Athletic Training Degree, (B.S.)

Overview 

Athletic training is practiced by athletic trainers, health care professionals who collaborate with physicians to optimize activity and participation of patients and clients. Athletic training encompasses the prevention, diagnosis, and intervention of emergency, acute, and chronic medical conditions involving impairment, functional limitations, and disabilities. The athletic trainer’s professional preparation is based on the development of specified educational competencies and clinical proficiencies through a combination of formal classroom and clinical instruction and clinical experience. Athletic trainers’ work settings can include high schools, colleges, universities, professional sports teams, hospitals, rehabilitation clinics, physicians’ offices, corporate and industrial settings, military and law enforcement, and the performing arts (NATA, 2008).

Topics Covered 

  • Introduction to Athletic Training 
  • Taping, Padding and Wrapping 
  • Evaluation of Upper/Lower Extremities 
  • General Medical Aspects of Physical Activity 
  • Therapeutic Exercise and Modaltities 
  • Fitness and Rehabilitation for Special Populations 
  • Organization and Administration of Athletic Training 
  • Research and Clinical Decision Making 

Program Highlights

Clinical experience in a variety of settings including on-campus (with our athletic teams) and in the surrounding community (high schools, colleges, universities).

Schedule of Coursework 

Clinical rotations begin during the first academic year. 

Outcomes

Preparation for a career as an athletic trainer in a variety of work settings, including high schools, colleges, universities, professional sports teams, hospitals, rehabilitation clinics, physicians’ offices, corporate and industrial settings, military and law enforcement, and the performing arts (NATA, 2008)

Admission Requirements

Once in the Sports Medicine and Human Performance Major students must apply to be formally accepted into the program.

  • 120

    Credits

  • 4 YEARS

    Clinical Rotations

Requirements

Program Description

About the Program

"Athletic training encompasses the prevention, examination, diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation of emergent, acute or chronicinjuries and medical conditions. Athletic training is recognized by the American Medical Association (AMA), Health Resources Services Administration (HRSA) and the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) as an allied health care profession." [source, 02/2018]

Athletic Training Requirements (69 credits)
Requirements

All majors in the Department of Sports Medicine and Human Performance must complete twenty-seven (27) credits of courses specified below. A minimum grade point average of 2.50 in the Major Core area is required to be eligible to graduate with a degree from the department.

Students applying to the Athletic Training major should expect the following to be considered for acceptance into the program:

  • Students must be enrolled in the Department of Sports Medicine and Human Performance as an Athletic Training major.
  • Only students formally accepted into the Athletic Training Program (ATP) may serve as Athletic Training students and be considered for clinical experience in an athletic training setting.
  • The number of students accepted each year varies in accordance with retention and graduation rates.
  • The ATP is a commitment of a minimum of 7 credits per semester, therefore, students are encouraged to apply during their first year.
  • On-campus and off-campus clinical experiences are required, in addition to academic requirements.
  • Admission into the program is competitive and is based on the following eligibility requirements:
    • Minimum overall GPA of 2.30
    • Combined GPA of 2.70 in the following two courses (minimum B- in both):
    • Documentation of a current physical examination, including records of immunizations, must be on file with WSU Health Services.
    • All students must complete an application to the Athletic Training Program, and complete Medical History, Demands Analysis, Technical Standards, and Student Expectations forms. These requirements will be available to Athletic Training students enrolled in MOVP 0102.
Application Materials

There are two ways for a student to apply to the Athletic Training Program:

  1. Enroll in the Department of Sports Medicine and Human Performance, and then apply into the Athletic Training Program, or
  2. Apply directly to the Athletic Training program.

Such students will be considered First Year Athletic Training students. First Year Athletic Training students must meet the above requirements (minimum overall GPA of 2.3 and combined GPA of 2.7 in MOVP 0102 and BIOL 0237) to progress to Level I status as a Second Year Athletic Training student.

Athletic Training Core Requirements (27 credits)

Scientific Foundations (21 credits)

Evidence-Based Practice (6 credits)

Additional Required Courses (42 credits)
Professional Development Procedures

In order to progress through the Movement Science and Athletic Training majors, students must meet the academic and professional development criteria necessary to earn intermediate and advanced standing in the department.

Intermediate Standing

Requirements for Intermediate Standing to progress through the Movement Science and Athletic Training majors are as follows:

  • Minimum GPA of 2.5 in the following courses:
  • MOVP 0100 - Science of Physical Activity and Health
  • MOVP 0194 - Musculoskeletal Structure and Function
  • Additional Requirements:Student Acknowledgement Form Copy of Degree Evaluation First Aid/CPR Certification Earn a minimum of 12 Professional Development points across four (4) different areas (Academic, Clinical, Professional, Social Justice; three in each area) Writing Sample (ENGL 0101; graded B- or higher) Additional requirements that are specific to Physical Education can be found on the Physical Education concentration page.

Advanced Standing

Advanced Standing is required for those completing an internship, ATEP clinical experience, or student teaching practicum. The requirements are as follows:

  • Minimum GPA of 2.5 in the Major Core area (27 credits)
  • Minimum GPA of 2.7 in the courses required within the chosen concentration (Physical Education requires a minimum GPA of 3.0 within the concentration)
  • Minimum overall GPA of 2.8
  • Personal Statement
  • Resume
  • First Aid / CPR Certification
  • Membership in a professional organization
  • Earn a minimum of 16 Professional Development Points across four different areas (Academic, Clinical, Professional, Social Justice; four in each area)
  • Three (3) Faculty Recommendations and two (2) additional recommendations from outside the department

Additional requirements for Physical Education students can be found on the Physical Education concentration page.

Additional information can be found in the SMHP Department manual.

Additional Graduation Requirements

All students must meet the University Graduation Requirements and complete a common core of studies, distributed among the different academic areas as detailed in the Common Core.

Learning Outcomes

  • Students will understand and demonstrate cultural competence.
  • Students will understand the need for and will demonstrate proficiency in written and oral communications and be able to utilize different forms of current technology.
  • Students will use reflective practices to plan, implement and evaluate program, personal, community and professional goals.
  • Students will demonstrate an ability to explain the relevance of scientific and theoretical knowledge appropriate to his/her chosen field of study to everyday problems.
  • Students will utilize critical inquiry to advance knowledge and apply that knowledge to practice.
  • Students will understand the importance of and will engage in professional behaviors including pursuit of appropriate credentials.
  • Students will understand the role of Physical Activity in the Health and Wellness of individuals across the lifespan.
  • Students will value and participate in Civic Engagement.
Students on the volleyball court

Accreditation

Program Accreditation Update Received 8/11/2022

The Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education (CAATE) has voted to grant 10 years of Continuing Accreditation to the Professional Athletic Training Program at Westfield State University.

The next required comprehensive accreditation review for this program will be conducted during the 2031-2032 academic year.

CAATE Accredited Program logo

Related Clubs & Organizations

Athletic Training Club
Members of the Athletic Training Club attend the Eastern Athletic Trainers Association Convention annually and bring back valuable hands-on

Advisor

Athletic Training Club
Athletic Training Club Constitution
Sports Medicine Club

To provide the students with information concerning the sports medicine field and its various related professions. To allow the students various service learning and civic engagement opportunities through at least one (1) service project and one (1) professional development event each semester.

Advisor

Sports Medicine Club
Sports Medicine Club Constitution

Still have questions?

Program Director: 
Dr. Paul Higgins
phiggins@westfield.ma.edu