The Master of Science in Sports Medicine program at the University of Western States is designed for health care providers seeking specialization and enhancement of their skills and knowledge to better work with athletes and active populations. The education attained through this degree allows for opportunities in the sports industry and enhances a provider’s skills, knowledge and marketability to active and athletic populations.
Practical experiences in the sports medicine program are delivered through hands-on field experiences with a variety of sports and organizations. The program places importance on real-world application and adheres to high standards of safety for patients and the community.
Students will complete four credit hours of practicum experiences either through UWS-provided sites or a self-selected site that meets program requirements.
Students will be at their practicum site for an average of six hours a week. This may vary with site placement, weekly schedules and other factors. Students are responsible for earning at least 30 minutes of practicum credit per week, and must attain at least 66 hours per each two credit practicum course.
Practicum is an opportunity for hands-on and observational experiences working in various professional practice and sports settings that are approved by the sports medicine program.
The following is a list of the diverse type of sites where interns have completed practicum experiences.
- University strength and conditioning department
- Private MD, DO, DC, PT, OT clinical settings
- PRM physician (physical medicine and rehabilitation)
- University sports medicine departments
- Offices with sports and rehabilitation affiliations
- Offices with rehabilitations centers
- University human performance research centers
- Sports training centers
- High school sports medicine providers
- Event and tournament sports medicine providers
Portland, Oregon area students
Practicum experiences include Portland area sports teams, events, schools, universities or clinics. Student-initiated practicum experiences will be evaluated for approval by UWS.
For those participating in practicum at Oregon high school athletic programs, there are annual registration, background checks, and other directives to ensure safety and compliance with Oregon state law.
Students not local to Portland, Oregon
Students can arrange their own practicum opportunities, with approval and direction from UWS. These vary greatly from profession to profession and state to state. Specific questions should be directed to the UWS sports medicine program director ([email protected]).
Student Engagement in Clinical Activities
In order to establish and maintain clear expectations for each student’s practicum activities the following are the minimum expectations of what a prospective practicum clinician/site should offer the student:
- Evaluation and assessment of active people and/or athletic patients.
- Treatment or management of injured or ill active people and/or athletic patients, including but not limited to rehabilitation/active care, assignment of exercise or activity including modifications, and recommendations for safe and healthy return to activity post injury/illness, or aid in athletic performance.
- Provision of tape, bracing, padding, or other supportive means to aid in safe return to health, or aid in athletic performance.
- Communication opportunities with patients, stakeholders and other health care professionals as appropriate
- Other areas that a student may be involved in are acute care of urgent, emergent or first aid situations. The program recognizes not all clinical practicum supervisors engage with these situations outside of what may occur in normal clinic operations.
HOW TO BECOME A SPORTS MEDICINE CLINICAL PRACTICUM SITE
- Submit a completed UWS sports medicine clinical practicum supervisor application and supporting documents to the sports medicine program administration.
- Have at least three (3) years clinical experience.
- Minimum of 30% patient load is caring for athletes. A formal treating relationship with organized athletics teams is desired.
- Rehabilitation area and equipment for sports related injuries.
- Currently licensed and in good standing in the state or province.
- Standards of patient care meet or exceed all ethical and professional standards.
- Have no conviction of any felony. Have no current (open) board sanctions from any state or province. A history of disciplinary action, pleas of no contest or convictions to any offense related to the practice of chiropractic will be reviewed but do not necessarily preclude a doctor from consideration. The nature of the offense, action taken and time since the incident(s) occurred will be considered. Doctors are encouraged to contact us to discuss any previous actions.
- Maintain professional liability insurance. Coverage shall be in the minimum amount of $1,000,000 per case/$3,000,000 aggregate loss. Please note that some states and provinces may require higher limits.
Email [email protected] for an application.
