The mission of the Department of Sports Medicine is to prepare qualified professionals for employment in Athletic Training, as well as other medical and allied health fields. While maintaining the liberal arts tradition, the department provides comprehensive exposure to the scientific, medical, technical, and professional aspects of Athletic Training and Allied Health. Utilizing classroom instruction enhanced by clinical experience, the Athletic Training Program provides students with the intellectual, practical, and professional skills necessary to pursue a meaningful career in Athletic Training or to seek an advanced degree in allied health or another professional field. Upon completion of four years of study and four clinical rotations, the student is eligible to sit for the BOC examination.

The Department will instruct the student in content areas such as athletic training, physical assessment, applied nutrition, pharmacology, therapeutic rehabilitation, kinesiology, pathophysiology, and anatomy. The College's liberal arts program will aid the student in developing the strong critical thinking and communication skills demanded by the health care industry.

The Athletic Training Educational Program at Marietta College is designed to prepare qualified, entry-level athletic trainers for employment in high schools, colleges, professional sports programs, and other health care agencies such as clinics and hospitals. Students can also obtain the necessary prerequisite courses that are required to continue their education in nursing, physical therapy, medicine, or any of the exercise sciences.

Today's certified athletic trainer (ATC) is a well-trained professional who is an integral part of a complete athletic health care program, and providing immediate treatment, management, and rehabilitation procedures for the injured athlete as directed by the team physician.