Athletic Training

Look around you-people these days are on the move. We're learning more, trying more, doing more. And when the level of physical activity increases, the risk of injury rises as well. That's where the certified athletic trainer comes in-whether it's an athlete of any age, an industrial worker performing physical tasks or even an average citizen delving into recreational athletics, the certified athletic trainer can help.

Background Information

Certified athletic trainers (ATCs) are medical experts in preventing, recognizing, managing and rehabilitating injuries that result from physical activity. Athletic trainers can help you avoid unnecessary medical treatment and disruption of normal daily life; if you're injured, they can get you on the mend and keep you on the move. As part of a complete health care team, the certified athletic trainer works under the direction of a licensed physician and in cooperation with other health care professionals, athletic administrators, coaches and parents. The ATC gets to know each athlete individually and can treat injuries more effectively.

Career Opportunities

Employment for an ATC is usually in a setting where people are active. ATCs can be found working in secondary schools, colleges and universities, professional sports, fitness centers, industrial settings and sports medicine clinics.

National Athletic Trainers Association

National Athletic Trainers Association (NATA) is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to advancing, encouraging and improving the athletic training profession. Through its commitment to improving athletes' health and well-being, NATA promotes excellence in athletic health care through public awareness and education. For further information about the NATA visit their website: www.nata.org.

NDSU Athletic Training Education Program

North Dakota State University offers a major in athletic training. The major is a four-year program accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training  Education (CAATE). There are two phases to the athletic training program: the pre-professional phase (first year) and the professional phase (second, third and fourth year).

Pre-Professional Phases (must be completed in first year)
During the pre-professional phase of the program the student is required to meet the following minimum standards:
The minimum standards:

1. The following courses must be taken and a letter grade of "B" or better earned:
   • HNES 111 - Wellness
   • HNES 180 - Athletic Training Profession
   • HNES 181 - Practical Applications of Taping, Protective Devices and Taping
   • HNES 260 - Medical Terminology
   • HNES 291 - Seminar in Athletic Training Anatomy
   • HPER 210 - First Aid/CPR
2. An overall grade point average of 2.75 on a 4.0 scale.
3. Successful completion of 27 semester credit hours.
4. Thirty hours of observation.

Professional Phase
In order for a student to move from the pre-professional phase to the professional phase he or she must apply to the program and meet the following list of requirements:

1. Meet the 4 minimum standards listed above
2. Submit application, two letters of recommendation, essay
3. Complete formal interview with athletic training staff

Students can be conditionally accepted into the program pending the outcome of criteria 1-3.  Once conditional acceptance is granted the following requirements must be completed to receive full program admission:

 

1. A physical exam signed by a physician
2. Technical Standards From signed by a physician
3. Tuberculosis Test and Hepartits B vaccine or waiver
4. Addition paperwork as needed by affiliated sites

Once a student has been formally accepted into the professional phase of the athletic training program he or she will be exposed to both academic course work and clinical experiences. The course work is sequenced to enhance and build on the knowledge and skills that are crucial for a student to take the Board of Certification (BOC) exam. The clinical experiences, under the direct supervision of a certified athletic trainer, help the student to further develop and enhance his or her skills and techniques. The student will have a variety of clinical experiences in Fargo-Moorhead. Some the these include the NDSU athletic training room, Concordia College, North and South High School, West Fargo High School, Oak Grove High School, Dakota Clinic/Innovis, MeritCare Health Systems, Red River Valley Sports Medicine/Orthopedic Associates and other related sites.

Retention Standards
Students must meet all of the retention standards in order to maintain their status in the NDSU athletic training education program.

Second Year Students:

1. A passing grade must be earned in BIOL 220/ 220L and 221/221L Human Anatomy and Physiology/Lab by the end spring semester of (your second year)
2. Must receive a "B" or higher in all athletic training curriculum and clinical courses.
3. Maintain an overall grade point average of 2.75 on a 4.0 scale.
4. Meet technical standards criteria.
5. Displays appropriate/ethical/moral conduct or behaviors as stated in the ATS Disposition Form, ATS Student Code of Conduct, NDSU Code of Behavior and NATA Code of Ethics.

Third and Fourth Year Students:

1. Must receive a "B" or higher in all athletic training curriculum and clinical courses.
2. Maintain overall grade point average of 2.75 on a 4.0 scale.
3. Meet technical standards criteria.
4. Displays appropriate/ethical/moral conduct or behaviors as stated in the ATS Disposition    Form, ATS Student Code of Conduct, NDSU Code of Behavior and NATA Code of    Ethics.

Students will only be accepted into the program for fall semester. Transfer students must meet all the minimum requirements before being accepted into the program

The final aspect of the program is the Board of Certification Exam taken in April of the student's final semester

Contact Information

Director of Student Services and Advancement
College of Human Development and Education

North Dakota State University
Evelyn Morrow Lebedeff Hall 255D
Fargo, ND 58105

Tel: (701) 231-7071
Fax: (701) 231-7174
Email:Nancy.Gress@ndsu.edu
Web: www.ndsu.edu/hde

or

Athletic Training Program Director
North Dakota State University
Bentson-Bunker Fieldhouse I
Fargo, ND 58105-5600

Tel: (701) 231-8093
Fax: (701) 231-8872
Email: pamela.j.hansen@ndsu.edu
Web: http://www.ndsu.nodak.edu/HNES/undergrad.html

Office of Admission

North Dakota State University
Ceres 114
Dept 5230, PO Box 6050
Fargo, ND 58108-6050

Tel: (701) 231-8643
Fax: (701) 231-8802
Email: NDSU.Admission@ndsu.edu
Web: http://www.ndsu.nodak.edu/prospective_students/

(02/10)