Athletic Training

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This major prepares students for a career as an athletic trainer in high school, college and professional sports, and within additional settings, including sports medicine clinics, hospitals, the military, industry, and the performing arts.  The 3+2 program prepares students for the Board of Certification exam upon graduation from the master's program.  Admission to the Athletic Training Master's degree program is competitive.  Admission requirements for the Professional Master's in Athletic Training program can be found at http://www.kin.hs.iastate.edu/graduate-programs/athletic-training.

Iowa State University's Athletic Training Program has transitioned to a Professional Master's degree program. Undergraduate students will be enrolled in the 3+2 athletic training program with a 3-year Pre-Athletic Training undergraduate curriculum and a 2-year Master of Athletic Training program in the Department of Kinesiology. Students with a B.S. or B.A. degree may apply directly to the master's program with completion of prerequisite coursework, program requirements, and observation hours. For more information, please contact the program director, Dr. Mary Meier, at mary@iastate.edu. 

Mission

Athletic training is the art and science of the prevention, recognition, care, and rehabilitation of athletic injuries. It includes the organization and administration of athletic training education programs, as well as the education and counseling physically active individuals and athletes. The Iowa State University athletic training program provides high quality education striving to instill intellectual curiosity, evidence-based knowledge, and clinical skills essential for individual development. The program faculty and clinical preceptors strive to prepare athletic training students to be productive and responsible citizens of the world and to foster affective, caring individuals to promote the profession of athletic training.

The Athletic Training faculty and clinical preceptors continually update educational curriculum to keep athletic training students current with field knowledge and to ensure the best possible undergraduate and graduate education in both the didactic and clinical settings.

Goals

  1.  We prepare athletic training students for the BOC Certification Exam.
  2.  We produce high quality athletic trainers prepared for employment in educational, clinical, and professional settings.
  3.  We promote professional and ethical conduct at all times.
  4.  We provide athletic training students equal opportunity to develop their skills both in the classroom and in the clinical settings.
  5.  We continually update the curricular offerings to provide the athletic training student current evidence-based knowledge in the profession.
  6.  We provide high quality instruction in the classroom and clinical experiences.
  7.  We assist the athletic training student in gaining employment.
  8.  We promote the concept of establishing professional contacts by attending professional and educational meetings.
  9.  We foster an appreciation of athletic training as a component of sports medicine.
  10.  We foster the affective, caring side of athletic training.

Student Learning Objectives

  1. Athletic training graduates will use effective communication skills.
  2. Athletic training graduates will demonstrate competence in athletic training skills and knowledge.
  3. Athletic training graduates will possess ethical, caring, professional attributes and behaviors as a health care professional.
  4. Athletic training graduates will demonstrate effective critical thinking and problem-solving skills ensuring them of being an effective athletic trainer.
  5. Athletic training graduates will demonstrate the ability to apply clinical skills and make evidence-based decisions to optimize patient outcomes.

UNDERGRADUATE STUDY

The Department of Kinesiology offers a Bachelor of Science degree in Kinesiology & Health. The B.S. in Athletic Training degree is only offered upon completion of the 3+2 B.S./M.A.TR. Athletic Training program. The undergraduate curriculum major/option is comprised of three components:  general education, required departmental courses and the component courses. The intent of the general education component is to promote intellectual and personal growth and to prepare students for success in the basic, advanced and major/option components.  Required courses provide an introduction to the field and fundamental principles of physical activity, fitness, health and disease, and component courses fulfill prerequisite requirements of the graduate program.

B.S./M.A.TR. degree in Athletic Training

Certified Athletic Trainers are allied medical health care professionals who specialize in risk reduction, wellness, health literacy, assessment, evaluation, diagnosis, critical incident management, and therapeutic intervention of injuries. To gain certification as an athletic trainer, candidates must graduate from a CAATE accredited athletic training education program and successfully pass the Board of Certification (BOC) examination. In addition, most states have licensure requirements to practice athletic training. The ISU Athletic Training undergraduate education program has been CAATE accredited since 2001 and has transitioned to a Professional Master's program. The Athletic Training program at Iowa State University includes various athletic training clinical rotations including high school settings, physical therapy and university settings, physician offices, surgical and emergency department observations, and immersive clinical opportunities in orthopedic and non-orthopedic settings. 

Curriculum in Athletic Training

This major prepares students for a career as an athletic trainer in high school, college, professional sports, and within additional settings, including sports medicine clinics, hospitals, the military, industry, and the performing arts. The 3+2 program prepares students for the Board of Certification exam upon graduation from the master's program. Admission to the Athletic Training Master's degree program is competitive. Admission requirements for the Professional Master's in Athletic Training program can be found at http://www.kin.hs.iastate.edu/graduate-programs/athletic-training/.

Curriculum in Athletic Training

In order to meet graduate program admission requirements, all students must pass the following undergraduate prerequisite courses with a grade no lower than a "C":

BIOL 2110Principles of Biology I3
or BIOL 2120 Principles of Biology II
BIOL 2110LPrinciples of Biology Laboratory I1
or BIOL 2120L Principles of Biology Laboratory II
BIOL 2550Fundamentals of Human Anatomy3
BIOL 2550LFundamentals of Human Anatomy Laboratory1
BIOL 2560Fundamentals of Human Physiology3
BIOL 2560LFundamentals of Human Physiology Laboratory1
CHEM 1630College Chemistry4
or CHEM 1770 General Chemistry I
CHEM 1630LLaboratory in College Chemistry1
or CHEM 1770L Laboratory in General Chemistry I
FSHN 1670Introductory Human Nutrition and Health3
KIN 3550Biomechanics3
KIN 3580Exercise Physiology3
KIN 3590Exercise Physiology Lab1
PHYS 1150Physics for the Life Sciences4
or PHYS 1310/1310L General Physics I
PSYCH 1010Introduction to Psychology3
STAT 1010Principles of Statistics3-4
or STAT 1040 Introduction to Statistics

Communication Proficiency

In order to meet graduation requirements, all students must pass ENGL 1500 and pass ENGL 2500, with a grade no lower C. Students not meeting this condition must earn a C or better in an advanced writing course:

ENGL 3020Business Communication3
or ENGL 3140 Technical Communication
LIB 1600Introduction to College Level Research1
SPCM 2120Fundamentals of Public Speaking3
COMST 4120Health Communication3

U.S. Cultures and Communities and International Perspectives

In order to meet graduation requirements, all students must complete 3 cr. of course work in U.S. Cultures and Communities and 3 cr. in International Perspectives. See university approved list.

General Education

In order to meet graduate program admission requirements, all students must pass the following undergraduate prerequisite courses with a grade no lower than a "C":

Physical and Life Sciences:

BIOL 2110Principles of Biology I3
or BIOL 2120 Principles of Biology II
BIOL 2110LPrinciples of Biology Laboratory I1
or BIOL 2120L Principles of Biology Laboratory II
BIOL 2550Fundamentals of Human Anatomy3
BIOL 2550LFundamentals of Human Anatomy Laboratory1
BIOL 2560Fundamentals of Human Physiology3
BIOL 2560LFundamentals of Human Physiology Laboratory1

Additional major-specific requirements are:

FSHN 1670Introductory Human Nutrition and Health **3
FSHN 3670Medical Terminology for Health Professionals1
KIN 3720Motor Control and Learning Across the Lifespan *3
PSYCH 4600General Psychopathology3
Choose one of the following:
CHEM 1630College Chemistry **4
CHEM 1770General Chemistry I **4
Choose one of the following:
CHEM 1630LLaboratory in College Chemistry **1
CHEM 1770LLaboratory in General Chemistry I **1
Choose one of the following:
PHYS 1310
1310L
General Physics I
and General Physics I Laboratory **
5
PHYS 1150Physics for the Life Sciences **4
*

A grade of C- or better is required.

**

A grade of C or better is required.

Mathematics and Statistics:

From the following:3-4
College Algebra
Preparation for Calculus
Applied Trigonometry
Calculus I
Choose one of the following:3-4
Principles of Statistics **
Introduction to Statistics **
**

A grade of C or better is required.

Social Sciences: 9 cr. min required

PSYCH 1010Introduction to Psychology **3
SOC 1340Introduction to Sociology3
PSYCH Choice3
**

A grade of C or better is required.

Humanities: 6 cr. min required

Choose from department approved list.

Communications:

ENGL 1500Critical Thinking and Communication3
ENGL 2500Written, Oral, Visual, and Electronic Composition3
LIB 1600Introduction to College Level Research1
SPCM 2120Fundamentals of Public Speaking3
One of the following3
Business Communication
Technical Communication
Health Communication
Business and Professional Speaking

Program requirements:

The following courses are required in all majors and options:

HS 1100Personal and Consumer Health3
HS 3500Human Diseases *3
KIN 2520Introduction to the Discipline of Kinesiology1
KIN 2530Orientation and Learning Community in Kinesiology and Health1
KIN 2580Principles of Physical Fitness and Conditioning2
KIN 3580Exercise Physiology **3
KIN 3590Exercise Physiology Lab **1
KIN 3730Biomechanics and Motor Control Laboratory1
*

A grade of C- or better is required.

**

A grade of C or better is required.

Courses for Athletic Training Major

Option Requirements:
ATR 2170Clinical Practicum in Athletic Training I1
ATR 2180Orientation to Athletic Training Clinical Experience0.5
ATR 2190Anatomy Clinical Practicum1
ATR 2200Basic Athletic Training2
ATR 2210Pre-Athletic Training Clinical Practicum1
ATR 2230Preseason Clinical Experience Practicum1
ATR 2280Basic Orthopedic Assessment and Evaluation Principles2
ATR 2290Clinical Practicum in Athletic Training II1
ATR 3280Athletic Injuries Clinical Practicum1
KIN 3550Biomechanics **3
KIN 4800Functional Anatomy3
Chose one of the following:
KIN 3650Sport Psychology *3
KIN 3660Exercise Psychology *3
*

A grade of C- or better is required.

**

A grade of C or better is required.

Athletic Training B.S./Masters (B.S./M.A.T.R.) Degree
Sample Five-Year Plan

First Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits 
ATR 21800.5ATR 21800.5 
BIOL 2550 (*)*3BIOL 2110 or 2120 (*)3 
BIOL 2550L (*)*1BIOL 2110L or 2120L (*)1 
ENGL 15003BIOL 2560 (*)**3 
HS 11003BIOL 2560L (*)**1 
KIN 25201FSHN 1670 (*)3 
KIN 25301SOC 13403 
LIB 16001STAT 1010 or 1040 (*)3-4 
PSYCH 1010 (*)3  
 16.5 17.5-18.5
Second Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits 
ATR 2200*2ATR 2170**1 
ATR 2210*1ATR 21901 
CHEM 1630 or 1770 (*)4KIN 25802 
CHEM 1630L or 1770L (*)1MATH 1400, 1430, 1450, or 16503-4 
ENGL 25003PHYS 1150 or 1310 and 1310L (*)4-5 
Humanities/US Cultures and Communities (formerly U.S. Diversity)3SPCM 21203 
PSYCH Choice3Humanities/International Perspectives3 
 17 17-19
Third Year
FallCreditsSpringCreditsSummerCredits
ATR 2230*1ATR 3280**1ATR 50101
ATR 2280*2ENGL 3020, 3140, COMST 4120, or SPCM 31203ATR 50203
ATR 2290*1HS 35003ATR 50901
FSHN 36701KIN 37203ATR 52001
KIN 3550 (*)3KIN 37301BMS 44804
KIN 3580 (*)3KIN 48003 
KIN 3590 (*)1PSYCH 46003 
KIN 3650 or 36603  
Apply for admission to the AT/MATR program in December.   
 15 17 10
Fourth Year
FallCreditsSpringCreditsSummerCredits
ATR 5050*3ATR 5130**3ATR 51502
ATR 5100*3ATR 5220**1ATR 52301
ATR 5190*3ATR 5290**3ATR 53902
ATR 5210*1ATR 5450**3ATR 56003
 10 10 8
Fifth Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits 
ATR 55002ATR 5240**1 
ATR 5590*4ATR 5690**5 
ATR 5700*3ATR 5750**3 
HS 56403  
 12 9
 

Optional experiences: ATR 5490A/KIN 3810A and ATR 5490B/KIN 3810B Athletic Training Clinical Education Study Abroad (2 credits).

(*) A grade of C or better is required.

*

Fall Only Course

**

Spring Only Course

 

Planned course offerings may change, and students need to check the online Schedule of Classes each term to confirm course offerings: https://classes.iastate.edu/.

 

Humanities, Social Science, International Perspectives, and U.S. Cultures and Communities courses: https://kin.hs.iastate.edu/current-students/academics/resources-and-registration/

 

This sequence is only an example.

Students who have already completed, or will complete, a B.A. or B.S. degree from an accredited institution and who have completed necessary prerequisite course work and other admission requirements can apply for the Master's in Athletic Training program. More information on the admissions requirements and application can be found here: https://kin.hs.iastate.edu/graduate-students/graduate-program/masters-in-athletic-training/admissions-requirements-application/.