Course Overview
This program delivers a comprehensive, practical approach to managing sports-related musculoskeletal injuries—covering prevention, assessment, diagnosis, treatment, and full rehabilitation. Combining academic theory with hands-on practice, students train in elite, state-of-the-art gyms and dedicated campus rehabilitation units.
Key Program Highlights
- Clinical & Hands-On Experience: Students gain real-world practice treating clients in the dedicated on-campus teaching clinic and working directly with SETU Carlow sports teams.
- Global Work Placement: Year 4 features a 14-week clinical placement with opportunities to work nationally or internationally (including the USA, South Africa, Australia, Britain, and Ireland).
- Professional Accreditation: Accredited by Athletic Rehabilitation Therapy Ireland (ARTI), the governing body for Certified Athletic Therapists in Ireland (affiliated with the World Federation of Athletic Therapy and Training).
- Flexible Exit Award: Option to earn a Higher Certificate in Physiology and Health Science (NFQ Level 6) after successfully completing Year 2.
- Industry Demand: Graduates are actively recruited by national sporting governing bodies, with alumni working in top-tier national and international sports organizations.
Student Profile
| Attribute | Profile Fit |
| Ideal Candidate | Conscientious, strong communicators who are passionate about sport, exercise, and helping others recover. |
| Core Role | Motivating injured individuals through their recovery process and managing sports injury prevention and care. |
Additional Program Considerations
- Emergency First Responder Certification: Completed in Year 3 via an external provider (incurs an extra fee).
- Placement Costs: Expenses may vary during the 14-week Year 4 semester 2 placement depending on the chosen national or international location.
Year 1
| Semester 1 | Semester 2 |
|---|---|
| Physiology and Cell Biology 1 (M) | Physiology and Cell Biology 2 (M) |
| Maths and Physical Sciences for Health Science (M) | Strength and Conditioning: Applied Coaching 2 (M) |
| Strength and Conditioning: Applied Coaching 1 (M) | Exercise Physiology 1 (M) |
| Introduction to Sport and Exercise Psychology (M) | Anatomy 2 (M) |
| Anatomy 1 (M) | Physical Sciences for Health Science (M) |
M is a mandatory subject - E is an elective subject
Year 2
| Semester 3 | Semester 4 |
|---|---|
| Neuromuscular Skeletal Assessment 1 (M) | Neuromuscular Skeletal Assessment 2 (M) |
| Pathophysiology (M) | Soft Tissue Manual Therapy (M) |
| Pathology of Injury 1 (M) | Pathology of Injury 2 (M) |
| Strength and Conditioning for Performance (M) | Exercise Physiology 2 for Health (M) |
| Motor Control (M) | Research in Sport and Health (M) |
M is a mandatory subject - E is an elective subject
Year 3
| Semester 5 | Semester 6 |
|---|---|
| Sports Nutrition (M) | Movement Dysfunction (M) |
| Articular Manual Therapy (M) | Pre Competition Trauma Management (M) |
| Electrophysical Agents (M) | Advanced Rehabilitation and Performance Programming 2 (M) |
| Advanced Rehabilitation and Performance Programming 1 (M) | Student-led Clinical Practice 2 (M) |
| Student-led Clinical Practice1 (M) | Applied Research in Sport and Health (M) |
M is a mandatory subject - E is an elective subject
Year 4
| Semester 7 | Semester 8 |
|---|---|
| Professional Practice - Sports Rehabilitation and Athletic Therapy (M) | Clinical Studies and Placement - Sports Rehabilitation and Athletic Therapy (M) |
| Differential Diagnosis (M) | Research Project and Dissertation (M) |
| Current Concepts in Sports Rehabilitation and Athletic Therapy (M) |
M is a mandatory subject - E is an elective subject
What are the minimum entry requirements?
- 2 subjects: H5
- 4 subjects: O6/H7
- English or Irish: O6/H7
- Mathematics: O6/H7
- Garda vetting required
What follow-on study opportunities are available?
Graduates of the NFQ Level 8 are eligible to apply for the MSc in Strength and Conditioning and for
MSc/PhD research courses at SETU Carlow. They can also transfer to a wide range of taught and research postgraduate courses, nationally and internationally. A number of graduates progress to Pre-Registration Masters in Physiotherapy in Ireland and the UK.
Graduates of the Level 8 are eligible to sit:
- The Athletic Rehabilitation Therapy Ireland (ARTI) examination, successful completion of which grants the title Certified Athletic Therapist'.
- The United States Board of Certification exam (BoC) and National Athletics Therapist Association (NATA) exam. Successful completion entitles the graduate to work in the USA as an Athletic Trainer (ATC).
What exemptions will I receive?
-Notes
-What will I be able to do when I finish the course?
Graduates will be competent and effective practitioners in injury assessment, treatment and rehabilitation, as well as sports nutrition and exercise prescription skills.
They can secure employment with: sports persons; amateur sports clubs and organisations in third-level institutions, sports injury clinics or with amateur and professional sporting bodies.
CourseCast Podcast
Listen to our CourseCast Sports Rehabilitation and Athletic Therapy episode to hear real insights from students and lecturers about this course, what you’ll learn, and where it can lead.
Sports Rehabilitation and Athletic Therapy
Here, we hear all about Sports Rehabilitation and Athletic Therapy, a BSc degree programme that focuses on the prevention, assessment and diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation of musculoskeletal injuries related to physical activities. Guests on the podcasts were lecturers Mary Dowling and Frank Devereux, along with current student Adam Nolan.
Listen on podcasts.setu.ieStories
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