Sports Medicine Degree Programs

A career in Sports Medicine can be rewarding both personally and professionally for persons who would like to use their vocation to concentrate on the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of exercise- and sports-related injuries. There is no better way to prepare for such a career than obtaining a degree in Sports Medicine from a nationally accredited school. While it is possible to obtain an Associate's, Bachelor's, or Master's degree in Sports Sciences, it is necessary to obtain a medical degree and complete a residency prior to practicing Sports Medicine as an actual medical practitioner.

The most popular Sports Medicine degree program is the Master's of Science in Sports Science, which is a two-year Master's degree program generally completed immediately following the completion of a four-year Bachelor's degree program also focusing on Sports Science.
A Master's degree in Sports Science may include such classes as, Psychology of the Athlete, Physiological Testing of Human Performance, Body Systems, and Sports Nutrition; and may lead to such careers as, Athletic Trainer, Massage Therapist, Physical Therapist, or Fitness Coach.

In contrast, a degree for someone who wants to be a medical doctor specializing in Sports Medicine may include courses such as, Genetics and Sports-Related Injuries, Musculoskeletal Injuries, Nutrition, and Chiropractic Applications. The Medical practitioner must complete a curriculum that involves a broader range of applicable skills and knowledge, and may lead to such careers as, Podiatrist, Orthopedist, Doctor of Clinical Medicine, Kinesiologist, or any of a broad range of other medical specialties.

If you are looking for traditional campus-based colleges with Sports Medicine degree programs, the University of Virginia in Charlottesville may be the school for you. Ranked second in Best Sports Medicine Colleges by U.S. News and World Report, the University offers a Bachelor's Degree in Sports Medicine, but does not offer licensure or certification for practice. Other top schools for Sports Medicine include the University of Michigan, ranked fourth, and the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill, ranked 5th. For more information and to apply to these schools, contact the Office of Admissions for each school.

If a traditional campus-based program is not for you, there is a wide variety of Sports Medicine degree programs online. The United States Sports Academy offers both Bachelor's and Master's of Science programs in Sports Coaching and Sports Studies. They also offer programs that focus on Sports Management and Sports Fitness. Other schools offering Sports Medicine degrees online include Penn Foster Schools, offering a Personal Trainer program; A.T. Still University of Health Sciences-Online, offering a Master's of Science in Human Movement; and the Minnesota School of Business-Online, offering a degree as a Health Fitness Specialist. Applying for these schools is as easy as searching for them online.

Whether you choose to pursue an online or more traditional campus-based program, Sports Medicine can be rewarding for both you, as the practitioner, and for the athletes, clients, and students that will benefit from your services. Choosing which program is for you is purely a personal decision, but keep in mind that the salaries can be extremely varied in this profession, ranging from $40,000 per year for an athletic trainer, to $500,000 plus for experienced and well-trusted sports medical doctors. No matter what specialty you choose in Sports Medicine, however, you can be assured that the field is growing as Americans become more health- and fitness-minded, guaranteeing that you will have a long and gratifying career.