Movement Science Degree, Sports Medicine Concentration, B.S.

Sports medicine program students at Westfield State University practice putting on a foot and ankle brace in rehabilitation facility.

From Injury Prevention to Recovery—Build Your Future in Sports Medicine

The Sports Medicine concentration at Westfield State University offers a dynamic, pre-professional path for students interested in allied health careers such as physical therapy, occupational therapy, athletic training, and rehabilitation sciences. Designed as a concentration within the Movement Science major, this program combines foundational coursework in human physiology and physical activity with advanced study in injury assessment, therapeutic techniques, and health science.

Through an integrated curriculum, students explore kinesiology, nutrition, exercise physiology, and sport psychology while developing clinical skills in upper and lower extremity injury evaluation, therapeutic exercise, and medical documentation. The program emphasizes evidence-based practice, cultural competence, and inter-professional learning—equipping students with the collaborative problem-solving skills needed in modern healthcare environments.

In addition to completing the 27-credit Movement Science core, students in the Sports Medicine concentration must also earn a related healthcare credential (such as EMT, CNA, PCA, or phlebotomy) and complete coursework aligned with their professional goals. With guidance from faculty advisors, students select electives in biology, chemistry, psychology, or physics that best support graduate school requirements or direct-entry healthcare roles.

Professional development is built into the program, with required benchmarks for Intermediate and Advanced Standing. Students engage in academic, clinical, and community-based activities and develop resumes, personal statements, and career readiness skills to prepare for competitive internships, certifications, or graduate study.

Whether you’re aiming to enter the workforce or pursue advanced education, the Sports Medicine concentration offers a comprehensive, flexible, and student-centered foundation for a future in health and human performance.

Program Highlights

  • Work alongside certified professionals in clinical and fitness settings
  • Study how technology supports injury prevention and recovery
  • Build communication skills for healthcare team settings
  • Prepare for careers through senior seminars and events

Discover Your Path in Sports Medicine

Build the skills to promote health and wellness through injury prevention and rehabilitation.

Where Movement Meets Medicine: Your Path to Injury Prevention and Recovery

  • Student presenting research findings at the Undergraduate Research Conference.

    Master the Science of Human Movement and Injury Prevention

    Gain a comprehensive understanding of the biomechanics of human movement, musculoskeletal function, and the science behind injury prevention. This concentration emphasizes the key principles of physical activity and how they relate to maintaining long-term health and preventing injuries. Students will explore injury risk factors, prevention strategies, and rehabilitation techniques, preparing them for a variety of careers that focus on proactive healthcare and rehabilitation.

  • Three students learn to use an otoscope and ophthalmoscope in a classroom activity.

    Become Skilled in Injury Assessment and Recovery

    Develop expertise in assessing and treating sports-related injuries. Through specialized courses in musculoskeletal anatomy, injury evaluation, and therapeutic modalities, students will acquire the practical skills needed to create effective rehabilitation programs. This concentration prepares you to enter the healthcare field with hands-on knowledge of injury care and recovery, providing you with the expertise to work in clinical and sports medicine settings.

  • Movement science students in a lab fitting a classmate with crutches.

    Prepare for Advanced Healthcare Careers

    The Sports Medicine concentration provides a pathway for students interested in advanced healthcare careers, such as physical therapy, occupational therapy, and athletic training. Students gain real-world experience through a mix of core courses and electives tailored to the healthcare field. By completing certifications in healthcare-related areas and engaging in professional development, you’ll build a competitive edge for graduate programs or direct-entry roles in today’s evolving healthcare landscape.

Program Details

Learning Outcomes
  • Students will understand and demonstrate cultural competence.
  • Students will understand the need for and will demonstrate proficiency in written and oral communications and be able to utilize different forms of current technology.
  • Students will use reflective practices to plan, implement and evaluate program, personal, community and professional goals.
  • Students will demonstrate an ability to explain the relevance of scientific and theoretical knowledge appropriate to his/her chosen field of study to everyday problems.
  • Students will utilize critical inquiry to advance knowledge and apply that knowledge to practice.
  • Students will understand the importance of and will engage in professional behaviors including pursuit of appropriate credentials.
  • Students will understand the role of Physical Activity in the Health and Wellness of individuals across the lifespan.
  • Students will value and participate in Civic Engagement.

As an out of state student, WSU is the perfect distance away from home. Also, being a Movement Science major, I love the state of the art facilities and innovative faculty.

Student Tour Guide Smiling

Nicholas '25

What Can You Do with a Movement Science Degree, Sports Medicine Concentration, B.S.?

A Movement Science degree with a Sports Medicine concentration prepares students for a wide range of careers focused on human movement, injury prevention, and rehabilitation. Preparation of students for graduate school (needed to obtain certification for a career as a Physical Therapist, Occupational Therapist, or a Physician’s Assistant) or continuing education for credentials in an allied health profession is a key focus of the program. Whether entering the workforce immediately or continuing on to advanced study, graduates are equipped with the knowledge and skills to succeed in healthcare and fitness-related roles. Potential career paths include:

  • Exercise Specialist
  • Rehabilitation Aide or Technician
  • Athletic Trainer Assistant
  • Strength and Conditioning Coach
  • Health & Wellness Coach
  • Personal Trainer
  • Corporate Wellness Coordinator
Students attentively listening to an instructor during a splinting lab session.

Ready to learn more?

Course Requirements

Program Description

About the Program

The Sports Medicine concentration is a pre-professional preparation option which completes requirements for a Movement Science major with an integrated concentration in Sports Medicine and Health Science. Students are required to create an individualized plan of study appropriate to be eligible to apply for graduate school and other forms of continuing education in the allied health fields. Further study is required to obtain credentials in an allied health profession, however, entry-level healthcare career pathways are accessible for the student completing all program requirements. The integrated curriculum provides students the opportunity for interprofessional learning and problem solving, skill sets required by the evolving healthcare system and graduate programs.

Requirements

All majors in the Department of Sports Medicine and Human Performance must complete the twenty-seven (27) credits of courses specific below. A minimum grade point average of 2.5 in the Major Core Classes is required to be eligible to graduate with a degree from the department.

In order to successfully complete the Sports Medicine Concentration, students must:

  • Earn a minimum GPA of 2.5 in the Major Core courses.
  • Take all required Sports Medicine Concentration courses.
  • Earn a health care (or related) credential (EMT, CNA, PCA, HHA, phlebotomy, scribe, etc.)
  • Meet academic and professional development criteria necessary to earn both Intermediate and Advanced Standing in the Movement Science Department, as outlined in the Departmental Benchmarks section.
  • In addition, students pursuing a career in an allied health field must meet prerequisite standards for graduate level education in that field (i.e. PT, OT, PA, etc.). Information on these requirements may be obtained directly from the programs to which the student intends to apply.
Movement Science Major Core (27 credits)

Majors in the Department of Sports Medicine and Human Performance must complete the 27-credit Major Core curriculum, along with general education coursework, concentration-specific requirements, and professional development benchmarks, including Intermediate Standing and Advanced Standing.

The Major Core is organized into four key areas: Scientific Foundations, Motor Behavior, Evidence-Based Practices, and Cultural Competence.

Please note: requirements within the Major Core may vary slightly depending on your concentration. Be sure to review your program plan or speak with your advisor for guidance. There are minimum GPA requirements to be eligible for graduation:

  • Major Core: minimum 2.5 GPA
  • Concentration: minimum 2.7 GPA (3.0 for PE)
  • Overall: minimum 2.8 GPA

Scientific Foundations (18 credits)

Motor Behavior (3 credits)

Choose one of the following courses based on your concentration:

Evidence-Based Practice (3 credits)

Choose one of the following courses based on your concentration:

Cultural Competence (3 credits)

Choose one of the following courses based on your concentration:

Professional Development Procedures

Active participation in professional practices and development opportunities outside of coursework is an essential requirement of the Movement Science major. Throughout the program, students must document these experiences in an E-Portfolio, along with other specified criteria, to meet the Intermediate Standing and Advanced Standing benchmarks required for academic progression.

At the core of the department's philosophy is the belief that true professional growth extends beyond the classroom. Engaging in professional development opportunities-such as attending academic lectures and campus events, volunteering in clinical or community settings, participating in social justice-oriented educational activities, and taking on leadership roles in professional clubs or conferences-allows students to apply their knowledge, build meaningful connections, and cultivate the habits, confidence, and adaptability required in real-world settings. These experiences not only enrich academic learning but also prepare students to be reflective, proactive, and effective professionals in their chosen fields. The department regularly announces a variety of on- and off-campus events that support professional development. Students are also encouraged to take initiative and pursue additional opportunities of personal and professional interest beyond those formally promoted or announced.

Intermediate Standing

Students should submit the Intermediate Standing E-Portfolio during their sophomore year. Successful completion of this benchmark allows students to continue in their concentration with upper-level courses (300- and 400-level). Additional information can be found in the SMHP department manual and concentration manuals. For concentration specific requirements, students must consult the manual and thei academic advisors.

Intermediate Standing Requirements:

  • Minimum GPA of 2.5 in the following two (2) courses:
  • Intermediate Standing Application
  • Student Acknowledgement Form
  • Copy of Degree Evaluation
  • Current First Aid/CPR Certification
  • Minimum of 12 Professional Development Points (PDPs) across four (4) different areas:
    • Academic (3), Clinical (3), Professional (3), and Social Justice (3)
  • Writing Sample (ENGL 0101; graded; B- or higher)

Advanced Standing

Students should submit the Advanced Standing E-Portfolio in the semester prior to their culminating practicum/internship/field experience. Advanced Standing is a high-stakes benchmark. Successful completion of this benchmark allows students to participate in practicum/internship/field experience. Additional information can be found in the SMHP department manual and concentration manuals. For concentration specific requirements, students must consult the manual and thei academic advisors.

Advanced Standing Requirements:

  • Minimum GPA of 2.5 in the Major Core (27 credits)
  • Minimum GPA of 2.7 in Concentration (3.0 for Physical Education Licensure)
  • Minimum GPA of 2.8 Overall
  • Advanced Standing Application
  • Intermediate Standing Approval Letter
  • Personal Statment (PE/EXCS/PHPA)/ Cover Letter (SM)
  • Professional Resume
  • Current First Aid/CPR
  • Current Membership in a professional organization
  • Three (3) department faculty recommendations
  • Two (2) recommendation from outside the department/university
  • Minimum of 16 Professional Development Points (PDPs) across four (4) different areas:
    • Academic (4), Clinical (4), Professional (4), and Social Justice (4)
Sports Medicine Concentration

The following is a listing of the Sports Medicine Concentration requirements beyond those of the Movement Science Core:

Required Courses

Additional Requirements

7 credits of courses selected from the following list in consultation with the advisor:

Additional Graduation Requirements

All students must meet the University Graduation Requirements and complete a general education or common core of studies, distributed among the different academic areas as detailed in General Education: WISE or Common Core.

Get Big School Features with Small School Advantages

We offer high-quality academics, unique learning opportunities, and a welcoming campus—and we have small classes, accessible faculty, and one-on-one support. 

You'll join fellow motivated students ready to make the most of the college experience through active participation. Become part of a caring and committed community that understands and embraces the bridge between academic study and civic responsibility.

  • 17:1

    student-faculty ratio

  • 87%

    Of students receive financial aid

  • 700+

    Internship opportunities

Personalized Attention from Dedicated Faculty

At our institution, faculty members hold advanced degrees in the subjects they teach. Imagine a learning environment where personalized attention is not just a promise but a reality. Your professors are not just educators; they are mentors committed to expanding your horizons. Through a blend of dynamic coursework and hands-on projects, we're dedicated to not just teaching but elevating your knowledge and skills.

Movement Science faculty member wearing sunglass holding a sweatshirt that says Sports Medicine.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to submit SAT/ACT scores or an essay when I apply?

Westfield State University does not require an application essay, SAT and/or ACT scores, or letters of recommendation (except for special program admissions).     

All first-year applicants are reviewed for admission based on their high school record. First-year applicants must meet the minimum eligibility requirements established by the Massachusetts Department of Higher Education (DHE) in order to qualify for admission to a state university.   

Learn more about the application process and admissions here.

How much does Westfield State University cost?

Westfield State University offers a comprehensive university experience at an affordable cost—with many options for financial aid. Visit our Cost and Aid page to learn more.

Will I receive academic support?

We’re invested in your success. Whether you need a little help adjusting to college, study strategies, tutoring, or Student Accessibility Services, the academic support team is ready to help. Our mission is to provide you with the tools to explore academic opportunities as well as to plot strategies for continued growth.

Learn more about our student support services here.

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Movement Science Degree, Sports Medicine Concentration, B.S.