4 Rewarding Careers in Sports Medicine

A sports medicine certificate can help you build the foundational knowledge and skills needed to work directly with athletes to support their health and wellness. Tulane School of Medicine, in partnership with the Tulane School of Professional Advancement and Tulane Center for Sport, offers a Graduate Certificate in Sports Medicine to help you break into this competitive field. Sports medicine professionals are often responsible for researching and improving athletes' performance. They must be well-versed in the recognition, care, prevention, and rehabilitation of various sports-related injuries. Here are some of the most in-demand and rewarding career paths in sports medicine.

Athletic Trainer

Athletic trainers work directly with athletes as well as with coaches, doctors, and physical therapists to prevent, identify, and, if necessary, treat a variety of athletic injuries. Unlike personal trainers, who primarily teach sports movements, athletic trainers are recognized as allied health professionals and must be licensed in most states. While many entry-level jobs are available in athletic training, an advanced degree may be required for more advanced and specialized roles within the industry.

Exercise Physiologist

Exercise physiologists are highly focused on the biomechanics of athletic movements and work directly with athletes to improve their physical fitness. By performing medical tests and measuring vital signs such as blood pressure and oxygen levels, exercise physiologists identify the health risks that athletes may face. They then use the data to create fitness plans that boost athletic performance safely.

Strength and Conditioning Coach

Competitive athletes must exercise and train regularly to maintain an optimal level of physical fitness. Strength and conditioning coaches work closely with athletes during this process, teaching them safe, proper ways to perform aerobic exercises, weight lifting, and endurance training. It's recommended that aspiring strength and conditioning coaches are certified by the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA).

Nutritionist

Sports medicine professionals with a background in health and wellness may also pursue careers in nutrition. In the sports industry, nutritionists advise individual athletes or entire teams on the best diets for optimal athletic performance, and they sometimes even design menus and meal plans for entire sports seasons. In addition to having the necessary educational background, nutritionists must be certified by the American Dietetics Association.

A sports medicine certificate is an excellent first step toward your career in the sports industry. Gain fundamentals in sports conditioning, nutrition, and medicine while working directly with industry professionals. Like many certificates from Tulane School of Professional Advancement, this certificate is offered completely online, so you're able to further your education without putting your professional or personal life on hold. Request more information today to learn more about our sports programs.