Sports Medicine Concentration for Chiropractic

Overview

Sports medicine professionals specialize in the evaluation, treatment, and prevention of injuries related to physical activity. Working with individuals ranging from recreational participants to elite athletes, they play a key role in supporting recovery, enhancing performance, and helping patients return to activity with confidence.

As an SCU Doctor of Chiropractic (DC) student, you have the opportunity to pursue a Sports Medicine Concentration that builds advanced clinical skills right alongside your core training. You’ll train under experienced faculty and residents while providing real-world care to athletes across multiple settings.

Upon completion, you’ll earn a Certificate of Completion, with the concentration formally recognized on your academic transcript.

Program at a Glance

• Integrated concentration within the Doctor of Chiropractic (DC) program
• No additional time or tuition required
• Certificate of Completion awarded upon completion
• Training in SCU’s Human Performance Optimization (HPO) Center – for LA students
• Hands-on experience with athletes across multiple sports and performance levels
• Exposure to sideline care, injury evaluation, and post-event recovery
• Opportunities to connect with practitioners in collegiate, professional, and Olympic sports settings

What Sets Our Program Apart

INTEGRATED CLINICAL TRAINING

You’ll train in SCU’s Human Performance Optimization (HPO) Center at the Los Angeles metro location, working alongside faculty, residents, and athletic professionals in a fast-paced, performance-focused clinical environment. Designed to mirror the demands of athletic care, this setting helps you build confidence and refine your clinical skills through direct patient interaction.

EVIDENCE-BASED CURRICULUM

Your coursework is grounded in evidence-based practice and designed for real-world application. You’ll build expertise in areas such as sports chiropractic principles, return-to-play protocols, strength and conditioning, biomechanics, and exercise prescription.

REAL-WORLD EXPERIENCE WITH ATHLETIC POPULATIONS

You’ll work with athletes across a wide range of sports and settings—from endurance events and combat sports to school, collegiate, and professional programs. Along the way, you’ll develop practical skills in injury evaluation, sideline care, and recovery that carry directly into clinical practice.

FACULTY EXPERTISE & MENTORSHIP

Throughout the program, you’ll learn from and connect with experienced practitioners across the sports healthcare field, including those working with Olympic, collegiate, and professional teams. At the Los Angeles location, this may include training with nationally recognized experts like Dr. Joe Horrigan, SCU’s Executive Director of Tactical Sports Medicine. His experience spans work with USA Weightlifting, USA Track & Field, the U.S. Olympic Committee, and elite performance programs—bringing real-world perspective directly into your training.

CONFERENCE PARTICIPATION OPPORTUNITIES
You may have opportunities to attend and present at industry conferences, including the ACBSP Sports Symposium, ACA Sports Injury Council Symposium, and CCA Sports Rehabilitation Symposium—helping you engage with the field beyond the classroom.