Sports medicine is a wide and varied field. While few schools have an exact “sports medicine” degree, many do offer degrees that allow individuals to work in sports, rehabilitation clinics and other healthcare settings.
Why Choose a Sports Medicine Degree Online?
A sports medicine degree helps students learn to address others’ physical fitness levels as well as their injuries and overall health. The field is expected to grow substantially in the next decade, with physical therapy expecting to see around 30% growth and athletic training to see 23% growth.
Top 5 Sports Medicine Degrees Online
| Rank | School | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of Wisconsin-Superior | Superior, Wisconsin |
| 2 | A.T. Still University | Kirksville, Missouri |
| 3 | Ashland University | Ashland, Ohio |
| 4 | Concordia University-Chicago | River Forest, Illinois |
| 5 | California University of Pennsylvania | California, Pennsylvania |
Getting a Sports Medicine Degree Online
With a degree in sports medicine, students may work as health education specialists, exercise science consultants, athletic training assistants and fitness counselors, among other career options. The average median salary for someone working in sports medicine as an exercise physiologist is approximately $49,170, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
If you’re interested in working in sports medicine, getting a degree online can help you on your career path. These are the top 15 online programs for a sports medicine degree.
The Best 15 Best Programs for a Sports Medicine Degree Online
University of Wisconsin-Superior
The University of Wisconsin in Superior offers an exercise science degree with an internship. ES majors can double major in physical education if they wish to perform student teaching and an internship for completion.
School Overview
A.T. Still University
A.T. Still University offers a degree in athletic training. There are also additional options such as graduate certificates in sports neurology and concussions or orthopedics for those who are interested.
School Overview
Ashland University
Ashland University offers a degree in exercise science that tackles subjects like nutrition, physiology and clinical research. It also offers a degree in athletic training, which is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education.
School Overview
Concordia University-Chicago
Concordia University offers an exercise science major with courses in kinesiology, exercise prescription, fitness testing and more. Careers with this degree include becoming a coach, wellness coordinator, personal trainer or other specialists.
School Overview
California University of Pennsylvania
The California University of Pennsylvania offers an athletic training degree as well as an online exercise science program. Students can work with a BA in exercise science or athletic training, but the school also offers graduate options.
School Overview
University of the Incarnate Word
The University of the Incarnate Word has an athletic training program resulting in a bachelor’s degree. It also offers a Master of Science in Athletic Training. The programs
School Overview
Creighton University
Creighton University offers a degree in Exercise Science and Pre-Health Professions. This program is available with some online courses, though the majority are on campus. The bachelor’s degree program in healthy lifestyle management, which could be added to the degree, is available totally online.
School Overview
Southern Utah University
Southern Utah University has several sports medicine programs, but the Master of Science in Sports Conditioning and Performance is available totally online. The program is able to be completed within six years.
School Overview
Northern Kentucky University
Northern Kentucky University offers a completely online program for the Bachelor of Science in Health Science. The program is available in a five-week, seven-week, or 16-week format.
School Overview
State University of New York – Stony Brook
Athletic training is offered as a graduate program at the State University of New York, Stony Brook. This program can be in-person, hybrid or taken online. It’s accredited by CAATE.
School Overview
The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley
The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley offers a Master of Science in Kinesiology that can be completed online. The 36-hour program has both traditional and web-based classes. The school also has a Master of Science in Exercise Science available.
School Overview
University of Missouri
The University of Missouri offers a Bachelor of Health Science online, and it also has a Master of Education in Positive Coaching and Athletic Leadership that fall under the field of sports medicine. Both programs are totally online, and the master program is only 30 credit hours.
School Overview
University of Florida
The University of Florida in Gainsville offers an online bachelor’s degree in sports and exercise science. It also offers a BS in Health Education and Behavior completely online.
School Overview
Arizona State University
Arizona State University offers programs in biomedical informatics and biomedical diagnostics, kinesiology, sports and exercise science, nutrition and more. The degree programs are varied but offered online. For example, the online Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences and Healthy Lifestyles Coaching is completed with just 120 credit hours.
School Overview
Ohio State University
Ohio State University offers many online programs in health and coaching. Sports medicine is a wide field, but some of the options available totally online at Ohio State Include a Health and Wellness Coaching certificate or an assistive and rehabilitative technology certificate. A Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences is available through the College of Medicine.
School Overview
Ranking Specifications
The online schools listed above are ranked based on their total enrollment as well as their current tuition rates. Higher tuition rates were given fewer points, and higher enrollment rates were scored lower as well. Once the schools had those two ratings, they were added and then ranked by those with the greatest number of points to those with the fewest.
Careful research was performed to collect this information, but the results cannot be guaranteed. The list is subject to change at any time.
For more programs check out our Sports Management degree page.
Questions about Your School’s Ranking?
If you see a discrepancy here that you’re confused about and work for one of the schools above, please let us know. We would be happy to make corrections for the schools we rank and the readers this information benefits. If you would like to have your school ranked, please let us know, so that we can add you to our future lists when appropriate.
