Athletic Training/Sports Medicine

Overview

The Athletic Training/Sports Medicine Certificate of Achievement is designed be taken in conjunction with the Associate in Arts in Kinesiology for Transfer to prepare students to apply to an Athletic Training Education Program (ATEP) in the CSU system and to complete a baccalaureate degree in Athletic Training or a similar major. Students who obtain the Associate in Arts in Kinesiology for Transfer in conjunction with the Certificate of Achievement in Athletic Training/Sports Medicine will have completed the common core of lower division courses required for a CSU baccalaureate degree in Kinesiology and most prerequisites required for admission into an ATEP program accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education (CAATE). General education requirements should be selected carefully based on the intended four-year institution and desired ATEP program. Participation in Kinesiological classes develops critical thinking, personal growth, research abilities, manual therapy skills, and an understanding of working in a clinical and athletic setting. Students should talk with a counselor to determine whether or not this certificate and degree combination is the best option for their academic goals and to ensure efficiency.

Career Opportunities

Career opportunities include work in hospital emergency departments, intercollegiate athletics, law enforcement and military, occupational and industrial settings, performing arts, physician offices, professional sports, secondary schools, sports medicine clinics, corporate settings, community outreach, and health and fitness related jobs.

Program Learning Outcome(s)

Upon completion of this program, students will be able to:

1. Demonstrate professional and ethical behaviors expected of the athletic trainer as a healthcare professional.
2. Develop critical thinking, problem solving, and decision-making skills as it pertains to clinical practice.
3. Gain entry-level employment in the sports medicine field.
4. Gain knowledge and skills in all five domains of athletic training.
5. Analyze and categorize various athletic training and related programs (employment settings, educational preparation/programs, certification, continuing education requirements, professional development and responsibilities).
6. Apply therapeutic modalities under the supervision of a staff athletic trainer, including thermotherapy, cryotherapy, ultrasound, and electrical stimulation.
7. Critique padding and bracing devices and apply as indicated for injury prevention and management.
8. Demonstrate the skills relative to activation and implementation of the college athletic department emergency action plan, including primary and secondary surveys of an injured individual, and administration of emergency care procedures (first aid, control of bleeding, wound care, fracture/dislocation packaging, bloodborne pathogen protection and CPR/AED).
9. Explain and identify techniques associated with injury recognition, evaluation and assessment, including taking an appropriate injury history.
10. Identify prominent anatomical landmarks via palpation and assess ranges of motion of the foot, ankle, knee, hip, wrist/hand/thumb, elbow, shoulder and spine.
11. Illustrate basic athletic taping and wrapping applications for injury prevention and management.

Athletic Training/Sports Medicine (CA): Program Requirements