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Home Page > Academics > College Of Arts And Sciences > Health, Physical Education, and Recreation > Graduate Program
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Graduate Program
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The HPER Graduate Program exists to provide post-baccalaureate study opportunities leading to a Master of Science degree in Health, Physical Education and Recreation. The program provides one specialization, Athletic Training, and two areas of emphasis 1) Sport Science and 2) Sport Pedagogy.
The specialization in Athletic Training is designed to be a major of study within the Department of Health, Physical Education and Recreation. The Entry Level Graduate Program in Athletic Training Education (ATEP) at South Dakota State University is currently seeking accreditation with the Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education (CAATE). The program prepares students to become athletic training professionals and take the national certifying examination for athletic trainers through the Board of Certification. In addition to completing the courses required for the curriculum, students must successfully complete the proficiencies associated with clinical education as well as complete a minimum of 800 hours of field experience under the supervision of clinical instructors who are certified athletic trainers. The Sport Science program is designed to prepare students for competencies in areas of cardiac, pulmonary and muscle physiology, clinical exercise physiology, and strength and conditioning. Research and clinical experiences are coordinated through the Applied Physiology Laboratory.
The Sport Pedagogy program is designed to provide students with opportunities to prepare for careers as athletic directors or in athletic administration and associated fields of sports information and/or marketing, or to improve their knowledge and expertise as coaches and teachers in leadership positions.
The goal of the program is to provide students with knowledge and experiences which will make them better professionals or which will prepare them for advanced study at the doctoral level. Depending upon the area of specialization, students may be required to take courses outside the HPER department which complement the area of emphasis.
Both areas offer the possibility of choosing Option A (thesis), Option B (research project) or Option C (coursework) tracks for completion of the Master’s degree. All students, regardless of area of emphasis, must take Introduction to Graduate Research and Study in HPER (1 cr) and Research Methods in HPER (3 cr).
Students are encouraged to take advantage of the opportunity to engage in research by selecting the thesis option. The writing of a thesis offers several advantages in that it: (a) facilitates the development of problem-solving skills; (b) improves one’s ability to communicate his/her ideas in an effective and concise manner; (c) develops skills in the interpretation and evaluation of the findings of past research; and (d) is frequently required as a prerequisite to study at the doctoral level.
The Option B research project is designed to give the student an opportunity to seek out information on a particular topic and/or to apply information already learned in a practical situation. Option B projects can take on a number of forms but are typically of a more limited scope than that of a thesis. Examples of Option B projects might be: (a) comprehensive literature reviews on a topic where the literature has not yet been synthesized; (b) case studies of individuals, teams, or organizations; (c) the application of a particular teaching technique or training method to a sport situation; (d) client surveys of SDSU programs, e.g. alumni, wellness program, intramural program. It is the intention of the HPER Graduate Faculty to very broadly define the Option B research problem so students are encouraged to bring their ideas forward.
The final option for students is Option C; this option focuses on coursework. The student must enroll in a minimum of 35 credits, 18 of which are at the 600 to 700 level. A comprehensive written exam and final oral exam are required of all students in Option |
| Contact Information for HPER:
Dr. Matthew Vukovich
Graduate Coordinator
Department of HPER, Box 2820
South Dakota State University
Brookings, SD 57007
605-688-4668
605-688-6446 (fax)
matt.vukovich@sdstate.edu
Contact Information for Specialization in Athletic Training
Dr. Jim Booher
ATEP Program Director
Department of HPER, Box 2820
South Dakota State University
Brookings, SD 57007
605-688-5824
605-688-6446 (fax)
jim.booher@sdstate.edu
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Dr. Bernadette L. Olson
Application Coordinator
Department of HPER, Box 2820
South Dakota State University
Brookings, SD 57007
605-688-5022
605-688-6446 (fax)
bernie.olson@sdstate.edu
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