Education · 1 of 4

The path

A specific accredited degree, lots of hours on the sideline, then a national exam.

1. 1

   High school

   Grades 11 and 12

   Grade 12 English and biology, plus one of physics, chemistry or math. Sheridan asks for at least 65% in each.

2. 2

   Accredited athletic therapy degree

   4 to 5 years

   Programs accredited by CATA (Canadian Athletic Therapists Association) include Sheridan in Ontario and Concordia in Montreal, with a handful of others in Calgary, Toronto and Winnipeg. Anatomy, injury assessment, taping, emergency care and rehab.

3. 3

   Supervised hours

   During the degree

   Well over a thousand hours during the degree, split between field work with teams and clinic work with patients. This is where your evenings and weekends go.

4. 4

   First responder certification

   Days

   You must hold an emergency first responder level certificate, above standard first aid, before the national exam.

5. 5

   National certification exam

   After graduation

   A written exam and a practical exam run by CATA (Canadian Athletic Therapists Association). Pass both to use the title Certified Athletic Therapist.