College of Education

Academics

Athletic training

Department of Educational Leadership & Counseling Psychology

Bachelor of science in athletic training

Certified Athletic Trainers are allied health care professionals who provide medical services to active populations in a wide variety of settings. If you are interested in the human body, competition, and serving people the profession of athletic training may be for you. We encourage you to check out the information presented here and then to contact us for a tour or answers to any questions that may not have been answered.

Certified Athletic Trainers serve active populations in a variety of settings including but not limited to:

  • Professional, collegiate and high school athletics
  • Sports medicine clinics
  • Hospitals and physicians’ offices
  • Corporate and industrial offices
  • Health clubs
  • The arts

Become a certified athletic trainer

Certification for athletic training requires the successful completion of a bachelors or masters degree in athletic training from an institution that has been accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education and successful completion of the national exam given by the Board of Certification.

Athletic training education uses a competency based approach both in the classroom and clinical settings.  Educational content is based on cognitive (knowledge), psychomotor (skill), and affective (professional behaviors) competencies and clinical proficiencies.

What does this mean?

This means that your education in athletic training here at Washington State University will include classroom learning, hands-on laboratory learning and opportunities to practice your skills and professionalism in a variety of professional settings as you learn what it really means to be a member of the athletic training profession.

Athletic training at Washington State University

The athletic training education program at WSU is a rigorous three year academic program beginning with a highly competitive admissions policy. Once you are accepted into the program you will have access to some of the highest quality learning opportunities available including:

  • A staff of 10 certified athletic trainers with a variety of specializations and expertise to offer
  • Knowledgeable academic faculty who love to teach
  • Opportunities to work with division 1 athletes
  • The athletic training facilities of a division 1 Pac-10 athletic institution
  • Opportunities for research development and presentation
  • Leadership opportunities in the student club
  • Travel to conventions
  • Clinical partnerships with local physical therapy clinics, high schools, and general medical clinics
  • Clinical partnership with Lewis and Clark State College – annual host of the NAIA World Series
  • Networking with more than 30 medical professionals in the area
  • Personal mentoring
  • A tight-knit community of learning

Admission

Acceptance to the athletic training education program at WSU is based on a competitive application process. The application deadline for fall admittance is
April 1.

The following are required for application into the ATEP at Washington State University:

  • A grade of C or better in Human Anatomy (MVTST 262), Care and Prevention of Athletic Injuries (ATH T 266), Techniques in Athletic Training (ATH T 267), and First Aid and Emergency Response (HF 263)
  • Minimum cumulative GPA of 2.75 including the semester of application
  • Typed application form and written responses to Applicant Questions
  • Three letters of recommendation
  • Official transcript(s) from the registrar of all colleges attended or a DARS report from WSU
  • A copy (front and back) of current first aid, CPR/AED for the Professional Rescuer certifications
  • Completed technical standards document
  • 20 hours of observation in the WSU athletic training room (see the Clinical Coordinator for details)

After completion of the application each applicant will be contacted for an interview.

View the application documents »

Transfer students

  • Due to course sequencing and pre-acceptance observation requirements this program requires 7 semesters at WSU including 1 semester prior to admission to the program and 6 semesters after acceptance. Unfortunately, regardless of previous coursework, completion of this program will require 3.5 years. Relevant coursework may be given transfer credit for Care and Prevention of Athletic Injuries and Human Anatomy.

Clinical education

The athletic training education program at WSU includes a minimum of 1200 hours of clinical education. Your clinical assignments will rotate each of six semesters for a well-rounded experience during which you will average 15-20 hours per week.

  • Semester 1: You will have an opportunity to become oriented with all of the athletic training facilities and staff certified athletic trainers as you rotate through assignments with most of the sports offered on campus.
  • Semester 2: You will be assigned a staff certified athletic trainer as a mentor and will gain valuable experience working with the sports to which your mentor is assigned.
  • Semester 3 and 4: These rotations include time spent in a physical therapy clinic, high school, general medical clinic, local NAIA college, with a faculty researcher and the WSU Athletics’ sports nutritionist. Students will be responsible for purchasing personal professional liability insurance. Transportation to and from the off-campus clinical education experiences will be at the students' expense.
  • Semester 5 and 6: Your third year in the program you will be assigned as the senior student to a mentor and assist with the daily responsibilities of providing treatment and care for the teams to which your mentor is assigned as well as gaining familiarity with the administrative duties for which your mentor is responsible.
  • Hosting: Throughout your clinical education you will have opportunities to “host” visiting teams. This includes setting up the sidelines and being available to assist visiting athletic trainers and student-athletes.
  • Other Opportunities: Students may have opportunities to work with special events in the area such as high school state tournaments and the NAIA World Series.

Scholarships

The athletic training education program at WSU is a time-intensive, rigorous academic program requiring commitment and dedication. Scholarships are available from both the College of Education and the WSU Athletic Department. Applications for scholarships through the College of Education can be found on-line and are typically due the first week of January.

The Department of Athletics at WSU also offers three endowed scholarships to students in the athletic training education program. The scholarships include: the Damien Ficek Memorial Scholarship, the Clifford M Phibbs Excellence Endowment for Sports Medicine, the Anita Preston Endowed Scholarship in Athletic Medicine, and the Dr. Ed and Laura Tingstad Athletic Medicine Endowment. Applications can be found at the link below and are due the first week in September.

Scholarship application »

Available facilities

These facilities are available to Athletic Training Education Program at WSU. To learn more visit the website.

  • Athletic Medicine Treatment Center
  • National Aquatic and Sports Medicine Institute
  • Cougar Mania Hydrotherapy Facility
  • Smith Gymnasium
  • Physical Education Building
  • Bohler Addition Varsity Weight Room
  • Bohler Gym and Saneholtz Court
  • Hollingberry Field House
  • Outdoor Tennis Center
  • Friel Court in Beasley Coliseum
  • Mooberry Track
  • Gibb Pool
  • Martin Stadium and Athletic Center
  • Bailey-Brayton Field
  • Lower Soccer Field
  • Wawawai Landing
  • Indoor Practice Facility

Affiliated clinical sites

WSU Athletic Training
WSU Health and Wellness Services
Garfield-Palouse High School
Lewis and Clark State College
Proformance Physical Therapy
Pullman High School
Moscow High School
Inland Orthopedic Clinic
Summit Physical Therapy

 

Athletic training

2008 Research Forum

College of Education Associate Professor Jennifer Beller speaks on drugs, doping, and athletics in the 2008 College of Education Research Forum » 

More info

 

See WSU Athletic Training in action - visit our program website online.

Program faculty

Kinesiology faculty

Athletic training staff

College of Education, Cleveland Hall, PO Box 642114, Washington State University, Pullman WA 99164-2114, 509-335-1738, Contact Us