Future Students

Academics

Athletic Training

College of Education


 

QUICK JUMP
  Athletic Training
  Overview and sample courses
  Careers in Athletic Training
  Suggested Strengths, Interests, and Preparation
  Scholarships and Financial Aid
  Related Fields of Study That Might Interest You
  Contact Information

Athletic Training

Athletic training is a professional field of study that prepares students to become certified athletic trainers who prevent, recognize, manage, and rehabilitate injuries caused by physical activity.

The WSU athletic training education program is currently accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education (CAATE). The athletic training major is designed to provide students with the academic and clinical competencies that are required to be eligible for professional certification.

• Offered at WSU: Bachelor of science in athletic training
• Available at: Pullman

Overview and sample courses

All students majoring in athletic training will complete the kinesiology core, the athletic training major course work, and a minimum of 1200 hours of clinical experience. Due to the intensity and availability of the clinical internship, the program admits a limited number of students.

Hands-on clinical experience hours are arranged over six consecutive semesters with a parallel educational cooperative partnership involving the Department of Intercollegiate Athletics and several off-campus sites, including clinical experiences at high school and sport medicine facilities.

Clinical education

SEMESTER 1
You will have an opportunity to become oriented with all of the athletic training facilities and staff certified athletic trainers as you rotate through assignments with most of the sports offered on campus.

SEMESTER 2
You will be assigned a staff certified athletic trainer as a mentor and will gain valuable experience working with the sports to which your mentor is assigned.

SEMESTERS 3 AND 4
You will spend your entire second year in the program rotating through a variety of different sessions. These rotations include time spent in a physical therapy clinic, high school, general medical clinic, local NAIA college, with a faculty researcher, and with the WSU Athletics sports nutritionist.

SEMESTERS 5 AND 6
Your third year in the program you will be assigned as the senior student to a mentor and assist with the daily responsibilities of providing treatment and care for the teams to which your mentor is assigned as well as gaining familiarity with the administrative duties for which your mentor is responsible.

HOSTING
Throughout your clinical education you will have opportunities to “host” visiting teams. This includes setting up the sidelines and being available to assist visiting athletic trainers and student-athletes.

OTHER OPPORTUNITIES
Students may have opportunities to work with special events in the area such as high school state tournaments and the NAIA World Series.

A few of the courses you'll take as an athletic training major

Taking these courses your first year will set you on course for the quickest route to the athletic training program:

- Anatomy
- First Aid/Emergency Response
- Care and Prevention of Athletic Injuries
- Techniques in Athletic Training

Here are several of the courses you'll take to gain the knowledge needed to meet all the challenges of athletic training:

- Human Motor Development
- Human Psychology
- Strength Training
- Human Physiology
- Rehabilitation in Athletic Training
- Sports Nutrition
- Behavioral Aspects of Human Movement
- Biomechanics
- Medical Aspects in Athletic Training
- Administration of Athletic Training
- Biopsychological Effects of Alcohol and Other Drugs
- Principles of Movement for Individuals with Disabilities
- Clinical Internship Seminar
- Exercise Physiology
- Motor Skill Acquisition

NOTE: Students should consult the General Catalog for course planning and must meet course requirements as outlined in the General Catalog in order to graduate.

Careers in Athletic Training

Athletic training careers include employment in:
• Universities (as staff within the athletic program or as a teacher of athletic training or a combination of both)
• Public or private high schools (teaching courses and preventing athletic injuries)
• Sport medicine clinics (providing athletic injury rehabilitation)
• Professional sports (conditioning and rehabilitating athletes)
• Corporate health programs
• Health clubs
• Clinical and industrial health care programs
• Athletic training education programs

Suggested Strengths, Interests, and Preparation

• A strong desire to help people and make an immediate difference in their lives
• Enjoyment of sports and interacting with athletes

Scholarships and Financial Aid

The College of Education offers scholarships to some of its students. For specific questions, call 509-335-1738 e-mail education@wsu.edu. Visit the College of Education scholarships page for more information and for application forms.

Ahtletic Training students may also be eligible for state, federal, and University financial aid and scholarships. Take the Costs and Financial Aid link at the upper left of the page to find out more.

Related Fields of Study That Might Interest You

• Movement studies
• Health and fitness teaching
• Sport management
• Pre-physical therapy

Contact Information
College of Education
Judy Schultz
Athletic Training Education Program
Smith Gym 113D
Washington State University
PO Box 642136
Pullman, WA 99164-2136
jaschultz@wsu.edu
509-335-5672
 

Strengths of the Program

  • Work with Pac-10 athletes in a state-of-the-art facility with the latest diagnostic and treatment equipment.
  • Accredited by CAATE (Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education)
  • Our program attracts a high number of international students, offering valuable cross-cultural perspectives.
  • An average of 15 athletic training students in clinical internships fosters strong peer support and networking.
Office of Enrollment Management, PO Box 641067, Washington State University, Pullman WA 99164-1067, 888-GO TO WSU (888-468-6978), Contact Us