Athletic trainers are sometimes confused with personal trainers. However, the education, skillset, and expertise of an athletic trainer allow the individual to provide medical services to patients under the direction of a physician.
The Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education (CAATE) accredited Athletic Training program at Illinois State involves 5 semesters of didactic and clinical education. The Athletic Training program prepares the student in a state-of-the art facility. Affiliated clinical sites include hospitals and clinics, high schools, small and large university athletics, outpatient rehabilitation clinics, and semi-professional sports.
Why Study Athletic Training?
Recognized by the American Medical Association as allied health care professionals, athletic trainers work in a variety of settings including high schools, colleges and universities, professional sport venues, hospitals and sports medicine clinics, corporations and industrial settings, health clubs, and non-traditional settings such as the military, public safety, and performing arts.
Athletic training is a growing profession among the widespread and projected future workforce shortages in primary care support and outpatient rehab settings. Athletic trainers play a vital role in improving functional outcomes and specialize in patient education to prevent injury and re-injury. Athletic trainers are able to reduce injury and shorten rehabilitation time for their patients, which translates to reduction in time lost and health care costs.