Sports Medicine Undergraduate Program

Athletic training student overseeing person's weightlifting form.

Your foundation for a career in health care

If you want to become a health care provider, the sports medicine major puts you on the right path.

Fast-track toward an athletic training degree and career. Be qualified and prepared for other professional programs like physical therapy or occupational therapy.

Pathway options

The sports medicine major offers two degree options, or pathways. Select the pathway that matches your goals and needs.

  • Pre-athletic training (Pre-AT): Take your first step toward becoming a certified athletic trainer, someone who specializes in athletic health care.
  • Traditional: Branch out from athletic training. Explore other sports medicine and health care fields. Enter the workforce after you graduate or progress into a professional program.

Both pathways give you a bachelor's degree in sports medicine as well.

Student working on patient's cast during athletic training class.
Degree plan
Review a sample degree plan for the pre-athletic training (Pre-AT) pathway.
Students at physical therapy clinic.
Degree plan
Review a sample degree plan for the traditional pathway.

Why major in sports medicine at Missouri State?

Athletic training student doing demonstration with patient.

Get experience

Work with sports medicine clinics, athletes, physicians, and other health care providers while in school.

Student using an instrument to measure a patient's knee.

Build your foundation

Gain the credentials a health care provider needs. Have basic science knowledge and a strong health care background.

Student stretching another student's shoulder.

Start early on your master's degree

Pave the way for early admission into the Master of Athletic Training (MAT) program. Become a certified athletic trainer, sooner.

Professor demonstrating how to use exercise bands.

Have the flexibility to branch out

Don't want to do athletic training? Take the traditional pathway and explore other fields. Meet the admission requirements for a professional degree in physical therapy, occupational therapy and more.

By the numbers

Join a career field where your services are in demand.

New jobs

16%

Projected job growth for athletic trainers through 2029, much faster than national average.
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics
Pay

$48,440

Average salary for athletic trainers.
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics
Local workforce

#1

Health care is Springfield's top growth industry, employing about 17% of the total workforce.
Source: SGF Area Chamber of Commerce

Take your education to the next level

Our master's degree programs will enhance your abilities and prepare you for greater career roles.

Master's
Do you already have a bachelor's degree and want to become an athletic trainer? You need this program. Earn your master's degree and be eligible for certification.
Master's
Choose this program if you're already a certified athletic trainer or have a master's degree. Advance your skills and knowledge.
Master's
Keep people healthy and disease-free.
Master's
Lead healthy lifestyles. Improve the wellness of groups and communities.