Athletic Training

OVERVIEW

Certified Athletic Trainers are essential to all physically active persons across the nation and beyond! Recognized by the American Medical Association as allied health professionals, Athletic Trainers work with physicians, specializing in the prevention, assessment, immediate care and rehabilitation of injuries resulting from sports and other physical activity.

Athletic Trainers work at nearly every level of sport – from youth to professional. You may also be interested to know that Athletic Trainers work with the military, law enforcement, the performing arts, and a variety of industrial settings!

You’ve probably seen Athletic Trainers run onto a field or court to assist an injured athlete during a sporting event. While providing that type of care is one of the important tasks of an Athletic Trainer, it is by no means their only area of expertise. Athletic Trainers are truly injury prevention specialists! They educate athletes and other physically active people about how to prevent injuries, and how to manage an injury, should one occur. Athletic Trainers work collaboratively with other health care providers to plan treatment programs, and help clients recover from injuries so they’re able to get back to their active lives.

Athletic Trainers deal directly with a variety of individuals. Therefore, good social and communication skills are important. The job also requires a level of diplomacy, as clients, coaches, employers or parents may not always agree with recommended treatment or training. Athletic Trainers should be organized and able to manage time wisely. As with any job in a healthcare related field, Athletic Trainers should possess a desire to help and care for others.

Alvernia University’s Athletic Training program will prepare you to enter the world of health care as a competent practitioner. One who is capable incorporating evidence to guide clinical decision-making and infusing Franciscan values during patient care. AU’s Athletic Training program will prepare you to successfully complete the Board of Certification’s national exam, and earn eligible to apply for state licensure (this varies by state) to practice as an Athletic Trainer.

Alvernia’s Athletic Training program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education, which is recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation.

YOUR CAREER

Athletic Trainers are often the “point-persons” for patients who need to enter the healthcare system on some level. Athletic Trainers work in a variety of settings including college/university athletic programs, physicians’ offices, hospitals, high schools, sports medicine clinics, professional sports organizations, with in industry and with performing arts companies. A few very talented Athletic Trainers even work for the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, helping to prepare astronauts for space travel as well as with the Centers for Disease Control.

The traditional Athletic Trainer’s work schedule can vary greatly and often dependent on the setting in which they work. An Athletic Trainer might have an established schedule with nights and weekends off, or, there employer may require evening and/or weekend responsibilities. Athletic Trainers typically work very closely with their patients/clients and may be require to travel with team sports in the traditional employment settings.

As people become increasingly aware of the possibility for serious injury in sports at all levels, the demand for Athletic Trainers is expected to increase. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of healthcare practitioners is projected to grow 19 percent between 2012 and 2022, a rate that is faster than average for all occupations. Equally important is the consistent upward trend in Salaries for Athletic Trainers. The National Athletic Trainer’s Association recent salary survey demonstrated a consistent increase in salary for Athletic Trainers at every degree level (Bachelor’s, Master’s and Doctoral degrees respectively).

While some Athletic Trainers find jobs with a bachelor’s degree, 70 percent of Certified Athletic Trainers have earned a master’s or doctoral degree, according to the National Athletic Trainer’s Association. It may be necessary to have an advanced degree in order to apply for some positions, especially in a college or university setting.

In addition to initial certification (Board Certification) and state licensure, Athletic Trainers are required to complete continuing education at regular and planned intervals while adhering to a code of ethics in order to maintain certification.

Alvernia’s Athletic Training Program is committed to providing the knowledge and skills and you’ll need to become a highly qualified allied health professional in the field of Athletic Training.

For more information about careers in Athletic Training, visit the National Athletic Trainer’s Association’s website at www.nata.org.

A few of the many career opportunities for Athletic Training graduates:

• College or University Athletic Trainer
• High School Athletic Trainer
• Athletic Trainer for professional-level sports teams
• Physician extender
• Athletic Trainer in industry
• Athletic Trainer for the military
• Athletic Trainer for the performing arts
• International opportunities (Athletics)

Some Alvernia students purse graduate degrees after graduation, either at Alvernia or other colleges and universities.

For more information about Alvernia’s Athletic Training program contact the Admissions Office at 1-888-ALVERNIA or 610-796-8269 or admissions@alvernia.edu

YOUR CURRICULUM

All Alvernia students must successfully complete a minimum of 130 semester credits to receive a Bachelor of Arts or a Bachelor of Science degree.

As an Athletic Training major, you will undertake challenging coursework and must complete 67 credits in the major. You also will be required to complete a minimum of 900 hours of clinical education during your time at AU (over the course of the sophomore, junior and senior years). The Clinical Education Coordinator will help you to choose where you will complete this clinical training from more than 20 available sites ranging including placements at colleges/universities, local high schools. Industrial settings, physician offices, and professional sports.

Required courses in Athletic Training are:
AT 101 Introduction to Athletic Training
AT 113 Emergency Response
AT 206 Therapeutic Exercise
AT 209 Therapeutic Modalities and Treatment Techniques
AT 222 Care and Prevention of Athletic Injuries
AT 250 Recognition and Evaluation of Athletic Injuries I
AT 251 Recognition and Evaluation of Athletic Injuries II
AT 301 Advanced Athletic Training Procedures
AT 310 Athletic Training Clinical I
AT 311 Athletic Training Clinical II
AT 321 Strength and Conditioning Techniques for Rehabilitation Professionals
AT 340 Organization and Administration of Athletic Training
AT 410 Athletic Training Clinical III
AT 411 Athletic Training Clinical IV
AT 433 Exercise Physiology
AT 440 Pharmacology in Athletic Training
AT 445 Senior Capstone I
AT 446 Senior Capstone II

The following courses also are required for Athletic Training majors:
BIO 107/117 Anatomy & Physiology I w/ Lab
BIO 108/118 Anatomy & Physiology II w/ Lab
BIO 208 Neuroscience for Rehab
BIO 211 Kinesiology w/Lab
BIO 217 Principles of Sports Nutrition
MAT 208 Introductory Statistics
PSY 101 Introduction to Psychology
PSY 208 Human Development across the Life Span
THE 210 Medical Moral Theology

You’ll also need to complete general education credits and community service hours to qualify for graduation.

Bloodborne Pathogen
Emergency Plan
Athletic Training Policy Manual
Clinical Education Manual
AT Clinical Sites

Contact Information

Dr. Tom Franek, PhD, LAT, ATC Athletic Training Program Director
Associate Professor of Athletic Training
Plex 008
Phone: 610-796-3012
Email:thomas.franek@alvernia.edu

Learn more about the Athletic
Training Student Association