The program consists of 60.5 quarter credits (which equates to roughly 40 semester credits): 22.5 quarter credits come from courses within the DC program and 38 quarter credits are from independent courses in the MS program.

Yes. Information concerning financial aid can be found under the academics tab.

A bachelor's degree, at least a 2.5 GPA in the DC program and 6th quarter or above in the UWS DC program.

Students must initiate the request for transfer credit and provide transcripts/course syllabi for consideration by the program director. UWS will determine what, if any advanced standing may be granted through evaluation of coursework previously completed. The program director may, at his discretion, require a student to demonstrate competency through a challenge exam if there is insufficient evidence from coursework evaluation.

Students are limited to the number of classes outlined in the block schedule (typically 2 courses per term).

Students can take one course at a time.

The UWS Master of Science in sports medicine program is designed for health care providers to provide specialized quality care for elite and amateur athletes. The clinically focused curriculum builds upon prior healthcare education and emphasizes evaluation, management, treatment and rehabilitation of injured athletes.

There is a possibility a student can complete both programs at the same time. One should keep in mind that each program requires a good amount of time to complete assignments and if one is highly motivated and organized they may be able to do both programs at once.

Official transcripts from each and every institution must be sent to the admissions office as part of your application. University of Western States accepts transcripts in two different methods:

Mailed directly from a prior institution to:
University of Western States
Office of Admissions
2900 NE 132nd Avenue
Portland, OR 97230

Emailed: Emailed in a password protected format (such as Parchment) to admissions@uws.edu. It is your responsibility to ensure that the transcript is downloaded by the recipient within 30 days. A printed copy of an electronic PDF transcript is not official.
If you are currently enrolled in courses but will not complete the degree until a future term, do not send an updated transcript until the degree is awarded. At that time, send an updated transcript and the degree confirmation.

Yes, graduates are eligible to sit for the Certified Chiropractic Sports Physician (CCSP) exam with the American Chiropractic Board of Sports Physicians. Students will also be prepared to sit for the Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialists (CSCS) exam by the National Strength and Conditioning Association as well as specialty credentials with National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM). Sports Medicine graduates also meet the educational requirements of the International Federation of Sports Chiropractic (FICS) to obtain the ICCSP Diploma.

Master of Science is an internationally recognized academic degree, whereas certificate and/or diplomate is recognized within the profession and corresponding specialty board. The MS program provides a pathway to PhD and other advanced degrees while opening the door to multidisciplinary care.

The sports medicine program covers a range of current topics including sports injuries, performance enhancement, diagnostics, injury management and nutritional support. The emphasis in this program is to educate student on current evidence and trends in sports medicine and research. The design is such that students from varying background can learn from each other on actual cases in discussion forums and build on to their clinical knowledge.

1. Integrate basic sciences information underpinning sports performance and athletic injuries into diagnosis, management and prognosis assessment of athletes. 2. Integrate the principles of performance enhancement into the evaluation and management of athletes. 3. Effectively and efficiently evaluate athletes using best practices strategies to establish differential diagnoses and diagnoses for the purpose of planning treatment and performance enhancement programs for athletes. 4. Effectively and efficiently manage conditions affecting athletes using evidence- supported treatment and management strategies. 5. Evaluate, identify and implement specific nutritional plans and prescriptions to enhance healing and performance needs of athletes. 6. Identify and apply taping, supportive bracing and appliances to prevent injury, to enhance injury healing and to enhance athletic performance of athletes. 7. Perform emergency management and triage of injured athletes on and off the field of competition. 8. Evaluate and manage the needs of athletes from common special populations. 9. Demonstrate knowledge and use of highly ethical and professional practice behaviors.

The UWS Master of Science in sports medicine program is designed for health care providers seeking to specialize in the conditioning and treatment of professional, collegiate, high school and recreational athletes. It offers students a customized learning experience within a multidisciplinary clinical setting. Students have the opportunity to participate in a variety of venues in the Portland area.

The program is delivered online consisting of, but not limited to, discussion forums, journal article readings, quizzes, audio and/or video presentations. If required, a face-to-face lab session occurs once per quarter.

As a rule of thumb: for every hour of classroom time (online lecture or face-to-face) expect two hours of self-study time.

Required textbooks vary by course and instructor. The list of required textbooks can be found here: https://www.uws.edu/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/ESS-Textbook-List-Bookstore-MASTER.pdf

Students will be required to purchase a supply kit through the bookstore in their first quarter. The basic kit includes the necessary supplies for the emergency management course and practice tape for the advanced sports medicine courses. There are other kit options for those wanting to purchase more supplies at a reduced cost.

Yes, there is a Biostatistics elective course that students are eligible to take in the 5th or 6th quarter of the program. This course is highly recommended for students that have not gone through the UWS DC curriculum and will prepare you for the capstone project.

Two years. One or two additional courses per quarter for seven quarters. If you start in 6th quarter you can finish the DC, MS together in 12th quarter.

Students will typically need to come to Portland once per term (for the first six terms) and expect to spend 2-3 days each visit.

Students will get experience working in practice/sports settings that are arranged through UWS with area sports teams or rehab clinics. Student-initiated practicum experiences will be evaluated for approval by UWS.

Yes, students are responsible for all travel related expenses. However, financial assistance may be available to students who are interested in receiving federal aid for travel. Contact the office of financial aid for more information at finaid@uws.edu or 800-641-5641.

Students are encouraged to pursue local opportunities for practicum experiences at qualified clinical locations. The site evaluation process requires the potential candidate to submit an application to be reviewed by the program director. An onsite visit of the facility and affiliated paperwork related to patient/athlete care is also mandatory. Other requirements for the site supervisor are: 1. Five years clinical experience. 2. Minimum of 30% patient load is caring for athletes. A formal treating relationship with organized athletics teams is desired. 3. Rehabilitation area and equipment for sports related injuries. 4. Acceptable levels of malpractice insurance. 5. Currently licensed and in good standing in the state, local community and peers. 6. Standards of patient care comparable to that of UWS.

At the end of the program, students will collaborate with other MS students to develop an original research design on a topic of interest in the field of sports medicine.

Classes are delivered in an online hybrid format. This means that didactic material is online and labs/hands-on are in the classroom. For concurrently enrolled DC students, the labs are held on weekends or in the evenings. For students enrolled from a distance (not in the Portland area), you will be required to come to campus once per quarter for the lab portion of the courses. Lab dates will be determined in advance so that students have ample time to make travel arrangements.

Courses are taught by expert instructors who have extensive backgrounds in sports medicine, and hands-on experience in treating athletes of all levels. The list of faculty can be found here: https://www.uws.edu/about-uws/directory/?cn-s=&cn-cat=34

A student who is unable to attend a required laboratory session will receive an “incomplete” grade for the course and must then complete the laboratory during the next possible term. Courses will be offered at least once per year so there will be opportunity to make up the laboratory at a later time. Students should speak with the program director in advance regarding any scheduling conflicts.

A student who needs to make up a laboratory should still be able to progress through the remaining program without issue. There are exceptions: emergency management and one of the ASM courses must be taken before being allowed into practicums.

Getting the MS degree concurrently with the DC degree saves time and money. A specialty in the sport medicine field may open doors to opportunities and enhance your marketability to an athletic population.

The MS in sports medicine is a natural fit for chiropractic physicians and other healthcare professionals desiring a specialty practice working with elite and casual athletes. It can provide you opportunities to work with various sports teams (high school, collegiate, professional) and in sports related facilities. The Master of Science is also an advanced degree that people recognize and a desirable credential for teaching in college/university or professional school settings.

Basic science of sports injuries, principles of performance enhancement, diagnostics management of injuries, nutritional support, taping, bracing, appliances, emergency management & triage, special populations, and professional practice.

Good questions to ask are: What is the focus of the program (hands-on, research, etc)? What competencies guide the program? What experience or expertise do the instructors have? What is the clinical experience like?