Sports Medicine

Mercyhurst offers a bachelor of science degree in sports medicine to meet a growing need for educated practitioners in this important field. The sports medicine major at Mercyhurst encompasses the health-related professions that prevent and manage injuries and illnesses affecting active individuals and athletes. The program’s curriculum emphasizes evidence-based medical principles, personal and professional responsibility, teamwork and cooperation, problem solving, decision making and improvement of communication skills. In addition, Mercyhurst students learn their discipline from a hands-on clinical approach, which includes: on-campus experiences with certified athletic trainers, off-campus clinical experiences at local hospitals, physical therapy and occupational therapy clinics, all while observing employed health professionals. Mercyhurst sports medicine students also complete a self-directed baccalaureate research project with the assistance of a department faculty member. The sports medicine major at Mercyhurst is interdisciplinary in nature; it's designed to prepare students for graduate studies and/or licensure or certification needed to be hired in the areas of athletic training, exercise science, physical therapy, occupational therapy and medicine. A Mercyhurst student who is interested in pursuing a sports medicine major must declare a professional concentration upon entrance into the department. Students have the option of declaring a dual concentration. In all concentrations there is a strong emphasis on sports medicine, the sciences and the social sciences.