Athletic Training - FAQ's

What skills can I expect to develop through this degree?

  • Pharmacological aspects of injury and illnesses
  • General medical conditions and disabilities
  • Nutritional aspects of injury and illness
  • Acute care of injury and illness
  • Assessment and evaluation
  • Health care administration
  • Professional development and responsibility
  • Psychosocial intervention and referral
  • Risk management and injury prevention
  • Therapeutic exercise
  • Therapeutic modalities
  • Pathology of illness and injuries

 

What I will learn?

Majors in Athletic Training will possess athletic training entry-level skills as identified by the Board of Certification (BOC): risk management and injury prevention, injury and illness pathology, assessment and evaluation of injury and illness, acute care of injury and illnesses, functional application of pharmacological agents used in treating injury, therapeutic modalities to promote and improve healing, therapeutic exercise programs, care of general medical conditions and disabilities, nutritional aspects of injury and illness, care of psychosocial problems, health care administration, and professional development and responsibility.

Athletic Training Majors will:

  • be able to use technology in managing information and data specific to athletic training education and service
  • obtain national certification from the BOC Exam
  • develop skills necessary for a career in athletic training or advanced graduate education and will understand ethical leadership, academic excellence, and social responsibility
  • experience supervised situations that encourage common sense and promote the application of problem-solving skills
  • experience supervised situations that encourage the application of communication, organization, and administration skills specific to athletic training and other health care professions
  • put classroom and laboratory knowledge into practical application and will understand acceptable standards of ethical conduct and professionalism
  • seek the highest quality in instruction, clinical experience, and professional growth.

 

What opportunities are there for internships or other hands-on learning experiences?

Every CMU Athletic Training student is required to complete 900 hours of clinical experience with the CMU athletic teams at home and away games.

 

What are some possible entry-level careers with a degree in this field?

College/University Setting: The primary responsibility of the athletic trainer is to provide day-to-day services for collegiate sport teams. The athletic trainer will attend all home and way games as agreed upon by the respective head coaches and/or athletic directors. The remaining hours shall be spent in the rehabilitative facility.

Combination Teacher/Athletic Trainer: A majority of colleges and universities now require a master's degree for employment. Most collegiate positions require the athletic trainer to teach as well as provide sport coverage.

High School Setting: Certified athletic trainers provide Athletic Training Services to student athletes under the direction of the team physician, or a written referral from a physician, and in accordance with state athletic training practice act.

Professional Sports: In this setting, certified athletic trainers work only one sport, such as football, baseball, basketball, hockey or soccer. Although teams operate only a few months per year, ATC's work year-round conditioning and rehabilitating athletes. Fewer jobs are available in this practice setting due to the limited number of teams.

Physician Extender: The athletic trainer serves as the liaison between the patient, the medical doctor or their support staffs, and the medical assistant. Job duties include following the patient from the time of his or her arrival to the time that the patients departs from t he clinic. The athletic trainer shall ensure that all the patient's and doctor's needs are met to provide the best physician/patient experience.

Clinic Setting: This growing setting provides certified athletic trainers the opportunity to work with a number of different health care professionals and a diverse patient population. In addition to athletic injury rehabilitation, many clinics provide athletic training services for secondary schools.

 

Other items to note:

Athletic Training Certification: Certification is required in order to practice as an athletic trainer. A Bachelor of Science Degree in Athletic Training is required in order to take the Board of Certification test.

National Athletic Trainers' Association
Missouri Athletic Trainers' Association

 

Want more information? Check out the Major Resources provided by the Career Development Center.