华盛顿州立大学

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 program is a 5 year professional program (BS in Sports Medicine + Master’s in Athletic Training).

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

Strengths of the program

The small size of the program (an average of 20 athletic training students in clinical internships) fosters strong peer support and networking.
Work and learn alongside Pac-12 athletic trainers.
Accredited by CAATE (Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education)
Work with Pac-12 athletes in a state-of-the-art facility with the latest diagnostic and treatment equipment.

Program information

All students completing the 5 year professional program in athletic training will complete requirements for the BS in Sports Medicine degree as well as the Master's in Athletic Training curriculum 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. Clinical internships are offered in partnership with the WSU Department of Intercollegiate Athletics and several off-campus sites, including clinical experiences at high schools and a variety of sport medicine facilities.

Featured courses

The 5 year professional program in athletic training includes requirements for the BS in Sports Medicine degree as well as the Master’s in Athletic Training curriculum and a minimum of 1200 hours of clinical experience. Because of the intensity and close mentoring of the clinical internship, a limited number of students are admitted to the program.

Due to the condensed nature of the 5 year program, students will need to take 16-18 credits per semester in order to finish within the 5 years. Students who begin WSU taking the minimum 12 credits per semester may need to take summer courses in order to catch up and meet requirements.

Courses for prerequisite knowledge include:

Anatomy
Biology
Chemistry
Physics
Psychology
Physiology

Athletic training courses include:

Techniques in Athletic Training
Emergency Response
Injury Pathologies of Lower and Upper Injuries (2 courses)
Injury Evaluation of Lower and Upper Extremity ( 2 courses)
Modalities
Evidence-Based Practice

Rehabilitation in Athletic Training
Psychosocial Issues in Athletic Training
Clinical Application in Rehabilitation
Leadership and Communication in Athletic Training
Organization and Administration of Athletic Training

General Medical Conditions in Athletic Training
Pharmacology in Athletic Training
Professional Development in Athletic Training
Prevention Seminar Topics in Athletic Training

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