Arnold School of Public Health

Through advanced coursework and applied learning, you will develop the clinical, leadership and decision-making skills needed to integrate physical, social, emotional and mental wellness into patient care. The program is designed for practicing athletic trainers who want to improve patient outcomes, lead behavioral health initiatives and collaborate more effectively with other health professionals. 

Why Choose Behavioral Health in Athletic Training? 

• Holistic Patient Care: You’ll be trained in addressing both physical and mental wellness. With the rise in mental health concerns such as anxiety, depression, and eating disorders among athletes, this expertise empowers you to recognize early warning signs, provide crucial support, and make informed referrals. 
• Advanced Clinical Skills: You’ll gain advanced clinical skills to manage behavioral health conditions, improving patient outcomes and fostering a healthier environment for physically active populations. The program culminates in a hands-on, in-person institute featuring live training events, seminars, and simulation-based learning. 
• Career Advancement: You’ll position yourself at the forefront of athletic training by gaining a competitive edge in diverse athletic and clinical environments. Certificate holders are well-positioned to lead mental health initiatives and collaborate with healthcare professionals to optimize patient outcomes and care coordination. 

What You Will Learn 

• Leadership in Behavioral Health: You’ll develop advanced leadership skills and gain expertise in evaluating and referring mental health conditions across diverse patient populations. 
• Crisis Management: You’ll learn how to identify crisis situations and design mental health policies and procedures for recognition and referral pathways. 
• Evidence-Based Practice: Our program emphasizes evidence-based practices, ethical decision-making, and the creation of prevention and support programs to enhance behavioral health care in athletic training settings. 

Required Courses 

15 credit hours 

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• Required Courses (15 credit hours )

  ATEP 751: Concepts of Behavioral and Mental Health in Athletic Training 
  Examine foundational behavioral and mental health concepts and their relevance to athletic training practice. 

  ATEP 752: Mental Health Challenges in Sport and Physical Activity 
  Explore mental health conditions and challenges affecting athletes and other physically active populations. 

  ATEP 753: Assessing and Treating Feeding and Eating Disorders, Exercise and Food Addictions 
  Develop a deeper understanding of feeding and eating disorders and behavioral concerns involving exercise and food. 

  ATEP 754: Supporting Mental Wellness in Athletic Training 
  Learn strategies for promoting mental wellness, supporting patients and strengthening behavioral health practices within athletic training settings. 

  PUBH 700: Perspectives in Public Health 
  Study foundational public health concepts and consider how systems, environments and population-level factors influence health. 

• Elective Course (Choose one course for three credit hours)

  PUBH 735: Practical Applications of Public Health Planning 

  PUBH 730: Public Health Systems, Policy and Leadership 

  EPID 730: Public Health Surveillance Systems 

  EXSC 797: Physical Activity Applied Practice Experience 

  ATEP 735: Contemporary Issues in Athletic Training 

The proposed course sequence allows students to complete the certificate over one full academic year, including summer, fall and spring terms. 

Graduate Assistantship Opportunities 

The program offers a limited number of graduate assistant athletic trainer positions each year. These positions allow students to provide patient care in a variety of professional settings while completing the certificate and developing additional clinical experience. 

The competitive graduate assistantship financial package includes: 

• A full tuition waiver 

• A stipend 

• Health insurance 

• Opportunities for additional compensation and professional engagement 

Graduate assistantships require a separate application and are not automatically awarded with admission to the certificate program. For information about available positions and the application process, email ATGRAD@mailbox.sc.edu. Admission Requirements 

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• Applicants must meet the following requirements:

  • A bachelor’s degree or higher in athletic training from a program accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education. 

  • Current certification as an athletic trainer through the Board of Certification. 

  • A minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale. 

  • Proficiency in English. 

  • Computer literacy. 

  • Access to a personal computer and reliable high-speed internet service. How to Apply 

Online Certificate Program 

This program is delivered online with a combination of online synchronous and asynchronous coursework, making it flexible for working athletic trainers. 

Student Testimonials 

How to Apply 

The certificate program consists of 6 classes (18 credits total) including 4 core courses, one public health course, and one elective course from Exercise Science or Public Health. The proposed timeline is one full academic year (summer, fall, spring) with admission entrance points in the summer. Applications can be submitted through The Graduate School, with submission deadlines on December 15 (priority) and May 15 (final) for a summer start date.

Tuition and Fees 

View our estimated tuition and fees for this graduate certificate. Our program proudly offers graduate assistant athletic trainer positions, providing hands-on clinical experience and professional development in a variety of job settings. This opportunity allows you to provide patient care while advancing your career, which is specific to the specialty certificate in athletic training. There are a limited number of graduate assistant athletic training positions provided annually and require a separate application process.  

To learn more about the graduate assistantships and how to apply, please email ATGRAD@mailbox.sc.edu. 

Explore Graduate Certificates in Athletic Training 

The Arnold School of Public Health offers two specialized graduate certificates for athletic trainers seeking advanced clinical knowledge and professional development: Behavioral Health in Athletic Training as well as Critical Incident Management and Primary Care in Athletic Training. 

Both options are designed to help athletic trainers develop specialized skills that can be applied across athletic, educational and clinical environments.  

Program Leadership 

• 

  Zachary Winkelmann, Ph.D., LAT, ATC, CHSE

  Program Director

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  Toni Torres-McGehee, Ph.D., LAT, ATC, FACSM

  Program Core Faculty

For questions about the certificate, curriculum or graduate assistantship opportunities, email ATGRAD@mailbox.sc.edu.