Master of Science in Sports Medicine (MS-SM)

The Master of Science in Sports Medicine (MS-SM) program is a six-quarter graduate professional master’s degree program designed to provide students with advanced knowledge and skills in the prevention, evaluation and management of injuries and disorders affecting athletes and active populations. As a professional master’s degree, it is targeted to students with prior training in the evaluation and management of neuromusculoskeletal disorders. This audience includes physicians, physician assistants, chiropractic program students, chiropractic physicians, athletic trainers, occupational therapists, physical therapists and other health care providers.

The program consists of a combination of online lecture, hands-on laboratory exercises and practical field-based experiences (practicums). The practicums include supervised interaction with athletes and active persons in clinics, offices, sports medicine facilities and at sporting events.

Mission Statement

The Master of Science in Sports Medicine is a science based, clinically oriented educational program which provides hands-on experiences and expertise for specialty care in sports medicine. The program promotes academic excellence in the pursuit of advanced training in the assessment and management of the multifaceted needs in sports and active populations. The program prepares graduates to serve as outstanding sports health care clinicians, consultants, researchers, and educators in the world of sports medicine.

MS-Sports Medicine with a Concentration in Physical Assessment and Rehabilitation

Doctor of Chiropractic (DC) students receive an extensive foundation in neuromusculoskeletal anatomy, physiology and biomechanics. The Master of Science in Sports Medicine program builds on this foundation. The concurrent program is offered over a minimum of six quarters and requires the completion of 63 quarter credits, 28 of which can be earned from the chiropractic degree curriculum. These 28 credits are dually attributable to the DC and MS degrees. The remaining 35 credits are from courses offered exclusively to students in the Sports Medicine program. Students who are enrolled in or completed a DC program at UWS or another university may be eligible for this program pathway.

Technical Standards

UWS requires students to demonstrate the physical, cognitive, emotional, professional and social capacity to be competent practitioners in a respective course of study. Applicants should review Policy 1206 Technical Standards to determine whether they are able to meet the standards of the program in which they intend to enroll with or without reasonable accommodations.

If students demonstrate documented need for accommodation in any of these areas, the university will determine the extent to which it can reasonably accommodate the student’s needs. Contact [email protected] for information about requesting accommodations. Regardless of disability status or accommodation, all students must successfully complete the requirements of their program to earn the degree.

Admission Requirements - MS-SM

UWS admits new students into the MS in Sports Medicine program in winter (January) and spring (April) academic terms. Applicants should carefully review the program’s selection criteria to ensure they are making the best possible presentation of their qualifications. The application for admission is available on the UWS website.

In addition to the general entry requirements for the college, students must also meet specific entry requirements listed below for the Sports Medicine program.

• Must have 3 semester/4 quarter credits of work in human anatomy/physiology with preference for exercise physiology (can be undergraduate or graduate coursework). If lacking this pre-requisite, credits can be completed through UWS or another university during the first term of program enrollment.
• Official transcripts verifying a first-professional degree in a field of healthcare that includes the following, or similar, coursework equivalent to at least 22.5 quarter credits or 16 semester credits in neuromuscular diagnosis and treatment, biomechanics, soft tissue therapies/rehabilitation, physiological therapeutics (2.75 GPA required); or
• Current enrollment in the UWS DC program that includes the above coursework in addition to the following requirements:
  • Bachelor’s degree,
  • Minimum 2.75 GPA in current professional health care program,
  • 6th quarter status or above (or another university’s DC program equivalent); or
  • Graduation from the UWS DC or another DC program within the previous seven years.
• Two letters of recommendation.
• Current resume or curriculum vitae.
• Two admissions essays that address prompts about career goals and extracurricular experiences.
• Application fee.
• Pass a comprehensive criminal history background check (requirement at admission).

Students who matriculated in the UWS Chiropractic program without a bachelor’s degree may earn a Bachelor’s in Human Biology to satisfy the requirement for admission to the Sports Medicine program after successful completion of quarter 5 in the DC program and all other bachelor’s degree requirements.

Students who are neither matriculated in the UWS Chiropractic program nor an alumnus of the program but hold an active chiropractic license and an active Certified Chiropractic Sports Physician^® (CCSP^®) credential from the American Chiropractic Board of Sports Physicians may apply for admission. Proof of DC licensure and active CCSP^® will be required at application.

Transfer Credit - MS-SM

Credits must be earned within the past seven years to be considered for transfer (exception granted for those holding an active DC license and an active Certified Chiropractic Sports Physician credential). A student must request evaluation of transfer credit during the application process. See Policy 2007 Transfer Credit for additional conditions related to credit transfer.

Graduation Requirements - MS-SM

The MS-SM degree is conferred upon an individual who has fulfilled the following requirements:

• Maintenance of enrollment eligibility through satisfactory academic performance, professional development and behavior, and non-academic behavior.
• Successful completion of all required courses, lectures, labs, practicums, and seminars with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 on all required coursework.
• Previous or concurrent earning of a first professional degree (at UWS or elsewhere).

Standard Program Lenth - MS-SM

The standard program length for the Master of Science in Sports Medicine program is six (6) quarters. Students may elect to take courses at a different pace. A student taking courses at a different rate than outlined below should contact their student success advisor for course sequencing recommendations. 

A student’s US federal financial aid award may be reduced if they are not taking courses at a rate that will allow them to complete their academic program within the standard program length. A student may contact the Office of Financial Aid at [email protected] if they have specific questions about their financial aid eligibility and/or award.

Concentrations - MS-SM

All students in the program are enrolled in the Physical Assessment and Rehabilitation (PAR) concentration, which is currently the sole concentration offered.

Program Learning Outcomes - MS-SM

Graduates of the MS-SM program will be able to:

1. Develop evidence-informed treatment and performance enhancement plans for athletes and active populations.
2. Perform appropriate evaluations of conditions for athletes and active populations.
3. Apply knowledge of triage in performing acute care of athletes and active populations.
4. Apply ethical and professional practices serving diverse populations in sports treatment.
5. Utilize and plan current and relevant research in sports medicine practice.