The Sport Science major at Tusculum prepares students for employment and/or graduate level study in sport science, wellness related and fitness-enhancing fields.
A total of 60 semester hours in the major (6 hours of which are activity courses), and 42 semester hours in the General Education Core, and 18 hours of electives comprise this major. A total of six activity competencies courses must be completed to earn a degree in Sport Science.
For more information regarding course requirements, visit our catalog.
The Sport Science Pre-Physical Therapy/Occupational Therapy major is designed to fulfill prerequisites and recommended coursework to prepare students for graduate programs in Physical or Occupational Therapy, or Athletic Training.
This program will provide an educational experience with a basis in the functioning and performance of the human body and practical experiences in the therapy and athletic training field. For more information, visit our catalog.
The coaching minor may be added to any other program of study at Tusculum and can provide useful preparation for those who anticipate coaching in the future.
The coaching minor consists of 16 semester hours of coursework.
For more information regarding course requirements, please refer to the Tusculum University Catalog.
The coaching endorsement may be added to any other program of study at Tusculum and can provide useful preparation for those who anticipate coaching in the future.
The coaching endorsement consists of 10 semester hours of coursework.
For more information regarding course requirements, please refer to the Tusculum University Catalog.
The Wilderness Experience minor may be added to any other program of study at Tusculum and provides the student with participation and theoretical experiences in understanding the outdoor environment of east Tennessee. Individuals will take courses in Wilderness Skills, Wilderness Ecology, and Wilderness Recreation in addition to outdoor experience courses in a variety of activities like white water rafting, camping, hiking, backpacking, canoeing, archery, and waterfall and stream exploration. For more information regarding course requirements, please refer to the Tusculum University catalog here:
Suzanne Byrd, Ed.D
Department Chair, Sport Science
Associate Professor of Sport Science
sbyrd@tusculum.edu
Direct Dial: 423-636-7300 Ext. 5279 | Campus Ext. 5279
Niswonger 314
Angelo Botta, M. A.
Assistant Professor of Sport Science
abotta@tusculum.edu
Direct Dial: 423-636-7444 | Campus Ext. 5444
Niswonger 126
David Bow, Ph.D.
Professor of Sport Science
dbow@tusculum.edu
Direct Dial: 423-636-7333 | Campus Ext. 5333
Niswonger 308
A key focus for each sport science major, regardless of track, is career preparation. Whether it’s internships, clinicals or classes, students receive instruction and training for resume writing, interviewing and a host of activities that prepare them to stand out from the crowd. Practical experiences gained throughout are individualized specifically to the field the student plans to enter. It’s what sets up apart!
In sport science, we also offer a professional school preparation program for those interested in pursuing physical therapy, occupational therapy or athletic training as a career. While science courses are a major part of this degree, we additionally require experiential learning in the form of internships and clinical courses to ensure students have the best preparation possible for graduate school.
Hello, everyone. My name is Raven Chance. I am a 2023 Tusculum graduate with a bachelor’s degree in sport science and a minor in coaching. I am now a graduate assistant strength coach at Missouri State University while working on my master’s in kinesiology.
The Sport Science Department at Tusculum prepared me for graduate school and my current coaching job and made me feel confident in taking this next step. The in-class learning to the practical experience opportunities I had, combined with my internship during the school year, even while I was student-athlete, was amazing. I learned ways to thrive in the classroom and in my job field and how to time-manage all of these things together.
Overall, my experience while in the Sport Science Department at Tusculum prepared me to not only get into graduate school but to thrive.
We seek to prepare all sport science students for potential careers and/or graduate school with activities within coursework that emphasize résumé writing, teamwork and collaboration, and mock interviewing. The goal is to help future employees and graduate students stand out in the job-seeking environment.
Students in sport science regularly participate in engagement with professional organizations in the Greene County community! From serving as local sport officials at the Greene County YMCA and Greeneville Recreation Department to volunteering at area high schools and therapy clinics, our students connect and invest in others while reaping the networking opportunities that come with this involvement.
All sport science students, whether fitness/coaching or pre-professional majors, participate in clinical and internship activities that offer opportunities for professional growth and on-the-job training. These activities help students understand how their chosen profession works while allowing them to meet requirements for advanced learning in real-world settings.
