Sports Medicine / Athletic Training

A certified athletic trainer is a well-trained allied health care professional who plays an integral part in a complete athletic program. Working closely with physicians, certified athletic trainers provide services to athletes including prevention, evaluation, initial management, and rehabilitation of athletic injuries. An athletic trainer also services as a consultant and adviser to athletes, parents and coaches.

A certified athletic trainer must obtain a bachelor's degree from a Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) accredited program. The curriculum will include courses in the prevention, recognition and management of sports related injuries complemented by the study of health, nutrition, anatomy, physiology, chemistry, physics and psychology.

At Diablo Valley College, the sports medicine and athletic training associate degree program combines academic, laboratory, and clinical experience that prepares students to transfer to a four-year college or obtain employment as an entry-level rehabilitation or allied health paraprofessional.

Through both classroom and job shadowing experiences you will gain an in-depth understanding of the variety of career opportunities that are available. You will learn practical skills such as taping, first aid, injury evaluation, therapeutic exercise instruction and clinical problem solving.