Sports majors offer a wide range of courses that focus on different aspects of the sports industry, including sports administration, marketing, science, and medicine. These programs are designed to prepare graduates for careers in various fields such as sports, healthcare, media, and education. Some of the courses that students may encounter in sports majors include physiology and anatomy, first aid/CPR, kinaesthesis, psychophysiology, muscle mechanics, nutrition and health, dietetics, rehab and therapy, sports promotions and marketing, sports media and journalism, sports event and facilities management, and sports facility accounting and financing.
There are many sports-related majors available to students at the bachelor's, master's, and doctoral levels. Each major offers unique courses and career opportunities. Here are 5 sports majors and some potential career options for graduates:
1. Exercise Science: In an exercise science degree program, students focus on human movement, kinesiology, anatomy, physiology, and sports nutrition. They learn about biological processes, rehabilitation, and how to design training and nutrition programs for individuals of all ages and health needs. Graduates with an exercise science degree may pursue careers as athletic trainers, personal trainers, fitness coaches, physical education instructors, athletic scouts, or directors of sports.
2. Exercise Physiology: Exercise physiology majors study how the body responds to physical activities and intensities. They may take courses in anatomy, physiology, kinesiology, health and wellness, sports performance, and lab work. Possible careers for exercise physiology graduates include exercise physiologists, PT assistants, conditioning coaches, personal trainers, or rehabilitation experts.
3. Sports Training: Athletic training programs focus on providing first aid and rehabilitation for athletes. Students learn about anatomy, physiology, first aid/CPR, exercise science, kinesiology, sports medicine, nutrition, rehabilitation, and gain field experience working with professional trainers. Graduates of athletic training programs can work as middle or high school sports trainers, athletic trainers in colleges, athletic recreation trainers, or league athletic trainers.
4. Physical Therapy (PT): Physical therapy programs offer master's and doctoral degrees for students who want to become physical therapists or work in supportive roles. Students will study anatomy, physiology, kinesiology, exercise science, sports medicine, physics, and gain clinical experience working with expert physical therapists. Job opportunities for physical therapy graduates include doctoral physical therapists, sports physical therapists, college or university sports PTs (doctoral), PT assistants, or athletic trainers.
5. Sport Communication: Sport communication majors focus on learning about broadcast and print journalism, radio hosting, on-air announcing, photography, fan interaction, and public relations within sports organizations. Graduates may work as sports team or athlete PR experts, league announcers, hosts of sports TV and radio shows, sports writers and event photographers, or specialists in sports marketing.
In conclusion, pursuing a sports major opens up a wide array of career opportunities in various sectors of the sports industry. Whether you are interested in exercise science, sports training, physical therapy, or sport communication, there are programs available for students at different academic levels to help them achieve their career goals in the exciting world of sports.