Course Descriptions

CORE COURSES for ALL STUDENTS:

PRF 720 Essentials of Human Movement Science
This course will introduce a scientific approach to the essentials of human movement science. The student will receive a detailed insight into the independent and interdependent function of the muscular, articular and nervous systems during human force production, stabilization and force reduction. The course will also introduce the student to various types and styles of learning via web-based technologies, and will orient the student to web based methods of learning.

PRF 705 Industrial, Clinical, and Corporate Wellness
This course is designed to develop knowledge and awareness of the major issues in the field of worksite health promotion and clinical care. The focus of the course is on planning, administering, and evaluating wellness and fitness programs based in clinical, industrial, and corporate environments. The cost of unhealthy life style choices for the individual and employer and their relationship to the workplace will be explored. Topics include, the 'Wellness Revolution', the 'Industrial Athlete Model', benchmark programs, and outcomes assessment strategies.

PRF 715 Business and Entrepreneurship in the Fitness Industry
This course offers a comprehensive discussion of the practical aspects of starting and running a business in performance enhancement and fitness. The course focuses on launching new ventures, as well as business and management practices for individuals who are already in business but who want to learn how to improve their operations. Specific topics include, management theory, financial management, personnel management, record keeping, risk management and technology issues.

PRF 760 Leadership and Professional Development
This course is intended to prepare students for the leadership decisions and actions that are inherent in performance enhancement management and fitness practice. Professional and personal growth will be discussed. Principles and applications of leadership will be explored, including persuasiveness, leading and directing teams, leading within organizations, and leadership opportunities in shaping fitness policy. Techniques for managing change and empowering others are included in this course. Topics related to effective leadership are issues of power, motivation, delegation, team building, persuasion and negotiation, and total quality improvement.

PRF 765 Nutrition for Peak Performance
An in-depth examination of contemporary issues such as performance enhancement dietary supplements, dietary lipids and heart disease, dietary fiber and health, influence of lifestyle factors on nutrition. Controversies in nutrition, ergogenic aides, and cultural aspects of food are also discussed. Energy and nutrient needs for activity with emphasis on particular physical and athletic activities; common myths and fallacies concerning diet and athletic performance; and appropriate dietary approaches for specific activities and active people.

PRF 770 Exercise Physiology: Assessment and Exercise Prescription
This course offers a comprehensive discussion of the knowledge, skills, and abilities needed for American College of Sports Medicine certifications and current clinical practices in sports medicine. Emphasis will be placed on the value and application of exercise testing and prescription in persons with and without chronic disease. Special topics to be addressed include, exercise prescription in children, the elderly, pulmonary patients, cardiac patients, and pregnant women.

PROFESSIONAL COURSES for WELLNESS & FITNESS TRACK STUDENTS:

Wellness and Fitness Track Description
In response to great demand, this recently developed track is designed for the health / fitness professional, personal trainer, educator, military professional, coach, and others who want to learn about fitness training program design and wellness programs for the general population. Research and current issues in the fitness industry, as well as, wellness programs will be a focus of the courses. Students enrolled in this track are prepared to take the National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM) Certified Personal Trainer (CPT) certification.

PRF 800 Research in Fitness and Injury Prevention
This course is designed to immerse the student in fitness & injury prevention research, focusing on current clinical outcomes research, psychology and physical activity research, and performance enhancement research. Topics include, research in resistance training, core stabilization, and aquatic therapy. Fitness and injury prevention research is discussed related to special populations, such as athletes at opposite ends of the age spectrum.

PRF 711 An Integrated Approach to Fitness and Wellness
This course will introduce the revolutionary exercise programming strategies of the Optimum Performance Training model. The student will receive a detailed insight into designing exercise programs for any personal training client. They will be shown how this systematic approach to program design uniquely blends the science of acute variables with the concepts of flexibility, core stabilization, balance, reactive training, speed, agility and quickness and strength training to develop safe and effective exercise programs for all individuals.

PRF 751 Program Design in Fitness & Wellness
This course will introduce the revolutionary exercise programming strategies of the Optimum Performance Training model specifically for the fitness and wellness professional. The student will receive a detailed insight into designing exercise programs for any personal training client. They will be shown how this systematic approach to program design uniquely blends the science of acute variables with the concepts of flexibility, core stabilization, balance, reactive training, speed, agility and quickness and strength training to develop safe and effective exercise programs for all individuals.

PRF 781 Current Topics in Fitness & Wellness
The purpose of this course is to increase student understanding of various fitness and wellness issues facing America and the world today. This course introduces students to the field of exercise science as a discipline and profession with a specific focus on contemporary topics facing all fitness and wellness professionals. National professional certifications that will enhance student knowledge and career marketability are embedded in the course.


PROFESSIONAL COURSES for PERFORMANCE ENHANCEMENT & INJURY PREVENTION TRACK STUDENTS:

Performance Enhancement and Injury Prevention Track Description
This innovative track is designed for the health / fitness professional, personal trainer, educator, military professional, coach, and others who want to learn about performance and fitness training program design for athletes and other physically active people. Research and current issues in sport performance training and injury prevention will be a focus of the courses. Students enrolled in this track are prepared to take the National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM) Performance Enhancement Specialist (PES) certification.

PRF 810 Research in Performance Enhancement
This course is designed to immerse the student in injury prevention research, focusing on current clinical outcomes research, psychology and physical activity research, and performance enhancement research. Topics include, research in resistance training, core stabilization, reactive training, posture, supplementation, and sport vision training, Injury prevention research is discussed related to special populations, such as athletes at opposite ends of the performance spectrum.

PRF 710 Performance Enhancement in Physical Activity
This course offers a comprehensive discussion of functional anatomy, functional biomechanics, and motor learning as it related to functional rehabilitation and athletic reconditioning. The student will be introduced to integrated, functional rehabilitation techniques including core stabilization, neuromuscular stabilization, reactive neuromuscular stabilization, integrated flexibility, integrated strength, speed training, foot training, and vision training. The student will also be taught a comprehensive kinetic chain assessment to determine myokinematic, arthrokinematic, and neuromuscular deficits. After completing this course and Performance Enhancement Program Design, students will be eligible to sit for the National Academy of Sports Medicine Examination for Performance Enhancement Specialist certification.

PRF 750 Performance Enhancement Program Design
This course requires the student to integrate knowledge learned from the course Performance Enhancement with professional experience and prior learning in fitness and rehabilitation. Students will work in teams to prepare a performance enhancement program proposal including program elements, rationale, innovative design, and supporting research. Each week, cohort members will professionally analyze and critique new proposals, resulting in high-level discussion and exchange. After completing this course and Performance Enhancement in Physical Activity, students will be eligible to sit for the National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM) Examination for NASM Performance Enhancement Specialist certification.

PRF 780 Current Topics in Performance Enhancement and Injury Prevention
The purpose of this course is to increase student understanding of various performance enhancement and injury prevention issues facing America and the world today. This course introduces students to the field of exercise science as a discipline and profession with a specific focus on contemporary topics facing all performance enhancement and injury prevention professionals. National professional certifications that will enhance student knowledge and career marketability are embedded in the course.

PROFESSIONAL COURSES for REHABILITATION SCIENCE TRACK STUDENTS:

Rehabilitation Science Track Description
This health care focused track is designed for the health / fitness professional that has a background in rehabilitation settings such as Athletic Training Rooms, Physical Therapy Clinics, Chiropractic Offices, and other treatment settings. Research and current issues in musculoskeletal rehabilitation and biomechanical assessment will be a focus of the courses. Students enrolled in this track are prepared to take the National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM) Corrective Exercise Specialist (CES) certification.

PRF 820 Research in Rehabilitation
This is an introductory class on Evidence-Based Practice. The intended outcome is to familiarize the student with the evidence-based guidelines and prepare the student with a practical strategy to incorporate into their daily practice.

PRF 712 Corrective Exercise in Rehabilitation
This course will introduce the student to corrective exercise theory based on the pathokinesiological model. The student will be introduced to a systematic evaluation approach based on the pathokinesiological model. The pathokinesiological model will examine human movement systems in regards to key regions of the human body. These regions will be recognized as potential sites for an integrated corrective exercise programs.

PRF 752 Corrective Exercise Program Design
This course will introduce corrective exercise strategies based on loss of function. The student will receive detailed insight into the design of corrective exercise programs. The systematic approach of an integrated corrective exercise design uniquely blends the variables of available flexibility, isolated and integrated corrective strengthening, and corrective exercise design to allow the student the necessary foundation in designing and developing safe corrective exercise programs.

PRF 782 Current Topics in Rehabilitation
The purpose of this course is to increase student understanding of various rehabilitation issues facing America and the world today. This course focuses students toward the ever-changing contemporary issues that impact direct and indirect client care.


PROFESSIONAL COURSES for SPORT PSYCHOLOGY TRACK STUDENTS:

Sport Psychology Track Description
The Sport Psychology Track is designed for the health / fitness professional, personal trainer, educator, military professional, coach, and others to gain knowledge from the psychological perspective to enhance their current practice behavior and use an all-inclusive approach to recovery. Courses will provide information to assist the health care professionals and others to identify precursors to injury, affects of injury and rehabilitation and recovery, performance enhancement and intervention methods, and incorporate referrals.


PRF 713 Special Topics in Sport Psychology
This course is designed to cover a diverse professional issues related to sport psychology. Various organizations (APA Division 47 and AAASP) affiliated with sport psychology and ethical concerns will be addressed.

PRF 753 Psychological Aspects of Sport Injury and Rehabilitation
This course is designed to introduce students to various topics related to the psychological aspects of sport injury. The course focuses on the onset (precursors), experience, and treatment of athletic injuries from a biopsychosocial perspective. Course material is based on empirical data and psychophysiology foundation and the role of psychological factors and psychological interventions, which influence rehabilitation and recovery.

PRF 783 Psychological Perspectives in Sport Performance Enhancement and Intervention
This course is designed to introduce students to various performance enhancement techniques commonly used in sports. Examples of such techniques will be presented in the course. Students will be able to apply the basic features of PE & I to a specific sport or rehabilitation situation. Students will have the opportunity to create their own intervention manual based on research and course content.

PRF 830 Research in Sport Psychology
This course is designed to provide the student knowledge of research in the sport psychology arena. The students will be introduced to psychometric properties of research, interpretation of results published, and to be able to critically analyze published material specific to the area of sport psychology.