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Kinesiology and Health

Sports Medicine (M.S.)

Master of Science
Program Coordinator: Shelley Linens, Ph.D, ATC
Faculty: Cheryl Appleberry, MS, ATC

The M.S. major in Sports Medicine prepares students for career opportunities in the field of athletic training. The program includes coursework and laboratory experiences in the prevention, management, evaluation, and rehabilitation of athletic injuries. The purpose of this program is to provide qualified candidates with in-depth experiences beyond entry-level athletic training expectations. Additionally, all students must complete a minimum of 400 hours of clinical experience in an approved setting as part of the degree program requirements.

Program Admission

Candidates for this program must be a National Athletic Trainers' Association (NATA) certified athletic trainer or be eligible for NATA certification by the Omaha-based Board of Certification (BOC). Candidates may be eligible for NATA certification upon graduation from a CAATE accredited undergraduate athletic training program. An interested program applicant must apply for graduate admissions into Georgia State University. Please use this web address for online application submission:  ONLINE APPLICATION

Additionally, a program applicant must provide:

  • Cover letter including the graduate assistant position(s) of interest
  • Copy of resume
  • List of reference names and contact information
Materials should be emailed to Dr. Shelley W. Linens at slinens@gsu.edu. Applicants will also be required to participate in a personal interview with clinical supervisors and/or faculty.

Program of Study

A. Professional Studies (12)
Required (12):

  • EPRS 7900 Methods of Research in Education (3) or KH 7820 Research Design (3)
  • KH    7500 Physiology of Exercise (3)
  • KH    7530 Applied Anatomy for Sports Medicine (3)
  • KH    8780 Biomechanics of Sports Medicine(3)

B. Major (24)
Required (16):

  • KH    7580 Concepts of Orthopedic Rehabilitation (3)
  • KH    7660 Practicum in Athletic Training (4)
  • KH    8265 Therapeutic Modalities in Orthopedic Rehabilitation (3)
  • KH    8300 Orthopedic Basis of Injury (3)
  • KH    8900 Evidence Based Practice in Sports Medicine (3)

For students completing a master’s thesis (8)
Required (5):  KH 7990 Master’s Thesis (5)
Elective (3): Choose one course from elective list (3 hours)

For students completing a master’s project (8)
Required (2):  KH 8820 Scientific Inquiry in Sports Medicine (2)
Electives (6): Choose two courses from elective list (6 hours)

 Elective Course List:

  • BIOL  7240 Human Physiology (3)
  • BIOL  7250 Human Physiology Laboratory (1)
  • KH     6560 Budgeting and Finance in Sports and Recreation (3)
  • KH     7200 Cultural Aspects of Sport (3)
  • KH     7380 Planning and Management of Sports Facilities (3)
  • KH     7550 Fitness Assessment and Exercise Prescription (3)
  • KH     7610 Sports Law (3)
  • KH     7620 Clinical Exercise Physiology (3)
  • KH     7820 Research Design (3)
  • KH     8390 ECG and Exercise Stress Testing (3)
  • RT      6005 Clinical Cardiopulmonary Physiology (3)
  • SNHP 6000 Research for the Health Professions (3)
  • Other courses may be selected with consent of adviser.

Program total: minimum of 36 semester hours