Three Career Paths in Sports Conditioning and Performance
Posted: July 20, 2020 | Author: Southern Utah University | Read Time: 2 minutes
Before we dive into the various careers available to those with a Master of Science in Sports Conditioning and Performance (MSSCP) degree, it is important to understand what an MSSCP is. At Southern Utah University, the MSSCP program follows an innovative approach to meet the needs of coaches, physical educators, personal trainers, strength and conditioning coaches, physical therapists, athletic trainers and other fitness professionals.
What can you do With a Master of Science in Sports Conditioning and Performance?
There are a variety of career paths graduates can follow with an MSSCP degree, but most reside in the athletic field. Careers include physical therapists, strength conditioning coaches, athletic trainers, exercise physiologists, sports therapists, and more.
3 Career Paths for Sports Conditioning and Performance Graduates
Strength Conditioning Coach
According to Wikipedia, “A strength and conditioning coach is a physical performance professional who uses exercise prescription to improve the performance of competitive athletes or athletic teams. This is achieved through the combination of strength training, aerobic conditioning, and other methods.”
As a strength conditioning coach, you’ll be able to help athletes of different sports train for their respective seasons. In addition, the strength and conditioning career boasts an 11% growth rate between 2018 and 2028 with an average median salary of $34,840 according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Athletic Trainer
The National Athletic Trainers Association states that “Athletic training encompasses the prevention, examination, diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation of emergent, acute or chronic injuries and medical conditions.”
Athletic trainers not only help athletes, but they also aid regular people who go through serious injuries. With an amazing growth rate of 19% between 2018 and 2028 according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, and a median pay of $48,440.
Sports Therapist
The Society of Sports Therapists states that sports therapy “utilizes the principles of sport and exercise science incorporating physiological and pathological processes to prepare the participant for training, competition and where applicable, work.”
Many people compare sports therapy and physical therapy. Physical therapy does require a doctorate degree whereas sports therapy only requires a bachelor’s degree. However, a master’s degree such as the Master of Sports Conditioning and Performance can help students advance in their careers faster.
Produced by SUU Graduate Studies
SUU's Graduate School draws from a prestigious heritage and allows students to pursue a quality education. The master's degree programs offer students the chance to further their professional and educational careers on campus or online.
If you’d like to find out more information about the Master of Science in Sports Conditioning and Performance at SUU, reach out to Joan Anderson at (435) 586-7816, or at anderson_j@suu.edu.
Tags: College of Health Sciences Sports Conditioning Kinesiology and Outdoor Recreation Graduate Programs
