Overview
Narrative
The field of sports medicine is gaining in popularity and employment opportunities are expanding. The demand for Certified Athletic Trainers in particular is increasing. Certified Athletic Trainers are employed in secondary schools, colleges, universities, professional sports, hospitals, the military, law enforcement, performing arts, industry, sports medicine clinics and the durable medical equipment industry.
A career as a Certified Athletic Trainer requires a bachelor's degree at the entry level. If you're planning to attend a four-year college or university, Northampton's Sports Medicine: Athletic Training program is an affordable way to start your education. With a curriculum that parallels the first two years of most four-year programs, NCC's program can save you thousands of dollars on your undergraduate degree.
The Associate in Science degree in Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation Sciences is designed to prepare students to successfully transfer to a four year Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education (CAATE) accredited program. Students will also be prepared to transfer to other four year specialty programs within the realm of exercise science. In addition, students in our program develop a level of expertise in sports medicine that opens up additional employment opportunities as a personal trainer or health fitness instructor immediately upon graduation from NCC.
Students in the program learn basic skills in the prevention, emergency care, assessment, and rehabilitation of athletic injuries to prepare them to pursue certification as an athletic trainer. Sports Medicine courses include on-campus labs and observational hours in a variety of professional settings. The Sports Medicine program can be completed on a full-time or part-time basis. Students pursuing the degree on a part-time basis are highly encouraged to complete the science related courses prior to entering the program specific courses (i.e. Chemistry, Anatomy & Physiology, etc.). The program requires students to have a good knowledge base in science and math to be successful. Students are advised to speak with an academic advisor to discuss their entrance and success in the program.
Requirements
The Sports Medicine program requires a minimum of four academic semesters to complete. Students are admitted to the program once a year (August). Admission is on a competitive basis. Applicants shall have a high school diploma or GED.
The minimum admission requirements to the program include:
- Completion of high school chemistry with a grade of B or better (or NCC's CHEM135).
- High school biology (or NCC equivalent BIOS107, BIOS115) with a grade of C or better.
- One year of HS algebra (or NCC MATH022) with a grade of C or better.
- Eligibility to take ENGL101.
Meeting the admission requirements does not guarantee admission to the program. Primary consideration is given to those students who have Bs in program sciences. If available spaces in the program are not filled by students who have met the aforementioned standards, the College reserves the right to accept students who have, in the judgment of the College, the potential to complete the Sports Medicine program.
After You Have Been Accepted
Students who have been accepted to the Sports Medicine program will be required to submit:
- A Pennsylvania State Police Criminal Background Check or FBI Clearance.
- Required physical examination forms and immunization history.
- Documentation of recent hepatitis B vaccination or relevant titer.
Deadline
In order to be considered, you must submit an application and all transcripts by February 1 for the Fall semester start date. Applications received after that date will be reviewed on a space available basis.
Career Potential: Certified Athletic Trainer, Personal Trainer, Health Fitness Instructor, Group Fitness Instructor, Exercise Physiologist, Exercise Specialist, Weight Management Consultant
Transfer Potential: East Stroudsburg University, Temple University, West Chester University, DeSales University