Sports and Health Sciences

Sports and Health Sciences is a broad field of healthcare related to physical activity and sport. Sports and Health Sciences professionals interact with a physically active population and athletes, focusing on either performance enhancement or injury care and management. The mission of the Alfred University Sports and Health Sciences program is to prepare students for diverse healthcare careers or advanced study in related fields. This is achieved through evidence-based learning, hands-on laboratory experiences, and experiential or applied learning opportunities, ensuring students gain practical skills and a deep understanding of healthcare in the context of physical activity and sport.

Program Snapshot

School/Division
College of Liberal Arts & Sciences

Campus Locations
Main Campus - Alfred, NY

Major
Sports and Health Sciences (BS)

Minor
Sports and Health Sciences

Program Contact
Jason Honeck

[email protected]

607-871-2902

Sports and Health Sciences Concentrations

The Sports and Health Sciences program gives students the option choosing from one or more of the following options: General, Rehabilitation Sciences, Pre–Physician Assistant, Pre–Athletic Training, and Performance Enhancement.

13:1

Student to Faculty Ratio

Our class sizes are small so you'll always get the attention you need to thrive.

EMT Option

You could earn an EMT credential while still a student, gaining valuable hands-on experience as a healthcare professional before graduation that will set you apart in the fields of sports, health, and emergency care.

Hands–On, Interactive Learning

The Sports and Health Sciences program at Alfred University promotes hands-on, interactive learning through laboratory courses, student-centered instruction, research opportunities, internships, and seminars focused on contemporary health and sports topics. You'll have numerous opportunities to engage in research, either by collaborating on faculty-led projects or designing your own independent study.

Professional Certifications

The coursework and field experiences in the Sports and Health Sciences program are structured to ensure that graduates meet the educational requirements necessary to sit for certification exams from the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA), the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM), and the National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM).

High Demand

Healthcare has become the largest industry & second largest employer in the country with more than 11 million jobs & continues to grow faster than most other segments. With the recent changes to the healthcare system and millions of baby boomers going into retirement, there is a huge demand for highly qualified and knowledgeable healthcare managers & administrators.

Future Employment Paths

As the healthcare, physical fitness, and wellness industries continue to expand, the need for specialized professionals is greater than ever. At Alfred University, students preparing for graduate studies in fields like kinesiology, biomechanics, exercise science/physiology, strength and conditioning, sports sciences, healthcare administration, as well as careers in physician assistant, physical therapy, occupational therapy, and athletic training, can customize their education to meet essential prerequisites while building a strong foundation for post-graduate success.

Sports and Health Sciences graduates are successful in health and human performance – related occupations such as:

SPHS Degree Only

Emergency Medical Technician (EMT)
Early Intervention Specialist
Surgical Technician
Therapeutic Equipment Sales
Orthopedic Technician: Brace and Splint Fitter
Clinical Operations Manager
Patient Service Specialist
Sports Medicine Practice Specialist
Campus Recreation Director
Home Health Aide
Home Health Coordinator
Orthopedic Medical Assistant
Preventative Injury Specialist (Military, law enforcement, industrial)
Sports Medicine Facility Coordinator
NCAA/Professional/Olympic-Drug Testing Technician
Medical Scribe
Pharmaceutical Sales Representative

SPHS Degree with added Training, Education, and Certifications

Physical Therapist (DPT)
Occupational Therapist (OPT)
Chiropractor (DC)
Paramedic (EMT-P)
Physician Assistant (PA-C)
Massage Therapist (LMT)
Athletic Trainer (ATC)
Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS)
Orthopedic Physician Extender (OPE-C)
Concussion Spotter-Professional/Amateur Sports
Team Physician (MD/DO)
Sport Psychologist
Biomechanist
Orthotist / Prosthetist
Medical Researcher
Bioengineer

Students in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences must maintain semester and cumulative GPA’s at or above the following:

First semester of college work – 1.70
Second semester of college work – 1.85
Subsequent semesters of college work – 2.00

Students in the Sports and Health Sciences Program must maintain specific standards to remain in good standing within the program. This means that students must pass all “required” SPHS courses with a grade of “C” or better. Any grade less than a “C” in one of these courses will result in the student retaking the course. All other specified courses should be passed with a “D” or better. Furthermore, students must maintain semester and cumulative GPA’s at or above the following for the following concentrations:

General Concentration

Cumulative GPA of 2.0
Major GPA of 2.5
American Red Cross CPR for the Professional Rescuer and Community First Aid certification or certification as an Emergency Medical Technician prior to junior standing in the program

Performance Enhancement Concentration

Cumulative GPA of 2.75
Major GPA of 3.0
American Red Cross CPR for the Professional Rescuer and Community First Aid certification or certification as an Emergency Medical Technician prior to junior standing in the program

Pre-Athletic Training Concentration

Cumulative GPA of 3.0
Major GPA of 3.25
American Red Cross CPR for the Professional Rescuer and Community First Aid certification or certification as an Emergency Medical Technician prior to junior standing in the program

Rehabilitation Sciences Concentration

Cumulative GPA of 3.0
Major GPA of 3.25
American Red Cross CPR for the Professional Rescuer and Community First Aid certification or certification as an Emergency Medical Technician prior to junior standing in the program

Pre-Physician Assistant Concentration

Cumulative GPA of 3.0
Major GPA of 3.3

American Red Cross CPR for the Professional Rescuer and Community First Aid certification or certification as an Emergency Medical Technician prior to junior standing in the program.

Academic Discipline

If a student fails to meet the specific academic requirements for their chosen major concentration within the SPHS major, they will be placed on academic probation within the Division of Health and Human Performance. If placed on academic probation, the student will have one semester to meet the GPA requirements or show marked improvement in their academic performance. If the student fails to correct these deficiencies, one of the following will occur:

Students who significantly improve their academic performance but fail to meet the GPA requirement may be placed on “extended probation” for another semester.
Students in the SPHS General Concentration who fail to improve their academic standing will be suspended from the major. With academic suspension from the major, the student will not be permitted to pursue any of the concentrations within the SPHS major. However, students suspended from the major are permitted to appeal the decision. Students may appeal their suspension through the Program Director for presentation to the appeals committee, which will be made up of representatives within the Division of Health and Human Performance. An unsuccessful appeal will result in dismissal from the Alfred University Sports and Health Sciences Program. Students who do not appeal their suspension will automatically be dismissed from the program before the start of the subsequent academic semester.
Students in any of the other concentrations (performance enhancement, Pre-AT, Rehabilitation Sciences, Pre PA) who fail to improve their academic standing will be suspended from their concentration track and reassigned to the general concentration track. However, students reassigned to a new concentration track within the major are permitted to appeal the decision. Students may appeal their reassignment through the Program Director for presentation to the appeals committee, which will be made up of representatives within the Division of Health and Human Performance. An unsuccessful appeal will result in the student being removed from their current concentration track and reassigned to the general concentration within Alfred University Sports and Health Sciences Program.

Readmission Procedure

Students dismissed from the Sports and Health Sciences Program for academic reasons must apply for readmission to the general concentration track within the major. The student must have a semester GPA of 2.75 while carrying an academic load of 12 or more credits for the semester following dismissal. A formal application for readmission must be made in writing to the Program Director. The suspended student must interview with the appeals committee. The appeals committee will hear the student’s case and render a decision on readmission. If a student is readmitted to the major the student will be on academic probation for a minimum of one semester.