Pre-Athletic Training
Athletic training encompasses the prevention, examination, diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation of emergent, acute or chronic injuries and medical conditions. Athletic trainers are highly qualified, multi-skilled health care professionals who work as part of a collaborative inter-professional health care team. They work with physicians and other health care professionals to provide injury/illness prevention and wellness protection, clinical evaluation and diagnosis, immediate and emergency care, treatment and rehabilitation and organizational and professional health and well-being.
(source: Explore Health Careers - Athletic Training)
Athletic Trainers work with diverse patient populations in a wide range of settings, including amateur and professional athletics, medical clinics, and occupational/industrial settings. Most AT programs are masters degree (M.S.A.T.) programs, but there are also doctoral degree programs such as that offered by the University of Idaho Department of Movement Sciences.
The University of Idaho also offers the MSAT 3+2 Program, which allows students to earn both a bachelors and a masters degree in 5 years.
- Join the Pre-Health Professions Program and request to be added to the Pre-AT Email List
- Meet with the Pre-Health Professions Advisor each semester to make a professional and academic development plan and review your progress
- Choose a degree major that you enjoy and that provides a good “back-up plan” and career path in case you change your mind about athletic training; common majors include Athletic Training, Exercise Science, or another health science, but all majors will be considered if a student completes the prerequisite courses and other admissions standards established by individual AT programs
- Review the Pre-Athletic Training 4 yr. degree plan sample
- Carefully check admission requirements at AT schools of most interest and take the required coursework. Here is suggested U of I coursework for students interested in Athletic Training.
Note: First Aid/CPR certification is another common requirement
- Join the Pre-Physical/Occupational Therapy/Athletic Training Organization (POTATO) at U of I
- Get significant shadowing and clinical experience and maintain a formal Professional Development Activities Log
- The University of Idaho ISMaRT Clinic is a great on-campus resource for students
- Get involved in extracurricular, leadership, and volunteer activities
- Develop strong mentor relationships with faculty mentors, AT professionals, and others who will be writing letters of reference
- Attend Pre-Health Professions Program workshops and networking events
Many graduate level athletic training programs use the Athletic Training Centralized Application System (ATCAS) to process applications. Review the Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education (CAATE) directory for accredited programs.
- Center for Volunteerism & Social Action
- Volunteering Guide for Healthcare Students
- Education Abroad Program
- Lending Library pdf
- Professional Development Activities Log docx
- Self Assessment and Planning Worksheet docx
- U of I Course Catalog
- U of I Research Opportunities
- U of I Scholarships
- Virtual Pre-Health Shadowing