USSU Course Naming and Numbering System

All courses are designated with three letters and three numbers. The three letters indicate the area being studied in the course, and the three numbers indicate the degree level of the course.

Area of course study (Three letters)

• SAB – Sports Psychology or Sociology
• SAD – Sports Medicine
• SAM – Sports Management
• SAR – Sports Research
• SCS – Sports Coaching
• SPT – Individualized Study; Internship; Thesis; Dissertation

Level of course study (Three numbers)

• 100-200 courses: lower-division undergraduate level courses
• 300-400 courses: upper-division undergraduate level courses
• 500 courses: master’s level graduate courses
• 600 courses: master’s/doctoral level graduate courses
• 700 courses: doctoral level graduate courses

SAB 622: Structure and Function of the Olympic Games (3 credit hours)

The structure and function of the Olympic movement, starting with the International Olympic Committee and moving through the national governing bodies to international sports associations, is the focus of this course. It emphasizes the unique characteristics of the Olympic Movement and various political, social, and economic impacts on the Games.

SAB 634: Ethics in Sport (3 credit hours)

This course is concerned with the study of Sports Management ethics and the manner in which ethics can be applied and implemented in an individual’s personal and professional life. We will be reminded “whereas ethics are precepts of right and wrong in our behavior and judgments, the word morality often refers to a way of life, to beliefs, attitudes, motives, and values individuals learn and exhibit in a social context.”

This course is required in the doctoral program core.

SAB 635: Combatting Corruption in Sports (3 credit hours)

This course will explore the phenomena of corruption in the sports industry globally. The act and practice of corruption will be defined and case studies on corruption will be explored from historical and contemporary perspectives. The course will also identify the main governing and policy making bodies to combat corruption exploring their roles and effectiveness. Corruption will be discussed as it relates to ethics and governance in sports. Core issues in sport corruption will be presented with the focus to see what can be learned and understood from sports corruption past and present.

SAB 636: Effective Governance to Combat Corruption in Sports (3 credit hours)

This course is divided into two main sections and presents the basics of specific managerial activities necessary for governance, policy development, and financial administration in sport organizations. In the first section of the course, theoretical underpinnings for sport governance are presented, in relationship to the management functions of planning, organizing, decision making, and strategic management. In the second section, necessary characteristics of ethical decision making, and social responsibility are examined as they are applied and implemented in the governance structures of various sport industry segments including scholastic sport, community amateur sports, campus recreation, intercollegiate athletics, Olympic Sport, Paralympic sport, individual professional sports, and international sports.

SAB 657: Sport Psychology Interventions (3 credit hours)

This course provides insight into the assessment, development, and implementation of psychological interventions designed to optimize elite athletic performance. Students will explore evidence-based mental skills training techniques and theories, including visualization, concentration, and attention control strategies, pre-performance routines, arousal regulation methods, and confidence-building interventions. The course emphasizes translating research into practice.

SAB 659: Group Dynamics in Sports and Exercise (3 credit hours)

This course provides an in-depth study of the influence of teams on the individual’s performance and the influence of individuals on team performance in sport and exercise settings. There is a particular focus on interpersonal aspects such as cohesion and leadership.

SAB 660: Sports in America Current Issues: Sport and Public Policy (3 credit hours)

This course examines some of the most compelling policy issues affecting the sports world from an interdisciplinary perspective including economics, history, urban planning, not-for-profit administration, public health communications, political science, and philosophy.

SAB 661: Contemporary Issues in Sports (3 credit hours)
This course is designed to provide students with an overview of the major issues in the world of sports, including the Olympic Games as a reference point for discussion and analysis. Topics include performance-enhancing drugs, human growth hormones, gender inequity, race and ethnicity, youth, adolescent, and adult sport programs, media involvement, economics, management structures, and globalization. By examining how these issues manifest in sport and on the Olympic stage where international visibility, cultural diversity, and high-stakes competition converge students gain a deeper understanding of sport’s societal impact and the complex challenges facing athletes, organizations, and governing bodies worldwide.
This course is required in the doctoral program core.

SAB 667: de Coubertin, Thorpe, and The Rise of the Modern Olympic Movement (3 hours)
This course explores the development of the modern Olympic Movement from the founding speech by Pierre de Coubertin in 1892 through the cancelled Games of 1916, with a special focus on the impact of Jim Thorpe. A double gold medal winner at the 1912 games in Stockholm, Sweden, Thorpe was later named the Greatest Athlete of the 20th Century.  His personal history provides a backdrop for exploring the expansive cultural and political issues surrounding the early years of international sport.

SAB 670: Selected Readings in Sports Coaching (3 credit hours)
This course will provide students with an opportunity to conduct a series of literature reviews about an approved sports coaching topic. The selected topic should include literature reviews pertaining to the concepts and/or issues faced by coaches while performing their coaching responsibilities. The focus of this course is to enhance the student’s research and composition abilities while gaining in-depth knowledge regarding the profession of sports coaching.

SAB 671: Advanced Coaching Theories (3 credit hours)
This course allows students to select sports coaching readings from a preselected reading list in order to complete a series of book reports. These sports coaching readings will consist of topics such as leadership, communication, management, skill acquisition, and risk management. The focus of this course is to enhance the student’s knowledge concerning the profession of sports coaching.

SAD 546: Seminar in Sports Medicine (3 credit hours)
This course provides an overview of the profession. It is designed to educate athletic trainers, fitness professionals, and sports coaches on how to assess and manage sports injuries.

SAD 548: Advanced Assessment in Sports Medicine (3 credit hours)
This course is designed to enhance a student’s assessment techniques for evaluating athletic injuries and illnesses. It considers the connection between structure and function, with anatomy being the structure upon which biomechanical and physiological function is based. Particular emphasis is placed upon the development of a sound systematic and methodical evaluation technique to assess abnormal biomechanics (pathomechanics) and abnormal physiology (pathology). Such a technique is critical for making decisions on how best to manage and rehabilitate the injured or ill athlete.

SAD 556: Issues in Nutrition and Health (3 credit hours)

This course covers the principles of sound nutrition as they relate to the athlete as well as to the average individual in our society. In addition, it covers physiological aspects: how nutrition affects the body in terms of optimal health.

SAD 562: Scientific Principles of Resistance Training (3 credit hours)

This course provides study of resistance training, including physiological and psychological aspects, basic concepts and principles, types of programs and training, and benefits for specific populations. The information necessary to understand and successfully design any resistance-training program is presented in this course.

SAD 581: Adaptive Athletics and Sports (3 credit hours)

This course is designed to give the student a basic understanding of the history of disability sport and to bring awareness of the organizations, competitions, and sports opportunities for athletes with disabilities. Coaching, training, and event management for athletes with disabilities will also be examined.

SAD 591: Treatment Procedures in Sports Medicine (3 credit hours)

This course is a study of modalities, including the physiological effects, rationale, principles, and methods of applying physical agents, therapeutic exercises, evaluation, and treatment planning in the practice of sports medicine.

SAM 520: Sports Analytics (3 credit hours)

This course is designed to aid students in an understanding of the development and application of analytical, evidence-based methods when making sports management decisions. Students will use quantitative methods and statistics to understand and interpret data from major sports including, but not limited to baseball, football, and basketball. Students are introduced to the theory, development, and practice behind the use of analytics in sports. This course will give students an opportunity to explore the tools necessary to evaluate performance, recognize trends, and forecast outcomes. This course does not require previous completion of statistics, quantitative methods, or advanced mathematics courses.

SAM 523: NCAA Compliance (3 credit hours)

This course is designed to give the student a working knowledge of National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) compliance issues. It will present an overview of rules, eligibility, bylaws, and practices and procedures of the NCAA.

SAM 524: NCAA Rules and Procedures (3 credit hours)
Examining and analyzing the bylaws, policies, and procedures of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) is at the heart of this course. Students will be introduced to specific cases to develop a comprehensive understanding and appreciation of the NCAA, what it is, and how it functions.

SAM 530: Food and Beverage Service Management for Sport Clubs (3 credit hours)
The course covers the origin, production, storing, marketing, and control of food and beverages in the hospitality industry. Topics integral to the successful management of restaurant and food service organizations are also covered.

SAM 533: Sports Club Management (3 credit hours)

This course covers the scope of club services, which includes personnel, small business operations, recruitment, leadership, and risk management.

SAM 534: Membership and Marketing for Sport Clubs (3 credit hours)

This course reviews the study of marketing as it applies to the sports and leisure industry.  It also examines the role of marketing in strategic planning.

SAM 535: Introduction to Parks, Recreation, and Tourism (3 credit hours)

This is a survey of the concepts and issues related to leisure, parks, recreation, and tourism in American society. The effects of recreation and leisure on social, individual, and environmental aspects of our society will also be examined.

SAM 537: Recreation Programming and Administration (3 credit hours)

This course explores concepts and applications of effective recreational sport programming and administration. Information concerning careers in recreational sport management will be presented.

SAM 538: Inclusive Recreation Services (3 credit hours)

Including people of all abilities in all aspects of community has become fully grafted into the collective social consciousness of America in the 21st century. Accordingly, recreation service providers must respond to this societal phenomenon by offering programs and services that address and meet the needs of all consumers. This course is designed to increase awareness of, and sensitivity to, the recreation and leisure service needs of persons with disabilities. Specific attention is given to facility design geared for accommodation, as well as the programmatic and administrative strategies needed for successful and effective implementation of recreation and leisure services that seamlessly integrate persons with and without disabilities.

SAM 541: Sports Administration for Coaches (3 credit hours)

This course is designed to introduce managerial and administrative concepts to athletic coaches. These concepts are integral to the successful development of an athletic program. Information concerning the practical application of business models and theories pertaining to the athletic administration and sports coaching professions will be presented. Also, business techniques associated with the survival and growth of an athletic program will be examined.
This is a core requirement for Sports Coaching majors.

SAM 542: Managing People and Performance in Sports Business (3 credit hours)

This course involves the study of the principles of personnel management, including staffing, training, creating a favorable work environment, labor relations, compensation, benefits, laws, position descriptions, and employee evaluations.

SAM 543: Sports Administration (3 credit hours)

The purpose of this course is to demonstrate to the prospective sports manager the importance of a basic understanding of administration theory and practice. The course will help students understand the sports manager’s position and the environment in which the student performs.
This course is a core requirement for all degree-seeking students (Sports Coaching majors are required to take SAM 541).

SAM 544: Sports Marketing and Sponsorship (3 credit hours)

This course includes an in-depth study of sports marketing and its influence on the accomplishment of objectives in the world of sports. It involves a thorough review of the product, be it tangible or a service, and details bringing the product to market. Topics include advertising, promotions, public relations, location, pricing, sponsorships, licensing, market segmentation, and the role of research.
This course is a core requirement for all degree-seeking students.

SAM 545: Sports Finance (3 credit hours)

This course involves a study of the basic financial considerations a Sports Management professional must understand to function effectively. It includes the financial challenges facing the profession, sources of funding, budgeting and financial statements, the concept of economic impact analysis, and the pros and cons of using public-sector funds.

SAM 550: Revenue Generation and Fundraising in Sports Business (3 credit hours)

This course explores the strategies and practices essential to generating revenue and securing funding in the sport industry. Students will examine key areas such as sponsorships, ticket sales, merchandising, licensing, media rights, and fundraising.

SAM 551: Public Relations in Sports (3 credit hours)

Understanding the fundamentals of public relations and how they uniquely apply to sports in today’s world is the primary focus of this course. The vital role public relations plays in sports management cannot be overlooked in our contemporary sports environment, which can be both the beneficiary and victim of our immediate access to information through social media, blogs, etc. An examination and analysis of all these elements provides the basis for the in-depth inquiry into the contributions public relations makes to sports.

SAM 582: Sports Facility and Event Management (3 credit hours)

This course involves the study of principles, guidelines, and recommendations for planning, constructing, using, and maintaining indoor and outdoor sports, physical education, recreation, and fitness facilities.

SAM 586: Sports Law and Risk Management (3 credit hours)

This course introduces the fundamental tenets of the law and familiarizes students with legal structure and basic legal terminology. Various types of law are examined as is the impact each has on the sports industry. A thorough review of risk management as it interfaces with legal liability issues in the sports industry is provided.

SAM 592: Introduction to the Business of Sports Agents (3 credit hours)

This course is designed to examine the role of the sports agent in the world of sports. An emphasis is placed on NCAA rules and state regulations surrounding recruitment by agents and the potential pitfalls an athlete could face. A thorough understanding of the sports agency profession is provided, including the techniques necessary to operate successfully in the profession.

SAM 622: Structure and Function of Professional and Amateur Sports Organizations (3 credit hours)

The course provides an analysis of professional and amateur sports organizations from a philosophical, historical, and operational perspective. It takes an in-depth look at the management and business practices of this industry. It is designed for leaders in the industry who will manage effective and efficient sports organizations.

SAM 640: Labor Relations in Sports (3 credit hours)

This course provides an in-depth examination of areas of labor relations that are particularly relevant to sports. The growth and development of unions within the sports industry is explored with an emphasis on labor-management agreements currently utilized in professional sports.

SAM 644: Sports Marketing Research (3 credit hours)

This course examines marketing research pertinent to the successful operation of sports enterprises. It includes the study of research design, data analysis, and the presentation of results.

SAM 660: Financial Aspects of Sports (3 credit hours)

This course involves an in-depth study of the financial challenges facing contemporary sports administrators, including an examination of financial data analysis, sources of funding, budgeting and financial accountability, inventory management and production control processes, profit distribution, taxation, and accounting processes.
This course is required in the doctoral program core.

SAM 662: Sports Entrepreneurship (3 credit hours)

This course involves the study of entrepreneurship for those with a serious interest in owning their own businesses. Students prepare a comprehensive business plan for starting or acquiring a business. The process of operating a business is also explored.

SAM 672: Personnel Training and Development (3 credit hours)

This course reviews various forms of personnel training and development. On-the-job and off-the-job training programs, personnel evaluation procedures, and needs assessments are also examined.

SAM 682: Facilities Planning in Sports (3 credit hours)

This course examines the principles, guidelines, and recommendations for the planning, construction, maintenance, and management of sports facilities. It is designed to provide students with an awareness of the facilities appropriate to sports programs, ranging from colleges to ultramodern fitness centers.

SAR 510: Sports Biomechanics (3 credit hours)

This course is a comprehensive study of human movement as it relates to sports and exercise. It covers how the study of biomechanics can promote human performance and prevent injury.

SAR 511: Sports Performance Enhancement (3 credit hours)
The course is designed for sports coaches to study human movement as it relates to sports activities. Coaching techniques and methodology are addressed as they apply to analyzing skills and improving sports performance.

SAR 520: Exercise Physiology (3 credit hours)
This course is a study of various factors that affect human performance, including regulatory mechanisms, adaptations, and changes that occur as a result of physical activity.

SAR 525: Sports Strength and Conditioning (3 credit hours)

This course is designed to study the fundamental principles of training and nutrition in sports and exercise. It is intended to develop knowledge of the anatomical and physiological systems challenged by sports conditioning and strength training, and to develop an awareness of fitness and nutrition programming. Ideas can be used to enhance individual and team performance in sports.

SAR 526: Personal Training (3 credit hours)

This course will combine sports science and entrepreneurial principles toward the design and implementation of a personal training business.

SAR 562: Quantitative Analysis in Sports (3 credit hours)

The goal of this course is to serve as an introduction to the methods of collecting, analyzing, and interpreting sports data. The course is designed for students who are familiar with the use cases of data in sports settings but have a limited background in statistics.

SAR 575: Professional Writing and Applied Research (3 credit hours)

This course will introduce the exciting world of research design and statistics to sports professionals employed in a variety of settings. The format and techniques for writing a scholarly research paper will be presented. Various types of research commonly used in sports are reviewed. Descriptive and inferential statistical analyses are covered, with an emphasis on their application to sports.

This is a required course for Thesis track students. It must be taken in the final semester of coursework.

SAR 580: Exercise Testing and Prescription (3 credit hours)
This course is a concentrated study of the principles of exercise testing and prescription for healthy and diseased states.
This course requires a prerequisite or administrative approval: SAR 520.

SAR 587: Management Strategies in Health and Fitness (3 credit hours)

The study of the basic concepts, theories, and organization of management as applied to the field of health and fitness. Topics include organizational structure and function, program development and administration, human resource management, financial management, inventory control, information management, insurance issues, and legal considerations in health and fitness.

SAR 674: Research Statistics in Sports (3 credit hours)

This course is an overview of statistical methods utilized in sports and exercise science. Emphasis will be placed on computer software-based analysis. Topics include hypothesis testing, normal distributions, t tests, analysis of variance, chi-square, nonparametric techniques, correlation, and linear regression.

SCS 508: Coaching Baseball (3 credit hours)

This course is designed to provide the foundations of coaching baseball to help current and future coaches accomplish the development of successful baseball programs. Coaching baseball has numerous challenges on and off the field. This course provides an in-depth analysis of all of the critical aspects of the competitions of baseball. It utilizes insight from some of the best baseball minds to put the coach-practitioner in a position to succeed.

SCS 513: Coaching Basketball (3 credit hours)

This course is designed to provide the knowledge and skills necessary to individuals who intend to coach basketball at secondary, collegiate, and professional levels. Emphasis will be placed on understanding and teaching the fundamental skills, techniques, drills, and team strategies. Planning, preparation, and administration of the various phases of the season, practices, and competitions, along with the development of coaching philosophy and program evaluation plan for future improvement, will be covered.

SCS 532: Coaching Football (3 credit hours)

This course is a study of the science and art of coaching football. All phases of coaching are addressed, from the X’s and O’s, to the philosophy of leadership, responsibility, and teaching.

SCS 564: Coaching Soccer (3 credit hours)
This course is designed to provide the knowledge and skills necessary to individuals who intend to coach soccer at the secondary, collegiate, and professional levels. Emphasis will be placed on understanding and teaching the fundamental skills, techniques, drills, and team strategies. Planning, preparation, and administration of the various phases of the season, practices, and competitions, along with the development of coaching philosophy, and program evaluation plan for future improvement will be covered.

SCS 566: Coaching Softball (3 credit hours)

This course covers the philosophical foundations of coaching softball and the technical aspects of coaching the game. The philosophical foundations include setting priorities, identifying personal standards, player and coach value systems, and organizing, building, and marketing the team. The technical portion of the course includes individual skills, team strategies, motivating players, and preparing for competition in tournaments and playoffs.

SCS 578: Coaching Volleyball (3 credit hours)

This course examines the practical side of coaching volleyball. By illustrating the importance of scouting, practice preparation, and physical training, it attempts to address some of the major areas of volleyball coaching. The major areas of volleyball are broken down into the following categories: coaching priorities and principles, program building and management, innovative and effective practice sessions, individualized skills and team tactics, and game-winning strategies.

SET 570: Esports: A Global Phenomenon (3 credit hours)
In this course, students will learn about the esports ecosystem and its developing industry, competitive gaming as a career, and the role of coaches and management professionals in the industry.

SET 571: Esports Coaching Methodology (3 credit hours)

This course provides an overview of the four Es (Envision, Enact, Evaluate, Enhance) or behaviors associated with quality coaching as applied in the year-round cyclical process of coaching an esports team. Topics included will enable the student to develop a coaching vision and team dynamic, communicate effectively, and improve player performance.

SET 572: Esports Administration (3 credit hours)

Esports Administration is designed to provide students with an overview of the administration, organization, management, and marketing principles applicable to the development and growth of an esports program.

SET 573: Esports Facilities and Event Management (3 credit hours)

This course provides a comprehensive look at what it takes to produce a successful esports event from conception to fruition to evaluation.

SPT 584: Graduate Summer Institute (3 credit hours)
This intensive summer course engages master’s students in interdisciplinary collaboration through workshops, applied labs, and career-focused development. Students enhance their leadership abilities and deepen their expertise through hands-on learning experiences.
This is a HIPE course option.

SPT 585: Workplace Special Project (3 credit hours)
This master’s-level course allows students to lead strategic projects within their professional environment. Through academic oversight, students apply coursework to real-world challenges and deliver impactful solutions such as strategic plans, prototypes, or research findings.
This is a HIPE course option.

SPT 586: Learn Abroad I (3 credit hours)
Master’s students explore global perspectives in sport through academic instruction and immersive fieldwork. Pre-departure research and post-travel reflection are integral to the course, enhancing cross-cultural competence.
This is a HIPE course option.

SPT 587: Learn Abroad II (3 credit hours)
This master’s course offers a global immersion experience where students lead professional mini-projects and analyze sport systems in international contexts.
This is a HIPE course option.

SPT 588: Internship I (3 credit hours)
This course provides a master’s-level internship opportunity with a focus on professional development, field application, and industry engagement.
This is a HIPE course option.

SPT 589: Internship II (3 credit hours)
Master’s students complete a second-level internship that synthesizes prior coursework and field experience, preparing them for upper-level roles in sport organizations.
This is a HIPE course option.

SPT 597: Individualized Study (3-9 credit hours)

Individualized study is directed by a qualified graduate faculty member in a specific interest area. It is designed to provide flexible alternatives, and it is personalized to the individual student. This course may involve scholarly research, data collection and reporting, preparation of educational materials, or the design and application of policy and programs.

This course requires the permission of the Chief Academic Officer prior to registration.

SPT 599: Thesis (6 credit hours)

The formal development of an original research project is under the direction of a faculty committee. The thesis includes two 90-minute oral presentations, which may be scheduled on campus or by videoconference. The thesis experience includes the planning and presentation of an oral proposal defense and an oral final defense of a completed research manuscript. The oral presentations may be augmented by the use of PowerPoint or other computer applications.

SPT 684: Graduate Summer Institute (3 credit hours)
Designed for doctoral-level students, this course offers an immersive summer experience focused on advanced leadership, professional development, and specialization within the student’s area of study. Emphasis is placed on real-world application and peer collaboration.
This is a HIPE course option.

SPT 685: Workplace Special Project (3 credit hours)
Doctoral students apply sport industry knowledge to lead complex projects within their workplace. Guided by faculty mentors, students address organizational needs and produce high-level deliverables contributing to their professional portfolio.
This is a HIPE course option.

SPT 686: Learn Abroad I (3 credit hours)
Designed for doctoral students, this course involves comprehensive international fieldwork and analysis. Participants synthesize their experiences into professional insights aligned with global sport leadership and policy.
This is a HIPE course option.

SPT 687: Learn Abroad II (3 credit hours)
Doctoral students deepen their global expertise by conducting international research and presenting findings that bridge scholarly knowledge and field experience.
This is a HIPE course option.

SPT 688: Internship I (3 credit hours)
Doctoral students undertake a supervised internship designed to develop advanced leadership, project management, and field-based expertise in the sports profession.
This is a HIPE course option.

SPT 689: Internship II (3 credit hours)
This doctoral-level internship emphasizes executive-level leadership, research application, and strategic influence within sport organizations. Deliverables align with dissertation and career goals.
This is a HIPE course option.