There are many specialties and professions that are related to sports medicine. For this reason, it's not so uncommon to be confused when trying to choose the right school and program. Especially when there are many colleges and universities with degrees in sports medicine or exercise/sports science.

Nonetheless, it is important to keep in mind that most of these schools offer undergraduate programs which can give you a strong background for a specific field of work and for a more advanced degree.

To better understand if a degree is the right one for you, it might be useful to spend the first year investigating and learning about all the different options available in sports medicine.

While you are looking through all the different schools and education programs, you might want to keep in mind a few guidelines that might also help you in selecting the right profession and career.

Focus on your personal interest
1. make a short list of the areas and fields of study that are of great interest to you
2. point your attention on specific courses and subjects that you enjoyed studying at school (e.g. biology, chemistry, mathematics, physics, and so on)
3. try to identify what are the main activities that make you more excited (e.g. working with people versus doing research)
4. select, if any, what type of readings you enjoy the most (e.g. articles or journals about either health, fitness, or medicine)
5. think of those arguments which you enjoy talking about as well as listen to with more interest.

Define your goals
1. commit yourself. Each education course and career have different paths. So try to decide how long you want to commit yourself for the necessary academic and professional training
2. keep in mind that there are costs to take in account; especially if you plan to pursue a higher education (e.g. graduate or medical school)
3. learn as much as possible about the courses you will have to take, and see if you will enjoy to study those subjects
4. find all the information you can about the type of daily responsibilities that you will be involved doing in a specific profession
5. try to imagine yourself in five or six years doing that particular profession.

Evaluate your choices
1. understand all the different options that are available to you. So spend time looking for all the schools that offer the degree you want to study
2. find out if you have the required preparation to start a specific school program
3. learn as much as possible about the requirements to achieve a specific profession (e.g. experience, certification, and so on)
4. make sure that the schools of your choice offer all the tools necessary to satisfy all the requirements for the profession you want to pursue (e.g. courses, hands-on experience)
5. based on the profession you are interest in pursuing, ask for advise and guidance from teachers, counselors, and professionals. If necessary, ask to volunteer some time in a clinic or sports medicine setting so you can observe professionals on the field.

Most likely you wont need to follow these guidelines point by point. Nevertheless, the hope is that they might help you in the process of selecting a school program and a career that is best for you.