Health and Sport Science Degree Program
Turn Your Passion for Health, Fitness and Sport into a Meaningful Career.
Whether you see yourself helping athletes recover from injury, managing sporting organizations, inspiring the next generation through physical education or coaching championship teams, Averett University’s Health and Sport Science program gives you the knowledge, experience and professional preparation to succeed.
With multiple career-focused pathways, personalized instruction and hands-on learning opportunities, you’ll graduate prepared to enter the workforce or continue your education in graduate or professional school. Every student completes both an internship and a senior exit project, ensuring you leave Averett with real-world experience and not just classroom knowledge.
Your passion can become your profession.
_______________________________________
Why Study Health and Sport Science at Averett?
At Averett, you’ll receive more than a degree. You’ll build the skills, confidence and professional experience employers and graduate schools are looking for.
Students in the Health and Sport Science program benefit from:
- Small class sizes with personalized attention from experienced faculty
- Career-focused concentrations tailored to your professional goals
- Required internship experiences that build your résumé before graduation
- A senior exit project that showcases your knowledge and practical skills
- Hands-on coursework in exercise science, coaching, sport psychology and human movement
- Opportunities to work with schools, athletic organizations, recreation programs and wellness professionals
- Preparation for immediate employment or graduate study in health-related fields
________________________________________
Choose the Path That’s Right for You
No matter where you see yourself after graduation, Averett offers multiple pathways that allow you to customize your education around your interests and career goals.
Sports Medicine
If you’re fascinated by human performance, injury prevention and rehabilitation, the Sports Medicine program provides an excellent foundation for careers in healthcare and exercise science.
- Wellness Concentration: Focus on improving athletic performance and overall wellness through coursework in nutrition, therapeutic exercise, injury prevention and performance enhancement.
- Science Concentration: Designed for students planning to pursue graduate education, this concentration provides the academic foundation for programs in athletic training, physical therapy, occupational therapy and other allied health professions.
Career opportunities include:
- Athletic Trainer*
- Physical Therapist*
- Occupational Therapist*
- Exercise Physiologist*
- Rehabilitation Specialist*
- Strength & Conditioning Coach*
*Graduate education required for many positions.
Sports Administration
Love sports but see yourself working behind the scenes? The Sports Administration program combines business, management and leadership principles with an understanding of the sport industry, preparing students for careers in professional, collegiate and amateur athletics.
Career opportunities include:
- Athletic Director
- Sports Marketing
- Athletic Operations Manager
- Event Coordinator
- Recreation Administrator
- Facility Manager
- Athletic Communications Professional
- Sports Business Manager
Coaching
Develop the leadership, communication and technical skills needed to guide athletes and teams toward success. Coursework explores coaching methodology, biomechanics, officiating, sport psychology, legal issues in athletics and athlete development, preparing graduates for coaching opportunities at the youth, high school and collegiate levels. Averett also offers a concentration in strength in conditioning within the Coaching major.
Career opportunities include:
- High School Coach
- College Coach
- Club or Travel Team Coach
- Athletic Program Coordinator
- Camp Director
- Personal Trainer
- Strength & Conditioning Coach
- Fitness Director
- Wellness Coach
- Corporate Wellness Coordinator
Health & Physical Education (PK-12 Teaching Licensure)
If you enjoy teaching and inspiring others to lead healthy, active lives, this concentration prepares you for teacher licensure in Virginia. Students combine education coursework with anatomy, biology and health sciences while completing valuable classroom experiences that prepare them to teach health and physical education.
Career opportunities include:
- Health & Physical Education Teacher
- Adapted Physical Education Teacher
- Athletic Coach
- Recreation Educator
________________________________________
Learn by Doing
Learning at Averett extends well beyond the classroom. Students gain valuable experience through coursework and practical learning opportunities in areas such as:
- Sports Medicine
- Kinesiology
- Physiology of Activity
- Sport Psychology
- Motor Learning
- First Aid and Safety
- Biomechanics
- Coaching and Officiating
- Exercise Science
Internship Experience
Every student completes a required internship and senior exit project, providing valuable professional experience while building relationships with employers before graduation.
Prepare for Graduate School
Many students choose Averett as the first step toward careers in healthcare and human performance.
The Sports Medicine Science concentration is specifically designed to prepare students for competitive graduate programs, including:
- Athletic Training
- Physical Therapy
- Occupational Therapy
- Exercise Physiology
- Chiropractic Medicine
- Physician Assistant Studies
- Other allied health professions
Faculty mentors work closely with students to help them identify prerequisites, prepare applications and gain valuable observation and internship experiences.
________________________________________
Experience Learning Beyond the Classroom
Students gain practical experience through internships in a variety of professional settings, including:
- Public and private schools
- Fitness centers and health clubs
- Recreation departments
- YMCA organizations
- Youth sports programs
- Athletic departments
- Community wellness organizations
- Sports organizations
These experiences help students graduate with confidence, professional connections and career-ready skills.
________________________________________
Industry Connections
Averett’s Health and Sports Science program has produced professionals in all areas and levels. From athletic training professionals in pro and college sports to teachers and coaches in the high school and college ranks to various roles in public recreation and private industries, Averett has a wide network of professional and alumni connections.
________________________________________
Why Employers Value Averett Graduates
Employers want graduates who combine technical knowledge with leadership and interpersonal skills. Averett graduates leave prepared with:
- Strong communication and leadership abilities
- Experience working in professional settings
- Knowledge of exercise science and human movement
- Critical thinking and problem-solving skills
- Teamwork and collaboration experience
- A commitment to promoting health, wellness and lifelong learning
________________________________________
Graduate School Preparation
Excellent preparation for graduate programs in athletic training, physical therapy, occupational therapy and other allied health professions.
________________________________________
Why Averett?
✔ Multiple career-focused pathways within one department
✔ Personalized attention from experienced faculty
✔ Required internship and senior exit project
✔ Strong preparation for graduate school and professional careers
✔ Hands-on learning from your first year through graduation
✔ Career opportunities in education, healthcare, fitness, recreation and sports business
________________________________________
Ready to Make an Impact?
Whether your future is on the sidelines, in the classroom, in a rehabilitation clinic or leading the business of sports, Averett University’s Health and Sport Science Department will prepare you with the knowledge, experience and confidence to succeed.
Apply today, schedule a campus visit or request more information to discover how Averett can help you build a career that keeps people healthy, active and performing at their best.
