What is sports medicine?
Sports medicine refers to all individuals who work to keep active individuals healthy. Different sports medicine careers include people of all ages and abilities, from people who participate recreationally to stay active, to those who are competing with collegiate, professional, and national level organizations.
Sports medicine providers generally work as a team and often include physicians, athletic trainers, and physical therapists. In many settings, other specialties like dentists, ophthalmologists, sports psychologists, nutrition specialists, massage therapists and acupuncturists are also included on the sports medicine team. The MS in sports medicine program at UWS is designed to enhance the knowledge and skills of first-professional health care providers to be able to offer evidence based, individualized care to their patients.
Specialization
The MS in sports medicine is designed for health care providers seeking specialization to better work with athletes and active populations. This education and degree allow for opportunities in the sports industry and enhance a provider’s skills, knowledge, and marketability to athletic populations. They supplement the provider’s existing base skills and knowledge of musculoskeletal care.
The MS in sports medicine degree builds upon already existing knowledge of core sports medicine content areas to go above and beyond basic sports medicine career requirements. Please note, that the MS in sports medicine program does NOT grant professional licensure or professional certification of any kind at a state, provincial, or national level. Students and graduates of the sports medicine program who want to pursue their sports medicine career are advised to contact their local, state, provincial, or national governing entity to determine what skills and scope-of-practice requirements are legal under the student or provider’s scope of practice.
Qualified Exams and Credentials
Graduates of the Sports Medicine program may be eligible to pursue a variety of post-graduate exams and certifications. Eligibility for these credentials depends on each provider’s professional background. While the program’s coursework is designed to support preparation for these certifications, earning a Master of Science in Sports Medicine does not guarantee or confer any credential beyond the degree itself and an optional CPR/AED certification. It is important to note that different careers within sports medicine may require specific additional certifications.
CPR and AED Certification:
Students have the option to obtain or renew their CPR/AED certification during the program. A valid and current CPR/AED certification is required for enrollment in practicum courses. Students must submit verification of their current certification prior to registering for any practicum coursework.
Please note: The CPR/AED certification must include hands-on instruction and testing component. “Online-only” CPR/AED certifications will not meet this requirement, as they are generally not accepted for maintaining professional licensure or certification status.
American Chiropractic Board of Sports Physicians™
ACBSP™ is the governing board for the Certified Chiropractic Sports Physician® (CCSP®) and Diplomate American Chiropractic Board of Sports Physicians® (DACBSP®) certifications.
Graduates of the sports medicine program are eligible to sit for the Certified Chiropractic Sports Physician® (CCSP®) and the Diplomate of the American Chiropractic Board of Sports Physicians® (DACBSP®) examinations. These advanced credentials, recognized within the field of chiropractic medicine, establish high competency standards for those pursuing a chiropractic sports medicine residency and seeking to specialize in the care of athletes and active individuals. CCSP® or DACBSP® certifications are the only Sports Medicine Chiropractic certifications in the United States that are recognized by the American Chiropractic Association.
To learn more about the CCSP® certification, visit www.acbsp.com/ccsp/.
To learn more about the DACBSP® certification, visit https://www.acbsp.com/dacbsp/.
International Federation of Sports Chiropractic (FICS)
The Internationally Certified Chiropractic Sports Practitioner (ICCSP) certification, developed by the Fédération Internationale de Chiropratique du Sport (FICS), establishes a minimum standard of theoretical and practical education for chiropractors seeking specialized competence in sports chiropractic. It also qualifies practitioners to serve on FICS teams or teams selected with FICS assistance at international events.
Internationally Certified Chiropractic Sports Practitioner (ICCSP)
The ICCSP program is a postgraduate certification designed for those pursuing a career in sports medicine with a focus on chiropractic therapy. It combines distance learning (eLS) with two weekend seminars featuring hands-on modules. The seminar faculty includes internationally recognized sports chiropractors with extensive experience of treating athletes at major international sporting events.
Sports Medicine Careers
A master’s degree in sports medicine is for health care professionals who desire a specialty practice working with athletes and active persons, or for those wishing to build upon their knowledge base to better provide care for their active patients. Focusing on injury prevention and treatment among athletes of all divisions and ages is the crucial heart of working in the field of sports medicine, especially as a graduate with a master’s in science. But the skills one learns when earning an MS in sports medicine can apply to a variety of interpersonal health care-related jobs as well, such as being a physician assistant, a nutritionist, an exercise physiologist, or many others.
A sports medicine degree can provide opportunities to work in various sports-related settings where practitioners can apply their expertise in athletic betterment to help others in a variety of settings.
Whether working in education, the health care system, private practice, or elsewhere, an MS in sports medicine can open the door to an esteemed and high-achieving career in sports medicine.
Career Outcomes
The University of Western States prepares you to make an impact in a variety of high-demand careers. Below, you will find possible career options and salaries associated with this degree.
Data is pulled by a third-party tool called Lightcast, which includes data from sources including the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the U.S. Census Bureau, online job postings, and other government databases. The information below represents a regional and national career outlook related to this degree program*. The University of Western States is dedicated to assisting you in achieving your career goals.
*Many degree programs are intended to fulfill licensure requirements in specific states. The data shown here may not represent the state where you currently reside. For more information on how this program is applicable to the requirements of your state, please speak with your admissions counselor.
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics annual data update