Department of Health, Kinesiology and Sport Studies

The Mission of the Department of Health, Kinesiology and Sport Studies is to prepare students for the fields of Health, Physical Education, and Sport through integrating theoretical and applied practice to promote active learning and career preparation. The department offers online and traditional courses which provide students an opportunity to tailor both graduate degrees to their personal needs.

The Department of Health, Kinesiology and Sport Studies offers two graduate degrees, four graduate certificates, two executive doctoral certificates, and doctoral concentration in Sport Education (In collaboration with the Department of Curriculum and Instruction). The two graduate degrees are as follows: a Master of Science degree in Health & Kinesiology (HK) and a Master of Science degree Sport Studies & Sport Leadership (SSSL).

Graduate certificates: NCAA Compliance; Critical Sport Studies; HBCU Sport Studies; and Diversity, Inclusion & Equity in Sport

Executive Doctoral Certificates: Athletic Administration and Sport Leadership

Doctoral Minor: Sport Studies

Doctoral Concentration: Sport Education (In collaboration with the Department of Curriculum and Instruction)

Master of Science Degree in Health & Kinesiology

The graduate HK curriculum was developed for the P-12 health and physical educator as well as the professional practitioners looking to advance their career in the fields of Health and Physical education. Upon completion of the program, graduates are prepared to work in healthcare, private and public sectors, as well as academic settings.

The program offers two concentrations Health and Kinesiology. Students seeking a concentration in health will be introduced current health issues, epidemiology, and community health education. Whereas students seeking a kinesiology concertation while be introduced to advanced theories and practice in physical education, strength and fitness development, and curriculum content in health and physical education.

Program Requirements

Students in this major will complete a total of thirty-six (36) semester credit hours of graduate courses (500 level or above): A minimum of twenty-seven (27) of these credit hours must be completed in health education or kinesiology and nine (9) of these semester credit hours must be elective courses in Health, Kinesiology, and/or Sport Studies and Sport Leadership courses. In addition, the Master of Science degree in Health & Kinesiology requires satisfactory completion of a comprehensive exam.

Master of Science Degree in Sport Studies and Sport Leadership

The Masters in Sport Studies and Sport Leadership (SSSL) program at Texas Southern University (TSU) offers graduate courses focused on the business of sport. The program offers a thesis and non-thesis track as well as concentrations in Sport Administration and Sport Management. Upon completion of the SSSL program, graduates are prepared for leadership and customer-service based roles in the sports industry.

The program offers two concentrations in Sport Administration and Sport Management. Students seeking a concentration in Sport Administration will be will prepared to assume leadership roles in the sports industry. Whereas students seeking a Sport Management concertation will be prepared to assume customer service and fan engagement based positions in the field of sport.

Students may choose between a thesis and a non-thesis track. Students selecting the thesis track will learn more about research and typically have desire to pursue a doctoral degree. Under the direction and approval of a faculty advisor, students will complete a master thesis.

In the non-thesis track, students will have an opportunity to gain practical experience by completing an internship. Students selecting this track typically are preparing to enter or enhance their current career in the field of sport.

Transfer Credit

A maximum of six (6) credit hours successfully completed at a regionally accredited institution of higher learning can be applied towards the SSSL degree requirements. In addition, only courses with an earned grade of "B" or better can be applied toward the degree. Also, these courses must be comparable to the SSSL curriculum and must be approved by the program graduate faculty.

Program Requirements

Students in this major will complete a total of thirty-six (36) semester credit hours of graduate courses (500 level or above): A minimum of twenty-seven (27) of these credit hours must be completed in Sport Studies and Sport Leadership and a minimum nine (9) approved elective credit hours must be must completed. In addition, the Master of Science degree in Sport Studies and Sport Leadership requires satisfactory completion of a comprehensive exam. The MS in Sport Studies and Sport Leadership offers a thesis and non-thesis option.

GRADUATE CERTIFICATES

The Graduate Certificate in NCAA Compliance, Critical Sport Studies, HBCU Sport Studies, or Diversity, Inclusion & Equity in Sport offer unique opportunities for graduate students interested in sport studies in higher education and sporting organizations. These certificates are intended for professionals working in higher education, intercollegiate athletics, professional sports franchises, or industries related to sports industry research and consists of coursework in athletic administration, sport leadership, critical sport studies, HBCU sports culture, sports analytics and tactics, strategic assessment and program evaluation methods, and sport management. The 9 credit hours of course work required for either certificate cannot duplicate those taken in the major field of studies.

EXECUTIVE DOCTORAL CERTIFICATES

The Executive Doctoral Certificate in Athletic Administration or Sport Leadership enables the advanced graduate (doctoral) student or executive athletic/sport administrator opportunities for innovative and progressive curricula in practical application and research design in intensifying the skills associated with the continued growing complexities of the sports industry. The 9 credit hours of course work required for either certificate cannot duplicate those taken in the major field of studies.

DOCTORAL MINOR

The Doctoral Minor in Sport Studies enables the advanced graduate (doctoral) student in other departments to take an organized body of courses focusing on the history, culture, leadership, and administrative values in sport organizations. The Doctoral Minor will be available to doctoral students in other departments and academic units (colleges/schools) of Texas Southern University and will be offered through the Graduate School. The minor field advisor must be a Department of Health, Kinesiology and Sport Studies faculty member. The 12 credit hours of course work required for this minor cannot duplicate those taken in the major field, and this minor is not available to students who are in the sport education concentration.

DOCTORAL CONCENTRATION

The courses from the two Executive Doctoral Certificates can be used as a concentration in Sport Education. The concentration in Sport Education is designed for doctoral students whose goal is to pursue a Doctor of Education in Curriculum & Instruction with an emphasis in the field of sport studies pedagogy. The concentration in sport education will provide the course work and work experience to doctoral students whose scholarship has a sporting conceptual lens and to those who are interested in teaching in higher education and/or working in athletic programs or the sports corporate sector. The 18 credit hours of course work required for this concentration cannot duplicate those taken in the major field.

The Executive Doctoral certificate program in either Athletic Administration or Sport Leadership requires four courses for non-degree seeking students: one introductory course, three practicum courses. However, only three courses are required for degree seeking students: three practicum courses.

The Graduate certificate program in either NCAA Compliance, Critical Sport Studies, HBCU Sport Studies, or Diversity, Inclusion & Equity in Sport also requires four courses for non-degree seeking students: one introductory course, three practicum courses.

Again, only three courses are required for degree seeking students: three practicum courses. All courses must be completed with grade B or above. For non-degree seeking students, the introductory course (Introduction to Sport Studies) is required and must be taken before the other courses so students understand the theory and method of sport studies and sport education before moving on to the three practicum courses.

Athletic Administration, Executive Doctoral Certificate (Online)

Sport Leadership, Executive Doctoral Certificate (Online)

Diversity, Inclusion & Equity in Sport, Graduate Certificate (Online)

Critical Sport Studies, Graduate Certificate (Online)

HBCU Sport Studies, Graduate Certificate (Online)

NCAA Compliance, Graduate Certificate (Online)

Courses

For Non-Degree Seeking Students

Sport Foundation Course

EDSF 800 Introduction to Sports Studies (3)

This course is designed for students with little previous coursework in sports studies. Topics include the critical way that society views sports in the context of socio-historical and contemporary culture studies. It explores the socio-cultural significance of sports as it relates to topics such as youth, social class, race/ethnicity, gender, identity, diversity and inclusion, and intercollegiate athletics as well as HBCU Sport Education from an intersection of critical Sport Education, cultural studies, and Africana studies.

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For Degree Seeking Students

Diversity, Inclusion & Equity in Sport Graduate Courses

SPDI 857 DIVERSITY, INCLUSION & EQUITY IN ATHLETIC PROGRAMS (3)

This course will explore critical topics and issues related to diversity in athletics, including race/ethnicity, class, and gender. Students will cover current research that explores diversity in athletics in higher education, institutional diversity policies and organizational behaviors, campus constituents, and the role of external groups. The course consists of reading, in-class discussion, group exercise, and completing a research project that is of interest to the student.

SPDI 858 DIVERSITY, LEADERSHIP & POLICY IN SPORT ORGANIZATIONS (3)

This course will read, discuss, reflect on, and critique a variety of perspectives and topics such as race, class, power, cultural leadership, policy, change, diversity in sport organizations. Students will consider how the literature informs the development of a personal philosophy of diversity, inclusion, and equity in sport education. Students will consider moral and ethical issues, the implementation of sports policy, the purposes and nature of the task, and the complexity and diversity in sporting contexts.

SPDI 859 DIVERSITY & EQUITY ISSUES IN SPORTS (3)

This course will review issues in equity associated with sports. Students will explore historical and legal foundations of diversity and equity in sports. The course reviews research and evidenced-based practices that focus on learning, building organizational capacity, strategic design, and ensuring equity and excellence for all learners. Students will review theories, concepts, practices, and issues as they relate to philosophical discussions surrounding social justice, diversity, and equity in sports.

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Critical Sport Studies Courses

Certificate (9) Approved Credit Hours of 8XX (3) Sport Studies Courses

Sport Studies Graduate Course

EDSS 802 Sport Facility Management & Sport Event Planning (3)

The course will examine several different types of sporting facilities. The course will also delineate the factors involved in the planning, design and management of each facility. In this course, the student will be able to identify the strengths and weaknesses of several facilities. This course includes actual hands on involvement with event planning and management.

EDSS 806 Social and Historical Foundations of HBCUs Athletic Programs (3)

This course explores and examines the rise of sports in the U.S. in educational settings and evolution to economic enterprise. Development of HBCU athletic programs structure, influential groups, and sport governance during formative periods. Role of HBCU athletic programs and critical race theory conceptualization in athletics in the current intercollegiate model.

EDSS 807 The Essentials in the Legal Aspects of Sport Organizations (3)

This course covers general principles of sports law with emphasis upon state statues, federal legislation, and international regulations. Students analyze legal issues, and professional ramifications of decision-making in sport business by examining organizational regulations, government intervention, and ethically pertinent scenarios. It includes review of the major federal, state, and local laws and regulations and an analysis of significant court decisions having implications for sports organizations.

EDSS 810 Athletic Association Policy & Sports Governance for Athletic Programs (3)

This course examines the context for policy making and the process of policy development and implementation. This course is designed to interrogate the power and politics of athletic organizations (i. e. conferences and associations) that govern athletic programs. It includes the study of organizational structures for athletic association decision-making at the global, federal, state, county, and local levels, with emphasis on how and where influence can be exerted publicly and privately.

EDSS 811 Current Socio-Cultural & Ethical Issues in Sport Organizations (3)

This course covers current and emerging issues in sports. Learners investigate the intersectionality among sport, culture, and society to better understand the role and function of sport in contemporary society. Learners receive a broad overview of selected socio-cultural factors that influence participation in sports. Major ethical issues of sport in society will be explored.

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HBCU Sport Studies Graduate Courses

HBCU 851 MOTIVATIONAL BEHAVIOR OF HBCU BOWL/CLASSIC EVENT FANS (3)

This course explores the psychological foundations of behavior and the mechanisms of motivational influence to support HBCU Bowl/Classic sporting events. Students will examine the sporting HBCU diaspora and HBCU sports culture associated with other events (battle of band, step show, homecoming, & etc.) using an Afrocentric paradigm.

HBCU 852 THE ATHLETIC EXPERIENCE AT HBCUs (3)

This course provides a socio-cultural and socio-historical overview of the contributions of HBCUs as institutions in terms of activism, protest, and social justice. The course will focus on the macro (patterns of behavior related to large-scale social structures and processes) and micro (behaviors we observe in society, often readily observable in the context of HBCU sport expression) sport analysis. Students will analyze the athletic experience (men and women) at HBCUs in an Afrocentric paradigm.

HBCU 853 CRITICAL SPORT STUDIES OF HBCU ATHLETIC PROGRAMS (3)

This course focuses on the thinking in an informed and critical way about HBCU athletic programs as it pertains to sports in society. Students will examine the socio-cultural significance of sports as it relates to social class, race/ethnicity, gender, identity, and intercollegiate athletics in the context of the collegiate model operating in a global sport industry and a Pan-African paradigm. Students will analyze HBCU athletic programs using critical race theory as an epistemological framework.

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NCAA Compliance Graduate Courses

NCAA 854 NCAA GOVERNANCE (3)

This course examines the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) governance structure, policies, and legislative process. Students will receive broad theoretical knowledge, analyze governance topics, and the overall governing organization. Students will probe case studies to develop a comprehensive framework based on the policies and procedures of the NCAA.

NCAA 855 NCAA COMPLIANCE (3)

This course analyzes infraction case studies of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) to gain experience and develop a framework of compliance. Students will analyze the compliance topics and NCAA functions. Students will evaluate enforcement procedures, waivers processes, and the evolution of the NCAA policies and procedures.

NCAA 856 CURRENT NCAA TRENDS IN ACADEMIC PROGRESS RATE (APR) (3)

This course explores the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I Academic Progress Rate (APR) as a policy. Students will review the essential components of the APR associated with the term-by-term measure of eligibility and retention of college athletes. Students will explore critical issues and current trends in APR, the APR improvement plan assessment, and the APR penalty structure.

Health Education Course Descriptions

HED 532 Epid & Human Ecol (3 Credits)

Lecture: 3, Lab: 0

EPIDEMIOLOGY AND HUMAN ECOLOGY (3) Biologic relations between man and his environment and other organisms. Identifi cation of factors infl uencing health and disease in a population. An examination of epidemiological methods to understand their technique of hypothesis formation, retrospective and prospective methods, and sampling problems.

College/School: College Of Education