Your undergraduate path to becoming an athletic trainer
Topics covered in the Pre-Athletic Training program
- Human anatomy and physiological processes related to activity and training
- Development of strength and fitness using free weights and machines
- Prevention, recognition, assessment, and treatment of common sports injuries and illnesses
- Physiological systems and their response to exercise
- Anatomy and mechanics of human movement
- Design and supervision of strength and conditioning programs
- Design and supervision of health and rehabilitative exercise programs
- Injuries and exam processes for upper and lower extremities
- Musculoskeletal injury rehab
- Human needs, interests, and performance in the wellness field
- Sports medicine research methods
Honors Program
Honors students complete an independent research project, usually spanning their junior and senior years. Your research can take you just about anywhere - in the lab or library, in the community, or in the U.S. or abroad! Honors work can also be very practical. Prospective employers and graduate admissions committees often look carefully at an undergraduate record for evidence of extra initiative and genuine intellectual strength.
Learn more about the Honors Program
Pre-Athletic Training internships and job shadowing
Our outstanding Career Services Office is available to help you find internships and career opportunities. Pre-Athletic Training students recently completed internships at the following locations:
- Athletic Performance Enhancement Center
- Southwest Christian School Athletics
- Wayne State College Athletics Department
Recent grads are pursuing master's degrees at the following athletic training schools:
- University of Nebraska-Omaha (Omaha, Neb.)
Career possibilities
- High school or college athletic trainer
- Professional sports teams
- Health and fitness clubs
- Rehabilitation clinics
- Orthopedic clinics
- Hospitals
- Sports performance centers
- Consulting or private practice
- Sales and product development
- Industrial and occupational health
- Research and academia
job or grad school placement rate
within six months of graduation
Data based on most recent
employment outcomes survey
Transfer to Wayne State
Our generous transfer credit policy will allow you to get credit for what you've already earned.
- If you've taken courses at other institutions, you can transfer those credits to Wayne State.
- Already have an associate degree? Seamlessly transfer your full degree through one of our transfer pathways.
- Military or veteran student? You may be able to get credit for your military experience and training.
Department faculty
Barbara Engebretsen, Ph.D.
Professor
Dr. Barbara Engebretsen is an exercise science and public and global health professor at Wayne State College. She is active member of professional and service organizations, including the American Physiological Society, American College of Sports Medicine, the American Public Health Association, and Rotary International. She helped developed the Public and Global Health minor and One Health Studies major.
Dr. Kris Fox is an exercise science professor at Wayne State College and teaches undergraduate and graduate courses in applied human and sport physiology, exercise science, and human performance.
Dr. Cameron Geisert is a sports management professor at Wayne State College. His teaching interests are sociology of sport, sport law, sport event and facility management, ethics in sports, and sport marketing.
Dr. Kevin Hill is a physical education professor at Wayne State College. His academic interests include rural health and sport skill instruction, as well as physical and health education.
Dr. Chad Maas is a sports management professor at Wayne State College. He is a certified instructor for Red Cross First Aid and CPR.
Paul McCawley, MSE
Assistant Professor
Paul McCawley is an exercise science professor at Wayne State College. His teaching interests include strength and conditioning, as well as overall health and wellness.
Blaine Meyer teaches sports management at Wayne State College, including courses such as Introduction to Sport Management, Sport Marketing and Promotion, Physical Health and Wellbeing, Care and Prevention of Athletic Injuries, Public Relations in Sport, Sport Business, Leadership in Sport Organizations, and Ethics in Sport.
Bobby Smith, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor
Dr. Bobby Smith is an exercise science professor at Wayne State College. He teaches undergraduate courses in exercise physiology, fitness assessment and evaluation, athletic performance and nutrition, as well as physical health and wellbeing.
Clubs for Pre-Athletic Training students
Exercise is Medicine - Works toward improving the health and well-being of the campus community
Health Science Club - For students pursuing careers in health-related fields
A Top 50 Best Sports Science Program
Wayne State was recognized as having a Top 50 Best Bachelor’s Degree in the field of sports science, based on the factors of cost, accreditation, and successful graduate outcomes.
A Best College of Distinction
Wayne State was recognized as a Best College of Distinction for our excellence in student engagement, teaching, community, and successful graduate outcomes.
A Top Public College in the Midwest
WSC was identified as one of the top public universities in the Midwest for 2025 by U.S. News & World’s Best Colleges ranking report.
