The program includes an option for students to complete either a 120-hour internship or a research project.
Internship
The supervised internship provides a hands-on experience in real-world settings working with clientele ranging from chronic disease patients to professional athletes. Within the past several years, students have interned with the Buffalo Bills, with strength and conditioning coaches at several educational institutions, health insurance companies, health promotion companies, government organizations, sports performance companies, hospitals, physical therapy offices, and a cancer rehabilitation center. Internship sites do not have to be in Western New York.
Additional sites that have hosted Canisius University students include:
Canisius University Sports Performance, Buffalo NY
University at Buffalo Sports Medicine, Amherst NY
Body Blocks, Buffalo NY
Buffalo Bills, Orchard Park NY
Buffalo Cardiology and Pulmonary Associates, Williamsville NY
Buffalo Cryo, Buffalo NY
Canisius University Institute for Autism Research (IAR), Buffalo NY
Excelsior Orthopedics, Amherst NY
Impact Sports Performance, Buffalo NY
Orchard Park progressive Physical Therapy, Orchard Park NY
Proformance Sports Training, Amherst NY
Restore Medical Fitness, Williamsville NY
Roswell Park Cancer Institute, Buffalo NY
Sister’s Hospital, Buffalo NY
Sports Physical Therapy of NY, Buffalo NY
WNY Life Coaching Center, Williamsville NY
Research
The research project option requires students to propose a research project, collect and analyze data, and present the results of their study under the tutelage of an experienced researcher. These projects may further qualify for presentation at regional and international meetings of the American College of Sports Medicine, National Strength and Conditioning Association and the National Athletic Trainers’ Association or for publication in a peer-reviewed journal.