Sports Medicine: Athletic Training
Program Narrative
The Associate in Science degree in Sports Medicine with a concentration in Athletic Training is designed to prepare students to successfully transfer to a four year CAATE accredited athletic training program. A career in Athletic Training requires a bachelor's degree at the entry level. The program's curriculum has been designed to align with bachelor's degree programs and provide students with the core foundational skills and knowledge in the popular career field of sports medicine.
The program focuses on developing a strong knowledge base in athletic training competencies and proficiencies that will allow the student to excel upon transfer to a four year institution. Students learn basic skills in the prevention, emergency care, assessment, and rehabilitation of athletic injuries to prepare them to pursue certification as an athletic trainer. Sports Medicine courses include on-campus labs and students also benefit from observational hours in a variety of professional settings. Students will develop a strong background in the discipline of sports medicine that will allow for additional employment opportunities as a personal trainer or health fitness instructor upon graduation from NCC.
The Sports Medicine program can be completed on a full-time or part-time basis. Students pursuing the degree on a part-time basis are highly encouraged to complete the science related courses prior to entering the program specific courses (i.e. Chemistry, Anatomy & Physiology, etc.) The Sports Medicine courses will be offered during the day beginning in the fall 2008. The program requires students to have a good knowledge base in science and math to be successful in the program. Students are advised to speak with an academic advisor to discuss their entrance and success in the program.
The field of sports medicine is gaining popularity as employment opportunities expand. Local and regional employment trends indicate that the field of athletic training continues to grow and the demand for Certified Athletic Trainers is increasing faster than normal. Upon completion of the A.S. program, students can transfer to a 4 year baccalaureate program in Athletic Training or pursue certification as a personal trainer. Certified Athletic Trainers are employed in secondary schools, colleges, universities, professional sports, hospitals, sports medicine clinics, and the durable medical equipment industry.
Program Requirements
The Sports Medicine program requires a minimum of four academic semesters to complete. Students are admitted to the program once a year (August). Admission is on a competitive basis. Applicants shall have a high school diploma or GED.
The minimum admission requirements to the program include completion of high school chemistry with a grade of "B" or better (or NCC's CHEM 135), high school biology (or NCC equivalent BIOS 107, 115) with a grade of "C" or better, and one year of HS algebra (or NCC MATH 022) with a grade of "C" or better. Meeting the admission requirements does not guarantee admission to the program. Students must be eligible to take English 101. Primary consideration is given to those students who have "B's" in program sciences. If available spaces in the program are not filled by students who have met the aforementioned standards, the College reserves the right to accept students who have, in the judgment of the College, the potential to complete the Sports Medicine program.
After being accepted into the program, students will be required to submit: 1.) a Pennsylvania State Police Criminal Background Check or FBI Clearance, 2.) required physical examination forms and immunization history, and 3.) documentation of recent hepatitis B vaccination or relevant titer.
Deadline
In order to be considered, applicants must submit an application and all transcripts by February 1 for the Fall semester start date. Applications received after that date will be reviewed on a space available basis.
Program Outcomes
The Associate in Science in Sports Medicine: Athletic Training program will:
- Prepare students to transfer to and excel in a 4 year Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education (CAATE) athletic training program.
- Provide students with the knowledge to sit for the National Strength and Conditioning Association's Certified Personal Trainer (NSCA-CPT) exam, the American College of Sports Medicine's (ACSM) Certified Personal Trainer exam, or ACSM's Health Fitness Instructor (HFI) exam.
- Students will demonstrate knowledge of prevention, management, and rehabilitation of athletic injuries and begin to bridge the gap between classroom knowledge and clinical practice.
- Students will demonstrate critical thinking and problem solving skills and gain knowledge on how to apply them to athletic training situations.
- Students will gain knowledge in athletic training professional development standards.
- Provide students with knowledge of athletic training practice standards and employment settings as well as the behavioral attitudes needed to excel in the athletic training environment.
- Students will learn effective communication among health care providers and other integral members within the field of athletic training (administrators, coaches, family, and community).