APSM Overview
Welcome and
thank you for your interest in the new undergraduate program, Applied Physiology
and Sport Management, which began in the fall of 2009, and is offered through the Simmons School of Education
and Human Development.
The APSM program
provides a rigorous curriculum for understanding the biological basis of
health and fitness and the business background required of professionals in the
sport, health and fitness industries.
Academic
coursework and experiential learning opportunities within this program will
prepare students for a variety of possible career paths including:
- Commercial
health and fitness facility management
-
Corporate fitness programming
-
Nutrition services and products
-
Sports strength and conditioning
-
Health management
-
Sports marketing
-
Management of professional, collegiate or amateur sport organizations
-
Representation of professional athletes
-
Sport public relations
-
Sport facility and event management
Health, Fitness, and Sports Industries Today
The fitness,
health, and sports industries comprise an enormous and growing share of the U.S.
and global economies. For example, in the United States alone, the commercial
fitness and health industry had gross revenues of over $14 billion in 2005,
major league sports currently gross annual earnings of over $20 billion dollars,
and personal health care costs account for 16 percent of the U.S. gross domestic
product ($2.2 trillion).
Because
Dallas is a major U.S. market, there are professional major and minor league
teams for each sport, numerous sports venues to host these teams, and respected
sports marketing agencies to support sponsorship of these teams by upper echelon
brands. According to a Business Week article published on August 18, 2008, "How
to Pick a Sport Management Program," prospective students are wise to choose
sport management programs in cities with several sports teams due to the
increased number of internship and job opportunities.
In addition,
national health trends alone provide a compelling reason to educate and train
professionals in the scientific and professional basis of fitness and health.
One of the most striking findings in U.S. data comparing causal factors of death
between 1990 and 2000 is the substantial increase in the number of estimated
deaths attributable to poor diet and physical inactivity. Approximately one half
of all deaths in 2000 were ascribable to a limited number of largely preventable
behaviors and exposures, most of which relate directly to physical inactivity,
being overweight and obesity.
Program Mission
The mission
of the APSM program is aligned with the missions of the university, school, and
department by emphasizing evidence-based training pertinent to the fitness,
health and sport industries. Instruction in science and management are
integrated and enhanced by experiential learning opportunities in these areas.
Unique Aspects of the APSM Program
The following
three unique aspects of the APSM major are included throughout the program to
ensure that students receive comprehensive academic training and a quality
experience:
-
Science courses are structured in accordance with evidence-based practices (EBP), with each course consisting of basic science specific to the discipline and an in-depth investigation of the research literature as it relates to EBP.
-
Experiential learning opportunities through practicum courses, labs, internship courses, and research projects give students the ability to apply learned concepts within "real world" settings.
- Senior Project for both the Applied Physiology & Enterprise and Sport Management concentrations provides all APSM students the opportunity to select an aspect of health, fitness or sport management and hone learned skills through a practical project. The project findings are documented in the form of a research paper, a summative report to the faculty, and a poster presentation and discussion of the project.