Certified Athletic Trainers: Unique health care providers who specialize in the prevention, assessment, treatment and rehabilitation of injuries and illnesses.
Definition of Athletic Training (approved by NATA Board of Directors in October, 2007):
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 Training Education Program (ATEP) here at William Woods University is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education (CAATE). Our ATEP is housed within the Division of Human Performance and offers students a Bachelor of Science Degree with a Major in Athletic Training. Options are available to students in terms of minors and teaching certification.
Those students majoring in the field follow a prescribed four-year plan that prepares them to sit for the Board of Certification exam. Students study a challenging program in such courses as biology, anatomy and physiology, psychology, first aid and CPR, prevention and care of athletic injuries, orthopedic assessment, therapeutic exercise and rehabilitation, therapeutic modalities, and general medical conditions and pharmacology.
The ATEP has a competitive admissions process, with selection based upon meeting the requirements set forth by the program. The admission standards and requirements may be viewed on this web site, or may be provided by ATEP upon request. Students must declare a major in Athletic Training and take prerequisite course work during the freshman year. Students make formal application during the spring semester of the freshman year. Students accepted into the program begin course work. The curriculum is a prepared three-year plan of study, with students required to stay in course sequence in order to progress through the program in a timely manner.
Students selected into the program will be completing didactic course work while also engaged in challenging clinical experiences. Athletic training remains a unique profession that promotes student application of skills during their educational experiences. The clinical experiences designed by the ATEP enhance the student's abilities to develop clinical skills that will better prepare them as health care professionals. Working with intercollegiate athletics on campus and various off campus sites, such as physical therapy and orthopedic clinics, will contribute to their practical skill development.
Additional information is available for prospective students in the links located on the right of the homepage under “Prospective Students”. Or to obtain more information about the Athletic Training Education Program, you may contact:
Anthony Lungstrum MS, ATC, LAT
Director, Athletic Training Education Program
