical thinking necessary to function as successful and competent respiratory therapists. The AS-to-BSRT Program in Respiratory Care at SCSU fosters and promotes these important concepts through the advancement of education, teaching excellence, practice, research, community engagement and a commitment to lifelong learning.

Program Goal: To provide graduates of entry into respiratory care professional practice degree programs with additional knowledge, skills, and attributes in leadership, management, education, research, and/or advanced clinical practice that will enable them to meet their current professional goals and prepare them for practice as advanced degree respiratory therapists.

 

Program Information

The Master of Science in School Health Education prepares school health educators for leadership roles in the field of school health education. The mission is to prepare leaders with the skills and knowledge to coordinate, teach, and advocate for school health education programs for grades pre-K through twelve. Additionally, this program meets the requirements for certified teachers seeking a cross-endorsement in health education.

Students will be engaged in a contemporary program addressing curriculum development; selection and design of assessment strategies; skills-based teaching strategies; program planning, promotion, and evaluation; advocacy; and health communications.

This graduate program is designed to support the individual learners through real-life experiences and whenever possible, application within their current school communities.

Courses in this 30-credit program are offered in online, hybrid, or on-ground format.

 

Program Information

The M.S. in Exercise Science - Clinical Exercise Physiology concentration prepares graduates for a career as a Clinical Exercise Physiologist in a clinical or research setting. Students are prepared to work with a diverse set of populations as a clinical exercise physiologist including cardiac and pulmonary rehabilitation, exercise oncology, and in metabolic disease (e.g. obesity, T2DM) management. The graduate program prepares students through its comprehensive coursework to sit for the ACSM-CEP (ACSM’s Clinical Exercise Physiologist certification), which is required by the majority of clinical positions.

Students complete 31-34 graduate credits to earn this degree. The program includes a thesis and non-thesis option.

For those students who are interested, please contact the MS Exercise Science - coordinator, Dr. Robert Axtell axtellr1@southernct.edu.

Program Information

83% of our graduating Exercise and Sport Science students seek further education from graduate school or other advanced training, or start their career after college in an exercise science-related workplace.

CAA-HEP accreditation logo

The Exercise Science program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) upon the recommendation of the Committee on Accreditation for the Exercise Sciences.

The Human Performance concentration of our graduate program in Exercise Science provides the student opportunity for advanced study in a wide variety of the exercise sciences including: advanced exercise physiology, advanced strength and conditioning, biomechanics & applied kinesiology, cardiac rehabilitation, laboratory techniques in exercise testing & prescription, exercise prescription for diverse populations, and more. As one of two accredited graduate programs in the New England, our students work closely with our faculty in the classroom or in conjunction with one of our ongoing research projects.

Our program is one of the most affordable in New England, and we offer a limited number of graduate assistantships to qualified students. Students complete 30 graduate credits to earn this degree. The program includes a thesis and non-thesis option.

For those students who are interested, please contact the MS Exercise Science - coordinator, Dr. Robert Axtell axtellr1@southernct.edu.

Program Information

83% of our graduating Exercise and Sport Science students seek further education from graduate school or other advanced training, or start their career after college in an exercise science-related workplace.

CAA-HEP accreditation logo

The Exercise Science program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) upon the recommendation of the Committee on Accreditation for the Exercise Sciences.

The Sport Psychology concentration of our graduate program in Exercise Science is an interdisciplinary program with coursework in the Departments of Health & Movement Science and Counseling and School Psychology and Psychology that offers its students in-depth study in the areas of the health psychology, performance enhancement and intervention.

Students complete 33-36 graduate credits to earn this degree. The program includes a thesis and non-thesis option plus the opportunity to complete a field practicum in sport psychology.

For those students who are interested, please contact the MS Exercise Science - coordinator, Dr. Robert Axtell axtellr1@southernct.edu.

Program Information

83% of our graduating Exercise and Sport Science students seek further education from graduate school or other advanced training, or start their career after college in an exercise science-related workplace.

CAA-HEP accreditation logo

The Exercise Science program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) upon the recommendation of the Committee on Accreditation for the Exercise Sciences.

The M.S. in Physical Activity and Chronic Disease is an interdisciplinary master’s degree, with coursework in the Departments of Health & Movement Science and Public Health. This degree program prepares graduates for a career dedicated to the promotion and programming of physical activity as community health workers or other public/private sector health promotion positions. Due to the interdisciplinary nature of this emerging field, graduates of this interdisciplinary program are uniquely qualified for careers in physical activity promotion at the community and population level. The graduate program prepares students through coursework and a 3-credit internship to sit for the Physical Activity and Population Health certification (ACSM/NPAS) sponsored by the American College of Sports Medicine.

Students complete 33 graduate credits to earn this degree. The program includes a thesis and non-thesis option.

For those students who are interested, please contact the MS Physical Activity and Chronic Disease - coordinator, Dr. Kristie Rupp ruppk1@southernct.edu.

 

Program Information

Coaching is an important career choice. Students will gain an in-depth knowledge into coaching through the study of sociological, psychological, medical and physical areas.  Coaching strategies, principles and perspectives from the individual, dual and team sport will be introduced. This minor is open to students from all majors interested in pursuing coaching.

The minor addresses the foundations of exercise science.

The Minor in School Health Education offers basic preparation in health education to individuals desiring to teach health in public schools.

An interdisciplinary approach, which will provide the student insight into the study of sport. Students will focus on history, culture, ethical, race, class, gender and other approaches related to the study of sport and human athletic performance.