Masters of Athletic Training: The Profession
As defined by the Athletic Training Strategic Alliance, athletic trainers (ATs) are "health care professionals who render service or treatment, under the direction of or in collaboration with a physician, in accordance with their education and training and the states' statutes, rules and regulations. As a part of the health care 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." (https://www.nata.org/about/athletic-training/athletic-training-glossary) Career opportunities exist in settings such as college/university athletic departments, secondary school systems, professional sports, performing arts, sports medicine clinics, corporate/ industrial settings, physician offices, and other healthcare environments. The American Medical Association recognized athletic training as an allied health profession in 1990. As athletic training has evolved into a recognized allied heath profession, the profession has undergone major educational reform. After graduating from an accredited professional education program, athletic trainers must pass the Board of Certification, Inc. (BOC) exam and/or meet the requirements of individual states, to practice athletic training. Additional credentialing requirements for athletic training vary from state to state according to athletic training practice acts and state regulations that govern athletic training. A felony or misdemeanor conviction may affect a graduate’s ability to sit for the BOC examination or attain state licensure.
Additional information about the profession of athletic training please visit one of these websites: