Career decisions are always difficult to make, especially when you need answers to questions you cannot easily put into words. The American College of Sports Medicine hopes this guide will assist you in making these difficult career decisions.

The list below is not all-inclusive, but does identify and discuss some of the most common fields of study, career and job opportunities, and specialty areas under the umbrellas of sports medicine and exercise science. Typical employment opportunities and minimal educational requirements are included.

Aerobics/Group Exercise Instructor Lead People in Having Fun and Getting in Shape. Strength and Conditioning Coach Improve Athlete Performance from High School to the Pro’s. Athletic Trainer Treat Acute On-Field Athletic Injuries. Personal Trainer Help People Become Healthy and More Confident.	Biomechanist Exercise Physiologist Cardiac or Pulmonary Rehabilitation Specialist Dietitian/Sports Nutritionist Employee Fitness Director Teacher/Professor Medical Physician (M.D. or D.O.) Researcher Occupational Physiologist Physical/Occupational Therapist

As you can tell from this partial list there is a diversity of career and job opportunities, fields of study, and specialty areas in sports medicine and exercise science. What may be of importance to you is that most undergraduate degrees in the sports medicine or exercise science field require a strong background in the basic sciences. This provides a strong foundation to meet the requirements for an advanced degree or for a professional school (for example, to become a physician assistant or physical therapist).

Check with schools that interest you to identify the specific requirements for admission to these type of advanced or professional-degree programs.