Whether you want to become an athletic trainer or prepare for other health care professions, you’ll benefit from a curriculum that combines classroom concepts with real-life situations. In collaboration with faculty and healthcare professionals, you’ll learn to master competencies and clinical proficiencies within a liberal arts framework.
Central’s athletic training program provides educational experiences that will effectively prepare you to sit for the Board of Certification exam and attend top graduate programs across the nation.
Central's athletic training program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education, 6850 Austin Center Blvd., Suite 100, Austin, TX 78731-3101. The program has chosen to voluntarily withdraw its CAATE accreditation effective July 1, 2022.
To practice as an athletic trainer, you must first pass a national certification exam administered by the Board of Certification. In this exam, you’ll be required to demonstrate competency in many areas, including biology, anatomy, kinesiology, management, psychology, first aid and others. The primary objective of Central’s athletic training program is to prepare you for certification through classroom and clinical experiences that help you develop and master the proficiencies you need to succeed in a rewarding career.
Central’s athletic training program helped Shane Nelson ’11 make the rounds as a minor league trainer.
You’ll spend a great deal of time in the Ron Schipper Fitness Center, which features a 2,000-square-foot athletic training area. In Central’s state-of-the-art exercise science building, you’ll find a dedicated classroom that features taping stations and exam tables instead of desks. The human performance lab features a hydrostatic underwater weighing tank, one of only three in the Midwest. The building uses LCD screens and classroom capture, which enables all classes to be videotaped so you can review them later.
Enhance your development as a global citizen and earn credits toward your major when you participate in one of Central’s international programs. Our Mérida program offers opportunities for pre-health-related internships. Our Wales program expands your studies with “Outdoor Pursuits,” which includes rock climbing, spelunking and more. It’ll help you get that much more ahead while gaining international experience. Get the attention of prospective employers and graduate schools by adding this to your résumé. Learn more about Central’s study abroad programs.
Central College Graduates Have Found Successful Careers In Athletic Training.
The Central Club has committed $150,000 to the next phase of the Forever Dutch® initiative for fitness center improvements.
No matter what your interests are, Central has a student group for you! Learn how you can get involved with groups and organizations at Central.
Formal application to the athletic training program occurs during the student’s first year at Central. To enter the program, students must complete prerequisites from the exercise science department, maintain at least a 2.8 GPA and complete an interview and the required experiences in the athletic training room.
Students progress through an educational sequence that stresses critical thinking skills. Clinical skills are evaluated regularly by faculty and healthcare professionals throughout the four years. The athletic training major is affiliated with exercise science—find out more about exercise science.
Learn more about Athletic Training in the course catalog.
Central students consistently excel on the CAATE Board of Certification Exam, far outperforming the National Pass Rate.
| 2019-20 | 2018-19 | 2017-18 | 3-year aggregate | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Graduates | 12 | 8 | 16 | |
| Graduates taking exam | 12 | 8 | 16 | |
| Graduates passing exam on first attempt | 5 | 7 | 15 | |
| First attempt pass rate | 42% | 88% | 94% | 75% |
| Overall pass rate | 58% | 100% | 100% | 86% |
Want to find out more about Athletic Training at Central? Contact us to learn more about this major and our other strong academic programs.
Visit campus to observe classes and experience The Central Difference firsthand.
