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Online Education Guide

Guide to College Majors in Sports Medicine & Science

What is Sports Science?

The study of sports medicine and sports science involves applying medical and scientific principles to sports, exercise, and the ability of the body to perform physically. These two fields of healthcare are broad and can lead to many different educational and career opportunities.

Exercise and sports science is the scientific study of physiology and biomechanics in relation to the ability of the human body to adapt to motion, movement, and physical activity. Because students who study exercise and sports science generally have such thorough and strong educational backgrounds, these students find work in both clinical and academic settings. Alternatively, obtaining education in sports science can also lead to career opportunities in fitness instruction, scientific research, and nutrition.

Sports medicine focuses more on the medical aspects of physical activity. Often studies in sports medicine relate to sports and athletic injuries. Professionals in sports medicine specialize in the diagnosis and treatment of injuries that happen during sporting events, athletic training, and physical activities. Not only will studying sports medicine likely involve courses in injury prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and management, but it will also involve understanding how illnesses and disease impacts health and physical performance. Earning a degree in sports medicine leads to career opportunities in athletic training, physical therapy, coaching, sports psychology, and nutrition.

Regardless of the degree or choice of focus, sports science and sports medicine professionals work as a team to help active people and athletes obtain optimal health and maximum performance. Online and distance learning degree programs are particularly appropriate for students who are hoping to engage in an intensive career in sports science or sports medicine. By completing courses online, participating in virtual training, and communicating with professors and fellow students in chat room settings, students of sports science and sports medicine can take advantage of the opportunity to receive a quality education without having to physically relocate to a campus location. Distance learning and online sports science and sports medicine degree programs enable students to fuse a personal desire to pursue a healthcare career with the information, training, and skills necessary to function as essential figures in the fun and exciting field of sports science and sports medicine.

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Preparing for Sports Science and Sports Medicine School

Pursuing education and obtaining a degree is a necessary building block to achieving success in sports science and sports medicine. Healthcare professionals specializing in a sports field draw heavily on scientific knowledge and applied science, and such knowledge is best developed in a sports science or sports medicine degree program. Top-notch degree programs provide students with the ability to combine math, medical, and science courses with quality hands-on training. Before a student makes the decision to enroll in a sports science or sports medicine degree program, however, he or she should give careful consideration to his or her personal interests, his or her ability to achieve success in an online or distance learning degree program, and his or her career goals.

Students are often drawn to the field of sports science and sports medicine because they have a love for sports. While this can be a positive characteristic for a successful career in sports science or sports medicine, this should not be the primary motivation for pursuing such a career. A student should also have a sincere interest in science and medicine and be willing to dedicate his or her studies to serving the needs of others. Thus, a student should carefully assess his or her personal interests and strengths while keeping in mind the requirements for a successful sports medicine or sports science career. Sports healthcare professionals enjoy helping others, have an affinity for physiology and science, and possess a strong commitment to advancing and improving the health and physical capabilities of others. Students considering enrolling in an online or distance learning degree program in sports science and sports medicine should possess these characteristics.

Obtaining a degree in sports science or sports medicine will undoubtedly involve intense and advanced studies of biology, biochemistry, physiology, anatomy, and other fields of science and math. A potential sports medicine or sports science student can prepare for his or her college level education by enrolling in many advanced math and science courses in high school. Strong foundational skills in the sciences will help a student to thrive in a sports science or sports medicine college degree program.

The job opportunities in the field of sports science and sports medicine are plentiful and diverse. It is often difficult for a student to know exactly which niche of sports science he or she would like to study. Another worthwhile method for preparing for a college degree program in sports science or sports medicine is to gain experience in the field by shadowing sports healthcare professionals in the workplace. Shadowing involves following a professional around for a day in order to gain insight into what a job might typically be like. Students can take this opportunity to ask the professional questions about the field. The sports science or sports medicine professional may be able to offer advice, guidance, and ideas about job opportunities in the field. Such efforts may help a student to focus his or her own studies. In fact, the insights gained by gathering field experience could prove to be the most valuable information a potential student obtains as he or she considers a career path. Actively engaging in this sort of career probing and shadowing is sure to provide a more thorough picture of future possibilities in the field of sports medicine and sports sciences.

Once a future student makes the decision to pursue a career in this field, the student should compare and contrast sports science and sports medicine college degree programs to find the one that is most appropriate to the student's interests and goals. Performing this type of research is a valuable way for a student to discover what he or she seeks in a program. Using this research, a student will also be able to generate a list of questions to ask admissions counselors. The more information a student can gather about his sports medicine and sports science degree program options, the better informed his or her decision will be.

Career Education in Sports Science

Undergraduate and Graduate degree and certificate programs

Degree programs in sports medicine and sports science allow students to develop the skills necessary to find employment in this facet of healthcare. The choices of degree programs in the fields of sports medicine and sports science offer variety and room for advancement. Whether a student is interested in gaining entry level experience before pursuing a more intense degree program, or whether a current professional aims to expand an existing set of skills and qualifications, online sports medicine and sports science degree programs offer many attractive possibilities.

Computer technology has become more easily accessible to more students, and many healthcare and sports medicine schools are developing college degree programs online. Students enrolled in a distance learning or online degree program in sports science and sports medicine virtually engage in online tutorials, web seminars, and interactive training. These students have the flexibility to coordinate and map out their own schedules and course loads to complement existing job and family commitments.

• Certificate Programs
  Sports medicine and sports science certificate programs are worthwhile options for both new students seeking an introductory educational experience and current athletic trainers, nutritionists, and other professionals who want to continue to develop a certain set of skills. Online certificate programs encourage students to learn how to apply academic knowledge to the world of sports. Popular online certificate programs focus on nutrition as applied to sports and on general exercise science education. The training involved in sports medicine and sports science degree programs is necessary for pursuing advanced employment options in this field. In many online sports degree programs, students can opt to transfer the completed coursework that is required for a certificate toward an advanced degree program.
  
  
• Bachelor of Science
  For most related professions, earning a Bachelor of Science degree is the starting point for working in this healthcare field. Generally, earning a B.S. in sports science or a related field requires four years of academic study. Sports medicine and sports science degree programs emphasize the general concepts of physiology, medical science, nutrition, health, and related training. Students will find that the exact specifications of a degree program in sports medicine or sports science differ from school to school. As such, most degree programs allow students to focus on courses that will lead to particular careers in physical therapy, medicine, athletic training, and nutrition, among others. Sports medicine and sports science distance learning and online degree programs give students an opportunity to obtain a thorough, well-rounded education online, making it possible to earn a college degree from the comforts of a student's home, or from anywhere with internet access.
  
  
• Master of Science
  After gaining introductory work experience, it is common for many entry-level sports medicine and sports science professionals to consider seeking advanced training in hopes of increasing their upper-level job opportunities. As a result, many healthcare professionals in the sports field pursue a Master of Science degree with a concentration in several different related facets of sports science. Such concentrations include sports medicine, sports management, sports science, sports coaching, exercise science, fitness management, and other fields. M.S. degree programs in this healthcare field familiarize students with advanced scientific concepts and techniques that will enable them to better serve the needs of athletes and injured individuals. M.S. sports medicine and sports science degree programs also encourage students to focus their knowledge, abilities and skills in a way that will make them desirable candidates for advanced positions. Many students make the decision to pursue an M.S. degree while continuing to work full-time. Distance learning and online degree programs offer appealing and viable educational options.
  
  
• Other Advanced Sports Medicine and Sports Science Degrees
  In addition to degrees at the certificate, bachelor, and Master's levels, there are also many other educational opportunities in sports medicine and sports science. Students can choose to pursue a Medical Doctorate degree and then specialize in sports medicine or related surgical specialties. Students interested in helping, counseling, and monitoring the mental health of professional athletes might thrive in a Doctor of Psychology degree program with a focus on sports psychology and psychiatry. Another option to consider would be pursuing a related Doctoral educational path, which would primarily be of interest to students interested in related scientific research, teaching, and consulting. Other sports healthcare professionals enter the field through other scientific education backgrounds, including nursing, physical therapy, physiology, and anatomy.

Universities offering online sports science degree programs:

United States Sports Academy - Sports Science Degrees
A.T. Still University - Online Sports Medicine Degree

What can you do with a College Degree in Sports Medicine?

Career Specializations within sports science, coaching, personal training, and more

There are multiple educational paths that can lead to a career in sports medicine or sports science, and there are also several different types of sports-related healthcare careers. All careers in the field of sports medicine and sports science combine the efforts of athletes, coaches, and the spirit of sports competition with the necessity of quality medical and health treatment, management, and training. Healthcare professionals who work in sports medicine and science truly play an important role in all levels of athletic competition.

• Athletic Trainer
  An athletic trainer works with high school, college, and professional sports teams to treat, prevent, and manage the injuries of athletes. The level of education necessary to find employment as an athletic trainer depends on location and type of position. In most states, however, athletic trainers must be licensed and must pass The National Athletic Trainers' Association national certification examination.
  
  
• Personal Trainer
  A personal trainer typically works with an individual or a group interested in maximizing physical health, strength, and endurance. Physical trainers plan and supervise conditioning programs to improve a client's health or sports performance. Trainers can work independently or in a gym or health club setting. To work as a personal trainer, an undergraduate degree and certification, such as the ACSM or ACE, is a must.
  
  
• Physical Therapist
  The job of a physical therapist involves helping individuals rehabilitate from injuries or diseases of the muscles, joints, nerves, and bones. To qualify for this line of work, most physical therapy schools require an additional two to three years of education after an undergraduate degree. A physical therapist must also pass a national examination to become a licensed physical therapist. Physical therapists generally find jobs in hospitals and clinics.
  
  
• Strength and Conditioning Coach
  It is common for high school, college, and professional athletic teams to require the services of strength and conditioning coaches. The main function of strength and conditioning coaches is to develop and monitor a training plan that improves and enhances the agility, strength, endurance, flexibility, and power of athletes. Employment in this field usually requires a Master's degree as well as certification by the National Strength and Conditioning Association.
  
  
• Sports Medicine Physician
  A sports medicine physician is highly trained in the diagnosis and treatment of sports-related injuries. After medical school a physician interested in sports medicine will get specialized training in sports medicine, orthopedics, cardiology, or other areas. Each has three to five years of internship and residency training and maybe an additional one to two years of fellowship training. Most sports medicine doctors are employed by professional teams, clinics, or hospitals.
  
  
• Dietician and Nutritionist
  Nutritionists and dieticians guide athletes and individuals in planning and coordinating the best diet for their level of activity. These healthcare professionals study dietary patterns, metabolism, and nutrients for sports performance and disease prevention. Nutritionists and dieticians must obtain a degree in dietetics or nutrition. Dietitians and nutritionists find employment in many different settings, including hospitals, clinics, sports complexes, school systems, and public health facilities.
  
  
• Exercise Physiologist
  An exercise physiologist studies acute and chronic physiological responses and adaptations that result from differing levels of physical activity. Generally, exercise physiologists work in commercial, clinical, and workplace settings for the purposes of increasing the health, fitness, and quality of life of the general population. To work as an exercise physiologist, a student must obtain an undergraduate degree. A Master's degree is often necessary, and obtaining certification is also important.

Trends for Sports Science and Sports Medicine Careers

As athletes at the professional, college, and high school level continue to push their bodies to perform better, faster, and stronger, and as the popularity of enlisting the services of a personal trainer and/or nutritionist increases, there will be ample opportunities for employment in this specific healthcare field. The U.S. Department of Labor predicts that job opportunities for fitness and recreation professionals will grow faster than average over the next ten years, and job opportunities for athletes and coaches will also continue to grow. Physical therapists and athletic trainers will find that their job opportunities will grow faster than average, while careers for nutritionists and dieticians will grow at an average rate.

Salary Expectations for Careers in Sports Medicine and Sports Science

According to the US Department of Labor, the median hourly wage range for fitness instructors is $11.51. The median salary for athletic coaches and trainers is between $17,830 and $42,250 per year. The median salary for nutritionists and dieticians is approximately $41,000 per year. The median salary for physical therapists is approximately $57,330 per year. Salaries and earnings vary depending on level of education, location of job, and experience.

Certification and Licensure

Certification in almost any area of sports medicine or sports science is a necessity. Students should certainly plan to obtain the certification available for their chosen field of sports medicine or sports science. Three of the most popular certifications in sports healthcare are described below.

Athletic Trainers must receive the Board of Certification (BOC) certification. This is an entry-level certification program that was designed to ensure and maintain the high quality of professionals entering this line of work. In order to qualify for this certification, an athletic trainer must obtain a degree and pass a national certification exam.

Personal Trainers must obtain the American College of Sports Medicine Certified Personal Trainer certification (cPT). This certification is designed to qualify a fitness professional involved in developing and implementing an individualized approach to exercise leadership in individuals. In order to apply for the cPT certification exam, a personal trainer must obtain a degree in sports medicine, sports science, fitness, nutrition, or other related field.

A strength and conditioning coach must participate in the Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS) program. This certification was designed by the National Strength and Conditioning Association to qualify properly trained healthcare professionals. In order to qualify for this certification, students must submit an official undergraduate transcript detailing the completion of a Bachelor's degree. Once accepted, students must also pass a national examination.

Sports Science and Sports Medicine Associations and Certification Bodies:

• American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons
• American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance (AAHPERD)
• American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM)
• American Council On Exercise (ACE)
• American Massage Therapy Association (AMTA)
• American Medical Society for Sports Medicine (AMSSM)
• American Occupational Therapy Association
• American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine
• American Physical Therapy Association
• Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy
• International Federation of Sports Medicine
• National Athletic Trainers' Association
• National Athletic Trainers' Association Board of Certification (NATABOC)

Explore Related Degree Programs

- Online Degrees in Sports Science
- Online Degrees in Physical Therapy
- Online Degrees in Nutrition

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