Athletic Training

Note: New admissions to the Athletic Training Education Program are currently suspended while Fort Lewis College phases out the bachelor’s degree in Athletic Training and analyzes our ability to transition to a master’s degree. Current students who have been formally accepted into the professional phase of the Athletic Training Education Program will be able to complete their degree at Fort Lewis College. Courses required by these students will continue to be taught through the 2017-2018 academic year. No new students can declare an Athletic Training major. Students not formally admitted to the professional phase of the Athletic Training Education Program will not be able to complete the degree program.

See Exercise Science for faculty listing.

The Athletic Training Education Program (ATEP) is nationally accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education (CAATE). The Athletic Training Education Program (ATEP) prepares students for certification by the Board of Certification (BOC) and then employment as an athletic trainer (AT).

An Athletic Trainer is a highly educated and skilled allied health professional specializing in athletic health care. The athletic trainer is a member of the sports medicine team providing health care to individuals engaged in activity, exercise, and/or sport. Under the direction of a licensed physician, the AT provides services within the following domains:

Injury/Illness Prevention and Wellness Protection
Clinical Evaluation and Diagnosis
Immediate and Emergency Care
Treatment and Rehabilitation
Organizational and Professional Health and Well-being

The ATEP is a very demanding major requiring significant commitment of time, study, and professionalism. Because of the academic and clinical requirements of this program, athletic training students may have limited opportunities for extracurricular activities and job participation during the semester. Athletic training students gain practical experience by helping to provide coverage of practices and competitions for a variety of college sports. They also gain hands-on experiences working in out-patient rehabilitation clinics, physician offices, and at local high schools. All clinical experiences are under the direct supervision of an athletic trainer or other qualified health professional (i.e., medical doctor, physical therapist, or physician assistant). The majority of these clinical experiences occur in the afternoons to early evenings and on the weekends.

The ATEP is divided into two phases:

1. Pre-Professional Phase
2. Professional Phase

During the Pre-Professional phase, students take prerequisite classes and other general education courses. It is highly suggested that students begin meeting with the Program Director early in the Pre-Professional phase (i.e., as soon as they are on campus). Once students are accepted in the ATEP, they are in the Professional phase of the program. It is an accreditation standard that students must spend a minimum of four semesters (two academic years) in the Professional phase of the ATEP.

Athletic Training Education Program Admissions Process

Prerequisites to application:

Declared Athletic Training Major
Proof of Enrollment in or completion of:
1. AT 220 with a grade of B or better
2. AT 224 with a grade of B or better
3. BIO 233 with a grade of C- or better
A minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.50 or better
An Athletic Training major grade point average of 3.00 or better
Completion of a minimum of 50 hours observation in the Fort Lewis College Athletic Training Room at the time of application

Technical Standards

The Athletic Training Education Program at Fort Lewis College is a rigorous and intense program that places specific requirements and demands on the students enrolled in the program. An objective of this program is to prepare graduates to enter a variety of employment settings and to render care to a wide spectrum of individuals engaged in physical activity. The technical standards set forth by the Athletic Training Education Program establish the essential qualities considered necessary for students admitted to this program to achieve the knowledge, skills, and competencies of an entry-level athletic trainer, as well as meet the expectations of the program’s accrediting agency (Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education [CAATE]). Please see the Program Director for specific information and go to Athletic Training Program for more information.

Major in Athletic Training

Athletic Training Major

The Athletic Training Education Program at Fort Lewis College has voluntarily withdrawn their CAATE accredidation and is no longer admitting students. The date of voluntary withdrawal of accreditation coincides with graduation of the last cohort in August 22, 2018.

Fort Lewis College is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education (CAATE). The program has been placed on probation as of December 20, 2016 by the CAATE, 6850 Austin Center Blvd, Suite 100, Austin, TX 78731-3101.