Undergraduate Education Progam - About the Program
Mission
The Athletic Training Undergraduate Education Program at the University of South Carolina (USC ATEP) is committed to distinguishing itself as a state and national leader in its efforts to address the needs of its students, the athletic training profession, and community. Our program is committed to providing students with a variety of authentic clinical experiences. The pursuit of excellence in both the academic and clinical education setting is our Program's approach for providing students with the knowledge and skills required to become a Certified Athletic Trainer and to successfully contribute to the athletic training profession.
Program Description
The USC ATEP is housed in the Department of Physical Education in the College of Education . USC ATEP is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP). At this time, USC ATEP is one of only six CAAHEP-accredited athletic training education programs in South Carolina , and one of only five undergraduate programs in the Southeastern Conference (SEC).
The USC ATEP provides students with the theoretical knowledge and understanding of the allied health profession of athletic training as well as current procedures and techniques in sport injury management. Students gain this knowledge through required coursework, research, and clinical experiences as they prepare to make successful contributions to the athletic training profession. The program combines formal classroom instruction and clinical experiences in a process that culminates in the student graduating with eligibility to sit for the National Athletic Trainers Association (NATA) Board of Certification (BOC) examination. Students who graduate from the program and subsequently pass the national certification examination will be qualified to be employed as an athletic trainer in a variety of allied health settings, including secondary schools*, two- and four-year colleges and universities, professional athletic teams, sports medicine clinics, or in industrial preventative medicine clinics. In addition, students who complete prerequisite course requirements may pursue graduate education in athletic training, exercise physiology, physical therapy, health, physical education, or other allied health professions.
*Students who wish to pursue a career in secondary schools are encouraged to pursue teacher certification.
Athletic Training Major Track
The Department of Physical Education offers one undergraduate degree, a Bachelor of Science degree in Physical Education. The Physical Education major is divided into two major tracks: (a) Teaching Physical Education and (b) Athletic Training. Students who wish to enroll in the USC ATEP should declare a major in Physical Education and a major track in Athletic Training. Currently students graduate with a Bachelor of Science degree in Physical Education with an emphasis in a CAAHEP-accredited athletic training program.