25 Best Online Master’s Degrees in Sports Medicine in 2021

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Updated June 24, 2021

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The following 25 Best Online Master's Degrees in Sports Medicine exercise students' ability to address every topic involving kinesthetics and delivering an optimized sports performance. 

Earning a Master's degree in sports medicine allows students to exercise, both, their brain and muscles in a broad range of athletic studies. The following list of Grad School Hub's 25 Best Online Master's Degrees in Sports Management includes programs focused on exercise science, health and human performance, kinesiology, physical education, sports coaching, sports management, and strength and conditioning. The curricula cover biological, ethical, legal, professional, and psychological approaches to sports medicine. Graduate study in the field is ideal for those who wish to stretch their sports medicine skills or gain more specialized expertise within the athletic realm. Online degrees offer students the opportunity to do so in an affordable, convenient, and flexible manner.

Graduates of the following programs may be eligible to sit for relevant professional certification or licensure exams. Masters degree holders in Sports Medicine may move into roles as athletic coaches, exercise physiologists, or sports team managers. Exercise physiologists typically assess exercise risk, conduct fitness tests, measure patient health indicators, and develop effective exercise programs. They may work for hospitals, health care providers, athletic clubs, or universities. According to the most recent report by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, exercise physiologists earn a median annual salary of $49,090. The field is growing at a faster-than-average rate of 13 percent. This rise in demand for exercise physiologists may be due to the increasing emphasis on exercise as preventative care.

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These top, accredited schools offer a variety of online graduate degree programs. Figuring out where to apply? Consider one of these online Master’s or PhD programs.

25 Best Online Master's Degrees in Sports Medicine in 2021

  1. University of Texas of the Permian Basin
    Location

    Odessa, TX

    Tuition

    $4451

    Grad School Hub's No. 1 online master's degree in Sports Medicine is the Master of Science in Kinesiology offered by the University of Texas of the Permian Basin. The program is wide-ranging and customizable in its approach to the study of human movement. The 36-credit-hour curriculum includes core courses in Advanced Exercise Physiology, Advanced Sport Psychology, Research Methods, and Statistics. Students additionally choose an area of interest in Exercise Science; Psychology of Exercise and Sport; and Teaching, Coaching, and Administration. Students also have the choice to pursue a thesis or non-thesis option. The non-thesis option involves a research project in lieu of a master's thesis.

    UTPB was established in 1973 and originally offered only junior, senior, and graduate-level university programs. The university began accepting freshman and sophomores in 1991. Today, the public university is part of the University of Texas System. Located in Odessa, TX, UTPB is growing rapidly as a result of the oil boom in the Permian Basin. Facilities include the JBS Public Leadership Institute and the Center for Energy and Economic Diversification. The Texas – Permian Basin Falcons participate in the National Collegiate Athletic Association as members of the Lone Star Conference. U.S. News & World Report ranks the university 88th in the West and 32nd among public schools.

  2. Texas A&M University
    Location

    Commerce, TX

    Tuition

    $11100

    Texas A&M University – Commerce offers a Master of Science in Health, Kinesiology & Sport Studies. Students can choose a concentration in Athletic Administration, Health Promotion, Exercise Science, or Physical Education Pedagogy. All concentrations can be completed 100 percent online except Exercise Science, which is offered in a 60-percent-online hybrid format. The Health Promotion and Exercise Science concentrations offer both thesis and non-thesis options. Core courses for all concentrations include Statistical Procedures and History, Philosophy, & Current Topics in Human Performance.

    Texas A&M – Commerce was established in 1889 as East Texas Normal College. It relocated to its current campus in Commerce, TX, after an 1894 fire destroyed its original campus in Cooper. Commerce lies on the eastern edge of the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, about 65 miles from downtown Dallas. The university also operates satellite campuses in Downtown Dallas, Mesquite, and Rockwall. It also offers courses in the Texas towns of Corsicana, Frisco, McKinney, and Midlothian. The public state research university is the fourth oldest state institution in Texas and the third largest member institution of the Texas A&M University System. Its mascot is Lucky the Lion.

  3. University of Louisiana at Monroe
    Location

    Monroe, LA

    Tuition

    $18590

    The University of Louisiana at Monroe offers a Sport Management Concentration within its Master of Science in Exercise Science. The program is offered in a fully online format, except for the required comprehensive exams, which must be taken in person. Sport Management concentrated course offerings include Sport Sociology, Marketing, and Public Relations in Sport, and Safety and Risk Management in Sport. Students may choose to complete an internship, though it is not required. The program totals 36 credit hours.

    ULM was established in 1931 under the name Ouachita Parish Junior College. After several name changes, the university was renamed to its current name in 1999. Today, the public university is a member institution of the University of Louisiana System. Its campus is located in urban Monroe, LA. Until 2017, the university's Natural History Museum housed collections of 6 million specimens of fish. The ULM water ski team is the most successful collegiate water ski team in history.

  4. United States Sports Academy
    Location

    Daphne, AL

    Tuition

    $16200

    The United States Sports Academy offers a 33-semester-hour Master of Sports Science program. Students can begin their studies at any time, and all courses are offered entirely online. The curriculum includes courses in Contemporary Issues in Sports, Psychological Aspects of Health and Fitness Programming, and Sports Club Management. Students can choose to pursue a thesis option, non-thesis option, or mentorship option. The thesis option involves an original research thesis, a master's portfolio, and two 90-minute oral presentations, which may be completed on campus or through video conference. The non-thesis option requires students to successfully pass three additional courses. Alternatively, students can opt for an experiential mentorship component, in which they work with and learn from sports industry professionals in their area. Those choosing the non-thesis or mentorship routes must also take a comprehensive exam to complete their studies.

    The United States Sports Academy opened in response to unsatisfactory performance by the U.S. Olympic team at the 1972 Olympics in Munich. Dr. Thomas P. Rosandich felt athletes were lacking effective coaching, so he sought to remedy the problem through a specialized institution. The sports-centric institution offers bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degree programs as well as certificate programs in sports coaching, management, strength and conditioning, and sports studies. The Academy campus is located in rural Daphne, AL.

  5. University of Texas Rio Grande Valley
    Location

    Edinburg, TX

    Tuition

    $13190

    The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley offers a Master of Science in Kinesiology through its Department of Health and Human Performance. Applicants should hold a Bachelor's degree in Kinesiology or a related field from an accredited institution. Students of UT Rio Grande can follow a thesis track or non-thesis route. The non-thesis route involves an independent study research project. The 36-credit hour curriculum is customizable, allowing students to design their plan of study with a graduate advisor. Required courses include Applied Test and Measurements in Kinesiology or Statistics, History and Philosophy of Kinesiology, and Research Methods. Students can choose from elective offerings such as Ethics in Sport; Planning and Use of Facilities, and Current Readings in Kinesiology.

    Founded in 2013, UTRGV is a relatively new university. Entering into full operation in 2015, the university was born from the consolidation of the University of Texas at Brownsville/Texas Southernmost College, the University of Texas – Pan American, and the UT Regional Academic Health Center – Harlingen. A new medical school was added to the institution. The public state university operates multiple campuses throughout the Rio Grande Valley region of Texas. UTRGV is noted as one of the largest universities in the United States to have a primarily Hispanic student population, at just over 89 percent. The majority of students are Mexican Americans.

  6. University of Texas at Tyler
    Location

    Tyler, TX

    Tuition

    $13374

    The University of Texas at Tyler offers a Master of Science in Kinesiology. The program prepares graduates for careers in coaching, personal training, health promotion and more. It is also suitable for clinical professionals looking to deepen their understanding of kinesiology. The 36-hour curriculum can be completed in a face-to-face format, a hybrid format, or entirely online. Required courses include Biomechanics, Cardiorespiratory Exercise Physiology, and Motor Learning. In order to complete the program, each student must successfully pass a comprehensive exam and complete a master's thesis or internship. Practicum partnership sites include The University of Texas at San Antonio; Women, Infants & Children Clinic; and the Cancer Foundation for Life.

    UT Tyler opened in 1971 as Tyler State College. It later joined the University of Texas System and gained university status. The public state university is located in Tyler, TX, on a suburban park-like campus situated around Harvey Lake. A prominent campus feature is Riter Tower, which houses a carillon featuring 57 bells. The instrument is connected to an electronic keyboard which can be operated through the university's music department, administration building, or at the tower's base. U.S. News & World Report ranks the university 81st in the West and 27th among national public schools.

  7. University of Northern Colorado
    Location

    Greeley, CO

    Tuition

    $19551

    The University of Northern Colorado offers a Master of Arts in Sport Coaching program designed for individuals who already hold a professional coaching position. The program builds advanced expertise in communication, ethics, law, motivation, psychology, and safety in relation to athletic coaching. The 30-credit hour degree is formatted to allow students to focus on one course at a time. Courses are offered entirely online, and most incorporate video technology. The program of study includes courses in Psychology for Sports Coaches, International Perspectives of Sports Coaching, and Teacher and Coach Action Research. The program also involves a graduate internship and a comprehensive exam. Students finish off the program with their own original independent research project.

    UNC is a public research university with the main campus in Greeley, CO with additional campus locations in Colorado Springs, Denver, and Loveland. The university also operates a group of cabins called Old Man Mountain in Colorado's Estes Park, which serves as a retreat location for the local community. Campus facilities include the Skinner Music Library; The Lydia Ruyle Room of Women's Art; the UNC Herbarium; and the Southern Rocky Mountain Reference Collection, which is comprised of flower and fruit species of the region. The school mascot is Klawz the Bear.

  8. Georgia Southern University
    Location

    Statesboro, GA

    Tuition

    $26518

    Georgia Southern University offers a Master of Science in Kinesiology with a Coaching Education Concentration. The online program is designed for both entry-level and experienced coaches. The annual application deadline is April 1. The 36-credit curriculum consists of 12 fully online courses. Courses cover athletic training, coaching administration and effectiveness, and performance enhancement. The program of study includes courses in Sports Administration and Sports Biomechanics, Injury Prevention and Research Methods for Coaches, and Teaching Analysis and Psychology of Peak Performance. All students must also complete a coaching practicum. The entire degree program spans four semesters.

    GS opened in 1906 as a land grant college. Today, the university is comprised of three campuses: a flagship campus in Statesboro, GA; the Armstrong Campus in Savannah; and the Liberty Campus in Hinesville. The public university is a member institution of the University System of Georgia. It is classified as a Doctoral and Research Institution by the Carnegie Foundation. Its research undertakings address advancement in renewable energy and environmental science. The university is home to the Institute of Arthropodology and Parasitology, featuring the U.S. National Tick Collection, the world's largest collection of ticks. Georgia Southern's graduate Public Health programs are ranked 71st in the country by U.S. News & World Report.

  9. University of Southern Mississippi
    Location

    Hattiesburg, MS

    Tuition

    $10514

    The University of Southern Mississippi offers a Master of Science in Kinesiology with a Physical Education Emphasis. The program is delivered in a 100 percent online format with no residency requirements. The 36-credit hour curriculum includes required courses in Legal Aspects of Sport, Motor Learning, and Sport Skill Analysis. Students who choose to pursue a master's thesis must take six thesis credit hours. Those opting for a non-thesis route must take a three-credit course in Special Problems, wherein they explore an area of interest and produce a scholarly research paper. All students are required to pass a comprehensive exam.

    Southern Miss opened in 1910 as Mississippi Normal College. Over the last century, it has grown into a public research university. A dual-campus institution, the university has a main campus in suburban Hattiesburg, MS, and an additional large campus in Long Beach, MS. The school operates five additional research and instruction sires, including the Gulf Coast Research Laboratory, the John C. Stennis Space Center, and a polymer science research center. The university mascot is the Golden Eagle, which is reflected by a gigantic three-ton sculpture on campus. It is one of the few universities to allow an annual two-year holiday in celebration of Mardi Gras.

  10. Louisiana State University
    Location

    Baton Rouge, LA

    Tuition

    $9132

    Louisiana State University offers a Master of Science in Kinesiology with specialization in Sport Management. The non-thesis degree program is a collaboration between the university's business, communication, human sciences and education, and kinesiology. The curriculum covers current best practices in sport management, as well as social and professional issues in the sports world. Courses also equip students with practical and business skills applicable to the field of sport management. Core courses include Economic Issues in Sport, Financial Issues in Sport, and Social Issues in Sport. Students also complete a semester-long internship in an area of sport management. The degree can be completed in as few as 12 months on a full-time basis, though students can choose to complete it at a slower pace on a part-time basis.

    LSU was originally established in 1853 but closed with the start of the Civil War. While the seminary reopened when the war ended, the campus was burned to the ground four years later and relocated to its current location of Baton Rouge, LA. LSU is the flagship school of the state of Louisiana and the flagship institution of the Louisiana State University System. The public research university is designated as a land-, sea-, and space-grant institution. It has conducted research endeavors sponsored by agencies such as the National Institutes of Health, National Science Foundation, and NASA. The university also operates multiple museums, including the LSU Museum of Art, the LSU Museum of Natural Science, and the LSU Rural Life Museum. U.S. News & World Report ranks the university 70th among public schools nationally.

Our Methodology, Explained

Grad School Hub compiles rankings based on public data released from educational, commercial, and government databases. Sources such as the National Center for Education Statistics and the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics play a significant role in how we source our educational data. After collecting insight for each institution, we organize information into five weighted categories.
Metric Data Used Percentage
Academic Quality Full-time faculty percentage, student-to-faculty ratio, student retention and graduation rates 30%
Affordability Tuition rates, median student debt, and financial aid 10%
Reputation Admission and enrollment rates 30%
Program Offerings Number of program options 20%
Online Enrollment Score Portion of learners taking at least one online course 10%
A more comprehensive evaluation of how each category is determined and scored is accessible on our Ranking Methodology page.

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GradSchoolHub.com is an advertising-supported site. Featured or trusted partner programs and all school search, finder, or match results are for schools that compensate us. This compensation does not influence our school rankings, resource guides, or other editorially-independent information published on this site.

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