Athletic Training

The graduate Athletic Training Program is designed for Board of Certification (BOC) certified (ATC) or certification eligible athletic trainers. The program will allow students to focus on one of three concentrations:
(1) Athletic Training Administration
This concentration is designed for athletic health care professionals who wish to pursue, or advance a career, as a head or assistant athletic trainer in numerous settings. The concentration is designed to enhance knowledge in areas of managerial and supervisory strategies as well as ethics, public relations, facility design, marketing and legal issues.
(2) Athletic Training Professional Preparation
This concentration is designed for athletic health care professionals who are interested in athletic training education and student learning. This program was designed to enhance the knowledge of future athletic training program directors, clinical coordinators and approved clinical instructors within an athletic training education program. Areas of study include; pedagogy, curriculum development and clinical education.
(3) Athletic Training Rehabilitation
This concentration is designed for athletic health care professionals who are passionate about athletic reconditioning, rehabilitation anf functional return of the physically active person. This program is designed to enhance skills and knowledge in areas of strength and conditioning, advanced therapeutic exercise, therapeutic modalities and exercise physiology.

The thirty-six semester hour program will provide students with a strong theoretical and research basis in their concentration. All students will be required to complete a fieldwork experience specific to their concentration and professional goals. Students who receive a grade of C+ or lower in any of three courses will be expected to move from the Athletic Training concentration to another program or area of concentration. NOTE: The program is not a BOC certification preparation program.

Undergraduate prerequisites/competencies: Applicants will need to demonstrate course work proficiency in the following areas in addition to BOC certification or eligibility for certification.

• Human Anatomy and Physiology I and II (with Lab)
• Chemistry (with Lab)
• Physics (with Lab)
• Psychology
• Nutrition
• Exercise Physiology
• Kinesiology/Biomechanics
• Basic and Advanced Athletic Training
• Therapeutic Modalities and Exercise
• Statistics
• Computers
• Skills

The basic program requires a minimum of 36 credits of graduate coursework.

Exercise Physiology

Exercise Physiology is an extension of physiology that focuses on the changes in physiological function which occur as the human organism moves from an inactive state to an active state. In exercise physiology acute responses to a single exercise session as well as chronic adaptations to a series of exercise sessions are studied. The physiological adaptation to exercise stress is investigated with the intention of gaining an understanding of exercise induced improvements and adaptations in physiological function.

The Exercise Physiology Program of Springfield College has a longstanding tradition and prestigious reputation both nationally and internationally.

Facilities available for research in exercise physiology include: a large multipurpose performance assessment laboratory, a biochemistry laboratory which houses state of the art research equipment, a computerized hydrostatic weighing laboratory, a computerized dynamometry laboratory as well as metabolic testing equipment. The presentation of student research at regional and/or national scientific meetings along with the publication of research findings is one of the goals of the graduate experience in exercise physiology.

Students who receive a grade of C+ or lower in any of three courses will be expected to move from the Exercise Physiology concentration to another program or area of concentration.

Undergraduate prerequisites/competencies:

• Anatomy and Physiology I and II
• Inorganic Chemistry
• Organic Chemistry
• Biochemistry
• Physics
• Kinesiology
• Exercise Physiology  
• Statistics
• Selected Skills and Techniques

The basic program requires a minimum of 36 credits of graduate coursework.

Health Promotion and Disease Prevention

The 36-39 credit graduate program in Health Promotion and Disease Prevention focuses on preparing graduates for careers in Health and Wellness (including Health Promotion and Exercise / Physical Fitness) and Clinical Exercise Physiology.  All students complete courses in Health Behaviors and Public Health and complete a supervised field experience.  In addition the program provides students two Track options to support their career choice: Health Promotion and Clinical Exercise Physiology.

The Health Promotion track (36 credits) is designed for students interested in

1. a career in designing, implementing and evaluating comprehensive Health Promotion and Wellness programs for individuals, agencies and organizations (private and public); or
2. a career in designing and implementing exercise and fitness programs in corporate, commercial, clinical, community, or school settings.

Coursework is designed to prepare graduates for national certifications in Health Promotion/Wellness and Exercise and Fitness.

The Clinical Exercise Physiology track (39 credits)  is designed for students interested in working in clinical settings such as hospitals and out patient medical settings with an emphasis on disease prevention.  With the increased incidence of chronic medical conditions, such as obesity and renal and cardiovascular disease, the role of the Clinical Exercise Physiologist is becoming important in health care management.

In addition to the required and track coursework, all students must complete a research requirement.  Students will complete either a thesis or independent study.  Students who complete a thesis are eligible for a M.S., M.Ed. or MPE degree.  Students who complete an independent study are eligible for a M.Ed. or MPE degree and must complete a School of HPER poster presentation of their independent study.

Prerequisites/UG competencies:

Health Promotion Track

• Management HFIT Programs
• Mammalian Anatomy and Physiology (2 semesters)
• CPR and First Aid
• Exercise Physiology
• Kinesiology/Biomechanics
• Statistics
• Activity classes (2-4 credits)

Clinical Exercise Physiology Track

• Mammalian Anatomy and Physiology (2 semesters)
• Inorganic Chemistry
• Organic Chemistry
• Exercise Physiology
• Kinesiology/Biomechanics
• Exercise Testing and Prescription
• ECG
• Statistics
• HFI Certification or equivalent
• CPR/AED
• 2-4 credits activity classes

The basic program requires a minimum of 36 credits of graduate coursework.

Sport and Exercise Psychology

Sport and Exercise Psychology is designed for students with a scholarly interest in the field and for those who wish to pursue a doctorate. The program focuses on a theoretical understanding of sport and exercise from philosophical, sociological, psychological, and physiological viewpoints. The synergy created in this unique program provides graduates with the tools and knowledge needed to help individuals maximize their performance.

The graduate student pursuing the master of science degree in Sport and Exercise Psychology is required to complete courses in advanced exercise physiology, motor learning and control, sport sociology, sport psychometrics, sport and exercise psychology, and applied sport and exercise psychology. The philosophical dimensions of sport are explored within ethical, aesthetic, epistemological, axiological, and metaphysical dimensions. The theoretical aspects of Sport and Exercise Psychology include sport personology (personality, motivation, achievement, and attributions), anxiety/arousal, attentional focus, and social/cultural manifestations of sport (humanism, youth sport, cooperation/cohesion, aggression, and leadership). Students who receive a grade of C+ or lower in any of three courses will be expected to move from the Sport and Exercise Psychology concentration to another program or area of concentration.

Undergraduate prerequisites:

• Anatomy and Physiology I and II
• Kinesiology/Biomechanics
• Physiology of Exercise
• Assessment in Movement and Sport
• Heritage and Values of Movement and Sport
• Skills and Techniques

The basic program requires a minimum of 36 credits of graduate coursework.

Strength and Conditioning

The Strength and Conditioning program prepares students to work with secondary school, collegiate, professional and/or elite athletes developing and implementing excerise programs to support and enhance performance.  Coursework, both theoretical and clinical, is designed to prepare students for national certification offered by the American College of Sports Medicine, National Strength and Conditioning Association, and the YMCA.  All students complete fieldwork experience.  Students who receive grades of C+ or lower in any three courses will be dismissed from the program.

Undergraduate prerequisites/competencies:

• Human Anatomy and Physiology I and II
• Kinesiology
• Exercise Physiology
• Exercise Testing and Prescription
• Statistics
• First Aid and CPR 
• Selected Skills and Techniques

The basic program requires a minimum of 36 semester hours of graduate credit; 41 semester hours for an M.S. degree.