Through a comprehensive and innovative experience, the Western Carolina University Athletic Training Program aspires to be a recognized leader in preparing highly skilled and professionally progressive leaders in the field of athletic training.
The mission of the WCU AT Program is to develop exceptional athletic training clinicians who provide patient-centered holistic care.
Goal 1: The WCU Athletic Training Program will provide a comprehensive didactic and clinical education program to prepare graduates to become proficient athletic trainers.
Objective 1.1: Graduates will pass the Board of Certification (BOC) Exam.
Objective 1.2: Graduates will secure employment as athletic trainers.
Objective 1.3: Students will matriculate through the Athletic Training Program within
three years.
Goal 2: Graduates will provide high quality patient-centered care independently as athletic trainers.
Objective 2.1: Demonstrate the ability to evaluate, synthesize, and apply athletic
training knowledge and skills in order to develop a comprehensive plan of care.
Objective 2.2: Demonstrate professional behaviors (e.g., ethical, moral, legal) consistent
with professional and employment expectations for the entry-level athletic trainer.
Goal 3: Graduates will collaborate as a member of an inter-professional healthcare team while providing patient-centered care
Objective 3.1: Students will demonstrate professional behaviors while interacting
with a variety of healthcare professionals providing patient-centered care.
Objective 3.2: Students will demonstrate verbal and written communication skills in
order to successfully interact with stakeholders, maintain accurate medical records,
and appropriately disseminate information.
Goal 4: Graduates will be able to critically evaluate current literature in order to guide clinical practice and address complex issues in Athletic Training
Objective 4.1: Students will use appropriate patient-centered clinical questions to
identify and critically appraise current literature to guide clinical practice and
address complex issues.
Objective 4.2: Students will apply the available evidence and patient goals / values
to implement current, safe, and effective patient care for complex issues.
Goal 5: Graduates will demonstrate professional engagement and serve the community in which they live.
Objective 5.1: Students will serve the community by participating in volunteer activities.
Objective 5.2: Students will be engaged in the profession as demonstrated by attending
and presenting at professional conferences.
Objective 5.3: Students will evaluate the various determinants of health (e.g., social, economic,
environmental, biological, policy/law, cultural) which may affect community healthcare.
Goal 6: The faculty of the WCU Athletic Training Program will maintain contemporary expertise to provide high quality instruction.
Objective 6.1: Faculty will participate in comprehensive analysis and reflective practice to
improve instruction.
Objective 6.2: Faculty will engage in one professional development event directly
related to one or more of their respective course assignments for the year.
Objective 6.3: Tenured/tenure-track faculty members will engage in scholarship to demonstrate
contemporary expertise.