To support graduate student career success, the MS program in Sports Medicine offers experiential opportunities that combine academic scholarship and professional practice. These career-related experiences allow students to be immersed in a work environment that will build their skillset, deepen their knowledge, and bolster career confidence. Each of these experiences allows for hands-on opportunities, professional networking, and personal development. In addition, each of these positions includes a scholarship. The amount of funding varies by year.
In your personal statement, in addition to other essay requirements, express your interest and qualifications for one of the positions being offered.
If applicants are recommended for admission into the program, qualified applicants will be required to interview with the program faculty for final selection of the experiential position and scholarship.
Experiential positions vary by year.
Athletic Trainer – Chatham University
The Athletic Trainer (AT) candidate is hired through the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC) Sports Medicine and will have the opportunity to provide health care to the student-athletes at Chatham University. Located just 2 miles from Pitt’s campus, Chatham University is a NCAA Division III athletics program. A team of UPMC athletic trainers, sports medicine physicians, and orthopedic surgeons collaborate to provide comprehensive care for the student-athletes. In addition to the scholarship, this position includes an hourly compensation as determined by UPMC Sports Medicine.
Responsibilities:
- Provide athletic training services to the student-athletes as assigned
- Collaborate with the athletic training staff at Chatham University
- Effectively communicate with coaches, and UPMC Sports Medicine clinicians
- Provide weekly time sheets to UPMC Sports Medicine
- Other duties as assigned
Requirements:
- Acceptance to the Sports Medicine (MS) program
- Board of Certification, Inc (BOC) certification (by the start of the fall semester)
- PA Board of Medicine license (by the start of the fall semester)
- First Aid/CPR/AED certification
- Available 20 hours per week
Preferred Qualifications/Experience:
- Prior experience as certified athletic trainer or athletic training student
Athletic Trainer – Pittsburgh Passion
The Athletic Trainer (AT) candidate is hired through the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC) Sports Medicine and will have the opportunity to provide autonomous health care to the Pittsburgh Passion professional women’s football team. The AT will collaborate with UPMC Sports Medicine physicians, orthopedic surgeons, and other specialists to deliver comprehensive health care. In addition to the scholarship, this position includes hourly compensation as determined by UPMC Sports Medicine.
Responsibilities:
- Provide athletic training services to a diverse athletic population
- Effectively communicate with coaching staff
- Effectively communicate with the UPMC Sports Medicine physicians and specialists
- Provide weekly time sheets to UPMC Sports Medicine
- Other duties as assigned
Requirements:
- Acceptance to the Sports Medicine (MS) program
- Board of Certification, Inc (BOC) certification (by the start of the fall semester)
- PA Board of Medicine license (by the start of the fall semester)
- First Aid/CPR/AED certification
- Available 20 hours per week
Preferred Qualifications/Experience:
- Prior experience as certified athletic trainer or athletic training student
Student Researcher – Neuromuscular Research Laboratory (NMRL)
Successful applicants should have a strong desire to pursue a career in human performance research. The student will gain valuable hands-on research experience across several research studies and can develop a thesis project within the capabilities of the lab resources and interests. The NMRL is staffed by multidisciplinary research faculty and graduate students. The successful applicant will be given the opportunity to aid projects funded by the Department of Defense centered around performance optimization and injury prevention in both tactical and athletic populations.
Responsibilities:
- Data processing and management
- Database entry of laboratory
- Database management
- Collection of biological samples (muscle and blood)
- Body composition and bone density scans
- Biomechanical performance assessments
- Other duties as assigned
Requirements:
- Acceptance to the Sports Medicine (MS) program
- Ability to work flexible hours (i.e. early mornings and weekends)
- Proficient in Microsoft Office products
- Available 10 hours per week
Preferred Qualifications/Experience:
- Previous human subjects research experience
- Undergraduate degree in athletic training, exercise physiology, kinesiology, bioengineering, or related field
- Experience with or a desire to learn data analysis and statistical methods
- CPR/AED certification (training can be provided)
Athletic Trainer – Pitt Club Sports
The Athletic Trainer (AT) candidate is hired through the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC) Sports Medicine and will have the opportunity to provide autonomous health care to the University of Pittsburgh Club Sports student-athletes. The Department of Campus Recreation oversees the club sports activities. The AT has access to UPMC Sports Medicine physicians and specialists as well as the University Health Services. In addition to the scholarship, this position includes hourly compensation as determined by UPMC Sports Medicine.
Responsibilities:
- Provide injury evaluation and treatment to competitive club sport student-athletes
- Coordinate with Pitt Club Sports Medical Liaisons for event coverage
- On-campus (primary) competitions and off-campus home event travel
- Effectively communicate with the Campus Rec staff, teams, AT supervisor
- Order/re-stocking supplies as needed
- Assist with UPMC casual call requests
- Other duties as assigned
Requirements:
- Acceptance to the Sports Medicine (MS) program
- Board of Certification, Inc (BOC) certification (by the start of the fall semester)
- PA Board of Medicine license (by the start of the fall semester)
- First Aid/CPR/AED certification
- Available 20 hours per week
Preferred Qualifications/Experience:
- Prior experience as certified athletic trainer or athletic training student
- Skills: organization, communication, collaboration
READ MORE ABOUT THIS EXPERIENTIAL OPPORTUNITY
Community Engagement Fellow – SHRS Wellness Pavilion
The Community Engagement Fellow candidate will have the opportunity to work in a community-focused environment at the SHRS Wellness Pavilion. The Wellness Pavilion is a student-led community space that offers person-centered inter-professional services and programs which aim to improve, maintain, and promote the health and wellness of Homewood residents and surrounding communities across the lifespan.
Responsibilities:
- Serve as a liaison to the Department of Sports Medicine and Nutrition and the Wellness Pavilion
- Work with the program coordinator, SHRS faculty, and community partners to create programming and initiatives for the Homewood community members
- Implement, supervise, and attend programming
- Effectively communicate with the Wellness Pavilion team, faculty, and students
- Other duties as assigned
Requirements:
- Acceptance to the Sports Medicine (MS) program
- First Aid/CPR/AED certification (training can be provided)
- Available 10 hours per week
Preferred Qualifications/Experience: