Bachelor of Science in Education in Sports Science

On this page:

• Why Choose Sports Science?
• Careers
• Real-World Experience
• Success Stories
• Academics and Curriculum
  • Health and Fitness Concentration
  • Sports Medicine Concentration
• Admission

Why Choose Sports Science?

Sports science is the study of the body’s response to exercise and physical activity. The field incorporates various sub-disciplines, including exercise physiology, biomechanics, motor behavior, and the psychology of physical activity. Sports scientists rely on scientific principles in biology, chemistry, and physics to advance their understanding of how the body responds to exercise, and to advocate physical activity to prevent and treat chronic diseases such as cancer and heart disease. With the development of our new sports medicine concentration, the sports science degree is a pathway to healthcare graduate programs. The concentration meets all the requirements for graduate programs in athletic training. With minor program of study modifications, the concentration can be a pathway to graduate programs in physical therapy, occupational therapy, and physician assistant.

The sports science program at Wright State is fully accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP). We assure program quality through alignment to the national standards set forth by CAAHEP that prescribe the specific knowledge, skills, and abilities programs should develop in future sports science practitioners.

Sports science classes at Wright State are small, typically 25 students or less. Lectures and labs are taught by seasoned professors, not graduate students. Faculty-directed student research is highly encouraged. Our program is one of only 43 nationally accredited programs in the country, and one of four in Ohio. We also boast a 93 percent pass rate on national credentialing exams, 88 percent satisfaction rate from both graduates and employers, and 86 percent positive placement rate for graduates.

Program Highlights

• Two concentration options, allowing you to tailor your program to fit your future career goals
• Growing career field with a variety of positions and career fields you may pursue upon graduation
• Hands-on lab courses throughout the program giving you the opportunity to practice and learn new skills
• 400-hour internship required for those pursuing the health and fitness concentration
• Those pursuing the health and fitness concentration are required and prepared to take a nationally recognized certification.

Contact Information

For general questions contact an academic advisor in the CHEH Academic Advising Office.

Careers

73 percent of our 2018-2019 sports science graduates were employed in Ohio within a year of graduation. Almost 12 percent were pursuing advanced degrees a year after graduating. Top employers for Wright State sports science majors include Kettering Health Network and LA Fitness International. (ODJFS Data Match, 2019).

Job openings in exercise physiology are expected to rise 10.6 percent nationwide and 17.9 percent in Ohio between 2014 and 2024, according to the Occupational Information Network (O*NET). The college has provided a dedicated career consultant to assist you in connecting your major to a career. The career consultant focuses on staying up to date on career trends in education, kinesiology and health, leadership, and human services. Our assigned career consultant is an extension of services offered through Wright State’s Career Services.

The School of Nursing, Kinesiology, and Health Sciences has provided a dedicated career consultant to assist you in connecting your major to a career. The career consultant focuses on staying up to date on career trends in education, kinesiology and health, leadership, and human services. Our assigned career consultant is an extension of services offered through Wright State’s Career Services.

Real-World Experience

Health and Fitness Concentration Internship

You are required to complete a 12-credit internship (400 contact hours). Internship sites include hospitals and clinics, wellness centers, health care facilities, nursing homes, fitness centers, spas, resorts, sports science laboratories, government/community agencies, or other approved locations.

Experiential Learning Forms and Resources

• Experiential Learning and Certification Manual (PDF)
• Health and Fitness Concentration Internship Application

Success Stories

Academics and Curriculum

View Bachelor of Science in Sports Science program information, degree requirements, and graduation planning strategies in the Academic Catalog.

Health and Fitness Concentration

Certifications

You will be prepared and required to take a nationally recognized certification. Below are examples of some of the certification exams students will be prepared to take:

• American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) Health/Fitness Instructor exam
• American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) Certified Personal Trainer (ACSM-CPT) exam
• National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA) Certified Personal Trainer (NSCA-CPT) exam
• National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA) Certified Strength & Conditioning Specialist (NSCA-CSCS) exam
• Other approved certifications

You are required to be certified by attending an American Red Cross (ARC) or American Heart Association (AHA) workshop (at the students' expense) in First aid and CPR certification.

• Sports Science, Health and Fitness Concentration 4-Year Planning Guide

Sports Medicine Concentration

Allied Health Capstone Project

This 4-hour course will allow you to design a culminating project/experience to meet his/her educational needs. The course will also emphasize preparation for graduate school including such topics as finding the right school, specific graduate program requirements, applying to graduate school, resume writing, interview skills, etc.

• Sports Science, Sports Medicine Concentration 4-Year Planning Guide

Admission

Admission Requirements

• Cumulative minimum GPA of 2.5
• Successful completion (grade of "C" or above) of an introductory level class
  • For health and fitness concentration: KNH 2410
  • For sports medicine concentration: ATR 2610

Admission Process

New Students