Mission

The Athletic Training Education Program was founded on the premise that there is a need to prepare health care professionals who have the depth of knowledge, and judgment to competently advance the art and science of their discipline.  

The mission of the Athletic Training Education Program is to prepare highly qualified, ethical health care professionals in the management of health care problems in a physically active patient population who, in cooperation with physicians and other allied health care personnel, function as an integral member of the sports medicine team to develop and coordinate efficient and responsive, evidence-based health care delivery systems in a variety of settings.            

Based on a strong foundation of scientific principles, graduates will advance athletic training within the interdisciplinary health care system to better serve the patients, the profession, and the community.     


Goals

1.   Graduates will be highly qualified, ethical, professional and successful athletic trainers. 

2.   Students will develop sensitivity towards the ethical issues and dilemmas created within an evolving technologic society and the need to respond in ways which affirm and protect human rights and values.          

3.   Graduates will be able to function as an athletic trainer in a variety of clinical settings and interact with a diverse patient population to produce the best possible patient outcomes.

4.  Value the contribution of research to the advancement of theoretical knowledge and practice within athletic training.         

5.   Value the need for lifelong personal and professional development.        

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 Academic Curricula

There are two (2) options for students wishing to pursue athletic training at The University of Findlay.

Both of these options are for students who have minimal or no knowledge and experience in the profession of athletic training. This program is NOT for individuals who are already BOC Certified Athletic Trainers (ATCs) or eligible to sit for the BOC Certification Exam.

Option ONE: 3+2 year Program (5 years total). This program is for the entering freshman, transfer student, or student who changes majors late in his/her undergraduate curriculum. The first three years of academic courses meet almost the same requirements as the entry-level Physical Therapy (PT) program. Students can complete the MAT program prerequisites and degree requirements for a major in Strength and Conditioning, or Health Studies: Personal Training. The first 3 years of this program are classified as the "Pre-Professional" phase. There is a selection process for entry into the "Professional" phase of the Athletic Training program based on the admission criteria and requirements listed on the Admission Information page. This phase will begin during the summer prior to the student's senior year (which is also the first of 2 years of the professional MAT program). At the end of the student's 4th year, he/she will receive a Bachelor of Science degree in Strength and Conditioning or Health Studies:  Personal Training. At the end of the student's 5th year, he/she will receive his/her Master of Athletic Training (MAT) degree.

Option TWO: 2-year Program. This 2-year program is intended for college graduates (who hold a Bachelor's degree) who may want to change careers (e.g., physical therapists, exercise physiologists, nurses, coaches), athletes who didn't have time during their undergraduate years to major in athletic training, and international students who want a career in athletic training. In addition to holding a Bachelor's degrees, these applicants must also meet the admission criteria/requirements for the Professional phase of the MAT program. The selection process for entry into this program is identical to the above Option ONE program. All students are treated equally - regardless of which program and which university they graduated from. This program is identical to the last 2 years (4th and 5th year) of the program described above (3+2). At the completion of the second year, students receive a MAT degree.

Option 1: 3+2 year Plan of Study (Sequence of classes)

Option 2: 2-year Plan of Study (Sequence of classes)

*** If students wish to pursue both Athletic Training (AT) and Physical Therapy (PT), they should speak to advisors in both programs immediately. Students will have to take a few additional pre-requisites for admission into the PT program.  Keep in mind that students must go through separate selection processes for each program (AT and PT). If you have any questions, please contact the AT Program Director.