Sports Medicine - Pre-Physician Assistant

Program Codes: BSSPPPA
Bachelor of Science

Introduction
The Department offers a Bachelor of Science degree in Sports Medicine to meet the increased need for people educated in this important field related to health care of the physically active individual and athlete. This degree encompasses the healthrelated professions which prevent and manage injuries and illnesses related to active individuals and organized sports. The pre-health curricula in Sports Medicine prepare and qualify the student for entrance into post baccalaureate professional health degree programs.

The Sports Medicine major at Mercyhurst is interdisciplinary in nature and is designed to prepare undergraduate college students for graduate studies and/ or licensure or certification necessary to be hired in the areas of physical therapy, occupational therapy, physician assistant and medicine. Our guidelines have been provided by The American College of Sports Medicine, American Physical Therapy Association, the National Strength Coaches Association and the National Athletic Trainers Association and the Committee of Accreditation of Athletic Training Education, Accreditation Review Committee on Education for Physician Assistant, and the American Occupational Therapy Association.

The Sports Medicine student must declare a professional concentration upon entrance into the Department. Students have the option of declaring a dual concentration or a dual major. Students are required to take courses from seven disciplines arranged in four optional concentrations with a core of courses common to each concentration. In all concentrations, there is a strong emphasis on Sports Medicine, the sciences, social sciences, observation of health care professionals and acquiring the specific hands on skill set related to specific health care professionals.

Each concentration requires specific clinical experience related to that specific profession. Students enrolled in Sports Medicine or any of the pre-health concentrations within the Sports Medicine major are encouraged to pursue a double major with Exercise Science and/or Pre-Athletic Training.

Evidence-based medical principles are emphasized throughout the academic experience as well as completion of a student-focused baccalaureate research project.

Students enrolled in the Sports Medicine major should be full time students and must be enrolled in the designated sequence of courses for each declared concentration.

Mission Statement
The mission of the Sports Medicine Department is to provide the student with the necessary didactic competencies, psychomotor skills, clinical proficiencies, clinical experiences, research design, application, presentation and certification through a holistic approach. It is the goal of the Department also to develop the student in the areas of citizenship, stewardship and self-awareness. The mission will be accomplished through student completion of curriculum student learning outcomes.

Program Student Learning Outcomes
Describes the duties, responsibilities and skill set of health professions that compose the Sports Medicine health field

  • Recognize and evaluate the anatomical and physiological processes of the physically active individual.
  • Apply the specific hands on skill set that Sports Medicine health professionals utilize.
  • Describe and apply the management, organizational and leadership skills of health professionals.
  • Think critically and solve problems pertaining to medical and scientific concepts.
  • Comprehend, synthesize and apply the proper research methodology process for health professions.

Admissions Requirements
Freshmen students should have a minimum GPA of 3.0 in high school plus a 3.0 in each of the following six subjects: Algebra, Geometry, Trigonometry, Biology, Chemistry and Physics, or General Science. At least 500 Math and 500 Writing or Reading scores should be achieved for a total of 1000 on the SATs. Prior to entering their freshman year, it is suggested to complete the American Red Cross Professional Rescuer/CPR certification, proof of which is a signed certification card.

Transfer students, either from another department at Mercyhurst or from another college/university, are required to have a minimum GPA of 3.0 overall and a 3.0 in an introductory biology course, an introductory psychology course, and a human development course, (if previously taken.) A total SAT score of 950 is necessary. American Red Cross Professional Rescuer/CPR certification is required.

Final Acceptance Requirements
Students declaring a Sports Medicine major must apply via the Sophomore Review Board in spring of the sophomore year. Failure to do so results in an automatic change of status to “pre-major.”

Responsibility
An above average level of achievement in responsibilities within the major should be demonstrated. Measurement will be determined by the letters of recommendation, documentation of required clinical observations and career portfolio.

Cooperation
An above average level of teamwork with all members of the Sports Medicine faculty and with fellow students should be achieved. Determination of achievement will be reflected in the recommendation letters.

Problem Solving and Decision-Making Skills
Applicants will demonstrate the ability to make accurate and reliable decisions in theory and in practical or clinical situations.

Communication Skills
Students will demonstrate ability to express thoughts and ideas both verbally and in writing.

Academic
For Pre-Athletic Training and Exercise Science: Achieve and maintain an overall QPA of 2.85 or better.

For Pre-Physical Therapy, Pre-Physician Assistant, Pre-Occupational Therapy and Pre-Medicine: Achieve and maintain an overall QPA of 3.1 in the sophomore year, 3.20 in the junior year and 3.30 in the senior year.

Review Board
The Review Board consists of three members from disciplines appropriately related to the student’s chosen academic concentration. Deliberations of the Board will take place near the end of the student’s sophomore year and at other times when Department Chair deems necessary.

Evaluation Process
In the overall Pre-Med, Pre-Physical Therapy, Pre-Physician Assistant, and PreOccupational Therapy evaluation process, each of three members of the review board will be able to award each student a maximum of 100 points, constituting a maximum score of 300 points per student. A minimum achievement of 225 points will be necessary for acceptance into the Sports Medicine Major Program. An appeal process is available for students who are dismissed. The Pre-med, Preoccupational therapy, Pre- physician’s assistant, and Pre-PT student will receive official acceptance into the concentration if 225 review board points are acquired and an overall GPA of 3.1 is achieved.

Probationary status will be granted if 225 points are acquired and an overall GPA between 3.00 and 3.10 is achieved. The probationary period for all Sports Medicine majors includes the upcoming academic summer sessions and the following Fall semester.

Refer to the notes of the Pre-Athletic Training or Exercise Science majors in to see the Board requirements for those students.

Note: It is made clear that a student who is advised to discontinue the Sports Medicine major will find that a lateral move to a related science major is very difficult without having to take more than 121 credits due to the stringent science requirements in related fields. This is a risk that the student knowingly assumes when he or she accepts initial acceptance into the Sports Medicine major.

Appeal Process
Any student dismissed from the Sports Medicine major may apply for readmittance to the program during the next session of the Review Board. The eligibility of the individual will be determined by the Board using the same criteria as is used for accepting a new student into the program.

Anyone using the appeal process should contact the department chair one semester prior to the Review Board session to initiate the process.

Graduation Requirements
Students who have been accepted into the Sports Medicine major by the Review Board must acquire the progressive G.P.A. for each year, which is 3.10 for sophomore year, 3.20 in the junior year and 3.30 in the senior year.

All students must complete the required clinical observation hours for their declared health profession. Half of the designated hours must be acquired through Sports Medicine Department arranged clinical sites in the local area. All required courses in the designated area of concentration must be successfully completed along with completion of the student’s baccalaureate research project in their senior year. All seniors are required to present their research proposals and findings in a department research symposium in the spring of their senior year. Refer to the Athletic Training and Exercise Science major program descriptions for graduation requirements.

Pre-physical and Pre-physician assistant students must complete 200 hours of documented observation with various licensed health care professionals within their designated career field and one orthopedic surgery. Pre-medicine and Preoccupational therapy students must complete 100 documented hours of physician observation and observe one orthopedic surgery. All departmental pre-health students cannot take major or pre-requisite courses on a pass-fail basis and students who earn less than a B in any of these courses or lab must repeat the course or lab.

Note that some of the requirements for the major also satisfy specific Reach Curriculum requirements. Students who are not majors (including contract majors) may not take or challenge courses offered by the Sports Medicine faculty without written permission from the Department Chairperson.

Orthopedic Technician/Physician Extender: Professional Certification eligibility
This academic pathway provides eligibility for the Orthopedic Technician and Orthopedic Physician Extender certification exams through the American Society for Orthopedic Professionals. This academic pathway provides potential employment opportunities for all students within the Sports Medicine department. Successful completion of the certification exam via the American Society for Orthopedic Professionals must occur for employment opportunities. Orthopedic Technicians assist Orthopedic physician’s with fitting and applying of casting and splinting devices, fitting of braces and orthotic splints, initial evaluation of patients, rehabilitation programs and health administration services related to scheduling of diagnostic imaging as well as insurance approvals.

Required Courses Include:
ATR 257 Medical Education I Laboratory 1 credits
ATR 267 Theraputic Modalities 3 credits
ATR 362 Theraputic Exercise 3 credits
SPMD 161 Assessment Injury Management I 3 credits
SPMD 162 Introduction to Sports Medicine 3 credits
SPMD 262 Assessment Injury Management II 3 credits
SPMD 264 Assessment Injury Management III 3 credits

Pre-Physician Assistant Concentration

The Pre-Physician Assistant program provides the student with the necessary prerequisites and qualifications for entrance into a physician assistant master degree level program. This curriculum will focus on the prevention, care and management of injuries accursed to the physically active and team sports individual. Orthopedic and general health hands-on evaluation skills will be completed by this student. It is strongly suggested that students within this concentration arrange clinical observation opportunities in their local residential area and also acquire summer employment in an allied health field setting such as and EMT or phlebotomy. 200 hours of clinical observation with licensed alied health care provider is required. Qualified candidates from this curriculum will have preference for acceptance into the master’s degree physician assistant program at Mercyhurst University.

Sports Medicine Core Courses

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Pre-Physician Assistant Concentration

The following major courses must be completed with the major core courses:

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