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caroline
Student
Fayetteville, North Carolina
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What all do i need to do in order to get into sports medicine?
I really want to go into sports medicine, but I need to know what I need to do #sports-medicine
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Doc Frick
Career Coach and Mentor
1591
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California, CA
Updated
Doc’s Answer
Caroline while there are undergraduate degrees specifically available in sports medicine, it's important for you to consider your ultimate career goals when choosing a program. The focus of a sports medicine program may shift slightly depending on whether it's offered by a department of medicine, kinesiology, physical therapy or physical education.
BACHELOR'S DEGREE IN SPORTS MEDICINE
Though bachelor's degree programs in sports medicine qualify graduates for professional positions, many students continue their studies to pursue master's and professional degrees in sports medicine, physical therapy, occupational therapy, nutrition, nursing and other health professions. Students who pursue a bachelor's degree in sports medicine focus on topics such as biomechanics, therapeutic modalities and injury evaluation and rehabilitation. Students typically get a combination of classroom instruction and fieldwork experience.
Students in an undergraduate sports medicine program acquire a strong understanding of exercise and fitness and their relationship to human physiology, as well as the skills to prevent, evaluate and treat sports injuries. Many programs in sports medicine, particularly those that include athletic trainer instruction, include fieldwork, internships and practice that provide students with clinical experience. Many bachelor's degree programs in sports medicine require students to complete lower-level and general education courses with a specified GPA before entering the sports medicine or athletic training major. The interdisciplinary nature of a bachelor's degree program in sports medicine prepares students for a variety of careers in fitness, athletics and medicine, such as:
• CERTIFIED ATHLETIC TRAINER – Athletic trainers work with athletes to help prevent and rehabilitate injuries. They often work in high schools and colleges, but some are employed at medical offices and fitness facilities. Careers in athletic training require at least a bachelor's degree in athletic training. These programs cover topics such as human anatomy and medical ethics, and students have the opportunity to gain hands-on experience. Many athletic trainers earn master's degrees. In most states, an athletic trainer must hold certification or licensure, usually obtained by passing a competency examination.
The average Certified Athletic Trainer salary in the United States is $46,600 as of June 28, 2020, but the range typically falls between $42,600 and $52,500. Salary ranges can vary widely depending on many important factors, including education, certifications, additional skills, the number of years you have spent in your profession.
• STRENGTH CONDITIONING COACH – Strength and conditioning coaches are also qualified to work with the public, but specialize in improving athletic performance. A strength and conditioning coach may specialize in a particular sport and design training programs for each player on a team based on the physiological requirements of their position. They conduct tests to measure performance, analyze their results, and implement training programs to improve weaknesses over the course of a seasonal training schedule. Strength and conditioning coaches have a formal education (bachelor's degree) in physical fitness or sports medicine and must earn certification; one of the most recognized credentials is the Certified Strength & Conditioning Coach (CSCS) offered by the National Strength & Conditioning Association (NSCA).
The average Strength and Conditioning Coach salary is $44,250 as of June 28, 2020, but the salary range typically falls between $37,500 and $50,900. Salary ranges can vary widely depending on many important factors, including education, certifications, additional skills, the number of years you have spent in your profession.
• PSYCHOSOCIAL REHABILITATION SPECIALIST – A psychosocial rehabilitation specialist treats patients with mental or emotional disorders by teaching them to function within their community. Treatment can address relationships with family, friends, and co-workers and often helps patients work toward living independently. Psychosocial rehabilitation specialists assess a patient's current condition and level of social functionality. Then, they develop a treatment plan that helps a patient learn skill sets needed for independent living. Psychosocial rehabilitation specialists monitor patients' progress, help them achieve their social integration goals, and intervene in crisis situations. Entry level jobs in this field require a bachelor's degree in psychology or a related field; however, many employers prefer candidates who hold a master's degree in rehabilitation counseling. Additional optional certification as a Certified Psychiatric Rehabilitation Practitioner (CPRP) is available through the U.S. Psychiatric Rehabilitation Association (USPRA).
The average psychosocial rehabilitation specialist salary is $49,900 as of June 28, 2020, but the salary range typically falls between $43,250 and $56,600. Salary ranges can vary widely depending on many important factors, including education, certifications, additional skills, the number of years you have spent in your profession.
MASTERS DEGREE IN SPORTS MEDICINE
The skills learned in a master's degree program in sports medicine can be applied to several different careers that use movement and exercise to help treat patients and/or improve a person's overall health. Although there are not as many careers that directly require a master's degree in sports medicine, there are several careers that could utilize the skills and knowledge gained through a master's program in the subject.
• SPORTS PSYCHOLOGIST – Sports psychologists study the mental effects of physical competition and counsel athletes with performance-related disorders. Those interested in formal education in this field can pursue a relevant master's or doctoral degree. Master's students get an understanding of mental processes and learn how to identify and treat psychological roadblocks to optimal physical performance. Direct training is gained with clinical fieldwork. Applicants must have an undergraduate degree in psychology and acceptable Graduate Records Examination (GRE) scores. As the admissions process is competitive, those with professional references and significant experience will have an edge. Institutions that don't offer a sports psychology master's often include associated curricula in their applied psychology or kinesiology paths.
The average Sports psychologists salary in the United States is $91,000 as of June 28, 2020, but the range typically falls between $80,500 and $100,000. Salary ranges can vary widely depending on many important factors, including education, certifications, additional skills, the number of years you have spent in your profession.
• OCCUPATIONAL THERAPISTS – Occupational therapists are required to have a master's degree and license to treat patients with exercises and everyday activities. These therapists may work with disabled, ill or injured patients and help their patients learn and/or recover the skills they need to work and function on their own. This requires occupational therapists to determine the needs of the patient, develop a treatment plan and even suggest special equipment if needed, such as a wheelchair. They will also work with the patient's family and employer to ensure that the patient has the accommodations that they need and will closely monitor a patient's progress.
The average Occupational Therapist salary in the United States is $88,900 as of June 28, 2020, but the range typically falls between $81,500 and $96,900. Salary ranges can vary widely depending on many important factors, including education, certifications, additional skills, the number of years you have spent in your profession.
Injuries occur frequently in athletes. Students enrolled in a Master of Science degree program in sports medicine receive training in how to treat and assess basic athletic injuries. Some topics covered in the M.S. program include motion analysis, electromyography, balance assessment methods and isokinetic dynamometry. Many M.S. programs feature a clinical component, which gives students an opportunity to gain practical experience with rehabilitation methods and techniques.
Hope this was Helpful Caroline
BACHELOR'S DEGREE IN SPORTS MEDICINE
Though bachelor's degree programs in sports medicine qualify graduates for professional positions, many students continue their studies to pursue master's and professional degrees in sports medicine, physical therapy, occupational therapy, nutrition, nursing and other health professions. Students who pursue a bachelor's degree in sports medicine focus on topics such as biomechanics, therapeutic modalities and injury evaluation and rehabilitation. Students typically get a combination of classroom instruction and fieldwork experience.
Students in an undergraduate sports medicine program acquire a strong understanding of exercise and fitness and their relationship to human physiology, as well as the skills to prevent, evaluate and treat sports injuries. Many programs in sports medicine, particularly those that include athletic trainer instruction, include fieldwork, internships and practice that provide students with clinical experience. Many bachelor's degree programs in sports medicine require students to complete lower-level and general education courses with a specified GPA before entering the sports medicine or athletic training major. The interdisciplinary nature of a bachelor's degree program in sports medicine prepares students for a variety of careers in fitness, athletics and medicine, such as:
• CERTIFIED ATHLETIC TRAINER – Athletic trainers work with athletes to help prevent and rehabilitate injuries. They often work in high schools and colleges, but some are employed at medical offices and fitness facilities. Careers in athletic training require at least a bachelor's degree in athletic training. These programs cover topics such as human anatomy and medical ethics, and students have the opportunity to gain hands-on experience. Many athletic trainers earn master's degrees. In most states, an athletic trainer must hold certification or licensure, usually obtained by passing a competency examination.
The average Certified Athletic Trainer salary in the United States is $46,600 as of June 28, 2020, but the range typically falls between $42,600 and $52,500. Salary ranges can vary widely depending on many important factors, including education, certifications, additional skills, the number of years you have spent in your profession.
• STRENGTH CONDITIONING COACH – Strength and conditioning coaches are also qualified to work with the public, but specialize in improving athletic performance. A strength and conditioning coach may specialize in a particular sport and design training programs for each player on a team based on the physiological requirements of their position. They conduct tests to measure performance, analyze their results, and implement training programs to improve weaknesses over the course of a seasonal training schedule. Strength and conditioning coaches have a formal education (bachelor's degree) in physical fitness or sports medicine and must earn certification; one of the most recognized credentials is the Certified Strength & Conditioning Coach (CSCS) offered by the National Strength & Conditioning Association (NSCA).
The average Strength and Conditioning Coach salary is $44,250 as of June 28, 2020, but the salary range typically falls between $37,500 and $50,900. Salary ranges can vary widely depending on many important factors, including education, certifications, additional skills, the number of years you have spent in your profession.
• PSYCHOSOCIAL REHABILITATION SPECIALIST – A psychosocial rehabilitation specialist treats patients with mental or emotional disorders by teaching them to function within their community. Treatment can address relationships with family, friends, and co-workers and often helps patients work toward living independently. Psychosocial rehabilitation specialists assess a patient's current condition and level of social functionality. Then, they develop a treatment plan that helps a patient learn skill sets needed for independent living. Psychosocial rehabilitation specialists monitor patients' progress, help them achieve their social integration goals, and intervene in crisis situations. Entry level jobs in this field require a bachelor's degree in psychology or a related field; however, many employers prefer candidates who hold a master's degree in rehabilitation counseling. Additional optional certification as a Certified Psychiatric Rehabilitation Practitioner (CPRP) is available through the U.S. Psychiatric Rehabilitation Association (USPRA).
The average psychosocial rehabilitation specialist salary is $49,900 as of June 28, 2020, but the salary range typically falls between $43,250 and $56,600. Salary ranges can vary widely depending on many important factors, including education, certifications, additional skills, the number of years you have spent in your profession.
MASTERS DEGREE IN SPORTS MEDICINE
The skills learned in a master's degree program in sports medicine can be applied to several different careers that use movement and exercise to help treat patients and/or improve a person's overall health. Although there are not as many careers that directly require a master's degree in sports medicine, there are several careers that could utilize the skills and knowledge gained through a master's program in the subject.
• SPORTS PSYCHOLOGIST – Sports psychologists study the mental effects of physical competition and counsel athletes with performance-related disorders. Those interested in formal education in this field can pursue a relevant master's or doctoral degree. Master's students get an understanding of mental processes and learn how to identify and treat psychological roadblocks to optimal physical performance. Direct training is gained with clinical fieldwork. Applicants must have an undergraduate degree in psychology and acceptable Graduate Records Examination (GRE) scores. As the admissions process is competitive, those with professional references and significant experience will have an edge. Institutions that don't offer a sports psychology master's often include associated curricula in their applied psychology or kinesiology paths.
The average Sports psychologists salary in the United States is $91,000 as of June 28, 2020, but the range typically falls between $80,500 and $100,000. Salary ranges can vary widely depending on many important factors, including education, certifications, additional skills, the number of years you have spent in your profession.
• OCCUPATIONAL THERAPISTS – Occupational therapists are required to have a master's degree and license to treat patients with exercises and everyday activities. These therapists may work with disabled, ill or injured patients and help their patients learn and/or recover the skills they need to work and function on their own. This requires occupational therapists to determine the needs of the patient, develop a treatment plan and even suggest special equipment if needed, such as a wheelchair. They will also work with the patient's family and employer to ensure that the patient has the accommodations that they need and will closely monitor a patient's progress.
The average Occupational Therapist salary in the United States is $88,900 as of June 28, 2020, but the range typically falls between $81,500 and $96,900. Salary ranges can vary widely depending on many important factors, including education, certifications, additional skills, the number of years you have spent in your profession.
Injuries occur frequently in athletes. Students enrolled in a Master of Science degree program in sports medicine receive training in how to treat and assess basic athletic injuries. Some topics covered in the M.S. program include motion analysis, electromyography, balance assessment methods and isokinetic dynamometry. Many M.S. programs feature a clinical component, which gives students an opportunity to gain practical experience with rehabilitation methods and techniques.
Hope this was Helpful Caroline
Thank You Dexter for your Continued Support. “I am only one, but I am one. I cannot do everything, but I can do something. And I will not let what I cannot do interfere with what I can do.” – Edward Everett Hale
Doc Frick
Dan Nguyen, DO
Psychiatrist
104
Answers
Phoenix, Arizona
Updated
Dan’s Answer
Sports medicine as a physician based specialty requires 4 year bachelor's degree followed by 4 years of medical school followed by a 3-4 year residency in family medicine and or physical medicine & rehabilitation (usually) followed by sports medicine fellowship which is usually 1-2 years.
Sharool A
Tech Support
70
Answers
Bengaluru, Karnataka, India
Updated
Sharool’s Answer
A bachelor's in sports medicine or a related field represents the minimum degree you need to work in a sports medicine career. After earning your bachelor's degree, you can continue your education in a master's program or look for entry-level positions.