Athletic Training Education Program Information |
What is an athletic trainer?
Certified Athletic Trainers are medical professionals who specialize in the prevention, assessment, treatment and rehabilitation of injuries to athletes and others who are engaged in everyday physical activities. To gain certification, candidates must graduate from a CAATE accredited athletic training education program and successfully pass the Board of Certification (BOC) examination. Many states also have licensure requirements to practice athletic training.
Athletic Training Education at Iowa State University
Iowa State University has a long and proud history in the area of athletic training. The Athletic Training Education Program obtained initial accreditation from the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) in April of 2001. The program received continuing CAATE (Commission of Accreditation in Athletic Training Education) in July 2006. The existing athletic training education program is an option in the Department of Kinesiology located in the College of Human Sciences.
The Athletic Training education program at Iowa State University is an undergraduate program that leads to a Bachelor of Science Degree in Kinesiology with an option in Athletic Training. The program currently consists of approximately 124 credits and six clinical rotations. Athletic Training courses focus on competencies within the 12 NATA educational domains:
- Risk management and injury prevention
- Pathology of illness and injuries
- Assessment and evaluation
- Acute care of injury and illness
- Pharmacology
- Therapeutic modalities
- Therapeutic exercise
- General medical conditions and disabilities
- Nutritional aspects of injury and illness
- Psychosocial intervention and referral
- Health care administration
- Professional development and responsibilities
The athletic training program at Iowa State prepares a student to become a BOC certified athletic trainer. The degree awarded is in Kinesiology and is a combination of clinical and classroom experiences. State-of-the-art laboratories in Kinesiology enhance the learning environment for athletic training students. Certified athletic trainers and physical therapists teach all of the athletic training professional didactic courses. Students get frequent interaction with the team physician, team orthopedic surgeons, and two physical therapist/certified athletic trainers. The athletic training students also get the opportunity to participate in surgical observation experiences with team orthopedic surgeons and emergency room observation at local hospital.
The program is designed to both prepare the athletic training student to sit for the BOC Examination and to accept entry-level athletic trainer positions. In addition, graduating students are well qualified to enter graduate programs in athletic training. Students who concurrently complete the teacher credential program will be well qualified for the expanding high school job market.
