February 24, 2026
Help Athletes Perform, Recover, and Stay in the Game
Designed for practicing health care providers and those who work with active populations, the M.S. in Sports Medicine degree at UWS equips you with the essential skills and knowledge needed to address issues affecting athletes, so you can help them return to play. Our sports medicine master’s program includes courses in anatomy, physiology, assessment, rehabilitation, exercise sciences, and beyond.
A Flexible Format for Professional Providers
You can earn your M.S. in Sports Medicine degree in as little as two years without having to relocate thanks to our hybrid online learning model. All coursework is completed online, with only one required in-person lab at our campus in Portland, Oregon.
Our curriculum also includes four credit hours of practicum experience, which you will complete at an approved site in your own community. This flexibility allows you to balance your studies with your career or life’s other commitments.
Doctor of Chiropractic Dual-Degree Pathway
Plan on pursuing a sport-focused career in chiropractic care? Do so even faster with our dual-degree pathway.
You can earn both the Doctor of Chiropractic (DC) and M.S. in Sports Medicine degrees in one streamlined pathway at UWS. Certain dually attributed credits apply to both programs, resulting in two prominent credentials that do not require an overwhelming time commitment.
Prepare for Advanced Sports Medicine Credentials
Graduates of the M.S. in Sports Medicine who also hold their DC can pursue advanced professional credentials through the American Chiropractic Board of Sports Physicians® (ACBSP®). These nationally recognized certifications demonstrate advanced expertise in sports injury management, rehabilitation, and athlete care.
Eligible certification pathways include:
- Certified Chiropractic Sports Physician® (CCSP): A foundational sports medicine credential that validates clinical competency in evaluating, treating, and managing athletic injuries.
- Diplomate of the American Chiropractic Board of Sports Physicians® (DACBSP): The highest level of specialization in sports medicine. Candidates must first earn the CCSP® and complete additional supervised practicum hours to qualify.
The coursework in our M.S. program, including practicum experience and hands-on labs, build the clinical skills and decision-making abilities needed to pursue these advanced chiropractic sports medicine credentials.
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Curriculum
Core Courses
Curriculum Note: Some courses have prerequisites and must be taken in sequence.
- Sports Medicine Jurisprudence and Ethics
- Population Specific Needs
- Biomechanics
- Lower Extremity
- Athletic Leadership and Management
- Research Methods and Evaluation
- Upper Extremity
- Emergency Management
- Evidence-Based Concussion Management and Care
- Rehabilitation and Sports Performance
- Practical Lab Applications
- Practicum I
- Identifying Mental Illness
- Practicum II
- Elective
- Practicum III
- Elective
Elective Courses
- Mental Health Referrals
- Mental Health Communication Skills
- Research and Biostatistics
- Diagnostic Imaging of Sports Injuries
- Soft Tissue Treatment Applications and Methods
- Research Applications
Physical Assessment and Rehabilitation (PAR) Concentration
If you’re enrolled in both the DC and M.S. in Sports Medicine programs, you will typically take 4-6 credits of sports medicine coursework each quarter alongside your DC courses. We encourage you to follow the recommended DC course sequence below to stay on track.
- Spinal Biomechanics
- Landmark Palpation
- Spinal Assessment
- NMS IV: Upper Extremity
- Clinical Nutrition/Pharmacology and Botanicals
- Curriculum Note: Some courses have prerequisites and must be taken in sequence.
- Soft Tissue Technique
- Tissue Biomechanics
- Rehabilitation I
- NMS III: Lower Extremity
- Casting/Taping Lab
- Lower Extremity Manipulation
- Rehabilitation II
- Physiotherapy Modalities
- Upper Extremity Manipulation
- Manipulation Review Lab III
Admissions Requirements
University of Western States admits new students into the M.S. in Sports Medicine program in winter (January) and spring (April) academic terms. You should carefully review the program’s selection criteria to ensure you are making the best possible presentation of your qualifications.
In addition to the general entry requirements for the College of Graduate Studies, you must also meet specific entry requirements listed below for the sports medicine program:
- Must have 3 semester/4 quarter credits of work in human anatomy/physiology with preference for exercise physiology (can be undergraduate or graduate coursework). If lacking this pre-requisite, credits can be completed through UWS or another university during the first term of program enrollment.
- You may qualify for the M.S. in Sports Medicine through one of the following pathways:
- Option 1: Be currently enrolled in or an alumnus of the UWS DC program
- Option 2: Hold a DC licenses and also hold a Certified Chiropractic Sports Physician ® (CCSP®) credential
- Two letters of recommendation
- Current resume or curriculum vitae
- Two admissions essays that address prompts about career goals and extracurricular experiences
- Application fee of $50
- Pass a comprehensive criminal history background check (requirement at admission)
If you enrolled in the Doctor of Chiropractic (DC) program without a bachelor’s degree, you may earn the B.S. in Human Biology degree to satisfy the requirement for admission to the sports medicine program after successful completion of quarter 5 in the DC program and all other bachelor’s degree requirements.
If you are not a UWS Doctor of Chiropractic student or alumnus, you may apply if you hold an active chiropractic license and an active Certified Chiropractic Sports Physician® (CCSP®) credential from the American Chiropractic Board of Sports Physicians may apply for admission. This would give you advanced standing in the program, requiring the completion of only the core sports medicine courses. Proof of DC licensure and active CCSP® will be required at the time of application.
Licensure
The M.S. in Sports Medicine degree does not grant professional licensure or certification at the state, provincial, or national level. You are responsible for understanding how sports medicine skills may be applied within your individual scope of practice.
Depending on professional background, you may be eligible to pursue post-graduate certifications that support advanced sports medicine practice, including:
- Certified Chiropractic Sports Physician® (CCSP®)
- Diplomate of the American Chiropractic Board of Sports Physicians® (DACBSP®) (additional requirements apply)
- Internationally Certified Chiropractic Sports Practitioner (ICCSP) through the International Federation of Sports Chiropractic (FICS)
Eligibility and requirements for these credentials are determined by the respective governing organizations.
Tuition & Fees
Visit our Tuition and Fees page to learn more.
UWS Whole Health
At University of Western States, whole health means caring for the whole person, not just the condition. This approach recognizes how physical, mental, emotional, social, and environmental factors influence a person’s ability to participate fully in daily life.
In the M.S. in Sports Medicine program, this whole-health philosophy is expressed through an integrated focus on injury prevention, rehabilitation, performance, and long-term wellness. You will learn to evaluate not only the physical demands placed on athletes, but also how stress, recovery, training environments, and lifestyle factors can affect healing and performance, helping you deliver more effective, patient-centered care.
Financing Your Future
University of Western States remains committed to keeping higher education affordable and accessible. Our Financial Aid Department is ready to offer guidance and support in determining suitable financial assistance tailored to your needs, including potential scholarship opportunities, grants, and more.
Catalog
Please refer to our Academic Catalog for more information on the Master's in Sports Medicine program.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is the M.S. in Sports Medicine designed for?
The program is designed for first-professional health care degree holders, including chiropractic physicians, medical doctors, osteopathic physicians, physician assistants, nurse practitioners, physical therapists, and athletic trainers. It is also open to students concurrently enrolled in the UWS Doctor of Chiropractic program.
Can UWS chiropractic students enroll in the sports medicine program at the same time?
Yes. UWS chiropractic students can concurrently enroll in the Sports Medicine master’s program. If a student starts the Sports Medicine program in their 6th quarter, they can complete both the DC and M.S. in Sports Medicine together in approximately three years. Dually attributed credits apply to both programs, saving time and tuition.
How long does the sports medicine master's program take?
The M.S. in Sports Medicine can be completed in as little as two years for external applicants, and in less time for concurrent UWS chiropractic students who benefit from dual-credited credits. The program runs 6–7 quarters total and requires 63 quarter credits.
What professional credentials can M.S. Sports Medicine graduates pursue?
Graduates who also hold a Doctor of Chiropractic degree can pursue certification through the American Chiropractic Board of Sports Physicians® (ACBSP®), including the:
Certified Chiropractic Sports Physician® (CCSP®) and
The Diplomate of the American Chiropractic Board of Sports Physicians® (DACBSP®).
The M.S. practicum and labs are specifically structured to build toward these credentials.
Does the M.S. in Sports Medicine grant professional licensure?
No. The sports medicine master’s does not grant professional licensure or certification at a state, provincial, or national level. Students and graduates should contact their local, state, or national governing entity to determine what skills and scope-of-practice requirements apply to their license.
What are the prerequisites for the sports medicine master's program?
Outside applicants must hold a first-professional degree in a relevant health care field with a minimum GPA of 2.75, plus coursework in neuromuscular diagnosis and treatment, biomechanics, and related areas. UWS chiropractic students must be in their 5th quarter with a minimum 2.75 GPA in the DC program and must hold or be pursuing a bachelor's degree.
Career Pathways
The sports medicine master's degree is designed for licensed and license-eligible chiropractors who want to specialize in working with athletes and active individuals. Rather than preparing you for a new profession, our program builds on your existing clinical training with sport-specific knowledge, skills, and interventions that can broaden your professional scope and allow you to work with a wider variety of clients.
"My passion is working with individuals and teams in their search for peak performance in any area of life."
Sarah Castillo, Ph.D.
Director, Sport and Performance Psychology
