I am an Advisor

Athletic Training is a patient-centered healthcare profession that connects with patients throughout their lifecycle. That means before injuries occur for prevention, when emergencies happen for emergency care, and after, during recovery from an injury.

It also is a perfect career for a student who wants a dynamic future that combines passions for healthcare and sport. For students who clearly articulate they want to work in sport, yet remain in healthcare, it’s a clear fit. For others, explore further their interests in different pathways and being with patients throughout their activity lifecycles (before, during, and after injury or illness).

If you are working with a student who is entering college and seeking a four-year degree, a bachelor's in athletic training is an option to discuss.However, know that bachelor's degree programs in athletic training are being phased out. After Fall 2022, there will be no additional students allowed to enroll in a baccalaureate degree AT program. Only master's degrees will be offered at that time.

Accordingly, students can pursue a bachelor’s degree in any discipline to enter a master's program. To be prepared for the master's program, the student should take the prerequisites for the master's program, which minimally includes physics, chemistry, biology, psychology, physiology, and anatomy. Individual programs may require additional prerequisite coursework.

Athletic Training employment is projected to grow by 16% from 2019 to 2029. This is tremendous growth for a profession! For comparison, the average profession's growth rate is only 4%.

This accelerated growth is augmented by the positive momentum created by improved perception and understanding of the career field and the more accurate and sophisticated language and identification as a healthcare profession.

There are a multitude of settings and environments that your advisee can explore. They could be under the impression that ATs only work with participants in organized athletics, but there are many more options. For example, athletic trainers can be found in the armed forces, performing arts, at a physician practice, or in the industrial and corporate setting. Of course, we also know that 100% of professional sports organizations employ an athletic trainer. No matter what type of setting your advisee has their sights set on, you should ensure that they are aware of all their options.

The Board of Certification (BOC) approved the first specialty certification for athletic trainers, orthopedics, in 2021 with the goal of rolling out additional certifications by the end of the year. Residency programs accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education (CAATE) are opportunities to get specialized training in a specific content area. . A practicing AT could also pursue a Doctor of Athletic Training (DAT) degree to further their knowledge in their field. If your advisee is interested in taking a step into the research realm, they can look into academic doctorates like PhD programs as well.

Starting the application process consists of a lot of research and preparation. First, help your advisee in determining exactly what type of program fits their needs. If they’re unsure, try encouraging them to talk to people in different programs, attend open houses, or shadow ATs in different settings.

The application process itself consists of determining the school’s specific admissions requirements, including things like prerequisite course requirements, number of observation hours, and GRE scores. It’s also helpful to work with your advisee on getting letters of recommendations together, working on their personal essay, and preparing for the admissions interview.