Education

 

Certified athletic trainers have, at minimum, a Bachelor's degree in athletic training education. This includes:

• Risk Management and Injury Prevention

• Pathology of Injuries and Illnesses

• Orthopedic Clinical Examination and Diagnosis

• Medical Conditions and Disabilities

• Acute Care of Injuries and Illnesses

• Therapeutic Modalities

• Conditioning and Rehabilitative Exercise

• Pharmacology

• Psychosocial Intervention and Referral

• Nutritional Aspects of Injuries and Illnesses

• Health Care Administration

• Professional Development and Responsibility

 

Check out the Guidelines for the clinical education of students enrolled in accredited athletic training education programs

 

Students who want to become certified athletic trainers must earn a degree from an accredited athletic training curriculum or meet other requirements set by the BOC. A growing number of universities are gaining accreditation through the Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education (CAATE).

 

Accredited entry-level education programs include formal instruction in a variety of areas, such as:

Prevention of injuries and illness Assessment and evaluation of injury/illness Emergency care Therapeutic modalities Therapeutic exercise Athletic training program administration Human anatomy and physiology Exercise physiology Kinesiology/biomechanics Nutrition Psychology Pharmacology Pathology Health care administration

 

Classroom learning is enhanced through clinical education experiences. Under the supervision of a certified athletic trainer, students further develop their knowledge and skills in a wide range of settings, including scholastic sports, interscholastic sports, sports medicine clinics and other venues where certified athletic trainers work.

 

Many students earn their certification after completing the entry-level program. They continue their studies, however, at an NATA approved graduate education program.

 

 

Continue to certification page