Sports medicine is an in-demand field within the healthcare sector, this means if you get into it job security and high pay are guaranteed. This blog post curates a list of colleges with sports medicine majors that will give you options on where to apply for the program and kick-start a career in the field of sports medicine.
Sports medicine is a branch of medicine that deals with the treatment and prevention of physical injuries and illnesses related to sports and exercise. It involves the treatment of physical conditions such as fractures, sprains, strains, and dislocations, as well as helping athletes keep fit. It is also known as sport and exercise medicine and is focused more on treating athletes.
A sports medicine physician does not perform surgery and they rarely see blood. This is a medical field you may consider going into if you have a passion for medicine but can’t stand blood. A closely related field to sports medicine is physical therapy which you can also quickly get into by taking an accelerated PT program and becoming a physiotherapist in as little as 6 years instead of 7.
It takes about 6-7 years to become a sports medicine physician. Students must first complete a 4-year bachelor’s degree in kinesiology, exercise science, sports medicine, or a related discipline at a pre-med school. Next is a 3-year residency in family medicine, internal medicine, or emergency medicine before taking up specialist training in the field of sports medicine.
We already have a published post on medical schools in US and other parts of Europe where you can find varieties of options for your 3-year residency to become a sports medicine physician. But before you get there, remember you have to complete a pre-med degree program that will usher you into the residency program.
So, in this blog post, you will find varieties of options on colleges with sports medicine majors that you can apply for if you are interested to pursue a career as a sports medicine specialist. Completing a sports medicine major is a prerequisite for med school to complete your training. Also, you want to complete the premed program with, at least, a 3.0 GPA or higher to be considered for admission into med school.
Colleges With Sports Medicine Major
A sports medicine major is a pre-med bachelor’s degree program that equips students with skills and knowledge to care for musculoskeletal conditions and prepare them for a residency program to train as sports medicine specialists.
The colleges with sports medicine majors are:
- Warner Pacific University
- The University of North Georgia
- Kaohsiung Medical University
- Griffith University
- McNeese State University
- The University of Georgia
- Pepperdine University
1. Warner Pacific University
Warner Pacific University’s School of Natural Sciences and Health is offering an in-person bachelor’s degree in sports medicine that prepare students for many career paths such as a physical therapist, exercise physiologist, athletic trainer, and physician.
The bachelor of sports medicine at Warner combines coursework with clinical experience to make you graduate-ready and jump right into the profession. Freshmen and transfer students can apply for the program.
2. The University of North Georgia
Here is another college option for you to complete a major in sports medicine. What the University of North Georgia offers is a Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology major with a Sports Medicine concentration. The program prepares students for master’s level studies in the fields of athletic training, physical therapy, physician assistant, and others.
The program is a combination of classroom education with internships in clinic facilities to gain hands-on skills and knowledge. Completing this degree will give you a competitive edge over others who didn’t and will also make your application for a master’s program more attractive to the admissions office.
3. Kaohsiung Medical University
Kaohsiung Medical University is Taiwan’s leading medical college in sports and exercise medicine education. The University’s Department of Sports Medicine offers a bachelor’s degree in sports medicine, a full-time 4-year program that provides students with basic skills and knowledge of medical and sports sciences and health care management.
While the first two years of the program focus on coursework, the final 2 years focus on practical training to give students foundational knowledge in the field and prepare them for the next phase of their careers.
4. Griffith University
Griffith University is another option to consider if you want to become a sports medicine specialist. The institution offers a Bachelor of Exercise Science/Psychological Science that prepares students to either pursue a career as an exercise scientist and psychologist or go to med school to earn a doctorate degree in sports medicine.
The program is offered in full-time and part-time formats, requiring 4.5 years and 9 years respectively to complete. Students in this program will gain skills and knowledge in the physical, biomedical, and psychological sciences just like a bachelor in sports medicine degree program.
5. McNeese State University
McNeese State University is among the handful of universities that offer a major in sports medicine. The program offered by the school is a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Health and Human Performance with a concentration in Sports Medicine. This major trains student on how to assess and address the physiological and nutritional needs of patients and also equip them with the skills to treat and prevent sports injuries.
This degree opens many doors of opportunities for its graduate because you can choose to continue your education into med school as a sports medicine physician or kick start a career in the field with your B.S. degree although you will only land entry-level roles.
6. The University of Georgia
Although the University of Georgia does not offer a Sports Medicine major but one that is similar and will offer you the same skills and knowledge as a sports medicine major. The program is Bachelor of Science Education (B.S.Ed.) in Exercise and Sport Science. It prepares students for careers and further education in physical therapy, occupational therapy, sports medicine, fitness and wellness, and beyond.
7. Pepperdine University
Pepperdine University is a leading higher institution in California and among the best in the US. If you want to pursue a sports medicine major at a liberal arts institution with foundations in Christianity, then Pepperdine University is your best choice.
The college offers a Bachelor of Science in Sports Medicine and a Bachelor of Arts in Sports Medicine. Students can go for any of the degree options that suit them best. Whichever one you go for, will prepare you for careers in the health/fitness industry as well as for graduate programs in exercise and sports science.
Unfortunately, there are few colleges with sports medicine majors and this is because sports medicine is usually a graduate degree program but these few colleges offer it to offer students the foundational knowledge and skills to prepare for the next phase whether it is career or academics.