• Athletic Training
• Nutrition/Dietetics
• Paramedic

Athletic Training

Certified athletic trainers are health care professionals who specialize in preventing, recognizing, managing and rehabilitating injuries that result from physical activity.  As part of a complete health care team, the certified athletic trainer works under the direction of a licensed physician and in cooperation with other health care professionals, athletics administrators, coaches and parents. Students who want to become certified athletic trainers must earn a degree from an accredited athletic training curriculum.  Accredited programs include formal instruction in areas such as injury/illness prevention, first aid and emergency care, assessment of injury/illness, human anatomy and physiology, therapeutic modalities, and nutrition.  Classroom learning is enhanced through clinical education experiences.  More than 70 percent of certified athletic trainers hold at least a master’s degree.

Athletic training is not the same profession as personal training.  And certified athletic trainers work with more than just athletes – they can be found just about anywhere that people are physically active.  To become certified athletic trainers, students must pass a comprehensive test administered by the Board of Certification.  Once certified, they must meet ongoing continuing education requirements in order to remain certified.

Athletic Training Education Programs

Northern Arizona University offers a CAATE accredited undergraduate Bachelor of Science in Athletic Training. The Program is housed within the College of Health and Human Services. The ATEP is committed to preparing students for entry into graduate health related programs and careers in allied health and athletic settings.

Student preparation is accomplished through the development of a solid foundation in the basic sciences, the generation of new knowledge specific to athletic training, and the discovery and dissemination of the most current information in the field. Additionally, application of new knowledge is accomplished through active internships in various athletic training rooms and other allied health clinical settings. Students will gain significant experience weekly under the direct supervision of a certified athletic trainer during these internships.

Two routes of study are offered within the ATEP. The first prepares the student to sit for the national Athletic Training Board of Certification (BOC) exam and to apply to various allied health graduate programs. The second accomplishes the same, but also prepares the student to teach in the high school setting. This route requires an extra year of study, but awards the student with a Master’s in Education degree. Upon completion of the second route, the student will be prepared to take the national BOC certification exam and the state secondary school teacher certification exam.

Admission to NAU's AT program is highly competitive, and is based on:

Once admitted to the university, students must apply separately to the ATEP. Students may apply during the spring of their freshmen or sophomore year, with their application materials due by March 1st to be considered for positions in the fall of the following academic year. The application process is competitive. Those who meet the application requirements will be invited for an interview to determine admittance. Admittance is limited to the number of spots available in the Program.

• Completion of prerequisites precede application to the Athletic Training Education Program
  *For pre-requisite and other requirements please visit our website at www.nau.edu/athletictraining
• A cumulative GPA of 2.75 is required at the time of admission
• Official transcripts from all institutions of higher education
• Professional Experience - Students must have completed one year of experience in an athletic training room under the supervision of a Certified Athletic Trainer - OR - have completed BIO 192 with a grade of C or better and a minimum of 80 observation hours in an athletic training room under the supervision of a Certified Athletic Trainer
• Letter of application
• Two letters of reccomendation, at least one being from a Certified Athletic Trainer

The following educational content standards are required for Athletic Training degree programs :

• Acute care of injusry and illness
• Assessment of injury and illness
• Excercise physiology
• General medical conditions and disabilities
• Health care administration
• Human anatomy
• Human physiology
• Kinesiology/biomechanics
• Medical ethics and legal issues
• Nutritional aspects of injury and illness
• Pathology of injury and illness
• Pharmacology
• Professional development and responsibilities
• Psychosocial intervention and referral
• Risk management and injury/illness prevention
• Statistics and research design
• Strength training and reconditioning
• Therapeutic exercise and rehabilitative techniques
• Therapeutic modalities
• Weight management and body composition

Further Information:

For more information, please call 800.879.6282 or visit the National Athletic Trainers’ Association at www.NATA.org, the Board of Certification, Inc. at www.BOCATC.org and the Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education.

Nutrition/Dietetics

The Registered Dietician (R.D.) is a food and nutrition expert who performs nutritional assessments by evaluating clients’ diets, develops nutritional therapy care plans, provides nutritional instruction and monitors results to ensure optimal nutrition for a variety of disease states and disease prevention. A nutritionist works as a team member with physicians, pharmacists, nurses, and case managers.

Example of Health Problems Treated

High blood pressure, obesity, diabetes, cancer, trauma, geriatrics, neonatal/pediatric growth-related concerns, obstetrics, multiple organ dysfunction, malnutrition, eating disorders, sports nutrition.

Specialties

Clinical Dietitians:

Provide medical nutrition therapy for patients in acute care and long-term care institutions such as hospitals and nursing homes. They may specialize as part of a trauma team in areas such as Intensive Care in which critically ill patients are supported with nutritional life support measures.

Community Dietitians:

Counsel individuals on nutritional practices designed to prevent disease and to promote good health, provide instruction on grocery shopping and food preparation.

Management Dietitians:

Oversee large-scale meal planning and preparation in places such as health care facilities, cafeterias, prisons, and schools.

Consultant Dietitians:

Work under contract with health care facilities or in private practice, perform nutrition screening, and offer advice on weight loss and cholesterol reduction.

Health Care Settings

Over half of all registered dieticians work in hospital, clinics, or extended care facilities. Approximately 11% work for community or public health programs. Others work in research, in school food service programs, or as consultants to health care facilities or to corporations; a few work in private practice.

Education

A Bachelors degree in dietetics or in food and nutrition, with an additional year of internship and a board examination, are required in order to practice.

For Further Information Contact

The American Dietetic Association

Paramedic

EMTs and paramedics respond to emergency calls to provide immediate care to critically ill and injured, and transport patients to a medical facility. Upon arrival at the scene, the EMT/paramedic determines the nature and extent of illness or injury and establishes priority for required emergency care. The EMT/paramedic then provides prehospital emergency medical care.

Examples of Health Problems Treated

• Airway and ventilation problems, including drowning
• Control of hemorrhage and shock
• Immobilization of fractures; spine or extremities
• Cardiopulmonary resuscitation
• Emergency childbirth
• Psychological crisis
• Poisonings

Employment Settings

• Community fire and police departments
• Private ambulance companies
• Hospital emergency departments
• Private Industry

Educational Preparation (for Arizona Certification)

• Emergency Medical Technician - Basic (110 hours minimum)
• Emergency medical Technician - Intermediate (317 hours minimum)
• Paramedic - (625 hours minimum)

Some programs are designed for part-time study, others are full-time. The curriculum includes didactic clinical instruction, in-hospital clinical practice, and a supervised field internship.

Closest Programs

Coconino Community College, most community colleges in Phoenix and Tucson.

The EMT class at Coconino Community College is a one semester, seven credit course. Upon completion, the student must pass two tests to become certified for three years.