Overview
Narrative
The professions within sports medicine and rehabilitation sciences continue to gain popularity and employment opportunities are expanding with the evolvement of the healthcare landscape. Students within the program learn foundational skills to pursue careers in Athletic Training, Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, and Exercise Physiology among other professions. The demand for Certified Athletic Trainers in particular is increasing. Certified Athletic Trainers are employed in secondary schools, colleges, universities, professional sports, hospitals, the military, law enforcement, performing arts, industry, sports medicine clinics and the durable medical equipment industry.
If you're planning to attend a four-year college or university, Northampton's Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation Sciences program is an affordable way to start your education. With a curriculum that parallels the first two years of most four-year programs, NCC's program can save you thousands of dollars on your undergraduate degree while providing the essential foundational skills to thrive at your transfer institution.
The Associate in Science degree in Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation Sciences is designed to prepare students to successfully transfer to a four year Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education (CAATE) accredited program or other four year specialty programs within Sports Medicine and the Rehabilitation Sciences. In addition, students in our program develop a level of expertise in sports medicine that opens up additional employment opportunities as a personal trainer immediately upon graduation from NCC.
Students in the program learn basic skills in the prevention, emergency care, assessment, and rehabilitation of injuries to prepare them to pursue advanced education. Sports Medicine courses include on-campus labs and observational hours in a variety of professional settings. The Sports Medicine program can be completed on a full-time or part-time basis. Students pursuing the degree on a part-time basis are highly encouraged to complete the science related courses prior to entering the program specific courses (i.e. Chemistry, Anatomy & Physiology, etc.). The program requires students to have a good knowledge base in science and math to be successful. Students are advised to speak with an academic advisor to discuss their entrance and success in the program.
Requirements
The Sports Medicine program requires a minimum of four academic semesters to complete. Students are admitted to the program once a year (August). Admission is on a competitive basis. Applicants shall have a high school diploma or GED.
The minimum admission requirements to the program include:
- Completion of high school chemistry with a grade of B or better (or NCC's CHEM135). *
- High school biology (or NCC equivalent BIOS107, BIOS115) with a grade of C or better. *
- One year of HS algebra (or NCC MATH022) with a grade of C or better. *
- Eligibility to take ENGL101.
*High school courses must be college preparatory level. Equivalents from other colleges may satisfy requirements.
Meeting the admission requirements does not guarantee admission to the program. Primary consideration is given to those students who have Bs in program sciences. If available spaces in the program are not filled by students who have met the aforementioned standards, the College reserves the right to accept students who have, in the judgment of the College, the potential to complete the Sports Medicine program.
After You Have Been Accepted
Students who have been accepted to the Sports Medicine program will be required to submit:
- A Pennsylvania State Police Criminal Background Check or FBI Clearance.
- Required physical examination forms and immunization history.
- Documentation of recent hepatitis B vaccination or relevant titer.
Deadline
Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation Sciences is a fall-start program. Students may apply to the clinical program starting October 1. Applications must be completed by May 1. Students will not be able to apply to the clinical program after May 1.
After May 1, students who wish to take general education courses toward the Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation Sciences degree may apply to the Health Sciences program of study.
Contact the Admissions Office at 610-861-5500 for further information.
Career Potential: Certified Athletic Trainer, Personal Trainer, Physical Therapist, Occupational Therapist, Exercise Physiologist, Exercise Specialist
Transfer Potential: East Stroudsburg University, Temple University, West Chester University, DeSales University