10 Best Sports Medicine Degree Programs of 2025

Looking to major in sports medicine? Want to learn about some of the best sports medicine schools in the country?

Keep reading. In this article, we'll discuss top sports medicine degree programs so you can decide which school is right for you.

Top Sports Medicine Degrees of 2024

Let's take a look at the top 10 sports medicine degrees for 2024 and briefly discuss the schools offering these programs. Ready to get started?

1. Pepperdine University

Pepperdine University is a private school headquartered near Malibu, CA. It has several other campuses located in California, Washington, D.C., and internationally.

Pepperdine offers both Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science degrees in sports medicine. A minor is also available for students majoring in another field.

Students in this program have opportunities to study abroad and participate in internships that will prepare them for work in a variety of health, fitness, and sports-related fields.

2. University of Texas - Austin

The University of Texas - Austin is a large public school and the flagship campus of the University of Texas System.

This school offers a versatile Bachelor of Science degree in kinesiology and health.

Five program concentrations are available:

• sport management
• exercise science
• applied movement science
• health promotion and behavioral science
• physical culture and sports

Each concentration educates students in a specialized area of sports medicine, preparing them for careers within that field.

3. University of Georgia

The University of Georgia is the founding member of the University of Georgia System and one of the oldest public schools in the U.S.

This school offers a unique sports medicine degree: a Bachelor of Science in education in exercise and sports science. It is tailored for students to learn how to teach exercise and sports in a school or fitness center.

This program combines various learning activities such as research, labwork, classroom activities, and hands-on learning opportunities through internships.

4. University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill

The University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill is another long-standing public school and the flagship campus of the University of North Carolina System.

This school offers a Bachelor of Arts degree in exercise and sports science. It offers program concentrations in sports administration and fitness professionals.

A minor in sports medicine is also available. Each of these programs prepares students to enter the sports medicine field in a variety of roles depending on their unique interests.

5. University of Michigan

The University of Michigan is the largest and one of the oldest public schools in the state. It offers a variety of sports medicine degree programs.

Students can choose from the following majors:

• applied exercise science
• movement science
• sports management

Each program combines classroom work with fieldwork and internship opportunities to help students put what they learn into practice.

6. McNeese State University

McNeese State University is a public school in Louisiana and a member of the University of Louisiana System.

This school offers a Bachelor of Science in health and human performance with a concentration in sports medicine. The program focuses on fitness training, sports nutrition, and preventing and treating athletic injuries.

Students graduating from the program can pursue work in a variety of sports medicine fields or enter a master's degree program for athletic training, kinesiology, or a related field.

7. University of Virginia

The University of Virginia was founded by Thomas Jefferson in 1819. It is a large public school with a wide variety of degree programs.

One of the available programs is a Bachelor of Science in education in kinesiology. Graduates of this program are prepared to work in various health- and fitness-education fields.

The versatile major allows students a variety of courses to choose from so they can shape their degree their way. Various research, classroom, and clinical opportunities are also included in the degree program.

8. University of Pittsburgh

The University of Pittsburgh is a large public school in PA. It was founded in 1787, making it one of the oldest schools in the country.

Sports medicine students can enroll in the Bachelor of Science in exercise science degree program. An accelerated bachelor's-to-master's in athletic training is also available.

Students in these programs will have ample experiential learning opportunities as they prepare for a diverse array of careers in exercise, fitness, sports, and sports medicine.

9. Rice University

Rice University is a private school that belongs to the Association of American Universities.

The school offers a Bachelor of Arts degree in sports medicine and exercise physiology. Students in this program learn to prevent, diagnose, and treat athletic injuries and conduct research relative to sports medicine.

Students must complete at least 120 hours to graduate, including 43 core courses and eight advanced courses.

10. Sam Houston State University

Sam Houston State University is a public school located in Huntsville, Texas. It belongs to the Texas State University System.

The school offers a Bachelor of Science in kinesiology. Students in this program can pursue a concentration in clinical exercise science that includes a 400-hour internship.

This degree pairs well with the school's master's degree in athletic training. Those graduating with a bachelor's degree can work in a variety of settings such as fitness centers, hospitals, and schools.

FAQs About Sports Medicine Degrees

Let's take a look at some frequently asked questions you may have about sports medicine degrees.

What Is a Sports Medicine Degree?

Sports medicine is an expansive field. Sports medicine degrees can include majors in sports medicine, kinesiology, health and human performance, exercise science, athletic training, and more.

What Careers Can You Pursue With a Sports Medicine Degree?

A sports medicine degree can lead to a wide variety of career opportunities.

Some of your professional options include:

• personal training
• athletic training
• fitness instructing
• sports nutrition
• sports management

Can You Get a Sports Medicine Degree Online?

While a few schools offer online sports medicine degrees, most of these degree programs must be completed on campus. This is largely due to internship and lab work experiences which must be completed in person.

Start Your Path to a Sports Medicine Degree Today

If you're ready for a career in sports medicine, check out the degree programs outlined in this article. You're sure to find a major that fits your specific interests and career goals.