| The student athletic trainer program is housed in the Department of Athletics
and operates in conjunction with the course work in the Area of Exercise
Science - Athletic Training Emphasis. This major is housed in the Department of Wellness
and Therapeutic Sciences in the College of Health Sciences and Human Services. The student athletic trainer program is required for those athletic training students wishing to become certified as athletic trainers by the National Athletic Trainers' Board of Certification (NATABOC). It is also required to obtain Kentucky certification as an athletic trainer. Currently, the student athletic trainer program is considered an internship program of the National Athletic Trainers' Association. Student must accumulate 1,500 hours of clinical experience in the athletic training setting, along with completing necessary course work to sit for the NATABOC certification exam. This exam consists of three parts: * A comprehensive written exam * An oral/practical exam * A written 'simulation' exam A challenging exam, nonetheless, but the student athletic trainer program prepares students for the exam and, more importantly, to work in the field of athletic training following graduation. Traditionally, students are enrolled in the student athletic trainer program for four consecutive years. Although many students reach the 1,500 hour requirement well before their senior year, it is important to remember that the quality of the student athletic training experience is more important and prepares you better for the field of athletic training than the quantity of hours obtained. For this reason, student are encouraged to spend as many years as possible in the student trainer program. (Current Kentucky law requires students to work four consecutive years in a training room setting for certification as an athletic trainer in the Commonwealth of Kentucky. See KY Certification for more information.) The student athletic trainer program requires a considerable time requirement from students. Student athletic trainers spend about 5-6 hours daily working in the training room assisting with the coverage of our 19 intercollegiate sports and 450 student-athletes. Student athletic trainers serve as supervised extensions of the full-time staff and are invaluable in the health of the student-athletes and making the program run efficiently. Students are expected to be prompt to assignments and fulfill those assignments completely and efficiently. |