Academic Catalog

David B. Falk College of Sport and Human Dynamics

Dean Jeremy Jordan

Jeremy S. Jordan, Dean
440 White Hall
315-443-2027

About the College

David B. Falk College of Sport and Human Dynamics houses the Departments of Exercise Science, Human Development and Family Science, Marriage and Family Therapy, Nutrition and Food Studies, Public Health, Social Work, and Sport Management. Across the college, students benefit from real-world, interdisciplinary experiences through faculty-mentored research and meaningful internships that prepare them for successful careers in sports and applied health and human services. 

The Falk College leadership team includes:

  • Mary Graham, Associate Dean, Faculty Affairs
  • Chandice Haste-Jackson, Associate Dean, Student Services
  • Katherine McDonald, Senior Associate Dean, Research and Administration
  • Kenneth James Marfilius, Assistant Dean, Online and Distance Education
  • Rachel Razza, Associate Dean, Human Dynamics
  • Megan Myers, Assistant Dean, Advancement
  • Kay Sterns Bruening, Associate Dean, Academic Affairs

The Falk College Dean’s Office can be reached at 315-443-2027 for more information about academic programs, services, and all other activities related to the college.

Accreditation

  • Falk College offers accredited programs in nutrition science and dietetics at the undergraduate level and nutrition science at the graduate level accredited by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics’ Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND). 
  • The M.A. and Ph.D. programs in marriage and family therapy are accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Marriage and Family Therapy Education (COAMFTE).
  • All social work programs are fully accredited through the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE).
  • Falk College’s bachelor’s degree in public health and master of public health degree are accredited by the Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH).

Undergraduate Program Overview

In the David B. Falk College of Sport and Human Dynamics cross-professional collaboration is the cornerstone of teaching, research, and practice. Falk College participates in students’ knowledge and skill development through the Shared Competencies, Syracuse University’s institutional learning goals that highlight the knowledge and skills students can expect to gain through their major courses, liberal arts requirements, and co-curricular activities. Like professionals in the field, students and faculty in the college work and learn together across disciplinary lines to find new, more effective approaches to important challenges and opportunities in sports and applied health and human services. Falk College offers bachelor’s degree programs in health and exercise science, human development and family science, food studies, nutrition science and dietetics, public health, social work, sport analytics, sport management, and esports.

Faculty members include current and former practitioners who provide a real-world perspective on the professional field. The small college atmosphere allows for personalized attention from the faculty and staff who guide students through the educational experience. In consultation with faculty and staff advisors, students choose a major program of study and select coursework that provides necessary professional preparation enhanced by a solid liberal arts education.

The integration of theory and practice lies at the heart of the college’s mission. Through the college’s extensive internship program, students gain valuable hands-on experience that complements their classroom learning and better prepares them for their careers. Our undergraduate academic programs in Falk College are supported by professionally trained internship and field placement coordinators who work one-on-one with every student to create an experiential learning opportunity that supports their future career goals. In addition, the Falk College Career Services office guides students in career exploration and development through networking events, individualized career counseling, and internship and job search support.

A dedicated professional Student Services staff offers Falk students one-on-one, personalized support to track progress, address needs, and celebrate achievements. A strengths-based advising and counseling approach helps address student concerns and challenges. 

Students in all Falk College academic programs can conduct research working with faculty mentors across Syracuse University, an R1 research institution. The Falk Office of Research Development (FORD) is a dedicated college resource for Falk faculty and student researchers.

Facilities

Our undergraduate students are uniquely advantaged by the Falk College facilities where they learn and study. 

Falk College’s Milton Conrad Sport Technology Lab doubles as a student classroom and computer lab that meets the latest programming trends in sport analytics and event and sport venue operations. Students train to operate live events using Daktronics equipment identical to what is found at major sport venues, such as ribbon boards and a scoreboard systems controller. Undergraduate and graduate programs integrate learning with activities at the JMA Wireless Dome as Syracuse University is the only institution in the nation with a sport facility of its size on the main campus.

The Department of Exercise Science houses integrative research laboratories at the Syracuse University Women’s Building. including the Human Performance Laboratory that explores the impact of exercise on emerging markers of cardiovascular disease risk. In the Clinical Research Lab, researchers study cardio-metabolic risk factors, such as insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes, in obese populations. The Kinesmetrics Laboratory helps researchers understand the impact of behaviors such as sleep, sedentary behavior, and physical activity on health. The Hypoxia Lab features a full-scale normobaric hypoxia chamber for simulated altitude training, investigations of the human physiological response to low oxygen, and for the staging and testing of protocols that are used during field research conducted in the Andes and Himalayas. The Neuromuscular Physiology Lab uses noninvasive brain stimulation and assessment of motor unit behavior to investigate changes that occur in the brain and spinal cord that impact skeletal muscle function throughout the lifespan. In the System Motor Control and Biomechanics Lab, researchers utilize biomechanics equipment and neuro-stimulation techniques to examine how the musculoskeletal and nervous systems produce functional movements, as well as how these systems’ functions change due to aging or diseases.

The Nutrition Assessment, Consultation and Education (ACE) Center, and its expanded location ACE Center II, offers a hands-on learning laboratory to prepare students with traditional and emerging professional competencies critical to nutrition practice.  Falk College also houses modern food laboratories in the Susan R. Klenk Learning Café and Kitchens, which includes an experimental food lab kitchen, commercial kitchen, baking nook and café. A video camera system allows faculty and chef instructors to broadcast classes, food demonstrations, and seminars from Falk College to anywhere on campus and across the country. 

The Barnes Center at the Arch features a professional grade gaming facility, which includes computers that are four times faster than most gamer computers. Gaming desktops with top graphics cards, ultra-fast refresh rate monitors, blazing fast direct network connections give a competitive edge to Syracuse University students. In the Newhouse Sports Media Center, students can broadcast esports events from the same studios used to produce live broadcasts on the ACC Network. The studio, sets, green screen, and other equipment are industry standard, allowing for live interviews and replays.

General Regulations

For academic rules and regulations that apply to all University students, please see the Academic Rules section of this catalog. This section also contains special regulations that apply to all students matriculated in the college.

Combined, Dual, and Double Programs

Approval for combined, dual, and double programs of study must be obtained from each academic unit involved.

PED General Electives

Up to four credits in physical education (PED) courses numbered 100-299 may be included among the general elective credits counted toward a degree in the college for singly enrolled students.

Fees

Laboratory fees are required in certain courses where specialized equipment and materials are provided. A technology fee is assessed for all Falk College majors and minors, and all non-Falk students who take a Falk College course.  Complete breakdown for Falk College Fees may be found in the annual Tuition and Fees and Related Policies Bulletin.

Intra-University Transfer

Qualifying GPA varies, depending on the major. Departments may have additional criteria. Applicants are required to discuss tentative transfer plans with the academic chair or director of the proposed program of study. Students who meet department criteria will be admitted on a space-available basis. Transfer requests may be held until the end of the semester.

Part-Time Study

Students unable to enroll for full-time study may complete the bachelor’s degree on a part-time basis through the College of Professional Studies (formerly University College). Part-time students register through the College of Professional Studies and are advised both by advisors in the College of Professional Studies and by faculty in Falk College.

Study Abroad

Falk College, in cooperation with Syracuse Abroad, strongly encourages students to take advantage of study abroad opportunities. Syracuse Abroad offers more than 100 programs in 60 countries, including semester, summer, and short-stay immersion programs. Students may choose from a variety of courses to fulfill requirements or elective credits for their program of study in the college. It is essential that students begin planning early for study abroad and work closely with their academic advisors. For further information, contact the Office of Student Services in Falk College, 330 Barclay, 315-443-3144, or Syracuse Abroad, 106 Walnut Place, 315-443-3471. 

Minors

Falk College students are strongly encouraged to complete a minor and should seek assistance from their academic advisors in choosing a minor that will enhance their academic programs and add breadth and depth to their college experience. With careful and early planning, most minors can fit into the undergraduate curriculum without extra coursework. Descriptions and requirements for Falk College minors are listed below.