Health Sciences: Pre-Athletic Training Concentration, Bachelor of Science
Athletic trainers (ATs) are highly qualified, multi-skilled health care professionals who render service or treatment, under the direction of or in collaboration with a physician, in accordance with their education, training and the state's statutes, rules and regulations. As a part of the health care team, services provided by athletic trainers include primary care, injury and illness prevention, wellness promotion and education, emergent care, examination and clinical diagnosis, therapeutic intervention and rehabilitation of injuries and medical conditions. In order to seek certification, a Master’s degree in Athletic Training must be completed.
This 4 year program is intended for the students planning to complete the MS in Athletic Training 2 year Master’s Program or who are not accepted into the MS in Athletic Training 3+2 Program. Graduates of the Pre-Athletic Training concentration are prepared for entry into the CSU Pueblo Master level Athletic Training Programs as well as other exercise science related positions.
Accreditation
The Masters in Athletic Training Program At Colorado State University Pueblo located in Pueblo, Colorado is accredited by the:
Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education (CAATE)
2001 K Street NW, 3rd Floor
Washington, DC 20006
844 462-2283
Website: https://caate.net/program-info/697/
Initial Accreditation awarded: 03-02-2022
Students who are interested in becoming a Certified and Licensed Athletic Trainer will begin their degree in the BS in Health Science Pre-Athletic Training concentration. In the Junior Year Pre-AT students can apply to the 3+2 Athletic Training Program which will result in a BS degree in Health Science and an MS degree in Athletic Training after completing 3 years (90 credit hours) of undergraduate work and 2 years (60 credit hours) of graduate work. Students must meet the requirements of both degrees (BS in Health Science Pre-AT and MS in Athletic Training). Students who decide not to apply to the 3+2 program can graduate with a BS in Health Science with 120 credits of undergraduate course work and will be eligible to apply to the 2 year MS in Athletic Training after finishing a bachelor’s degree and all prerequisites.
Students in the Pre-Athletic Training 3+2 Program should apply in the spring of the junior year of the Health Science Pre-Athletic Training major. Deadline for first consideration is January 15 and final deadline is April 15. Cohort begin in mid-May and the program is year round for two years. Please contact the program director, Dr. Mary Placzkowski at mary.placzkowski@csupueblo.edu for any questions concerning admission.
With a Masters degree in Athletic Training, you have a variety of career options, ranging from working directly with athletes to entering healthcare and administration roles. Here are some of the most common paths:
1. Sports Medicine and Athletic Care
Certified Athletic Trainer (ATC): Work with athletes at high schools, colleges, or professional sports teams to prevent and treat injuries.
Sports Rehabilitation Specialist: Help athletes recover from injuries and regain peak performance.
Sports Performance Coach: Design conditioning programs to enhance athletic performance.
Team Athletic Trainer (Professional Teams): Provide on-field care and rehabilitation for professional athletes.
Youth Sports Trainer: Work with young athletes in youth sports organizations.
2. Clinical and Healthcare Settings
Athletic Trainer in Orthopedic Clinics: Assist orthopedic physicians with patient care and rehabilitation.
Physical Therapy Assistant (with additional certification): Work with patients in physical therapy settings.
Occupational Health Specialist: Provide injury prevention and rehabilitation in industrial settings.
Chiropractic Assistant (with further training): Support chiropractors with patient care.
Concussion Management Specialist: Conduct baseline testing and manage concussion recovery.
3. Secondary and Higher Education
High School Athletic Trainer: Work directly with student-athletes in secondary schools.
College/University Athletic Trainer: Provide athletic training services for collegiate athletes.
Professor of Athletic Training (with advanced degrees): Teach at colleges or universities.
Athletic Training Program Director (with advanced degrees): Lead and develop accredited athletic training programs.
4. Sports Performance and Strength Training
Strength and Conditioning Coach (with CSCS certification): Design and implement training programs for athletes.
Sports Nutrition Coach (with further certification): Provide nutrition guidance for athletes.
Performance Enhancement Specialist: Use advanced techniques to optimize athletic performance.
5. Healthcare Administration and Management
Clinical Athletic Trainer: Manage athletic training services in clinics or healthcare facilities.
Rehabilitation Clinic Manager: Oversee operations of sports medicine and rehab centers.
Director of Sports Medicine: Lead sports medicine departments at schools or sports organizations.
6. Emergency Care and First Response
First Responder for Sports Events: Provide on-site care for athletes at events.
Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) (with certification): Offer emergency medical services.
Disaster Response Specialist: Work with emergency response teams, especially in sports settings.
7. Military and Tactical Settings
Tactical Athletic Trainer: Provide injury prevention and rehabilitation for military personnel.
Military Performance Specialist: Design fitness and injury prevention programs for soldiers.
Law Enforcement Fitness and Wellness Coordinator: Support physical readiness of police officers.
8. Sports Technology and Research
Sports Science Researcher: Study injury prevention, biomechanics, and athletic performance.
Biomechanics Specialist (with further education): Analyze and improve athletic movement patterns.
Sports Technology Specialist: Use wearable devices and technology for athlete monitoring.
9. Consulting and Education
Athletic Training Consultant: Advise schools, teams, or organizations on best practices.
Health and Safety Educator: Teach courses on sports safety and injury prevention.
Athletic Training Content Creator: Write articles, create online courses, or run a YouTube channel focused on athletic training.
10. Entrepreneurship in Athletic Training
Sports Performance Facility Owner: Start your own training and rehabilitation center.
Telehealth Athletic Trainer: Offer virtual consultation and rehabilitation programs.
Athletic Training Product Developer: Design tools, apps, or devices to improve athletic care.
11. Advanced Careers with Further Education
Physical Therapist (DPT): Provide advanced rehabilitation for patients with injuries.
Physician Assistant (PA) in Sports Medicine: Diagnose and treat sports injuries.
Orthopedic Physician (MD or DO): Specialize in sports medicine as a medical doctor.
Sports Psychologist (with further education): Support athletes’ mental health and performance.
Student Learning Outcomes
- Summarize and synthesize information relevant to assessing and improving population health and healthcare issues.
- Exhibit the ability to read and interpret scientific research with application of the scientific methods, statistics, study design, and reporting in the health sciences.
- Evaluate and integrate critical concepts and skills acquired in the health sciences curriculum to common professional problems in the health science fields of interest.
- Exhibit effective oral and written communication as well as mass communication regarding subjects related to the health sciences in an individual and group setting.
- Apply and demonstrate knowledge, skills and critical problems solving in a field-based and/or clinical setting.
Specific Program Requirements
Program Overview
| Requirement | Credits |
|---|---|
| General Education | 35 |
| Major Requirements | 19 |
| Concentration Requirements | 66 |
| Total Credits | 120 |
Specific Concentration Requirements
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Required Concentration Courses | ||
| HS 101 | Introduction to Health Professions | 2 |
| CHEM 111 | Principles of Chemistry (GT-SC2) | 3 |
| CHEM 111L | Principles of Chemistry Lab (GT-SC1) | 1 |
| EPER 162 | Personal Health | 3 |
| EPER 162L | Personal Health Lab | 1 |
| EPER 201 | Drugs and Healthy Lifestyles | 3 |
| BIOL 220 | Medical Terminology | 2 |
| EPER 222 | Behavior Facilitation | 3 |
| AT 232 | First Aid | 2 |
| AT 234 | Emergency Care | 2 |
| AT 260 | Injury/Illness Care and Prevention | 3 |
| AT 301 | Physical Assessment | 3 |
| EPER 320 | NSCA Test Preparation | 3 |
| HS 330 | Epidemiology & Disease Prevention | 3 |
| AT 323 | Functional Exercise Training | 2 |
| EPER 343 | Research and Statistics | 3 |
| EPER 344 | Exercise Physiology | 3 |
| EPER 344L | Exercise Physiology Lab | 1 |
| EPER 364 | Kinesiology | 3 |
| EPER 432 | Applied Sport & Exercise Psychology | 3 |
| EPER 436 | Exercise Assessment & Prescription | 3 |
| EPER 440 | Biomechanics | 3 |
| EPER 461 | Managing Events & Programs | 3 |
| HS 493 | Seminar | 2 |
| HS 498 | Internship | 6 |
| Outside the Major | ||
| Pick one: either BIOL 100 & 100L or BIOL 206 & 206L | 4 | |
| Principles of Biology (GT-SC2) and Principles of Biology Lab (GT-SC1) | 4 | |
| Introduction to Microbiology and Introduction to Microbiology Lab | 4 | |
| PHYS 201 | Principles of Physics I (GT-SC2) | 3 |
| PHYS 201L | Principles of Physics Lab I (GT-SC1) | 1 |
| Electives | ||
| Elective hours | 4 | |
| Other Required Courses | ||
| CIS 104 | Introduction to Excel Spreadsheets | 1 |
| BIOL 112 | Nutrition | 3 |
| PSYC 205 | Introduction to Sport Psychology | 3 |
| CID 103 | Speaking & Listening | 3 |
| PSYC 151 | Human Development (GT-SS3) | 3 |
| BIOL 223 | Human Physiology and Anatomy I (GT-SC2) | 3 |
| BIOL 223L | Human Physiology and Anatomy I Lab (GT-SC1) | 1 |
| BIOL 224 | Human Physiology and Anatomy II (GT-SC2) | 3 |
| BIOL 224L | Human Physiology and Anatomy II Lab (GT-SC1) | 1 |
| Take either MATH 120 or MATH 156. Must have at least a 24 ACT or 580 SAT in math to take MATH 156. See footnote. | 3 | |
| College Algebra (GT-MA1) | 3 | |
| Introduction to Statistics (GT-MA1) | 3 | |
| General Education: English | 6 | |
| General Education: History | 3 | |
| General Education: Humanities | 6 | |
| General Education: Social Science | 3 | |
| Total Credits | 120 | |
- 1
Students planning to pursue a doctorate in physical therapy should take CHEM 121 General Chemistry I (GT-SC2) (4 c.h.) & CHEM 121L General Chemistry Lab I (GT-SC1) (1 c.h.) instead of CHEM 111 & 111L.
- 2
Students are required to complete college algebra or pre-calculus algebra level math or have a math score of ACT 24 or SAT 580 to enroll in PHYS 201. Students who do not have this placement score must take MATH 120.
Specific Graduation Requirements
All HSHM Majors are required to:
- Complete a concentration of study with a cumulative GPA of 2.50 or higher.
- Earn a 2.0 overall GPA to enroll in 300 or 400 level courses in the department;
- Earn a minimum grade of a “C” in all prerequisite and major courses;
- Repeat prerequisite and major courses with a grade of “D” or lower until a grade of “C” or higher is achieved; and
- Earn a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or higher in required English and speech communication courses.
- Earn at least 120 credit hours with at least 40 upper division credits.
- Successfully complete an internship or field experience course.
- Submit a graduation contract by the deadline the semester of graduation.
Planning Sheet
Disclaimer: The Planning Sheet is designed as a guide for students planning their course selections. The information on this page provides only a suggested schedule. Actual course selections should be made with the advice and consent of an academic advisor. While accurately portraying the information contained in the college catalog, this form is not considered a legal substitute for that document. Students should become familiar with the catalog in effect at the time in which they entered the institution.
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | ||
| Fall | ||
| ENG 101 | Rhetoric & Writing I (GT-CO1) | 3 |
| EPER 162 & 162L |
Personal Health and Personal Health Lab |
4 |
| HS 101 | Introduction to Health Professions | 2 |
| MATH 156 or MATH 120 |
Introduction to Statistics (GT-MA1) students must have at least an ACT 24 or SAT 580 to enroll in MATH 156, otherwise take MATH 120 or College Algebra (GT-MA1) |
3 |
| General Education Social Sciences | 3 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| AT 232 | First Aid | 2 |
| AT 260 | Injury/Illness Care and Prevention | 3 |
| BIOL 100 & 100L |
Principles of Biology (GT-SC2) or Introduction to Microbiology |
4 |
| BIOL 112 | Nutrition | 3 |
| ENG 102 | Rhetoric & Writing II (GT-CO2) | 3 |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Year 2 | ||
| Fall | ||
| AT 234 | Emergency Care | 2 |
| BIOL 223 & 223L |
Human Physiology and Anatomy I (GT-SC2) and Human Physiology and Anatomy I Lab (GT-SC1) |
4 |
| EPER 222 | Behavior Facilitation | 3 |
| PSYC 151 | Human Development (GT-SS3) | 3 |
| General Education Humanities | 3 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| BIOL 224 & 224L |
Human Physiology and Anatomy II (GT-SC2) and Human Physiology and Anatomy II Lab (GT-SC1) |
4 |
| CIS 104 | Introduction to Excel Spreadsheets | 1 |
| CID 103 | Speaking & Listening | 3 |
| General Education Humanities and History | 6 | |
| Credits | 14 | |
| Year 3 | ||
| Fall | ||
| AT 301 | Physical Assessment | 3 |
| CHEM 111 & 111L |
Principles of Chemistry (GT-SC2) and Principles of Chemistry Lab (GT-SC1) |
4 |
| EPER 343 | Research and Statistics | 3 |
| EPER 364 | Kinesiology | 3 |
| PSYC 205 | Introduction to Sport Psychology | 3 |
| Credits | 16 | |
| Spring | ||
| AT 323 | Functional Exercise Training | 2 |
| BIOL 220 | Medical Terminology | 2 |
| EPER 320 | NSCA Test Preparation | 3 |
| EPER 344 & 344L |
Exercise Physiology and Exercise Physiology Lab |
4 |
| PHYS 201 & 201L |
Principles of Physics I (GT-SC2) and Principles of Physics Lab I (GT-SC1) |
4 |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Year 4 | ||
| Fall | ||
| EPER 201 | Drugs and Healthy Lifestyles only for students completing 4 year degree not 3+2 | 3 |
| EPER 436 | Exercise Assessment & Prescription only for students completing the 4 year degree not 3+2 | 3 |
| EPER 440 | Biomechanics only for studentsd completing the 4 year degree not 3+2 | 3 |
| EPER 461 | Managing Events & Programs only for students completing 4 year degree not 3+2 | 3 |
| HS 493 | Seminar only for students completing 4 year degree not 3+2 | 2 |
| Credits | 14 | |
| Spring | ||
| EPER 432 | Applied Sport & Exercise Psychology only for students completing 4 year degree not 3+2 | 3 |
| HS 330 | Epidemiology & Disease Prevention only for students completing 4 year degree not 3+2 | 3 |
| HS 498 | Internship only for students completing 4 year degree not 3+2 | 6 |
| Electives only for students completing 4 year degree not 3+2 | 4 | |
| Credits | 16 | |
| Total Credits | 120 | |