Master’s Degree in Sports Pharmacy (Non-Thesis)

Programme Overview

The Non-Thesis Master’s Programme in Sports Pharmacy was approved at the Council of Higher Education meeting dated 21 December 2023 and is offered under the Institute of Health Sciences at Lokman Hekim University. The programme is delivered by academic staff specialised in the field. In addition, recognised experts may be appointed as visiting faculty members to contribute to the programme. The language of instruction is Turkish.

Degree Awarded

Master’s Degree in Sports Pharmacy (Non-Thesis)

Admission and Registration Requirements

Admission to the programme is based on a written and/or oral assessment (interview). The intake quota and the eligibility criteria are announced before the beginning of each semester. The announcement includes the application requirements and deadline, as well as the date and venue of the interview/assessment.

Applicants must hold a Bachelor’s degree in Pharmacy. Applicants who completed their undergraduate education abroad are required to present an equivalency/recognition document issued by the Council of Higher Education (YÖK), where applicable.

As this is a non-thesis master’s programme, ALES and foreign language scores are not required.

Programme Objectives

Sports Pharmacy aims to provide pharmacy counselling for athletes regarding clinical medication use, guide athletes in selecting appropriate dietary supplements, and support athletes within the scope of clean sport and anti-doping efforts. It can be considered a specialised area of pharmacy that directly contributes to athlete health and safety.

Graduates of the programme are referred to as “Sports Pharmacists”. Sports pharmacists contribute to pharmaceutical care in the management of athletes’ health conditions and support safe approaches to sports-related injuries. They also raise awareness and provide guidance on clean and fair sport.

Programme Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion, graduates will be able to:

• Provide pharmacy counselling for athletes regarding clinical medication use.

• Support athletes in clean sport and anti-doping processes through evidence-informed guidance on appropriate medication use.

• Guide athletes in selecting appropriate dietary supplements.

• Contribute to pharmaceutical care in the management of athletes’ health conditions.

Programme Structure, Credits and ECTS

The programme consists of at least 10 courses and a term project (project course), with a minimum of 30 local credits and 90 ECTS. One ECTS corresponds to 30 hours of student workload.

Academic Regulations and Progression Rules

Students must complete at least half of the required total credits within their home programme, even if they have transferred credits. With the advisor’s approval, students may also take courses from other programmes.

The term project must be prepared in written form in accordance with the relevant writing rules of the Institute of Health Sciences. All academic procedures are governed by the Graduate Education and Examination Regulations of Lokman Hekim University.

To successfully complete the programme, students must achieve a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.50 and obtain a pass grade in the advisor-approved term project/project course. Successful students are awarded a non-thesis master’s diploma.

Assessment and Evaluation

Each course is assessed at the end of the semester. Final grades are determined through combined evaluation of midterm assessments, assignments, practical studies, project/laboratory work, and final examinations. The term project/project course is evaluated in accordance with applicable regulations and institutional rules.

Graduation Requirements

To graduate, students must fulfil the requirements set out in the Graduate Education and Examination Regulations of Lokman Hekim University, complete the programme’s course and ECTS requirements, and successfully complete the term project/project course.

Further Study Opportunities (Doctoral/PhD)

This is a non-thesis master’s programme. Graduates may apply to thesis-based master’s programmes and/or other eligible graduate pathways, subject to applicable regulations and admission requirements.

Career Prospects

Graduates may work within the Turkish Anti-Doping Commission in roles such as doping control officer, doping test officer, and prohibited list consultant. They may also serve as individual athlete health consultants, work as consultant pharmacists for sports federations or teams, and provide consultancy in the production of non-medicinal health products.

In addition, graduates working in community pharmacies may provide athlete-focused pharmaceutical care services.

Mode of Study and Class Timetable

The programme is full-time. When necessary, courses and examinations may be scheduled after working hours on weekdays and/or at weekends. The programme may also be delivered online in a synchronous format where applicable.

Programme Contact