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Graduate Course Descriptions

  • GSPRT 500 Seminar in Human Performance

    3 credits

    This course is intended to familiarize students with current and relevant research in the field of human performance.  Students will gather, read, present and critique current scholarly material in human performance and related fields in an effort to both better understand the research process and also to help formalize their own research interests.

    SPRT 471 / GSPRT 505 Principles of Athletic Training

    3 credits

    This course is designed to give graduate-level athletic training students an overview of essential athletic training principles. Students will gain knowledge in the areas of musculoskeletal injuries, environmental risk factors, mechanisms and characteristics of sport trauma, and coordinating the sports medicine team.

    GSPRT 507 Seminar in Athletic Training

    3 credits

    This course is intended to familiarize students with current, relevant research in the athletic training field.  Students will gather, read, present and critique current scholarly material in athletic training and athletic injury in an effort to both better understand the research process and also to become familiar with current issues and therapeutic techniques in the field.

    SPRT 472 / GSPRT 509 Taping and Bracing of Athletic Injuries

    2 credits

    This course is designed to develop taping skills of both upper and lower extremity, fitting of protective equipment, and the application of various bracing and splinting materials within the athletic training profession.

    GSPRT 510 Advanced Strength and Conditioning

    3 credits

    The objective of this course is to provide majors with theoretical and practical knowledge of the physiological, biomechanical, administrative aspects of designing and supervising strength and conditioning programs for various population.

    SPRT 473 / GSPRT 511 Non-Orthopedic Injury Assessment

    3 credits

    This course prepares the athletic training student to assess and manage non-orthopedic injuries and illnesses that may be encountered while working in the athletic training profession. The course will focus on the etiology, recognition, pathological course, treatment, and prognosis of various general medical conditions including concussion management, heat management and other pathological conditions pertaining to the respiratory, cardiovascular, endocrine, genitourinary, and neurological systems.

    SPRT 483 / GSPRT 513 Clinical in Athletic Training: Pre-Season Experience I

    1 credit

    This course consists of athletic training experiences under the supervision and guidance of a program-approved healthcare provider in a professional setting. The course meets throughout the preseason for fall sports and introduces the student to many concepts including the pre-participation health screening, heat acclimatization, insurance management, concussion baseline testing, hydration management, and others. This course also includes skill refinement in taping and wrapping techniques and first aid. 

    SPRT 474 / GSPRT 515 Clinical I in Athletic Training

    4 credits

    The first in a series of four clinical experiences, this course consists of athletic training experiences under the supervision and guidance of a program-approved healthcare provider in a professional setting. The course meets throughout the semester for formal competency development. This course includes skill development in taping and wrapping techniques and first aid.  The course also includes content for goniometric measurements and muscle function assessments such as manual muscle testing.

    GSPRT 520 Advanced Laboratory Techniques

    3 credits

    This course is designed to give the student working knowledge of the procedures of various testing techniques used in both the laboratory as well as in field settings. The student will be expected to demonstrate expertise in various laboratory testing techniques as a requisite for course completion.

    SPRT 478 / GSPRT 525 Upper Body Extremity Assessment

    3 credits

    This course addresses evaluation techniques and assessment of musculoskeletal injuries to the head, face, and upper extremities.  The student must integrate knowledge of anatomical structures, physiological principles, and evaluative techniques to provide a basis for critical decision-making in an injury management environment.  Decision-making will be based on recognition, evaluation, and immediate care of orthopedic injuries caused by physical activity or exercise. 

    GSPRT 530 Research Methods and Statistics in Human Performance

    3 credits

    This course is designed to introduce the student to methodological and statistical techniques specific to human performance and related fields. Students will be exposed to the research process and also various statistical techniques used to assess the efficacy of exercise interventions and conditioning programs. Student will also become familiar with various types of research and the benefits and drawbacks of each.

    SPRT 476 / GSPRT 535 Therapeutic Modalities

    3 credits

    Basic physiological responses of the human body to the application of therapeutic heat, therapeutic cold, therapeutic electricity, iontophoresis, ultrasound and other basic therapeutic modalities used in sport medicine are examined.

    GSPRT 540 Psychological Foundations of Performance

    3 credits

    The purpose of this course is to help the student gain a greater understanding of psychological and emotional factors that influence athletic and nonathletic performance. Furthermore, the student will learn psychological theories and mechanisms for how psychological skills training can positively influence performance.

    SPRT 477 / GSPRT 545 Clinical II in Athletic Training

    4 credits

    The second in a series of four required clinical placements, this course will consist of clinical athletic training experiences under the supervision and guidance of a program-approved healthcare provider in a professional setting. The course meets throughout the semester for formal competency development. This course includes skill development in taping and wrapping techniques and first aid.  The course also includes content for goniometric measurements and muscle function assessments such as manual muscle testing.

    GSPRT 550 Advanced Sport Nutrition

    3 credits

    This course is designed to further develop an understanding of the influence of nutrition for acute and chronic biological and physiological adaptations to physical activity and sport. Emphasis will be placed on adaptations in macronutrients and micronutrients metabolism to fuel energy systems, popular performance enhancing and weight loss supplements, and current research trends that address various sports and populations.

    SPRT 475 / GSPRT 555 Lower Body Extremity Assessment 3 credits

    This course addresses evaluation techniques and assessment of musculoskeletal injuries to the spine, trunk, abdomen, and lower extremities. The student must integrate knowledge of anatomical structures, physiology principles, and evaluative techniques to provide a basis for critical decision-making in an injury management environment.  Decision-making will be based on recognition, evaluation, and immediate care of orthopedic injuries caused by physical activity or exercise.

    GSPRT 562 Cardiopulmonary Physiology

    3 credits

    This course is a study of the physical principles as they apply to cardio-pulmonary physiology, anatomy of the lungs and heart, the mechanics of ventilation and pulmonary circulation, airway resistance, hemodynamics, lung compliance, and the non-uniform distribution of ventilation and perfusion. Gas laws and prediction equations to explain physiological changes will be studied and applied to the cardiopulmonary system. Oxygen transport and carbon dioxide transport are also covered in detail. Additional topics include laboratory studies, electrocardiographs, pulmonary function studies, invasive and non-invasive blood gas monitoring, and sleep studies.

    SPRT 479 / GSPRT 565 Therapeutic Rehabilitation

    3 credits

    A systematic approach to individual rehabilitative exercise program development as it relates to athletic injury recovery. Basic information of using the various forms of therapeutic exercises, techniques, indications and contraindications of exercise, and exercise progression as related to athletic injury, prevention, reconditioning and return to participation guidelines will be discussed.

    GSPRT 570 Dietary Programming in Sport Nutrition

    3 credits

    This course is designed to utilize an array of assessment tools which can be implemented in nutritional programming. Practice with methodology, application, implications, strengths and limitations of assessment tools will provide a basis for nutritional programming for athletes and teams.

    SPRT405 / GSPRT 572 /SPRT405 - Exercise Biochemistry 3 credits

    This course is designed to provide students with a comprehensive exposure to the effects of exercise on cellular metabolism and cell structure and function. The course begins with a refresher of biochemical concepts that the student was introduced to in previous coursework including metabolism, protein, carbohydrates and lipids, nucleic acids and gene expression. The course will then delve into such topics as neural control of movement and muscular contraction and the integration of exercise metabolism specifically related to the macronutrients. Finally, students will receive training on how to assess the biochemical processes of people who exercise.

    GSPRT 575 Pharmacology and Professional Issues

    3 credits

    This course is designed to provide a general overview of the use of pharmacological agents in the treatment of acute and overuse injuries. Additional course material will consider performance enhancement and social drugs often associated with athletic populations. Additionally, ethical issues related to athletic training will be discussed including privacy laws, ethical conduct, mandatory reporting, drug testing, and others as deemed appropriate.

    GSPRT 580 Applied Sport Biomechanics

    3 credits

    For this course, the student explores an area of interest related to sport biomechanics. The course provides the student with an opportunity to utilize biomechanical analysis to answer research questions proposed in two projects.

    GSPRT 582 Advanced Clinical Exercise Physiology

    3 credits

    This course is designed to provide students with an understanding of the current knowledge and trends in rehabilitation of populations with cardiac, pulmonary and metabolic disorders through assessment and specific exercise programming. This will further include a thorough explanation of the pathogenesis of these disorders. The course will also expose the student to the interpretation of electrocardiograms both at rest and during submaximal and maximal exercise bouts.

    GSPRT 590 Psychological Interventions in Sport

    3 credits

    This course builds upon the knowledge and skills gained in GSPRT 540: Psychological Foundations of Sport. The student will apply the principles learned in previous coursework to assess the psychological strengths and weakness of athletes and other performers. They will then design interventions to improve physiological performance via psychological skills training.

    GSPRT 595 Special Topics in Sport and Exercise Science and/or Athletic Training

    1-3 credits

    This course provides the opportunity to present topics of interest that are not regularly offered in the curriculum.

    GSPRT 600 Master's Thesis I

    3 credits

    For this course, the student will complete the first four chapters of his or her master's thesis. The chapters include the introduction, literature review, statement of the problem and hypothesis, and proposed methods. This course will be completed prior to data collection on his or her master's thesis and prior to GSPRT 601.

    GSPRT 601 Master's Thesis II

    3 credits

    For this course, the student will complete the final two chapters of his or her master's thesis. The chapters include the results and discussion sections. This course prepares the student for the final thesis defense prior to obtaining the master's degree. 

    GSPRT 602 Master's Internship I

    3 credits

    For this course, the student will engage in a practical internship as assigned by the director or instructor of the Sport and Exercise Science Master of Science degree program. The majority of these assignments will be with one of the athletic teams at the university. This internship will last the duration of the fall semester.

    GSPRT 603 Master's Internship II

    3 credits

    This course is a continuation of GSPRT602: Master's Internship I. The student will engage in a practical internship as assigned by the director or instructor of the Sport and Exercise Science, Master of Science degree program. The majority of these assignments will be with one of the athletic teams at the university. This internship will last the duration of the spring semester.

    GSPRT 613 Clinical in Athletic Training: Pre-Season Experience II

    1 credit

    This course consists of hands-on clinical education experiences under the supervision and guidance of a program-approved healthcare provider in a professional setting. The course meets throughout the preseason for fall sports and continues to build on upper extremity evaluation techniques, pharmacology application, rehabilitation design and principles of strength and conditioning. 

    GSPRT 615 Clinical III in Athletic Training

    4 credits

    The third in a series of four required clinical placements, this course will consist of clinical athletic training experiences under the supervision and guidance of a program-approved healthcare provider in a professional setting. The course meets throughout the semester for formal competency development. This course includes specific content in advanced situational assessments, health care for all age groups and special populations, and development of career enhancement skills.

    GSPRT 645 Clinical IV in Athletic Training

    4 credits

    The final in a series of four required clinical placements, this course consists of continued athletic training experiences under the supervision and guidance of a program-approved healthcare provider in a professional setting. The course meets throughout the semester for formal competency development. This course includes situational orthopedic assessment, health care for all age groups and special populations, and continued development of taping, bracing, and casting skills.

    GSPRT 655 Organization and Administration in Athletic Administration

    3 credits

    Discussion of the issues in the organization and administration of athletic training programs to facilities. Topics will cover the knowledge to develop, administer, and manage a facility. Legal responsibility, protection of individuals, and implications of misconduct will be addressed. In addition, professional responsibilities and avenues of professional develop will be addressed.