Samford University’s School of Health Professions announced the addition of a new master’s program: Master of Science in Performance and Applied Sports Science. This new program falls into the kinesiology department. However, this program is a bit unique among master’s programs, as it is only a one year, 35 credit hour degree.
This degree is meant to offer students opportunities to learn with hands-on experiences, especially in learning how to use scientific practices to elevate athletic performance.
Exercise science major Phoebe Greene, who will be enrolling in the program, said that she is “hoping to become a strength and conditioning coach, or a sports scientist or both.”
This degree is designed to set students up for success in these fields by requiring 480 hours of supervised field experience. Field experience can include college athletics, sports medicine clinics or strength and conditioning. Students will also be eligible for the Certified Performance and Sport Scientist exam run through the National Strength and Conditioning Association.
The classes students will have to take will focus heavily on data-driven decision-making to improve athlete performance. The goal is for students to learn practices relating to how to optimize recovery and reduce injury risk.
Samford’s press release about the degree explained that students will also be learning how to use the devices utilized in these processes, such as force platforms and GPS systems. This not only teaches students how to collect the data, but also how to organize and visualize it for the athletes and coaches they will be working with.
With the launch of this program, Samford is expanding its capacity to grow leaders in the kinesiology and health sciences fields. This degree combines multiple areas of science, leadership and practice to set students up for their careers after graduation.
As stated in the press release, Dean Jung said, “We are honored to teach, train, and mentor these graduate students to make a positive impact in the lives of others.”
This degree is meant to do just that by offering a new avenue for students to launch their career in sports medicine.
Learn more about the master’s degree on their website.
Staff Reporter
