In cooperation with physicians and other health care personnel, the athletic trainer functions as an integral member of the health care team in secondary schools, colleges and universities, professional sports programs, sports medicine clinics, and other health care settings. The athletic trainer functions in cooperation with medical personnel, athletic personnel, individuals involved in physical activity, parents, and guardians in the development and coordination of efficient and responsive athletic health care delivery systems.
Careers
- College and University Settings
- Secondary School Settings
- Hospital Settings
- Military/Law Enforcement Settings
- Professional Sports Settings
- Clinical/Outpatient Orthopedic Settings
- Industrial Settings
- Performing Arts Settings
The Athletic Training Program at Valdosta State University was granted NATA approval in 1990. The program underwent the CAAHEP self- study process and received accreditation in 1995. In September 1999, the program completed its second CAAHEP self- study process and site visitors came to campus in spring 2000. In October 2000, the program was granted continuing accreditation by CAAHEP. In September 2004, the program completed its third CAAHEP self-study process and site visitors came to campus in spring 2005. In September 2005, the program was granted continuing accreditation by CAAHEP. In July 2006, all athletic training education programs were accredited through the Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education (CAATE). In June 2011, the program completed the CAATE self-study process and site visitors came to campus in spring 2012. In August 2012, the program was granted continuing accreditation by CAATE until 2022.
Admission to the Athletic Training Program is a separate process from admission to Valdosta State University. The program is designed so that a student begins the process towards admission in the fall semester of the student?s freshman year. The student completes the process towards admission in the spring semester of the student?s freshman year.
The incoming class of athletic training students is enrolled in the fall semester in course work. In the fall semester of the student?s sophomore year, the student has a clinical class; however the student is not placed in a clinical education rotation/experience until the student?s second semester in the program. Athletic Training Students? clinical education rotations/experiences occur in a variety of settings that include, but are not limited to the following: college/university, high school, general medical, and outpatient orthopedic clinics. Clinical education rotations/experiences allow for upper and lower extremity injury exposure, exposure to equipment intensive activities, exposure to patients/clients of various ages, gender, socioeconomic statuses, and cultures. Once admitted into the program, students will complete six semesters of academic work and five semesters of clinical education rotations/experiences. The academic, clinical, and athletic sections of the program?s policy and procedure manual provide additional detailed information.
The program is designed to be a four year undergraduate program. Students that successfully matriculate through the required academic and clinical education rotations/experiences will complete the program in four years. Students that do not successfully matriculate through the required academic and clinical education rotations will be unable to complete the program in four year.
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