Sports Medicine
Career Information
Students who complete this program could pursue a variety of careers. Here are some potential career paths:
Athletic Trainer: Provide injury prevention, assessment, and rehabilitation services to athletes.
Personal Trainer: Design and implement fitness programs for clients.
Physical Therapist Assistant: Assist physical therapists in providing treatment to patients.
Sports Coach: Train and develop athletes in various sports.
Exercise Physiologist: Study the body's responses to physical activity and develop exercise programs.
Sports Medicine Physician: Diagnose and treat sports-related injuries and conditions.
Rehabilitation Specialist: Help individuals recover from injuries and improve physical function.
Fitness Director: Oversee fitness programs and staff at fitness centers or sports facilities.
These careers leverage the diverse skills and knowledge gained through the program, providing a strong foundation for success in various fields.
Program Description
This program is designed to be completed in two years during the 11th and 12th grade.
Year 1
Sports Medicine/Athletic Training I (2 credits): In this course, students earn a certification in first aid, cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), and automatic external defibrillator (AED). The course introduces students to topics such as human anatomy and physiology, nutrition, medical terminology, injuries and illnesses, and legal and ethical issues in sports medicine. Students will learn and demonstrate emergency care, taping and wrapping of injuries, and apply other hands-on skills for treating injury. Students also examine prospective careers in the sports medicine field. Upon successful completion of this course, students are eligible to take Sports Medicine II and pursue industry certification as a personal trainer.
Year 2
Sports Medicine/Athletic Training II (2 credits): Students will be eligible to take the National Academy of Sports Medicine-Certified Personal Trainer exam. This course builds on basic knowledge acquired in Sports Medicine I on topics such as exercise physiology, biomechanics, exercise program design, and injury prevention, assessment, treatment, and management. Students will assess fitness, measure body composition, and design exercise programs. Students prepare for a career in sports medicine, including completing an internship, practicing interview skills, and building a resume.
Program Structure and Benefits
Career Technical Student Organization - Future Health Professionals: This organization prepares students for careers in the health sciences.
Real-World Experience: Experiential learning is accomplished through a 40-hour externship opportunity in partnership with their homeschool athletic trainers. Students will also complete specialized observations with trainiers at various collegiate athletic centers.
Certifications: Those who complete the program are eligible to earn their CPR/AED/First Aid Heart-Saver, Learn to Swim/Lifeguarding, NASM Professional Exercise Specialist, and Workplace Readiness (WRS) certifications.
Is This a Good Fit for You?
Are you passionate about sports and helping others achieve their fitness goals? Do you have a keen interest in human anatomy, physiology, and injury prevention? If you enjoy hands-on learning and are excited about gaining real-world experience through shadowing opportunities and specialized observations, then this program might be the perfect fit for you. Whether you aspire to become an athletic trainer, personal trainer, or pursue other careers in sports medicine, this program will provide you with the foundational knowledge and skills needed to succeed in the field.
Instructor