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Athletic Training Program

Athletic Trainers (ATs) are healthcare professionals who provide patient-centered care in collaboration with a physician. As part of the healthcare team, services provided by ATs include injury and illness prevention, wellness promotion and education, emergent care, examination and clinical diagnosis, therapeutic intervention, and rehabilitation of injuries and medical conditions.

The Athletic Training Program at Western Carolina University focuses and promotes critical thinking and problem solving in our students through a hands-on curriculum that provides a wide variety of clinical education opportunities.

Please Note: The Athletic Training Program is no longer accepting students for the Bachelor of Science in Athletic Training degree.

Undergraduate Athletic Training Program
Graduate Program in Athletic Training


Athletic Training Faculty

The faculty and staff of WCU’s Athletic Training Program are committed to students’ success and to building strong, competent athletic training professionals.

Core Faculty

Dr. Melissa Snyder, LAT, ATC, CSCS

Undergraduate Program Director, Associate Professor

Dr. Tara Peterson, EdD, LAT, ATC

Coordinator of Clinical Education, Assistant Professor

Dr. Ashley Thrasher, LAT, ATC

MSAT Program Director, Assistant Professor

Dr. Jessica Kirby, LAT, ATC

Teaching Assistant Professor

Medical Directors

Dr. Larry Supik, MD

ATP Medical Director

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