What You Should Know About This Degree
When choosing a sports medicine career, you should decide which job occupation you’d like to pursue. Sports medicine includes many professions, including athletic trainers, physiotherapists, nutritionists, and sports medicine doctors. Certain job roles, such as sports physicians, require a doctorate degree in medicine.
You should also consider pursuing a master’s degree in kinesiology. Kinesiology focuses on how physical activity can affect the health and well being of society as a whole. On the other hand, sports medicine specializes in treating and preventing injuries that are the result of sports-related activities. Determine whether you would like to specialize in working with athletes or would like to apply your knowledge of health and human anatomy to the general public when deciding on a graduate program.
Certifications can help graduates gain new skills associated with sports medicine while also gaining a competitive edge over other job candidates. Credentials help demonstrate your expertise to potential employers. You should consider obtaining additional certifications approved by the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM), such as Physical Activity in Public Health Specialist (PAPHS), Exercise Physiologist (ACSM-EP), and Exercise Is Medicine (EIM).
As an aging population remains active later in life, the demand for skilled sports medicine professionals is expected to grow at a rate much higher than the national average.
What’s Next?
Ask yourself these questions when researching graduate programs in sports medicine:
- Am I eligible for this program? Students from all educational backgrounds who hold a bachelor’s degree or equivalent can pursue a master’s degree in sports medicine. Some programs may have additional requirements such as a minimum GPA, a Graduate Record Examination (GRE) score, and letters of recommendation.
- How long does it take to complete this online degree? Most graduate programs in sports medicine take between 18 months and two years to complete. The programs on this list require 30 to 48 credits to graduate.
Application deadlines and academic prerequisites are different for each program. Visit each school’s website to find more information about requirements.
Consider how you’ll cover the financial costs of your graduate degree. You might be eligible for scholarships, grants, or federal student aid. Research funding opportunities, and make sure to turn in all applications on time.