Mission Statement

The Messiah College Athletic Training Education Program prepares students for careers in entry-level positions and graduate school.  Students are challenged to integrate their Christian faith as they care for the physical, emotional, and spiritual needs of the injured and ill. Faculty athletic trainers are also expected to model those same traits. Furthermore, they are expected to provide quality education to students in both classroom and clinical settings and serve as role models for the students to whom they teach, train and serve both in and out of the classroom. Both athletic training faculty and students alike are challenged to strive for professional excellence and personal integrity as they adhere to the National Athletic Trainers’ Association (NATA) Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice.

Athletic training students are given a variety of clinical experiences with men’s and women’s sports, equipment intensive sports, upper and lower extremity sports, as well as opportunities to practice in different settings such as high school, college, sports medicine related clinics, and industrial/corporate settings.

Faculty are committed to the ongoing evaluation of the Athletic Training Education Program (ATEP), pursuing quality classroom and clinical experiences that prepare students for athletic training careers in traditional and physically active settings, or entry into graduate education programs.

Messiah College ATEP desires to be a program of excellence, producing graduates who are known for their athletic training skills as well as men and women of character.  We aspire to graduate students who represent the values of Messiah College and promote the growth of the athletic training profession.

Program Goals

• Integrate faith and learning through a commitment to Christ and the application of Biblical truths.

• Provide a curriculum (required courses) that prepares students for an entry level position in Athletic Training or graduate education.

• Provide didactic and clinical programs that assure students meet required NATA competencies/proficiencies.

• Provide effective clinical instruction for students.

• Provide required clinical experiences that prepare students well for an entry level position.

• Assure opportunities for students to integrate Christian principles in clinical experiences.

• Graduate Athletic Training majors that employer’s desire.

• Prepare Athletic Training graduates with strong moral and ethical values

• Prepare Athletic Training graduates who maintain certification, continuing education, and professional development.