Athletic Training Education Program Mission and Goals

Mission Statement

The mission of the Western Carolina University Athletic Training Education Program is to provide comprehensive didactic and clinical education to prepare students for a career in athletic training. The Athletic Training Education Program is a recognized leader in providing outstanding classroom and clinical instruction in the prevention, recognition, evaluation, treatment and rehabilitation of physically active individuals. The student has the opportunity to develop competency and proficiency in performing skills incorporating analytical problem-solving abilities to assist with the practice of athletic training.

Goals and Objectives

Goal 1. Provide students with a learning environment that offers the student the cognitive, behavioral, and psychomotor skills necessary for a successful entry-level practice as an athletic trainer.

• • Objective 1.1. Upon completion of the program, the student will demonstrate the ability to comprehend, apply and evaluate the clinical information relative to his/her role as an entry-level athletic trainer.
  • Objective 1.2. Upon completion of the program, the student will demonstrate technical proficiency in all skills necessary to fulfill the role of an entry-level athletic trainer.
  • Objective 1.3. Upon completion of the program, the student will demonstrate personal behaviors consistent with professional and employment expectations for the entry-level athletic trainer.

Goal 2. Provide students the ability to apply leadership and decision-making skills to include ethics, group dynamics, management of human behavior, team-building and professional conduct.

Goal 3. Provide students the ability to understand the administrative functions of health care managers including, budgets, finance, strategic planning, risk management, legal environment of health care, principles of supervision, cost control, and revenue and cost forecasting.

Goal 4. Promote the importance of research and provide the tools for understanding basic research and evaluation techniques. Students will become proficient in locating, reading, and interpreting medical literature. Students will develop skill in the planning and conduct research in athletic training, including research design and statistical analysis.

Goal 5. Students will be able to effectively communicate via oral and written means, including computer presentations and documentation in medical records.