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Undergraduate Athletic Training Internship Program

Stephen F. Austin State University's Undergarduate Athletic Training Internship Program strives to provide quality athletic health services to the student-athlete and to educate the Undergarduate Athletic Training Internship student. Members of the Athletic Training staff work in conjunction with team physicians to ensure the proper prevention, care, treatment, and rehabilitation of student-athletes. Involvement in the Athletic Training Internship program will enable the Undergraduate Athletic Training Internship student to meet Texas State licensing requirements. The program is an inclusive program offering the knowledge and skills needed for the State licensing exam and the competitive entry-level position in Texas.

SFA Undergraduate Athletic Training Internship Program

This program does not meet the requirements for students seeking eligibility for the Board of Certification National Examination. The program adheres to Texas Law (§451.153), enforced by the Texas Department of Health, that governs preparticipation for eligibility for Texas Licensure of Athletic Trainers.

Explanation of Athletic Training and the Program

Athletic Training is a profession that requires hard work, dedication, and self-discipline. The rewards are generally in the form of self-satisfaction rather than financial gains or public recognition. You must be willing to sacrifice some of your time, energy, and knowledge in order to be a good athletic trainer. The hours are long and sometimes hectic when you are trying to satisfy the many requests made of you. Your ability to handle UNORDINARY demands and situations with confidence and competency will make you a great athletic trainer.

Athletic Training is not a job. A job is doing the same things every day. The assembly man in Detroit has a job. You have chosen a profession with new challenges every hour of every day. You may be called upon to apply a bandaid one minute and save an athlete's life the next. Your future in Athletic Training is only limited by you. If you learn from those with whom you come in contact, add scientific basis to what you learn, create challenges and greater goals, and are willing to accept changes when they are needed, you become a great athletic trainer. Your future in Athletic Training and Sports Medicine is not predetermined as it is in so many other professions. There are challenges at all levels of competition from junior high to professional athletics.

During the next few years you may have the opportunity to become the best at your profession. If Athletic Training is chosen, your challenges will be great and your responsibilities will be governed by how well you accept them. Stephen F. Austin State University has dedicated itself to excellence in academics and athletics. You can be a part of that tradition. You will be expected to take something away from SFA and likewise you are expected to leave something behind for those who follow. The SFA Athletic Training Program is always growing and striving for perfection. Those who take part in the total program will develop a great amount of pride in the program as well as pride in their colleagues. You should strive to make the SFA Athletic Training Porgram a model program from which you will develop your own program when you graduate.

Texas State Licensure Information

Licensing Information

Specialized Education and Training

  1. A baccalaureate or post baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university and one of the following: (a) current licensure, registration, or certification as an athletic trainer issued by another state, jurisdiction, or territory of the United States; or (b) current national certification as an athletic trainer issued by the National Athletic Trainers Association Board of Certification (NATABOC).
  2. In lieu of the requirements in #1 above, a person shall hold a baccalaureate degree or post-baccalaureate degree which includes at least three hours of academic credit from each of the following course areas: (a) human anatomy; (b) health, disease, nutrition, fitness, wellness, emergency care or first aid, or drug and alcohol education; (c) kinesiology; (d) human physiology or physiology of exercise; (e) athletic training, sports medicine, or care and prevention of injuries; and (f) advanced athletic training, advanced sports medicine, or assessment of injury. In addition, a person must have completed an apprenticeship program in athletic training that (a) consists of 1800 clock-hours completed in college or university intercollegiate sports programs; (b) is based on the academic calendar; (c) is completed during at least five fall and/or spring semesters; and (d) is completed while enrolled as a student at a college or university for at least 1500 of the 1800 clock-hours.
  3. All applicants must hold current certification in standard first aid and adult cardiopulmonary resuscitation.
  4. Applicants who hold a degree in physical therapy or corrective therapy should refer to the board's rules for specific information about licensure requirements.
  5. All applicants must successfully complete the Texas Athletic Trainer Written Examination and the Texas Athletic Trainer Practical Examination.

Increased Course Work Requirements for Applicants

Effective with all applications filed on or after September 1, 2004, in addition to the apprenticeship and other requirements noted above, an applicant must have 24 hours of combined academic credit from each of the following course areas:

  1. Human anatomy
  2. Health, disease, fitness, wellness, emergency care, first aid, or drug and alcohol education
  3. Kinesiology or biomechanics
  4. Physiology of exercise
  5. Athletic training, sports medicine, or care and prevention of injuries
  6. Advanced athletic training, advanced sports medicine, or assessment of injury
  7. Therapeutic exercise or rehabilitation or therapeutic modalities

Examinations are Required of all Applicants

Admission Requirements

  1. Students must meet the following criteria to be granted admission into the Undergraduate Athletic Training Internship Program
    1. Graduating High School Students
      1. Completed application including the following
        1. Official transcripts of secondary and higher education experiences
        2. Three completed recommendation forms
        3. One-page essay indicating interest in the profession of Athletic Training
        4. ACT/SAT scores
      2. Graduation from an approved high school
    2. Current SFA Students (all of the above plus: )
      1. On-site counseling interview with the Head Athletic Trainer, Assistant Athletic Trainers, and Student Recruiting Committee
      2. Completion of KIN 357 – Prevention & Care of Athletic Injuries
      3. 10 hours of observation in the Athletic Training Room
  2. Approximately 6-8 students will be selected each year, during the Spring Semester
  3. Criteria used to evaluate the student:
    1. High school grades
    2. High school rank
    3. ACT/SAT scores
    4. Interview
    5. Recommendations
    6. University GPA (must exceed 2.5 overall)
  4. Prospective students will be informed early in the spring, regarding acceptance into the Undergraduate Athletic Training Internship Program
    1. Students initially accepted will receive a letter of acceptance and will be given two weeks in which to accept or decline the invitation in writing.  Any positions declined will be offered to the next students until the class is filled
    2. When all positions are filled, those who were not accepted into the Undergraduate Athletic Training Internship Program will be notified in writing.  Further, they will be advised to:
      1. Remain in contact during the upcoming academic year
      2. If not invited to fill openings, please re-apply the following year

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