Welcome to the Luther College athletic training program. The ATS (athletic training student) serves a vital role in the prevention, treatment, and rehabilitation of injury in physically active individuals. Through curricular qualifications, the ATS obtains the knowledge and clinical experience necessary to become an entry-level athletic trainer.

Description of the Profession

A certified athletic trainer is a qualified health care professional educated and experienced in the management of health care problems associated with physical activity. In cooperation with physicians and other health care personnel, the certified athletic trainer functions as an integral member of the health care team in secondary schools, colleges and universities, professional sports programs, sports medicine clinics, and other health care settings.

The certified athletic trainer functions in cooperation with medical personnel, athletic personnel, individuals involved in physical activity, parents, and guardians in the development and coordination of efficient and responsive athletic health care delivery systems.

Becoming an Athletic Trainer

To become a certified athletic trainer a student must graduate from an accredited athletic training curriculum reviewed and approved by The Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education (CAATE). The accredited program offers didactic and clinical education to develop the cognitive, psychomotor, and affective skills of the entry-level athletic trainer.

Once the student graduates from the accredited program, he/she must pass the Board Of Certification (BOC) exam. This exam includes written, written simulation, and practical exams. Through these three components the student's knowledge and hands-on skills are tested over the subject matter of the domains of athletic training. A student is not considered certified until he/she has passed all three components of the exam. Examination dates and schedules are available on the NATA webpage. Click on the education link for the BOC information. Forms for application are also available.

Students are reminded that graduation from an accredited program does not guarantee certification by the BOC.