FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Q: How are students selected for the program?
A: We use the application process to dictate much of who is admitted. It is a process of grades, and personality. Students must be able to interact well with other students, coaches, athletes, doctors, physical therapists, and administrators. This will be judged during the freshman rotations.

Q: May I participate in varsity athletics?
A: It is more challenging for the student, but at the present time, we are allowing students to participate in varsity sports. We currently have one student that is an athlete.

Q: May I be in the physical therapy or physical therapy assistant school as well?
A: The University offers a two year physical therapy assistant program as well as a
five year Master of Physical Therapy degree. Both programs have competitive admission requirements.

Q: What is the job market for certified athletic trainers?
A: Currently, the most marketable athletic trainer is one that has a second degree in physical therapy or as a physical therapy assistant. The most jobs are working in a clinic as a physical therapist in the morning, then using your Athletic Training degree to go to high schools events in the afternoon.

Q: Can I transfer in from another school?
A: Transfer students may apply to the program as long as they meet all the prerequisites classes. This may mean applying in January with the current freshman class while they are at their current school or transferring to the University of Evansville in the fall and take the prerequisites with the current freshman class. All transfers must be in the three year professional phase of the athletic training program.

Q: What classes should I take in high school?
A: It is important to have a strong background and interest in anatomy and physiology. This will allow you to prepare for the University’s pre-athletic training requisite courses.

Q: What background do many of your current students have?
A: We find that most of our students are former athletes themselves. They may choose a career path that will enable them to remain around sports or they may have had an injury themselves that has required them to see their high school’s athletic trainer or a physical therapist for treatment and rehab.

Q: When will I be notified if I am accepted into the athletic training program?
A: Formal interviews will be held by mid semester, and applicants will be notified of their status prior to the fall registration period.

Q: What is the difference between athletic training and sports medicine?
A: The CAATE accreditation process has had a positive effect of this subject. All athletic training schools will be called by athletic training and not sports medicine. Schools that offer a degree in sports medicine will not allow a student to work with athletes or have coursework that will allow them to pursue certification from NATABOC.

Q: How do I become a certified athletic trainer?
A: First, a student must graduate from a CAATE accredited athletic training school. After graduation, the student must apply to sit for the NATABOC test. There are three parts that the student must pass. The student must pass all three parts to become a certified athletic trainer.

Q: What are the areas of specialty within the field?
A: There are many job opportunities in several fields associated with athletic training. The most marketable athletic trainer at the present time is one that also has a degree in PT or PTA. This allows an athletic trainer to work in a clinic in the morning and work in a high school in the afternoon covering practices or games. Some students also decide that they would like to remain in the college setting. This requires a student to get a master’s degree where they may also pursue an assistantship at that school to help pay for some schooling costs. Certified athletic trainers can also find jobs in industrial type settings, sales representative positions, and in some heath clubs.

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