Helping Athletes To Safely Reach Their Peak Performance: Athletic Training Degree
Are you passionate about sport and enjoy working with people? Would you like to help athletes reach their full potential while spending your days working in an unconventional work environment? If so, an athletic training degree could be just what you need to set things in motion for a rewarding career as a certified athletic trainer. A lot of hard work and dedication goes into training for any type of sport and as a trainer you’ll be able to help athletes achieve their goals. Becoming a certified athletic trainer can enable you to become one of the driving forces behind successful athletes.
Athletic Training Degree Information
Bachelor of Science in Athletic Training
The Bachelor of Science in Athletic Training is typically a four year program that consists of general education courses along with major courses. Major courses for this degree may include Principles of Athletic Training, Clinical Education, Emergency Care for Athletic Training, Medical Aspects of Athletic Training, Applied Pharmacology in Athletic Training, Administration Aspects of Athletic Training, Personal Health, Essentials of Strength & Condition and much more.
Master of Science in Athletic Training
Students with a bachelors degree can also go on to do the Master of Science in Athletic Training degree in order to enhance their career prospects. This type of degree generally takes about two years to complete and offer a combination of classroom teaching along with hands-on clinical training. Clinical field experiences may be offered on campus or in other settings if students take part in a distance-based education program. The curriculum may include courses such as Risk Management and Emergency Care for Athletes, Advanced Athletic Training Techniques, Imaging in Athletic Training, Sports Nutrition, Clinical Medicine and Therapeutic Exercise.
Doctorate In Athletic Training
After obtaining a master’s degree in the field and becoming a certified athletic trainer, students can also go on to complete a Doctorate in Athletic Training degree. This type of degree is typically aimed at anyone who want to focus on clinical practice, conduct research in the field of athletic training or who wishes to make an original contribution to the field. This degree can take two to three years to complete and may include courses such as Integrative Health, Manual Therapy, Administration of Health Care, Outcome Assessment in Health Care, Research Methods in Applied Medicine and Rehabilitation and more.
Certification
In order to work as certified athletic trainers, students must first pass the National Athletic Trainers’ Association Board of Certification examination. It is only after passing this examination that students become certified and may use the credential of certified athletic trainer. This is why it is important to ensure that before enrolling in a degree program that they are able to fully prepare you for this important examination. A bachelors or master’s degree from a professional athletic training education program that is accredited is required before taking the test and there are ongoing continuing education requirements to stay certified as well.
Athletic Training Degree FAQ
Is It Possible To Study Athletic Training Online?
Because athletic training is a degree that involves a lot of hands-on work, it is very difficult to find degree programs that are fully online. However, there are a few fully online programs, typically at a master’s level, that are aimed at certified athletic trainers. These types of online degrees enable professionals in the field to further their education without having to place their careers on hold. This type of course may also be found online as a Doctor of Athletic training for anyone who already has a master’s degree and is certified as a trainer.
Who Is An Ideal Candidate To Study Athletic Training?
The most important thing when considering a degree in athletic training is whether or not you have a love for sports. While it is not impossible to forge a career in athletic training if you are not passionate about sport, it is definitely a lot more rewarding if your degree aligns with your interests. Have had anatomy, physics and physiology classes in school will definitely be an advantage as well. Since your work might require you to work with athletes who are experiencing pain, it is an advantage to have compassion, but you should also be very detail oriented. Interpersonal skills are vital, along with good decision-making skills.
What Type Of Employment Options Might I Have With An Athletic Training Degree?
An athletic training degree, followed by certification may prepare you to work as an athletic trainer in a variety of different settings. The biggest employers of athletic trainers tend to be educational services along with hospitals and fitness or recreational sports centers. In addition, athletic trainers may opt to work with professional sports teams, performing artists or even the military or law enforcement agencies.
What Type of Duties Might I Have As An Athletic Trainer?
One of the primary duties of an athletic trainer is to help athletes and performers prepare themselves for their chosen profession in such a manner that they don’t sustain injuries. However, if injuries do occur, you may also be responsible for assisting with the rehabilitation process. Since athletic trainers typically work as part of a team, you might also have to cooperate with other healthcare providers to ensure athletes stay in top condition. In general, athletic trainers tend to focus on the prevention of muscle and bone injuries and illnesses as well as the diagnosis and treatment if any occur.
Specific duties might involve the application of devices such as braces or tapes that are designed to prevent injuries or planning and implementing specific programs aimed at the prevention of injuries and illness. Athletic trainers should also be able to recognize injuries immediately and provide first aid or emergency care if required. In addition, working as an athletic trainer also involves a lot of administrative duties, such as record keeping and report writing related to treatment programs or injuries. The job tends to be full time and may involve working in the evenings or weekends when employed by teams that take part in sporting events. Frequent travel might also be a requirement when working with professional sports teams.
How Much Can I Potentially Earn As An Athletic Trainer?
According to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics, the 2016 median pay for people employed as athletic trainers was $45, 630 per year. They also indicate that there is an estimated 22 percent growth in the employment of athletic trainers until 2026, which is faster than what the average growth is fro all occupations.
What Are The other Advantages Of Studying Athletic Training?
Not everyone can make a living as a professional athlete, but becoming an athletic trainer can enable you to be a part of the industry while making a meaningful contribution. It also offers more stability than a career as an athlete as you don’t have to worry about a decline in your athletic performance or the risk of injury that plagues many professional athletes. Lastly, it is a great career if you are a sports lover as you’ll be immersed in the field of athletics while meeting new athletes on a regular basis.
