Yes! Colleges for sports medicine exist and the best ones have been curated in this blog post for interested students to find the right ones to apply for. What makes these colleges for sports medicine stand out? Is it because of their academic offering and performance? Keep reading to find out.
Until recently, I didn’t know that sports medicine exists as one of the branches of medicine. Of course, I’ve always known about the others, from family medicine and pediatrics to pathology and geriatrics and so on. Finding out about sports medicine wowed me and, reading about it, it seems to be a really interesting medical field.
If you’ve always had an interest in the medical field but are confused about which one to go for, sports medicine is also there for you to consider along with the others. And if you need a wider list of medical specialists and the best schools to study for them, we have an updated post listing over 50 medical schools in the US and their various specialties. This could be of help to you in choosing a medical school and a program.
One of the perks of being a sports medicine physician or sports medicine doctor is that you get to work with athletic stars. Well, we know you have to be professional and stuff but c’mon, diagnosing someone like Kevin Durant or Lionel Messi will give you some tingling, and getting that autograph would be super easy.
Anyways, before you begin to get all excited already remember that sports medicine is a branch of medicine and no medical course comes easy. You will work your ass off to obtain that license and this is no joke. It takes about 6-8 years to become a professional sports medicine physician and if you can’t commit to such a long time, start seeking out high-paying medical jobs that require little schooling.
It is also common knowledge that medical schools are hard to get into, no matter the specialty including colleges for sports medicine, but we have an updated post on the easiest medical schools in various countries to get into, they cover the UK, Canada, the US, Australia, etc.
And let’s not even forget how expensive medical education is, and colleges for sports medicine are not exempted. Well, you can find cheap medical schools in Australia for students who don’t mind studying abroad. Canada, the citadel of international education, has a wide range of medical scholarships for international students and you could luckily land one to study sports medicine.
See also: How to study medicine in Canada for free
What is Sports Medicine?
According to Wikipedia, sports medicine is a branch of medicine that deals with physical fitness and the treatment and prevention of injuries related to sports and exercise.
As a doctor of sports medicine, your duties will include assisting athletes to prevent and heal from injuries alongside their athletic training, supervising the rehabilitation of injured athletes, and prescribing medication for the treatment of athletic injuries.
You will also be responsible for diagnosing musculoskeletal conditions, developing physical therapy plans, and giving nutritional advice that meets the demand for a super-active lifestyle.
Requirements for Sports Medicine Degree Program
Interested in pursuing a degree in sports medicine? Then you need to apply to one of the colleges for sports medicine but firstly, you need to learn about the requirements and satisfy them to be considered for admission.
Since there are different colleges for sports medicine, their requirements are also different, therefore I have given only the general requirements below.
- You must have completed high school and taken science subjects while in high school
- Engage in extracurricular activities
- Gain prior knowledge or experience by working in a clinical setting or with a physician. Taking online medical courses is also a plus that can boost your chances of acceptance.
- You must have completed an undergraduate degree in a science program such as microbiology or chemistry as a pathway to enter one of the colleges for sports medicine.
- Possess a minimum GPA of 3.0 or higher
- You may be required to take a standardized test like MCAT or GRE
- Possess the following documents:
- Official or unofficial high school transcripts, high school diploma, or its equivalent such as GED.
- Transcripts from previously attended institutions
- Letters of recommendations
- Essay
- Statement of purpose
- Interview
Note that these requirements are basic, you will need to contact your preferred college to get full academic requirements.
Differences Between Kinesiology and Sports Medicine
A lot of people often confuse kinesiology with sports medicine, regarding them as the same. Let me help clear the confusion.
Kinesiology is the study of the impact of physical activity on health and society while sports medicine deals with physical fitness and the treatment and prevention of injuries related to sports and exercise.
They are almost like I’m not surprised why most people confuse them for each other.
Best Colleges for Sports Medicine
Globally, there are more than 150 colleges for sports medicine located in different parts of the world with the US dominating the list. Now, it is impossible to discuss all of these 150 colleges for sports medicine in this single post which is why I have broken them down, done in-depth research, and picked the best ones.
The best colleges for sports curated in this post have had some sort of achievement, ranked by educational ranking platforms, or have contributed to sports medicine. This is what makes them stand out from all other 150 colleges for sports medicine and they have been curated here for aspiring students to consider applying for.
Without any further ado, the best colleges for sports medicine are:
1. The University of Michigan
On our first list of best colleges for sports medicine is the University of Michigan. It was founded in 1817 as a public research university in Ann Harbor, Michigan. The university houses the U-M School of Medicine which provides a wide range of medical programs including sports medicine. The U-M School of Medicine is ranked by US News & World Report as the 17th best medical school in the world for research and No.20 in primary care.
The ranking of its medical school means that every medical program offered at this school, including sports medicine, is highly rated and has global recognition. Students in the sports medicine program get to learn a range of real-world skills from the cutting-edge labs and facilities available at the school. If you also achieve excellent academic performance, you can get a scholarship to fund your entire education.
2. American College of Sports Medicine
The American College of Sports Medicine is on our next list of best colleges for sports medicine and completely focuses on sports medicine education – which makes it stand out from the others. It was established in 1945 in Indianapolis, Indiana, and has since been offering high-quality education and services in sports medicine.
What else makes this school stand out?
American College of Sports Medicine has over 50,000 members and certified professionals from 90 countries all over the world, representing 70 occupations within the sports medicine field. It also prides itself as the only institution that offers a 360-degree view of the profession.
The mission of the school is to advance and integrate scientific research to offer educational and practical applications of exercise science and sports medicine.
3. University of Southern California
Moving on with the best colleges in sports for medicine, third on our list is the University of Southern California in Los Angeles. This university is really popular and one of the top in the world due to its diverse and high-quality program offerings in various study areas. It was established in 1880 as a private research university and has been operating to date.
The University of Southern California houses the Keck School of Medicine which provides a wide range of medical programs in various specialties. This medical school also has a division known as the Division of Bio-kinesiology and Physical Therapy that’s ranked among the top 5 in the US by US News & World Report.
It is the Division of Bio-kinesiology and Physical Therapy that offers a Master of Science in Sports Science. The program offers students a solid understanding of the physiological, biomechanical, and neurological basis of the movement while giving students the advanced skills necessary to excel in a specialized area related to sport and exercise.
4. Stanford University
Stanford University is a big name among educational institutions, it has received hundreds of awards, made ground-breaking achievements, and graduated some of the world’s most recognized individuals. Stanford has a lot of hype and it meets these hypes, its academic offering is second to none, and it is provided in a wide range of study fields and qualifications.
Stanford has a full department solely dedicated to the study of sports medicine. The department has four other divisions within it which are physical care, athletic training, human performance, and physical training. It will be very hard to gain admission into the sports medicine program here due to competitive spots and tough admission requirements.
5. Ohio State University College of Medicine
Ohio State University College of Medicine is one of the best colleges for sports located in Ohio, US. It is nationally recognized by US News & World Report in both education and research and its two primary teaching hospitals are also ranked among the best hospitals in the US in 10 different specialties.
This is the uniqueness of Ohio State University College of Medicine and stands out among the other 150 colleges for sports medicine.
The sports medicine program here comprises various medical faculties including orthopedics, emergency medicine, neurology, and internal medicine. The program equips you with hands-on experience to use cutting-edge technologies and techniques to treat patients.
6. Boston University
Boston University offers one of the best sports medicine programs. It is a private research university established in 1839 in Boston, Massachusetts, USA. For the ranks of best medical schools, Boston University is ranked No. 32 for research and No. 36 for primary care.
Its sports medicine program is offered by the Department of Physical Therapy & Athletic Training.
Visit the website to find all kinds of program offerings and probably apply for the one that fits you more.
7. The University of South Florida (USF)
Next on our list of best colleges for sports medicine is the University of South Florida. It is a public research university established in 1956 and offers a wide range of academic degree programs including sports medicine. Now, why is this school added among the best colleges for sports medicine?
Firstly, USF is one of the top US universities also, and its medical school – Morsani College of Medicine – is in the top 50 best medical schools in the US. Its medical college houses the Department of Orthopedics & Sports Medicine which provides quality academic teaching to students who want to pursue a career in sports medicine.
8. The University of Pittsburgh
At the University of Pittsburgh, you can pursue one of the best sports medicine degree programs in the world. The university’s School of Health and Rehabilitation Science, which offers Sports Medicine, is ranked top 6 medical schools and this is an achievement that allows it to become one of the best colleges for sports medicine.
The Department of Sports Medicine and Nutrition under the School of Health and Rehabilitation offers a regular master’s and an accelerated master’s track in athletic training, an MS in sports medicine, an MS in sports science, a Ph.D. in rehabilitation science, a BS in Nutrition Science, and an accelerated MS and regular MS in dietitian nutritionist program.
You can apply for any of the programs that meet your educational needs.
9. Logan University
Logan University is one of the best colleges for sports medicine because of its background. It used to be Logan College of Chiropractic until 2013 when it became a complete university. The university has always been known for its quality chiropractic education preparing students for a career in sports medicine and sports science.
The university offers a Master of Science in Sports Science and Rehabilitation designed to give you expert experience, training, and confidence to excel in the athletic arena. Also, the program is offered 100% online.
10. The College of Idaho
On our final list of best colleges for sports medicine is the College of Idaho, a small private liberal arts college located in Caldwell, Idaho. It was established in 1891 and has provided 7 Rhode’s Scholars, 3 Governors, and 4 NFL players.
The college has a Department of Health & Human Performance dedicated to the study of sports science and prepares students for a career in medical sports. Students in this program work closely with professors and engage in hands-on learning, and lab research to gain experiential skills that will support their careers.
These are the 10 best colleges for sports medicine and I hope they have been helpful. You will need to contact the admissions office to learn about specific entry requirements and tuition fees.
Colleges for Sports Medicine – FAQs
What is a sports medicine salary?
The salary of a sports medicine physician ranges from $209,000 to $311,000.
How many years to study sports medicine?
It takes 4-6 years of full-time study to complete an education in sports medicine
Which college is best for sports medicine?
Stanford University is the best college for sports medicine.
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