Online Sports Medicine Masters Degree Programs

A sports medicine masters degree program educates students in methods of prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of sport or exercise related injuries.

This is a course of study which is usually taken up by graduates from related bachelor programs. The main focus is on developing student's management and clinical skills so as to better coordinate and address the treatment of a range of injuries. Upon completion of such a program, an individual would be well positioned to take up a role as a fitness instructor, athletic trainer, or a physical therapist. Those students that have an interest in enrolling on a sports medicine program at master's level would first need to successfully complete a four year bachelor course in a field such as sport management or medicine. Most colleges also expect applicants to have achieved above a certain score in the GRE (graduate record examination), as well as having previous course credits in topics such as anatomy and nutrition. There are also sports medicine masters programs that dictate that students must be certified athletic trainers before acceptance is given.

Sports Medicine Training and Education

Those students who are successful in enrolling in the sports medicine masters degree are provided hands on learning. Depending upon the school offering the master's degree, a thesis may be required as a component of the program. Related areas of study include the sports management degree and the sports psychology degree programs.

Typical topics of study include statistics, sport nutrition, advanced human anatomy, injury evaluation, diet and wellness, legalities and ethics, trends, muscle building techniques, and health behavior and exercise. It is important to realize that the subjects that are given do vary extensively between schools. Other courses might include:

• Diet and nutrition
• Weight management
• Exercise leadership
• Anatomy
• Physiology
• Sports psychology
• Sports law
• Kinesiology
• Exercise physiology
• Stress management
• Sports business management

Careers in Sports Medicine

There are a number of interesting career options available to graduates from a master's in sports medicine degree program. For example, openings can be found in hospitals, rehabilitation centers, clinics, physical therapy practices, fitness clubs, as well as various teams and clubs. Careers might include: Personal trainer, Physical therapist assistant, exercise physiologist, or fitness instructor to mention a few.

The positions that are available will depend upon which topics were covered in the educational program, as well as the occasional requirement for additional certification. Example profiles include personal trainers, professional athletic trainers, gym program directors, strength specialists, exercise physiologists, and physical education teachers.

There are a number of organizations that provide accreditation to professionals interested in working in this field. For example the National Academy of Sports Medicine, and the American College of Sport Medicine. Exams can be taken, which if successfully completed, result in official status such as that of a certified personal trainer or registered clinical exercise specialist.

Estimated Income and Projected Career Growth

The salary on offer to individuals taking up work relating to sports medicine does vary considerably. According to data from the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average wage for an athletic trainer, as of 2009 stood at $41,000.

If the focus of expertise is on dietetics, the median salary is currently around $52,000. The best paid positions are those relating to that of a sport physician, six figure salaries that rise to as much as $300,000 per year are not unheard of. The actual financial package will depend upon location and the nature of the employer.

It has been suggested that the employment of experts in this field will grow faster than the average rate for all industries in the coming decade. But, it should be noted that the competition for the most well paid and desirable openings will remain favorable, but advanced training like the sports medicine masters degree is an added advantage.

Online sports medicine masters degree programs and health care administration degree programs