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Learning Goals

Sports leadership candidates will have the knowledge, skills and dispositions to be able to demonstrate their:

• Knowledge of history, philosophy, mission, personal, and professional identity.
• Knowledge of working with diverse populations within multiple types of sports administration, and sports-related settings and provide evidence of their ability to be an effective leader.
• Knowledge of organization, leadership, and planning for a variety of situations.
• Knowledge of research and the appropriate use of research in papers, projects, and for problem-solving and critical thinking.
• Knowledge related to the collection and interpretation of data and the effective use of data-driven decision-making in an ethical and moral manner with attention to the decision-making process and its impact on others (e.g., employees, those being served, and the broader community).
• Knowledge related to moral and ethical behavior in decision-making for sports professionals in leadership positions.
• Knowledge in a professional internship setting in sports administration, coaching, or working with diverse populations through planning, organization, decision-making, reflection, oversight, and implementation of rules, policies and procedures.

Mission and Learning Outcomes

Mission

The Exercise Science and Sport Studies Program is grounded in a vision and mission of leadership and service to others that is organized around, and implemented through, knowledge of the science of human movement and human behavior, relevant skills and application experiences, and evidence of dispositions for careers in professions dedicated to the science of human movement, the study of human behavior, and the respect for the dignity of the human person.

Learning Outcomes

• The development of knowledge, skills, and dispositions in the science of human movement and behavior through an integrated curriculum across content domains.
• The development of expertise in the application of knowledge, skills, and dispositions within course, field, and internship experiences relevant to professional values and goals.
• The development and implementation of communication skills across multiple domains, e.g., written, oral, and physical, that serve a primary role of conveying knowledge through implementation of practice, feedback, therapy, and ongoing support.
• The development of problem-solving, critical thinking and reflective practices indicative of a knowledge and evidence-based practice based on a framework of conceptual knowledge.
• The development of appropriate professional behaviors as demonstrated through knowledge, skills, and dispositions within coursework, internship and professional opportunities.
• The development of a values-based, ethical behavior grounded in the liberal arts, observed through personal and professional behaviors, dedicated to the dignity of each person and representative of the Ignatian ideal of a leader in service to others.

Human Dignity, Leadership, and Service

The Exercise Science and Sports Leadership program is grounded in the belief of the dignity of each person. Physical ability translates into multiple perceptions, ranging from unskilled to the elite athlete. The candidates within our majors are prepared to understand, assess, develop, and implement high quality programs and activities to meet the needs of diverse populations, build movement and skill capacity, as well as influence the overall positive development of the whole person, e.g., the young child, heart attack survivor, or elite athlete. The candidates are provided the knowledge, skills, and dispositions to work with each person as an individual, free from comparison to others. The candidates are prepared throughout the curriculum to appreciate their roles as leaders in service to others, and as role models for lifestyle wellness, ethical behavior, leadership, responsibility, and ongoing intellectual development.