The goals of the program are to prepare students as entry-level athletic trainers through an extensive curriculum of didactic and clinical experiences and to prepare students to sit for and pass the Board of Certification (BOC) exam. Athletic Training also offers excellent preparation for graduate or professional school in sports medicine, physical therapy, occupational therapy, physician assistant and many other areas. Athletic Training students participate in numerous clinical experiences with our varsity athletic teams that result in more than 1,500 hours of hands-on experience.

Important note on selective review: All students begin as pre-athletic training majors. After completing the first year of courses - including supervised, instructional work in clinical settings – students must apply for selection to the athletic training major. The program is highly selective, with only 10-20 students advancing to the sophomore year (typically from a pool of approximately 50 students) to complete the remaining three years of the program. Students not selected for athletic training work with their academic advisor to plan for an alternative major; related majors include Public Health, Nutrition, Fitness and Health, and Health Sciences Pre-Professional.

Careers in Athletic Training (Pre)

Typically, the employment rate for graduates from the Department of Health and Kinesiology is 95%.

Certified Athletic Trainers work in a variety of settings including, but not limited to the following areas:

  • Professional and collegiate sports
  • Secondary and intermediate schools
  • Sports medicine clinics
  • Hospital emergency rooms and rehab clinics
  • Occupational settings
  • Performing arts
  • Law enforcement and military 
  • Physician offices