HAMMOND -- Southeastern Louisiana University is now offering a bachelor of science degree in athletic training, the only such program in the state.
      The university’s Department of Kinesiology and Health Studies began offering courses in the new degree program this fall. Previously, Southeastern offered a concentration in athletic training within its undergraduate kinesiology degree program.
      To earn the new degree, students must take 127-128 hours of course work, including 52 hours of athletic training courses, 20 hours of kinesiology and health studies courses, as well as a course in nutrition and pharmacology. The curriculum, along with successfully passing the National Athletic Trainers' Association Board of Certification, Inc. (NATABOC) examination, will prepare students for entry level jobs in athletic training.
      “A key component of our academic program is the clinical rotations with the community that are taken as core requirements to become a certified athletic trainer,” said Karen Lew, interim program director of Athletic Training Education. “Students will receive four semesters of practical hands-on clinical experiences working under the direct supervision of a certified athletic trainer (ATC).”
      The first two semesters of clinical rotations involve working with Southeastern’s athletes. The third semester rotation incorporates experiences with football programs either at Southeastern or with schools such as Southwest Mississippi Community College, Covington High School, St. Amant High School, and St. Thomas Aquinas High School in Hammond. During the final semester, students complete a rotation in a medical clinic under the direct supervision of a physician, nurse practitioner or a physician’s assistant.
      Lew said the university is seeking  accreditation by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP). CAAHEP completed a site visit to Southeastern last April.
      "The site visit was extremely positive," said Lew. "We are waiting to see if we will be accredited by CAAHEP this fall. If so, we will be the only such program in the state to achieve such a status.”
      “This accreditation will allow Southeastern to provide the only athletic training academic program in Louisiana that guarantees students will be able to qualify to take the NATABOC certification exam after completing their degree program,” said John Crain, Southeastern provost and vice president for academic affairs.
      Graduates of athletic training can expect to enter the workforce as integral members of the athletic health care teams in secondary schools, colleges and universities, sports medicine clinics, professional sports programs, and other athletic health care settings. They will work in conjunction with physicians and other allied health personnel.
      Students interested in enrolling in the new degree program can contact Lew at 985-549-2350 (klew@selu.edu). More information on the Athletic Training degree program can be found online at www.selu.edu/athletictraining.