Athletic Trainers (ATs) are healthcare professionals who provide patient-centered care in collaboration with a physician. As part of the healthcare team, services provided by ATs include injury and illness prevention, wellness promotion and education, emergent care, examination and clinical diagnosis, therapeutic intervention, and rehabilitation of injuries and medical conditions. The Master of Science in Athletic Training (MSAT) program prepares graduates to be professionally engaged while delivering high quality patient-centered care as athletic trainers. The MSAT is a 2-year, 6-semester program that combines didactic education with diverse clinical experiences. Through a comprehensive and innovative experience, the Western Carolina University Athletic Training Program aspires to be a recognized leader in preparing highly skilled and professionally progressive leaders in the field of athletic training.
The WCU Athletic Training Program prepares students to become successful athletic trainers. The program promotes critical thinking and problem solving in a hands-on curriculum that exposes students to a wide variety of clinical education opportunities. Students interact with faculty and preceptors in the classroom, laboratory, and during clinical education experiences so that they can apply their knowledge to a “living laboratory.” Students participate in simulation and standardized patient experiences, interprofessional education, and service learning. View the MSAT curriculum
Athletic trainers treat a wide range of patient populations in a variety of settings. Athletic trainers find jobs in colleges and universities, secondary schools, physicians’ offices, rehabilitation clinics, police and fire departments, military, performing arts, and other settings with physical active individuals. With employment growth for athletic training currently higher than other comparable health care fields, it is estimated that more than 12,000 new and replacement positions will open in the field within the next few years.