Intro to Athletic Training Education

Introduction

Welcome, future athletic trainers! Have you ever wondered what it takes to become a professional who helps athletes stay at the top of their game? Athletic trainers are key players in the sports world, providing injury prevention, emergency care, clinical diagnosis, therapeutic intervention, and rehabilitation of injuries and medical conditions. But how do you become one? This WebQuest will guide you through the educational journey required to pursue a career as an athletic trainer in the United States.

Task

Your mission is to research and create a detailed infographic that outlines the educational requirements for becoming a certified athletic trainer in the United States. By the end of this WebQuest you will be able to:

  1. Educational Pathway: Identify and describe the required degrees and coursework.
  2. Certification: Explain the certification process, including the necessary exams and ongoing education.
  3. Professional Organizations: Research key professional organizations that support athletic trainers and their role in certification and continuing education.
  4. Real-Life Application: Find and describe at least two real-life examples of athletic trainers and their educational journeys.

 

Process
  • 1. Research: review the "Credits" page of this WebQuest as a starting point to find information on each of the 4 components.
    • You may find other sources to gather additional information so that your report is as detailed as possible. Below are starting points for you to think about as you gather information. Keep a written report that you will turn in along with your finished project. 

    • Educational Pathway Research

      • Start by researching the educational requirements for becoming an athletic trainer. 
      • Identify the necessary degrees (e.g., bachelor's, master's) and key coursework in these programs.
      • Note any specific prerequisites required before entering a program.

    • Certification Process

      • Research the Board of Certification for the Athletic Trainer (BOC) and learn about the certification process.
      • Detail the required exam, including preparation tips, study resources, and what the exam entails.
      • Explore the continuing education requirements to maintain certification.

    • Professional Organizations

      • Investigate the role of the National Athletic Trainers’ Association (NATA) and other relevant professional organizations.
        • There are state, regional, and setting-specific professional organizations in addition to the NATA. 
      • Describe how these organizations help athletic trainers stay certified and up-to-date with the latest in the field.

    • Real-Life Application (2)

      • Search for interviews, articles, or videos featuring professional athletic trainers. 
        • Find 2 different athletic training settings (i.e. secondary school, college, professional sports, performing arts, military, etc.)
      • Describe their educational background and career path.
      • Share insights into how their education prepared them for the job.

 

  • 2. Create: Using Canva.com (or another creative site that you're comfortable with) compile your information to create an infographic for other future athletics trainers to review. 
Evaluation

Your presentation will be evaluated based on the following criteria:

  • Content Accuracy: How well did you cover the educational and certification requirements?
  • Research Depth: Did you use reliable sources and provide detailed information? List each of your sources.
  • Organized: Was your infographic clear, organized, and engaging?
  • Visual Aids: Were your visual aids well-designed and helpful to your infographic?
  • Real-Life Application: Did you provide 2 relevant and insightful real-world examples?

This grade will be worth 50 points (10 points for each category listed above). 

Conclusion

By completing this WebQuest, you will gain a comprehensive understanding of the educational pathway and certification process necessary to become an athletic trainer. You will also discover the importance of professional organizations in supporting your career. 

You will submit your completed report of compiled information from your research AND the completed infographic to the dropbox in our Schoology page. 

Good luck, and enjoy your exploration into the world of athletic training!

Credits

Resources

  • National Athletic Trainers' Association (NATA)

    • NATA.org
    • Explore this site for information on career paths, education, and professional resources.

  • Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education (CAATE)

    • CAATE.net
    • Check out this site to find accredited athletic training programs and understand accreditation standards.

  • Board of Certification for the Athletic Trainer (BOC)

    • BOCATC.org
    • Learn about the certification process, including exam requirements and continuing education.

 

  • AT Each Moment
    • https://ateachmoment.com/
    • This site is helpful to review to overall steps to become an athletic trainer and has imbedded links to other sources.

 

 

  • Career Exploration Videos

    • Search YouTube or other video platforms for interviews or day-in-the-life videos of athletic trainers to gain real-world insights.