The major in athletic training prepares students to work with athletes, physicians, and coaches to ensure the health care and well-being of the competitive and recreational athlete.  The Michigan State University athletic training major blends clinical and academic learning experiences.  Students will gain knowledge and skills in evaluation and the treatment and rehabilitation of athletic injuries and will be prepared to organize and manage athletic training programs.  The Michigan State University student majoring in athletic training is exposed to state-of-the-art philosophies, equipment, and research.

A student in this major will complete a two-year athletic training curriculum while working in a variety of clinical settings.  These settings include on-campus rotations within the athletic department, high schools, and various clinics.  Through clinical education, the student will encounter experiences requiring immediate decision-making, physician consultation, injury evaluations, and communications with coaches, student-athletes, and approved clinical instructors.  Students who complete this major will be eligible to take the Board of Certification (BOC) examination.

The Bachelor of Science degree in Athletic Training is designed to prepare students for job opportunities in collegiate, professional, clinical, high school, and industrial settings.  Students who graduate from this program may enter professional physical therapy programs, medical programs, or graduate studies in kinesiology. The degree is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training (CAATE).

Admission as a Junior

Admission to the athletic training major is competitive. A limited number of students are admitted. The deadline for application to the major is February 1. The decision regarding admission to the major is based on the following criteria:

1. Submission of the following: (a) an application to the major in athletic training; (b) an essay expressing reasons for selecting the field of athletic training; and (c) three letters of personal reference.
2. Completion of the following prerequisite courses with a grade-point average of 2.5 in these courses:
   KIN    125    First Aid and Personal Safety (3)
   KIN    126    Introduction to Athletic Training(3)
   KIN    127    Clinical Observation in Athletic Training (1)
   KIN    227    Clinical Rotations in Athletic Training (2)
   KIN    320    Pathology of Sports Injury (3)
3. A minimum grade of 2.00 in each of the following courses: Chemistry 141, Kinesiology 216, Mathematics 103, Physics 231, and Physiology 250.
4. University grade-point average of 2.5 or above.
5. Interview with the Michigan State University Athletic Training Admissions Board. 
6. Space availability in the formal clinical curriculum sites.

Requirements for the Bachelor of Science Degree in Athletic Training

1. The University requirements for Bachelor’s degrees as described in the Undergraduate Education section of this catalog; 120 credits, including general elective credits, are required for the Bachelor of Science degree in Athletic Training.  Students must take Mathematics 103 and 114 or Mathematics 116 to fulfill the mathematics requirement of the University.
   
   Students enrolled in the Athletic Training major leading to the Bachelor of Science degree in the Department of Kinesiology may complete an alternative track to Integrative Studies in Biological and Physical Sciences that consists of the following courses:  Chemistry 141 and 161, Physics 231 and 251, and Physiology 250.  The completion of Chemistry 161 and Physics 251 satisfies the laboratory requirement.  Chemistry 141 and 161, Physics 231 and 251, and Physiology 250 may be counted toward both the alternative track and the requirements for the major referenced in item 2. a. below.
   
   The University’s Tier II writing requirement for the Athletic Training major is met by completing Kinesiology 345. That course is referenced in item 2. b. below.
2. The following requirements for the major:

   a.	All of the following with a minimum grade of 2.0 in each course (17 credits):
   	CEM	141	General Chemistry				4
   	KIN	216	Applied Human Anatomy				3
   	MTH	103	College Algebra				3
   	PHY	231	Introductory Physics I				3
   	PSL	250	Introductory Physiology				4
   b.	All of the following courses with a minimum grade-point average of 2.0 (39 credits):
   	KIN	121	The Healthy Lifestyle				3
   	KIN	125	First Aid and Personal Safety				3
   	KIN	126	Introduction to Athletic Training				3
   	KIN	127	Clinical Observation in Athletic Training				1
   	KIN	173	Foundations of Kinesiology				3
   	KIN	217	Applied Human Anatomy Laboratory				1
   	KIN	227	Clinical Rotations in Athletic Training				2
   	KIN	250	Measurement in Kinesiology				3
   	KIN	310	Physiological Bases of Physical Activity				3
   	KIN	320	Pathology of Sports Injury				3
   	KIN	330	Biomechanics of Physical Activity				3
   	KIN	345	Sport and Exercise Psychology (W)				3
   	KIN	360	Physical Growth and Motor Behavior				3
   	KIN	411	Laboratory Experiences in Exercise Physiology				2
   	KIN	465	Adapted Physical Activity				3
   c.	Both of the following courses (2 credits):
   	CEM	161	Chemistry Laboratory I				1
   	PHY	251	Introductory Physics Laboratory I				1
   d.	All of the following courses with a minimum grade-point average of 2.0 (22 credits):
   	HNF	150	Introduction to Human Nutrition				3
   	KIN	421	Lower Body Injury Evaluation				3
   	KIN	422	Rehabilitation of Athletic Injuries				3
   	KIN	423	Therapeutic Modalities				3
   	KIN	425	Organization and Administration of Athletic Training				3
   	KIN	426	Upper Body Injury Evaluation				3
   	PSY	101	Introductory Psychology				4
   e.	Successful completion of the final clinical rotation, with a minimum grade of 2.0 in the following (4 credits):
   	KIN	427	Clinical Rotations in Athletic Training				4
   f.	A candidate must meet a minimum clinical evaluation score as required by the program director based on performance in clinical rotation experiences and competency.
   g.	Meet professional standards as designated by the department.