Sports Medicine School

What options are available to those who want to attend sports medicine schools?

Programs in sports medicine at institutes of higher education are a relatively new phenomenon. Not long ago, it was difficult to find colleges or other schools that offered programs specifically tailored for those hoping to pursue sports medicine careers. However, college majors in areas such as sports medicine and exercise science are becoming more and more common, as are graduate degrees and certificates in these fields of interest. It is becoming increasingly common to find degree programs in areas such as kinesiology and exercise physiology at respected two-year and four-year colleges and universities across the United States. Certificate programs in rehabilitative therapy, sports coaching, and fitness counseling are also rising in popularity and availability at colleges and professional and vocational schools.

If your college or university does not have a specific program in sports medicine, there is no need to despair.  Most sports medicine careers require thorough knowledge of the sciences, especially the life sciences, and familiarity with principles of nutrition and

Of course, the type of sports medicine school you decide to attend will depend greatly on the type of sports medicine career you wish to pursue.  For instance, if your goal is to become a sports physician, you will eventually need to go to medical school.  No matter what you decide to major in at the undergraduate level, you will need to saturate your curriculum with the traditional pre-med courses, including chemistry, physics, biology, and advanced mathematics. 

If you wish to become a sports psychologist, then you will need to pursue a degree in psychology and attain a strong educational background in the behavioral sciences as well as in subjects relating to sports medicine.  On the other hand, if you want to become a rehabilitative therapist, you will want to concentrate on courses that are closely related to the work that you will eventually be doing--courses that deal with subject areas that include exercise physiology, nutrition science, sports management, and physical therapy.

What kinds of sports medicine schools can I choose from?

There is a growing range of sports medicine schools to choose from for those who wish to further explore these increasingly popular allied healthcare professions.  You can find sports medicine degrees and closely related major areas at two-year community colleges and four-year colleges and universities across the country.  Advanced degree programs in sports medicine are also becoming increasingly common at the graduate level.  Medical schools are offering programs that allow students to concentrate in sports medicine and receive advanced training in that field.  Graduate departments in psychology are adding specializations in sports psychology.  Programs in nutrition science and other health-related fields are offering courses and degree tracks catering to students who wish to learn about and eventually practice in the area of sports medicine.  Even business programs, at both the undergraduate and graduate levels, are offering majors and concentrations in sports management.  While many sports medicine degrees are offered through traditional, in-person, on-campus programs, there are many options for students who wish to pursue degrees online.