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Athletic Training Careers

What is Athletic Training?
 Athletic training is an allied health care profession encompassing the prevention, examination, diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation of emergent, acute, or chronic injuries and medical conditions, and is recognized by the American Medical Association (AMA), Health Resources Services Administration (HRSA) and the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).  

What is an Athletic Trainer?
 Athletic Trainers (ATs) are highly qualified, multi-skilled health care professionals who provide services and treatments under the guidance, or in collaboration with a physician. Services include primary care, emergent care, examination and clinical diagnosis, therapeutic intervention and rehabilitation of injuries and medical conditions. 

Becoming an Athletic Trainer? 
To become an athletic trainer, you will need to attend, and graduate from a school that has a CAATE accredited Athletic Training education program and pass the Board of Certification (BOC) exam.Following the start of the fall semester 2022, all athletic training programs will only be offered at the graduate level. Below are bachelor’s degrees that are related to the field of Athletic Training: 

  • Kinesiology

  • Applied Human Physiology 

  • Exercise and Sport Science 

  • Allied Health Science 

Upon obtaining your bachelor’s degree, the CAATE website offers a list of accredited athletic training programs. Here is a list of currently accredited professional master’s programs within California: 

In addition, the following schools are currently transitioning to master’s programs or offer master’s programs that are awaiting accreditation: 

  • California State University, Fresno 

After graduating from an CAATE accredited program, you are eligible to sit for the BOC exam. Information regarding the exam and the BOC can be found at the BOC website.  

Athletic Training Education
 Athletic training education uses a competency-based approach in both the classroom and clinical settings. The educational requirements for CAATE-accredited athletic training education programs include acquisition of knowledge, skills and clinical abilities along with a broad scope of foundational behaviors of professional practice. Students also complete an extensive clinical learning requirement to aide in the skill development and transition into the profession. 

Careers
 Athletic training is a profession that is ever increasing in demand across all settings. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) estimates that the athletic training profession will grow 21% by 2022.Athletic trainers work in a variety of settings including: 

  • Secondary schools, Colleges/universities, and Professional/Olympic sports 

  • Youth leagues, Municipal and Independently owned Youth Sports Facilities 

  • Physician Practices, Hospitals, and Ambulatory Care Centers.  

  • Specialty Clinics(sports medicine, medical fitness, wellness and physical therapy) 

  • Occupational Health Departments in Commercial Settings 

  • Police and fire departments/academies, Municipal Departments, Military Branches 

  • Performing Arts including professional and collegiate level dance and music 

In the secondary school setting, there is tremendous opportunity for job growth as the National Athletic Training Association (NATA) advocates for the gold standard of at least one full time athletic training in each high school. Additionally, physicianclinics and hospitals are looking to add ATs to staff to increase patient throughput and improve patient satisfaction. 

Interested in More? 

Email CSM Athletic Trainers for more information: 

Volunteer:  

  • Experience the profession 

  • Fulfill requirements to satisfy observational hours (Pre-requisite for most AT programs) 

Additional Resources: