Department of Kinesiology and Outdoor Recreation

Department Chair Cody Bremner – PEB 214	Faculty & Staff
MSSCP Program Director Marcus Lawrence – PEB 207	Student Success Advisors
ORPT Program Director Jason Burton – PEB 221	Website
Administrative Assistant Suzanne Affleck – PEB 217

Overview of Programs

The Exercise Science degree is designed to prepare students to promote safe, effective, and efficient human movement; encourage excellence in athletic performance, strength training, and conditioning; design exercise programs for diverse populations that will prevent and/or treat disease; motivate individuals to improve their quality of life through exercise, rehabilitation, and nutrition; and educate others on nutrition, injury and illness prevention, and healthy living. Students graduating with a BS in Exercise Science are competitive applicants for entrance into graduate school in the exercise sciences; physical and occupational therapy school; chiropractic school; athletic training and physician assistant programs; medical, dental, or optometry school; nursing programs; and alternative medicines. Students with a BS in Exercise Science have career options in community fitness, corporate fitness/wellness, and clinical fitness/exercise science. For degree-specific information, please see Exercise Science (BS) .

The Physical Education - Teaching Emphasis and Physical Education - Coaching Emphasis degrees have two primary applications. First, the PE - Teaching Emphasis is a certifiable major approved for secondary teaching licensure at SUU. Please see Secondary Education Licensure . Some classes required for licensure cannot be taken until the teacher candidate has been admitted to the Teacher Education Department. Please consult your advisor or the Department of Teacher Education for further information. Second, the PE - Coaching Emphasis degree is designed to develop high-quality coaches who possess an excellent understanding of coaching techniques and strategies. The program of study provides students with an understanding of coaching effectiveness, mental preparation and performance in sport, nutrition and conditioning for athletes, skill analysis, and athletic training. For degree-specific information, please see Physical Education - Coaching Emphasis (BS) and Physical Education - Teaching Emphasis (BS) .

The degree program in Outdoor Recreation in Parks and Tourism is intended to provide students with training that qualifies them to work in a variety of professional settings including recreation management agencies, outdoor and experiential education organizations, outdoor tourism companies, and outdoor recreation service and instruction programs. Employment opportunities typically exist with local, state, and national agencies, protected natural areas, outdoor leadership and service programs, commercial recreation enterprises, educational organizations, and wilderness adventure/therapy organizations. Combined with the broad educational background provided by SUU’s baccalaureate core, this program will give students a wide range of opportunities upon graduation including solid preparation for graduate studies in fields such as recreation resource management, parks and recreation, and tourism, or related areas of graduate study. For degree-specific information, please see Outdoor Recreation in Parks and Tourism - Natural Resource Recreation Emphasis (BS) , Outdoor Recreation in Parks and Tourism - Outdoor Education Emphasis (BS) , and Outdoor Recreation in Parks and Tourism - Tourism Emphasis (BS) .

The Master of Science Sports Conditioning and Performance (MSSCP) degree is an innovative approach to meet the needs of coaches, physical educators, personal trainers, strength and conditioning coaches, physical therapists, athletic trainers and other fitness professionals. The MSSCP program provides advanced education in the area of sport conditioning and human performance for working professionals and those looking to further build upon the knowledge, skills, and abilities acquired during their undergraduate studies. Integrating research-based knowledge with practical application is the “Hallmark” of the MSSCP program. This degree offers extensive online course work in sports conditioning, enabling professionals to design safe and effective exercise and conditioning programs. Three intensive summer courses will require students to attend clinical workshops on campus at SUU for two (2) weeks. For degree-specific information, please see Sports Conditioning and Performance (MS) .

Mission

The Department of Kinesiology and Outdoor Recreation uses mentoring and applied learning to equip future leaders and professionals to enhance physical activity, wellbeing, and outdoor engagement in their communities.

Undergraduate

Graduates from KOR programs will:

Appreciate, apply, and teach technical, communication, and awareness skills;
Demonstrate knowledge of rules, strategies, and appropriate behaviors for selected disciplines and physical activities which include coaching, athletic training, intramurals, and health education;
Demonstrate competency in outdoor leadership, wilderness medicine, land management, programming and administration, and interpretation;
Identify benefits, costs, and obligations associated with regular participation in physical activity and outdoor recreation as well as recognize the risk and safety factors associated with participation;
Understand that wellness involves more than being physically fit and sport and leisure provide an opportunity for enjoyment, self-expression, environmental awareness, communication, and a common unifying experience that transcends social and cultural differences;
Cherish the feelings that result from regular participation in physical activity and outdoor recreation; and
Respect the role that regular leisure plays in the pursuit of lifelong health and happiness.

Graduate

Master of Science in Sports Conditioning and Performance

The mission of the Master of Science in Sports Conditioning and Performance (MSSCP) program is to provide graduate students with educational knowledge and skills to enhance the practical application of strength and conditioning.

Department/Program Learning Outcomes

Students graduating in KOR programs should be able to:

Exercise Science

Demonstrate a sound foundational knowledge and understanding of the applied and basic sciences as they relate to responses and adaptations to physical activity and exercise among the healthy, diseased, and athletic population.
Perform basic laboratory skills pertaining to assessments, laboratory methods, and sound experimental and analytical practices, data acquisition, and reporting in the exercise sciences.
Understand the importance and influence of physical activity and exercise on health and become an advocate for physically active lifestyles as a means to improve quality of life and reduce the risk and prevalence of lifestyle-related diseases.
Demonstrate requisite skills and abilities for a career or continued education in various fields related to the exercise sciences.

Physical Education in Teaching/Coaching

Describe and apply physiological, bio-mechanical, and motor learning principles and theory related to skillful movement, physical activity, and fitness.
Identify philosophical and social perspectives of PE/Coaching issues.
Analyze and correct critical elements of motor skills and performance.
Demonstrate personal competence in motor skill performance for a variety of physical activities.
Plan and implement progressive and sequential instruction/practice plans aligned with lesson/practice objectives that address the diverse needs of all students.
Implement effective demonstrations, explanations, instructional cues, and provide effective feedback for skill acquisition and student learning.
Select, create, and use appropriate assessments to evaluate student learning and achievement of instructional goals and objectives.
Demonstrate behaviors that are consistent with the professional ethics of highly qualified teachers and coaches.

Outdoor Recreation in Parks & Tourism

Demonstrate competence in leadership in outdoor recreation.
Demonstrate competence as a risk manager.
Demonstrate competence in program planning and management.
Value the history, economic impact, and scope of outdoor recreation as a profession.
Demonstrate competence in outdoor technical skills.
Integrate learning into a comprehensive capstone project.

Master of Science in Sport Conditioning and Performance

Demonstrate an advanced understanding of human exercise physiology and biomechanics to optimize training stimuli.
Demonstrate advanced understanding of principles of training and exercise prescription to design individualized programs for different sports and populations.
Demonstrate knowledge and use of standardized valid and reliable tests to assess athlete/client performance and progress in a laboratory or field setting.
Demonstrate proficiency in coaching and performing various resistance exercises with proper technique, spotting mechanics, and safety considerations.
Design and implement a comprehensive program incorporating advanced testing and training methods to enhance athletic performance.
Critically evaluate scientific literature, interpret research findings, and apply evidence-based principles to design and implement safe and effective strength and conditioning programs while demonstrating a basic understanding of research methods and their application to professional practice.
Demonstrate specialized knowledge within the field of sports conditioning and performance, including, but not limited to topics such as: special populations, athletic training and sports medicine, sports psychology, motor skill acquisition, and bioenergetics and sports nutrition.

Graduate Admissions and Graduation Information

Master of Science in Sports Conditioning and Performance

Requirements for Admission to the MSSCP Program

Candidates must meet one of the following criteria:

Have a baccalaureate degree with a major or minor in physical education, exercise science, or sports medicine;
Have a baccalaureate degree and be a licensed or certified fitness professional (CSCS, NSCA-CPT, ACSM-CPT, ACSM Health/Fitness Instructor–must provide copy of certification); or
Have a baccalaureate degree and have completed undergraduate courses in exercise physiology (e.g., KIN 3070 ) and biomechanics (e.g., KIN 3060 ). These courses can be completed at a different university but must have covered similar subject matter. Check the course descriptions in the SUU General Catalog to compare your previous coursework to SUU’s classes.

Candidates are expected to be computer literate, experienced in word processing, and have access to a high-speed Internet connection.

Prospective students must also have achieved a 3.0 GPA on the last 60 hours of their baccalaureate degree.

Application Process

Semester Start Date	Application Deadline
Fall Semester	July 15
Spring Semester	October 15

Applicants are required to complete the following items:

Complete SUU Graduate Studies Application, including:
- $60.00 nonrefundable application processing fee.
- Verification of a baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university with official transcripts.

A $15.00 readmission fee will apply if one (1) year has elapsed since last class registration. New letters of recommendation and graduate entrance exam(s) are not required.

Conditional Admission

Master Degree applicants who do not meet minimum requirements may be admitted by providing a justification for why their performance/experience did not meet the minimum requirements and how they will be able to succeed in the program.

Transfer Credit

Students may transfer up to 12 semester credit hours if they align with current course content.

Graduation Requirements

Candidates have six (6) years to complete the degree. All courses must be completed with a “C” grade or better.

Schedule of Courses

The following schedule will be generally repeated each year:

Fall Semester	Spring Semester	Summer Semester
KIN 6000 (R,O) KIN 6020 (E,O) KIN 6070 (E,O) KIN 6080 * (R,O) KIN 6933 ** (R,O)	KIN 6030 (E,O) KIN 6040 (R,O) KIN 6080 * (R,O) KIN 6100 (E,O) KIN 6933 ** (R,O)	KIN 6010 (R,I) KIN 6050 (R,I) KIN 6060 (R,I) KIN 6090 (E,O)
LEGEND R = required course; E = elective course; O = online course; I = 2-week intensive on-campus training; * = must be taken during first semester in the program; ** = to be taken as a co-requisite with KIN 6080 and subsequent semeters until thesis is completed

Other Information

All undergraduate Kinesiology and Outdoor Recreation majors and minors are required to obtain a “C-” (1.7) or better grade in their major/minor coursework.

Programs

Bachelor’s Degree

Minor

Master’s Degree

Sports Conditioning and Performance (MS)