The University of South Carolina continues to lead the way in sport science in the United States, with its programs ranked No. 1 in the nation for the fourth consecutive time in the Global Ranking of Sport Science Schools and Departments.
The ranking includes accomplishments from the College of Education’s physical education program, the Arnold School of Public Health's exercise science and athletic training programs and the College of Hospitality, Retail and Sport Management’s sport and entertainment management program.
The programs share a focus on combining classroom and experiential learning opportunities to give students the best possible preparation to succeed, as well as faculty who combine industry experience and academic expertise.
The Arnold School’s athletic training program, offering two master’s degree options, has a reputation of excellence in preparing students to work as athletic trainers in a variety of clinical settings, while the exercise science program prepares students for entry into a wide range of health-related graduate and professional programs.
“To have our exercise science and athletic training programs recognized as tops in the U.S., along with our physical education and sport management programs, is quite an accomplishment,” says Tom Chandler, dean of the Arnold School. “This is the fourth time these rankings have been compiled, and we have been at the top every time! Very exciting, indeed.”
HRSM’s Department of Sport and Entertainment Management, the first and largest program of its kind in the nation, unites theory and practice at the highest level with an award-winning roster of exceptional faculty. Offering undergraduate, master’s and doctoral programs, the department is at the cutting edge of the most important issues impacting the industry. It is also home to the College Sport Research Institute and Center for the Advancement of Sport and Entertainment Management. In addition to classroom tutelage, students build their resumes working at events like PGA championships, the Kentucky Derby, March Madness, NASCAR races and Disney on Ice.
“The Department of Sport and Entertainment Management continues to grow and thrive, and we look forward to welcoming even more of the best and brightest students from around the world thanks to new opportunities like the Tepper Scholars program,” says Matt Brown, interim dean of the College of Hospitality, Retail and Sport Management. “Without the hard work and success of students, alumni, faculty and staff from sport and entertainment management, exercise science, athletic training and physical education, this five-year run would not have been possible. We are proud to be a part of this amazing interdisciplinary team.”
The College of Education’s physical education program offers a bachelor’s degree, two master’s degree options, a doctorate and a minor in athletic coaching. Undergraduate and graduate students become teachers who support people with and without disabilities in their journey toward physical fitness. Doctoral candidates learn firsthand about training teachers by playing a critical role in preparing pre-service teachers, as well as leading and supporting research in exciting and innovative areas of study.
“We are very proud of the recognition of our outstanding faculty’s national and international leadership and funded research in adapted physical education, motor competence and comprehensive school physical activity,” says Jon Pedersen, dean of the College of Education.
ShanghaiRanking Consultancy, the official publisher of the Global Ranking of Sport Science Schools and Departments, is regarded as one of the three most influential rankers of international universities and has been cited by numerous publications including Inside Higher Ed, The Guardian and The Christian Science Monitor. The organization has published academic rankings since 2009, but 2016 was the first year it included sport science schools and departments.
The data used to determine the rankings is collected from the Web of Science database with a time window of five years. For more information about the methodology and indicators of the ranking or to view a complete list of the top schools, visit the Global Ranking of Sport Science Schools and Departments website.