Athletic Therapist Training

If you love sports and want to be in the middle of the action but don't possess the athletic skills to play on a grand scale, the job of athletic therapist may be your perfect career choice. The gratification of helping athletes perform at their peak and being a vital part of a winning team coupled with professional monetary compensation and a growing demand make this career choice a winning play.

Athletic Therapist/Trainer

Also known as an athletic trainer, an athletic therapist is a health care professional who helps prevent, treat and rehabilitate injuries incurred through sports and other physical activities. According to the World Federation of Athletic Training and Therapy, athletic trainers can be found at secondary schools, colleges and universities, industrial and commercial settings, sports medicine clinics, hospitals, private health care and therapy practice, in Olympic and professional sports, dance companies and the military. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, median annual wages for athletic trainers in 2008 were $39,640, with the middle 50 percent earning between $32,070 and $49,250. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $23,450, and the top 10 percent earned more than $60,960.

Education

The foundation for a career as Athletic Therapist is a four-year bachelor of science degree in a related field from an accredited academic institution. According to the National Athletic Trainers' Association, 70 percent of therapists hold a master's degree or higher. Employment with a high school, college or university may require additional teaching credentials. In addition to formal education, an athletic therapist must possess good communication and people skills. Therapists often encounter stressful and life-threatening situations and must be able to cope. Physical fitness and stamina are important to meet the physical demands of the job.

Internship

Most undergraduate and graduate programs require completion of an internship prior to obtaining a degree. Athletic trainer internships are available through local and professional athletic teams, hospitals, physical therapy clinics and other venues where therapists are employed. The Mayo Clinic's School of Health Sciences offers a four-week internship to qualified undergrads with a GPA of 3.0 who have completed foundational science courses and hold a current CPR/first aid card. Your educational institution can provide you with information on internship opportunities in your community.

Certification

As of 2009, in addition to academic requirements, athletic trainers are required to be licensed or registered and certified through the Board of Certification in 47 states. A rigorous exam and yearly continuing education credits to maintain certification are required. Certification and licensure are not required by law in California, West Virginia, Alaska or Washington, D.C. but BOC certification will be helpful in obtaining employment in those locations.