Course description
Through a combination of remote learning and on-site intensives, and in partnership with the Fowler Kennedy Sport Medicine Clinic and Western University’s School of Physical Therapy, you will develop clinical skills, research capacity, and depth of knowledge to assess, evaluate and manage the rehabilitation of elite athletes and the wider population.
Program graduates gain specialized training in sport and exercise medicine that leads to a Master of Clinical Science (MClSc) degree in Advanced Health Care Practice (Sport and Exercise Medicine) as well as the opportunity to prepare for field-specific credentials external to the program.
For Physiotherapists
The framework of advanced practice is used to develop graduates as leaders, communicators, collaborators, health advocates and scholars while covering International Federation of Sport Physiotherapy (IFSPT) and Sport Physiotherapy Canada (SPC) competencies. This degree has the Sport First Responder for Healthcare Professionals, and Stop the Bleed certification by American College of Surgeons, credentialling embedded within the curriculum. A subset of these competencies will prepare physiotherapist graduates to challenge SPC’s Certification and Diploma external to the program.
For Advanced Standing Physiotherapists
This pathway allows physiotherapists who have obtained their Sport Physiotherapy Canada (SPC) Diploma to receive credit for their practical experience while continuing professional growth and career development obtaining an Advanced Health Care Practice Master’s degree in Sport and Exercise Medicine. Graduates can continue on in their career development as leaders, teachers and innovators in a variety of roles requiring advanced competencies and credentialing.
For Advanced Standing Physiotherapists
This pathway allows physiotherapists who have obtained their Sport Physiotherapy Canada (SPC) Diploma to receive credit for their practical experience while continuing professional growth and career development obtaining an Advanced Health Care Practice Master’s degree in Sport and Exercise Medicine. Graduates can continue on in their career development as leaders, teachers and innovators in a variety of roles requiring advanced competencies and credentialling.
Program Structure and Course Offerings
Offered on a full-time basis, this programs utilizes a combination of in-person and remote learning to help students balance the academic demands of the programs with the professional and personal demands on their lives.
A Case-Based Approach
The program’s case-based learning approach allows for interactive small group clinical mentoring and learning to engage and clinically reason with Sport and FCAMPT physiotherapists, CASEM Sport Medicine physicians, orthopaedic surgeons, emergency physicians and experts from a variety of sport-related disciplines. Students in the program acquire competencies in sport and exercise medicine to help provide care for athlete’s spanning the spectrum from pediatric, adult, elite and special populations. Graduates are prepared to provide advanced level care to MSK injuries in highly specialized clinical environments, sideline coverage, throughout clinical recovery and return to sport training environments that reflect clinical best practice and evidence.
Fall Term:
Research Methods
Advanced Management in Sport and Exercise Medicine 1: Lower Quadrant (Includes on-campus component)
Clinical Mentorship
Research Experience
Winter Term:
Advanced Professional Practice
Advanced Management in Sport and Exercise Medicine 2: Upper Quadrant (Includes on-campus component)
Clinical Mentorship (continued)
Research Experience (continued)
Spring Term:
Transformational Topics in Sport and Exercise Medicine (Includes on-campus component)
Clinical Mentorship (continued)
Research Experience (continued)
Includes Research Day
Admission Requirements
– A minimum bachelor’s degree from a recognized university and at least a (B) standing (or equivalent) over the final two years of the program
– Advanced computer skills
– Two references: Academic (if attended university within the last five years) and professional
– Demonstrated English language proficiency, including both written and oral communication
– A current license to practice in Canada
– Evidence of more than two years of experience in sport/musculoskeletal physical therapy inclusive of more than 50 hours of sport event coverage/volunteering
– A paragraph describing the applicant’s role in delivering care to an active population, or equivalent; and a reference letter that endorses the evidence of experience
– Be a member in good standing with Sport Physiotherapy Canada (SPC)
Details
Applications open November 1 2024 and close May 1 2025.
Program will begin in September 2025 and end August 2026.
