Athletic Training (Pre-Athletic Training)

Description

The professional entry-level degree for athletic training is moving to a master’s degree. All professional programs in athletic training must be at the master’s level by 2022. Undergraduate students should consider the general prerequisite coursework necessary for their eventual application to a master’s program. The Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education (CAATE) has set prerequisite knowledge in biology, chemistry, physics, psychology, anatomy, and physiology. Students must complete coursework in these areas prior to admission into a professional graduate program in athletic training. Some institutions may have additional requirements. This Pre-Athletic Training program encompasses the requirements delineated by CAATE. Students are encouraged to identify the specific admission prerequisites at institutions for which they are interested in applying. This program is similar to those of other allied health professions such as Pre-Physical Therapy and Pre-Occupational Therapy. The pre-professional program allows students to prepare for professional programs in athletic training, including the Master of Science in Athletic Training program at Minnesota State University, Mankato.

The Pre-Athletic Training curriculum is primarily a science-based curriculum which meets the requirements for the Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education (CAATE) accreditation standards for “prerequisite knowledge.” This coursework serves as the foundation for study in the professional program of athletic training. The student must complete coursework in these areas prior to admission into the professional program. This coursework, along with a bachelor’s degree should qualify a student to apply to the majority of professional athletic training programs at the master’s degree level. It is important that students check the requirements for their professional school(s) of choice as some require courses in addition to those contained in this concentration. In addition, some programs also require that the student take the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) and score at a certain level in order to be considered for admission.

Undergraduate Majors to Consider with Pre-Athletic Training

Pre-Athletic Training is not a major. You are required to select a major to complete for your degree. Most institutions do not require a specific undergraduate major. The following majors are related to pre-athletic training with joint coursework. We recommend the following undergraduate majors: exercise science, biology, health science/community health, physical education/health education teaching, or psychology.

While graduate programs generally do not require a specific undergraduate major, they are concerned with your performance in undergraduate coursework, specifically your GPA, and expect you have successfully completed all prerequisite coursework.