Overview
HPER majors with a concentration in exercise science are provided with knowledge on disciplines including biomechanics, sports nutrition, sport psychology, motor control/development, and exercise physiology. Students will become skilled in evaluating healthy behaviors and risk factors. Knowledge on fitness assessments, exercise prescriptions, and motivation for healthy lifestyles is offered through the program.
Courses
Courses for a Bachelor of Science in HPER with a concentration in Exercise Science include the general requirements, major core courses, and specialized training in Exercise Science.
Career Opportunities
Exercise Science professionals work in a wide variety of settings, including corporate, clinical, community, and commercial fitness centers. Exercise Science majors work with both healthy and unhealthy populations, leading and demonstrating individuals in safe and effective methods of exercise. Assessing risk factors and identifying health statuses are also duties of this profession.
Faculty
Dr. John Alvarez
Interim Chair, Associate Professor
Coordinator, Exercise Science
jalvarez@hghgjm.com
662.846.4561
Overview
HPER majors with a concentration in Recreation Administration are provided the ability to contribute to the health and well being of individuals and to enhance the quality of community life.
The study of recreation administration is multidisciplinary, requiring understanding of the social, behavioral, physical, and environmental sciences as they pertain to helping people grow and develop in their leisure while conserving our vital natural resources.
Knowledge of the arts and humanities is important as well, because leisure is one of the most fertile opportunities for self expression and the development of community.
Candidates must complete an internship at a recreation or leisure services location. Upon graduation, professionals find positions in community parks and recreation, outdoor education, campus recreation, military and wellness, commercial trade and adventure, and with teaching and research. Other areas include play therapy, therapeutic recreation, and senior living recreation programmers.
Courses
Courses for a Bachelor of Science in HPER with a concentration in Recreation Administration include the general requirements, major core courses, and specialized training in Recreation Administration.
Career Opportunities
Graduates of the Recreation Administration Program are employed in positions of responsibility throughout the region, nation and world.
Work is available across a variety of settings, including public recreation departments, outdoor recreation programs, hospitals and tourism agencies.
Some graduates have found their degrees useful for work in fields such as social work, the ministry, law enforcement, wildlife biology and range land management.
Faculty
Dr. Todd M. Davis, CPRP
Dave Heflin Professorship
Director, Recreation Administration &
Outdoor Education
tdavis@hghgjm.com
662.846.4570
Overview
Sports management degrees provide students with fundamental knowledge and skills centered on finance, management, marketing and law pertaining to the organizations in the sports industry. The coursework in sports management degree programs typically prepare students for careers with amateur, collegiate and professional sports organizations. These students are able to capitalize on several different types of sport related opportunities after graduating from a sports management program. Many established business professionals decide to go back to school in order to make a successful career transition into the sports industry. Both undergraduate and graduate students can benefit from considering a degree in sports management. The sports industry in America currently generates over $200 billion annually.
Courses
Some of the core classes and general prerequisites required to pursue a sports management degree include principles of management, economics, financial accounting, algebra, general psychology, physical or biological science as well. Statistics, humanities, public speaking and introduction to sports management are some of the classes sports management students have typically taken by the end of the fourth semester. Some of the classes sports management students typically take after the fourth semester include business finance, sport and society, sport facility design and management, principles of marketing, ethical issues in sport, sport and business finance, legal issue in sport and physical activity and sport marketing as well. Some of the best colleges provide internships with sports management firms as well.
Career Opportunities
There are a variety of careers that students go on to succeed in after completing a sports management degree. Some of the common career choices for sports management program graduates include athletic trainer, college athletic administrator, player or coach agent, operations manager, team marketer, athletic team manager or the coach, ticket sales specialist, a director of communications or even a sports event planner. Some students also choose careers focused more so related to sports and the fitness nutrition fields. Many professionals believe that the right internship can be extremely helpful with establishing a career in the competitive sports industry. Several students are able to obtain front office positions with professional sports teams because they chose to earn a sports management degree.
Possibilities
Students in this field typically graduate with a bachelors in sports management, masters in sports management, an MBA in sport management or a PhD in athletic administration/ sports management. This niche business degree prepares students for running and managing nearly all facets of a sports organization. Some students choose the MBA in sports management in order to specialize on developing the skills for fulfilling an operations or management role a sports organization. The masters degree is a popular choice for students that are interested in marketing, scouting or even coaching as well. Sports management programs prepare students to have successful careers in nearly any position of divergent athletic organizations. It’s important to consider the location of the program in terms of applying to internships as well.
Students that go to school around the Tri State area can benefit from the increased proximity to the ESPN campus. Its important to consider the number of professional sports organizations in the immediate area when choosing the best location to earn a degree in sports management. Its possible to become the GM of a major sports team eventually, but its takes a lot of hard work and long hours beyond earning the sports management degree. Building the sports management degree around a profession or skill set that can be successful in its own right is typically the best approach in building value as a potential employee in the sports industry. Many accounting, marketing or communications students eventually find a rewarding niche career that’s related to athletics from earning a degree in sports management.
Resources
Faculty
Dr. John Alvarez
Interim Chair, Associate Professor
Coordinator, Exercise Science
jalvarez@hghgjm.com
662.846.4561
Eric Patten
Instructor
Coordinator, Sports Management
epatten@hghgjm.com
662.846.4560
Dr. Todd M. Davis, CPRP
Dave Heflin Professorship
Director, Recreation Administration &
Outdoor Education
tdavis@hghgjm.com
662.846.4570
