6 Steps to Getting a Sports Medicine Degree Online.
You can pursue a sports medicine degree online from the comfort of your home, allowing you to maintain your current responsibilities without interruption. If you’re interested, this blog post will guide you through the necessary steps to enroll in an online sports medicine program.
Sports medicine focuses on treating and preventing injuries in athletes, as well as studying the impact of sports, exercise, and movement on individuals. While sports medicine doctors can treat anyone, their primary focus is on athletes, gaining practical experience during their training working alongside doctors who specialize in athlete care.
To enter this field, you can start with a bachelor’s degree program in sports medicine, such as a Bachelor of Science or Bachelor of Arts in sports medicine, exercise science, clinical exercise science, kinesiology, or related fields. A bachelor’s degree provides foundational skills and knowledge for entry-level positions.
For those aiming for higher positions and greater earning potential in sports medicine, pursuing a graduate degree such as a master’s or doctorate is recommended. There are specialized sports medicine colleges that offer training specifically designed to prepare students to become licensed sports medicine physicians.
To earn a sports medicine degree, you can complete the program full-time or part-time. The program is offered on campus, which is the traditional track, as well as in an online format that allows you to study from the comfort of your home using only your PC or tablet. This blog post focuses on sports medicine degree programs offered online.
Yes, you can complete an online sports medicine program and still gain the same skills, knowledge, and qualifications as a traditional track. This track is the best option for working professionals who want to advance their career in sports medicine or switch to a career in sports medicine. Studying for an online degree is flexible and convenient, and saves money on transportation and living expenses since you will be studying from home.
What is an online sports medicine degree
An online sports medicine degree is a bachelor’s or master’s degree program in sports medicine that allows you to complete coursework online instead of the traditional on-campus method. In an online sports medicine degree, students take online courses in biomechanics, biology, exercise science, physiology, kinesiology, psychology, nutrition, and clinical exercise.
Practicums are part of the curriculum of any sports medicine program to give students the opportunity to gain hands-on experience in how to handle and treat patients when they go out on their own. As an online student in an online sports medicine program, you cannot take a “practicum” online, it must be face-to-face.
In this case, online students will practice with a sports medicine physician, athletic trainer, or professional fitness instructor nearby.
Is there any place where an online sports medicine degree is invalid?
An online sports medicine degree is just as valid anywhere as it is on campus, and that’s because there is no difference between the two. Additionally, a sports medicine degree earned online does not indicate or show that it was earned online. So, an employer or client cannot even know if you earned your degree online unless you tell them so.
6 Steps to Getting a Sports Medicine Degree Online
To pursue a career in sports medicine, it is worth noting that the minimum qualification you need is a bachelor’s degree. To get a sports medicine degree online, you need to know a few things, and fortunately, this blog post will help you. Also, when it comes to getting a sports medicine degree online, you should expect fewer schools to offer them.
Without further ado, let’s get started.
Step 1: Find the right school
Finding the right school for your academic program is usually the first step in any academic endeavor, whether the program is online or on campus. Finding the right school simply means applying to an online college whose goals, objectives, and interests match yours.
So, make sure that the online sports medicine program offered by your preferred institution meets your requirements. The program schedule set by the college should be the same as yours or can be modified to fit your schedule and other plans.
Step 2: Apply to Recognized Colleges
These days, it’s not hard to find colleges that offer online programs, from undergraduate and graduate programs to professional certification courses. However, there are some colleges that are better than others at offering online courses, and this is where your research skills should come into play.
Find the best colleges that offer online sports medicine degrees or those that have a reputation for offering online degree programs and apply to them. And most importantly, make sure they are accredited.
Step 3: Limit Your Options
Following steps 1 and 2 means that you have to make a long list of colleges to get a sports medicine degree online. The truth is, you can’t apply to all the colleges because it costs too much since you have to pay an application fee for each application submitted and you won’t be able to create a strong application.
Therefore, you should limit your options to a maximum of two and then apply to them. Limiting your options to colleges to apply to an online sports medicine degree program allows you to spend time and resources on creating an outstanding application for admission, which increases your chances of being accepted.
Step 4: Enroll in School
Well, now that you have your top two college options, it’s time to enroll as a student by applying. Some of the requirements for an online sports medicine degree include academic transcripts, standardized test scores like SAT/ACT, GRE, TOEFL, IELTS, etc., statement of purpose, essay, government ID, proof of experience, and so on.
Note that sports medicine programs are competitive, so you will need to spend time creating a strong application for admission. Fortunately, it is also not a very popular field, so there is generally enough space for many students.
Step 5: Get Online Learning Tools
Online learning is different from on-campus learning, and the main difference is that students in an online program learn entirely online, from the comfort of their home. To make this possible, students learn through online learning platforms that use recorded and live classes to teach students the skills and knowledge they need to succeed in the field.
To use this learning style, students need to have a computer, PC, or tablet with a stable Wi-Fi connection. Students also need to get certain apps or software such as Google Sheets, Google Docs, and other online learning tools .
Step 6: Complete the program and pass the licensing exam
One thing that all medical disciplines have in common is that graduates must pass a licensing exam to become licensed and begin practicing. Sports medicine and related programs are no exception. When you graduate from a sports medicine program and want to practice, you must pass a licensing exam.
Whether you earned your degree online or offline, you must take the licensing exam when you complete your sports medicine degree program. To be eligible to take the licensing exam, your program must meet the requirements of the state license in which you want to practice, and you must complete the program.
Passing the licensing exam gives you a license to practice in that state, and that’s how you earn your sports medicine degree online and become a licensed sports medicine practitioner or professional fitness trainer.
And there you have it, the steps to get a sports medicine degree online with all the secrets and tips. Another helpful tip is to apply for financial aid such as FAFSA and other scholarship settings.
7 Best Online Sports Medicine Programs
Here you will find options for where to take an online sports medicine degree program from which to choose.
- BS/BS in Health and Human Performance – Eastern Oregon University
- Online Master of Science in Exercise and Wellness – Liberty University
- Online Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science – Western University of Pennsylvania
- Master of Science in Exercise and Health Promotion – Florida Atlantic University.
- Master of Science in Athletic Training and Performance – Southern Utah University
- Associate of Science in Kinesiology and Human Performance – State University of New York (SUNY)
- Doctorate in Athletic Training – Arizona State University
1. BS/BS in Health and Human Performance – Eastern Oregon University.
Eastern Oregon University offers an online bachelor’s degree in human health and performance that prepares a person for a career in the health and fitness industry or for graduate school in sports medicine. This program is one of the best online because it offers both a Bachelor of Arts and a Bachelor of Science pathway, giving students the opportunity to choose the one that best suits them.
Another benefit of the program is the cost. The tuition is cheap and is considered one of the most cost-effective online exercise science degrees. The total number of credit hours is 180, which takes 4 years to complete, and the cost per credit is $278.
Link to programming
2. Online Master of Science in Exercise and Wellness – Liberty University
Liberty University has a reputation for online education, with most of its programs offered online to give everyone an equal opportunity to receive a world-class education. At Liberty Online, you can earn an online master’s degree in exercise science and wellness that will prepare you for a career in sports medicine.
One of the benefits of this program is the short time it takes to complete the program, unlike a traditional master’s degree that takes 2 years to complete, this program only takes 12 months to complete. The total estimated cost of the program is $20,695, and if you are in the military, it can be as low as $8,857.
Link to the program
3. Online Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science – Western University of Pennsylvania.
High school graduates who want to explore the world of online education while still earning a prestigious degree may want to consider the online Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science program offered by Western University of Pennsylvania. High school graduates who are passionate about health, wellness, and fitness may also want to consider this program and explore their career path.
This program is one of only 30 health and fitness programs in the United States that has been accredited by NASM. The BS is 100% online and takes only 36 months to complete. In that short time, students gain the skills and certifications to be ready for the workforce.
Link to the program
4. Master of Science in Exercise and Health Promotion – Florida Atlantic University.
Professional fitness and exercise trainers looking to advance their careers to higher positions and higher salaries may want to consider earning a degree related to their field. Florida Atlantic University offers an online Master of Science in Exercise and Health Promotion program that is designed to fit into your schedule and not require you to quit your current job to earn a degree.
The degree has two concentrations in exercise physiology and health promotion, so you can choose the option that best suits you. The program is 30 credit hours and can be completed in as little as 12-18 months. One of the benefits of this program is that you work alongside experts in the field and gain first-hand skills and knowledge in a variety of areas.
Link to the program
5. Master of Science in Athletic Training and Performance – Southern Utah University.
This program is best suited for those with a bachelor’s degree working in fitness centers who want to gain expert skills and get the best opportunities in their field. The program is offered online, so you don’t have to quit your job while studying. Since it’s online, the training is self-paced, and you can complete it at your own pace.
One of the benefits of this program is that upon completion, you will become proficient in developing safe and effective exercise and conditioning programs for all types of clients, including world-class athletes. To gain practical skills, students are required to attend on-campus clinical workshops for only 2 weeks.
Link to the program
6. Associate of Science in Kinesiology and Human Performance – State University of New York (SUNY)
An Associate of Science in Kinesiology and Human Performance is ideal for those who prefer not to spend up to four years earning a bachelor’s degree or for those looking to quickly enter the job market. This program provides essential skills and knowledge necessary to work in the dynamic field of treating and preventing injuries in athletes.
Offered completely online, this program allows you to balance your current responsibilities as the courses are designed to accommodate your schedule and enable you to learn at your own pace. Upon completing the program, you have the option to transfer to a four-year program to further your education or enter directly into the workforce.
Link to the program
7. Doctorate in Athletic Training – Arizona State University.
Last but not least, the Ph.D. in Athletic Training offered by Arizona State University. This program offers sports medicine professionals the opportunity to advance their careers, gain advanced skills and knowledge, and be at the top of their field. The program equips graduates with skills in leadership, clinical decision making, rehabilitation, and more.
Link to the program
From this list, you can decide where you want to study for an online sports medicine program and what degree. As I mentioned earlier, narrow down your options to the top two of your choice and apply to them.
How long is the online sports medicine program?
The duration of an online sports medicine degree program varies based on the specific program you select. Typically:
– An online master’s in sports medicine can be completed in approximately 12 to 18 months.
– A bachelor’s degree in sports medicine generally takes around 3 years to complete.
These durations can vary slightly depending on the specific curriculum and pace of study within each Sports Medicine Degree Online program.