Fact Sheet 07: Sports Medicine

Revised June 2007

Sports Medicine

The Department of Sports Medicine, within the College of Health Sciences, has as its primary role preparing you for a career in athletic training. Fundamental to such a career is successful completion of the certification examination given by the National Athletic Trainers' Association Board of Certification (BOC). The B.S. in athletic training program in the Department of Sports Medicine provides access to all the prerequisites for that exam.

Certified athletic trainers are health-care professionals who specialize in preventing, recognizing, managing, and rehabilitating injuries that result from physical activity.

Career Opportunities

Certified athletic trainers work in educational institutions, such as high schools and colleges, where they also may teach; for amateur or professional athletic organizations; and in sports medicine clinics. You also will be prepared for advanced study in athletic training or related disciplines. The career placement rate of the department is virtually 100 percent.

Graduates of this program have found employment in the following:

High schools (West Chester Henderson/East; Downingtown; Coatesville; Unionville; New Braunfels, Tex.) Colleges and universities (Dartmouth, Drexel, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, North Carolina, Penn State, Philadelphia Textile, Saint Josephs, Ursinus, Villanova)
Sports medicine clinics (Georgia Sports Medicine; Health South; NovaCare; Sports PT, Inc.; Temple Sports Medicine)
Amateur sports (Olympic Games, U.S. Olympic Training Center)
Professional sports (Association of Tennis Professionals, Chicago Bears, Chicago Cubs,
Philadelphia Eagles, Philadelphia Flyers, Philadelphia Phillies)

Graduates of this program have pursued advanced degrees at the following:

Temple University
University of Connecticut
University of Florida
University of Hawaii
University of Illinois
University of North Carolina
University of Pittsburgh
University of Richmond
University of South Carolina
University of Virginia

Undergraduate Degree

Bachelor of Science in Athletic Training. This program includes the athletic training education program accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education (CAATE).

Typical Courses

Anatomy
Athletic Injury Management I - IV
Athletic Training Techniques
Exercise Physiology
First Aid for Health Professionals
History, Organization, and Administration of Athletic Training
Kinesiology
Nutrition
Pathology and Evaluation of Athletic Injury/Illness I-III
Physiology
Theories and Practices of Conditioning and Training
Therapeutic Exercise
Therapeutic Modalities

Special Study Opportunities

The program requires you to have practical experience. This clinical education experienceis part of your academic course work, typically taken during the last four semesters. Your experience will involve learning under the supervision of a certified athletic trainer with the sports teams of West Chester University and local high schools or colleges. To broaden your exposure, you will be assigned at some institution other than the University for at least one of the semesters.

Related Student Activities

Athletic Training Club, presentations for the Eastern Athletic Trainers Association (EATA) meeting, attendance at the EATA and Pennsylvania Athletic Trainers Society (PATS) meeting, and several on-campus educational seminars and social events each year.

Faculty

The faculty in the department serve as both instructors in the classroom and as clinical supervisors in the athletic training setting. They also provide athletic training services to athletes who compete on the University's intercollegiate teams. The dual role is important since students can observe these professionals and learn from them in both settings. Each faculty member is a BOC-certified athletic trainer and is certified by the Pennsylvania State Board of Medicine. When considered together, the seven full-time faculty represent more than 100 years of experience in the teaching and athletic training professions. You can obtain a complete listing of faculty and their academic qualifications on the department Web site or from the contact person listed below.

For More Information

Coordinator, Athletic Training Education
Department of Sports Medicine
Sturzebecker Health Sciences Center
West Chester University
West Chester, PA 19383
610-436-2969
ncurtis@wcupa.edu
Web: http://health-sciences.wcupa.edu/sportsmed/