Athletic trainers (ATs) are highly qualified, multi-skilled health care professionals who collaborate with physicians to provide preventative services, emergency care, clinical diagnosis, therapeutic intervention and rehabilitation of injuries and medical conditions. To become an AT, one must first graduate from a CAATE accredited professional athletic training education program that results in the granting of a master's degree in athletic training.
This 3+2 program allows students to complete the entire bachelor's and master's degree program in five years, and be eligible to take the Board of Certification Examination (BOC) upon program completion. Students in the Kinesiology/Pre-AT program complete MS.ATR prerequisite courses in biology, chemistry, physics, psychology, anatomy and physiology. They also complete courses that provide foundational knowledge in athletic training.
Students will apply to the MS.ATR program using the Athletic Training Centralized Application Service (ATCAS) by February 1st of their third year. Acceptance into the MS.ATR program is limited, and merely completing the application process does not guarantee admission. More information about the application process and selection criteria can be found at CU's Athletic Training website.
The fourth and fifth years are dedicated to the MS.ATR didactic and clinical coursework. Students receive a Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology/Pre-AT degree after the fourth year. The MS.ATR program takes two full years, including two summer (August) semesters, to complete. The design of the new masters degree program allows students to become immersed in athletic training didactic and clinical content courses because the foundational knowledge and general education courses will be complete before students enter the MS.ATR program. The MS.ATR curriculum sequence can be viewed at at CU's Athletic Training website.
ATHLETIC TRAINING PROGRAM MISSION STATEMENT
The mission of the Athletic Training Program at Castleton University is to provide a comprehensive and progressive academic and clinical education experience for students. This experience at Castleton prepares students to pass the Board of Certification (BOC) examination and achieve entry-level employment in the field of Athletic Training.
The AT Program accepts the overall mission of Castleton University to provide the opportunity for intellectual and personal growth of students through excellence in teaching, close student-faculty interaction, numerous opportunities for outside-the-classroom learning, and an active and supportive campus community. The AT Program strives to prepare students for meaningful careers, further academic pursuits; and engaged, environmentally responsible citizenship.
ATHLETIC TRAINING PROGRAM GOALS
The AT Program prepares students to:
1. Think critically and effectively apply content knowledge to real world situations and tasks.
- Be professionally and ethically responsible administrators of athletic healthcare.
- Maintain the highest standards of evidence-based clinical practice by effectively integrating information technology, clinical expertise, and patient values and circumstances.
- Utilize effective oral and written communication skills as an athletic trainer.
- Secure employment in athletic training or a related field, or gain admission to a graduate program of study.
2. The AT Program continually strives to provide high quality didactic and clinical instruction and learning opportunities for the students.
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