Serving Others as an Athletic Trainer

Athletic trainers are certified and licensed healthcare practitioners who serve an active patient population in a variety of settings.

What do athletic trainers do?

Athletic trainers prevent, diagnose, and treat muscle and bone musculoskeletal injuries and other medical conditions in athletes and other physically active people. Specifically, an athletic trainer may:

• Evaluate and diagnose injuries and illnesses
• Apply protective or preventative equipment (tape, immobilization devices, and braces)
• Provide first aid or emergency care
• Develop and execute rehabilitation programs
• Devise and implement injury- and illness-prevention programs

Where do athletic trainers work?

Athletic trainers can work in many different professional settings. They may work both indoors and outdoors in all types of weather and work evenings and weekends. Those working for sports teams may also have to travel. You can find athletic trainers in the following settings:

• Traditional Settings: secondary schools and intercollegiate athletics
• Hospital emergency departments
• Military bases
• Public safety: police and fire departments
• Industrial setting: automobile industry, shipping companies
• Performing arts: dance medicine, film industry
• Physician offices and hospitals
• Professional sports teams
• Sports medicine clinics

Cedarville University offers a Christian Master of Athletic Training degree program that equips graduates to pass the National Athletic Trainers Association - Board of Certification (NATA-BOC) national exam to become a Certified Athletic Trainer. Cedarville also offers a Sport Medicine + M.A.T. that allows students to complete a bachelor's in sport medicine and Master of Athletic Training in just five years.