GET HANDS-ON EXPERIENCE, EXPERT INSTRUCTION — A student performs an ultrasound treatment on an athlete’s knee with professor Jose Rivera observing and advising. “Athletic training students learn to utilize a variety of therapeutic modalities and instruct athletes in therapeutic exercises for the rehabilitation of musculoskeletal injuries,” Rivera said.
The master’s level was recently established by accrediting agencies as the professional level needed for this field. Students will no longer be admitted into the BS in Athletic Training program as of December 2017. Students currently enrolled in the program will be able to finish their field of study. Students not currently in the BS in Athletic Training program can still pursue a career in athletic training through our bachelor’s degree in Pre-Athletic Training followed by our master’s degree in Athletic Training.
Certified athletic trainers provide preventive and emergency care and treatment and rehabilitation of injuries. Along with classes in Health and Physical Education and Exercise Science, you'll take a comprehensive series of courses for your athletic training major, such as Therapeutic Modalities, Therapeutic Exercise, General Medical Conditions in Sports and Exercise, and other courses dealing with the emergency care and evaluation and treatment of sports and exercise injuries. Admission to the program is competitive. You can also choose to take additional courses and double major in exercise science, or obtain a teaching certification by double majoring with health and physical education.
The primary objective of the program is to provide undergraduate students a high-quality, comprehensive, challenging, and diverse academic and clinical education in athletic training. Along with the program's academic curriculum, students must also complete a comprehensive clinical education and experience component. This component entails a series of eight sequential laboratory courses and a minimum of four semesters of supervised field experience at a variety of professional locations (university, sports medicine clinic, physician's office, hospital, and high school).
Upon completion of the program, students will have the necessary education and clinical skills to take the national certification examination administered by the Board of Certification for the athletic trainer and enter the profession of athletic training.
You'll also receive hands-on training through eight laboratory courses and a minimum of four semesters of supervised field experiences. Most of these experiences entail working with IUP's varsity athletes. Others include rotations in sports medicine/physical therapy clinics, physician's offices, and high schools.