Pre-Athletic Training Program
Students wishing to apply to an Athletic Training program should plan on at least three years of prerequisite coursework (90 credits), with many completing a four-year undergraduate degree. Accepted students should have a GPA of 3.0 and no less than a C in prerequisite coursework. In addition, students must complete 45-60 documented observation hours under a certified athletic trainer, typically obtained through internships.
Generally, 2-3 letters of recommendation should be obtained during the application process, typically including a college professor, certified athletic trainer, and one person of the applicant’s choice. Students interested in applying to a MAT program can apply through an external program, ATCAS, in the summer or fall of their senior year, with a deadline of April.
After applying, the qualified prospective students may complete an admissions interview. Interviews are conducted on a rolling basis as applications are received until the program reaches capacity, with programs beginning in the summer or fall.
Fast Facts
Degree: By earning your Bachelor’s Degree at Midland University in the Pre-Athletic Training Program, you will be prepared to jump straight into graduate work in a professional program.
College/School: College of Health Professions/School of Health Sciences
Suggested Major at Midland University:
Exercise Science – View the Sample Course of Study →
GPA required to enter occupational therapy school: Around a 3.0 and no less than a C in prerequisite coursework
PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS
Students learn strategies for preventing sports injuries through proper conditioning, equipment use, and technique training. They also acquire skills in designing and implementing rehabilitation programs to help athletes recover from injuries and return to play safely.
Pre-Athletic Training Course Information
These courses are recommended to be taken at Midland University, as students prepare for graduate school in the field of athletic training. All course descriptions can be found in the Academic Catalog.
BIO125: General Biology I with Lab
CHE103: General Chemistry I with Lab
PHY151: General Physics I with Lab
BIO204: Anatomy and Physiology I with Lab
BIO204: Anatomy and Physiology I with Lab
PSY120: Fundamentals of Psychology
MTH210: Elementary Statistics
HPM307: Kinesiology
HPM312: Physiology of Exercise
These courses are typically not required for graduate school in Athletic Training, but are strongly recommended and may be helpful for students who intend to attend graudate school for Athletic Training.
PHY151: General Physics I
HPM313: Sports Nutrition
BIO209: Medical Terminology
HPM248: Sports Psychology
HPM401: Fitness Assessment & Prescription
HPM330: Exercise Programming for Special Health Populations
HPM220: Care & Prevention of Athletic Injuries
Program Faculty
Dr. Stephanie Hamersky
Interim Director of MAT
Email Address: hamersky@midlandu.edu
Phone Number: 402-941-6361
Key Experiences
Along their academic journey, students take part in what we call “Key Experiences.” These experiences will spark learning outside of the classroom and beyond the textbook. They get students learning first-hand about a profession, seeing the process from an up-close perspective, and thinking outside the box.
Capstone Courses & Projects, First-Year Seminar or Experience, Collaborative Courses & Projects
- Students will be able to research emerging areas of interest relating to athlete monitoring (i.e. GPS, heart rate monitoring, wellness questionnaires, etc), rehabilitation modalities, performance measure to determine the changes across a season and/or athletic career.
- Students complete a variety of testing relating to cardiovascular fitness and rehabilitation, body composition and nutritional demands, strength, power, flexibility, and other related performance outcomes within our Warrior Performance Lab.
- Students will utilize technology to complete presentations and podcasts relating to exercise physiology, biomechanics/kinesiology, and reflect upon their internship experiences.
Popular Internship Sites
Career Outlook with an Advanced Degree
Athletic training careers are more promising than ever before. A Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) report states that employment of athletic trainers is predicted to grow 13% between 2023 and 2033, much faster than the average growth rate for all occupations.
According to the BLS, sports programs at all ages and for all experience levels will continue to create demand for athletic trainers. With high levels of participation by children and youth in individual and team sports, athletic trainers will be needed to manage emergency and non-emergency situations that arise. The popularity of college sports and continued participation by student athletes will increase demand for these workers to help athletes prevent and recover from injuries and perform at their highest level.
Some possible careers include:
Advanced degree holders can work as head athletic trainers for sports teams at various levels, including high school, college, or professional organizations. They oversee all aspects of athletic training programs, including injury prevention, evaluation, treatment, and rehabilitation for athletes.
Individuals with advanced degrees in athletic training can become sports performance specialists, focusing on enhancing athletic performance through strength and conditioning programs, injury prevention strategies, and sport-specific training protocols. They may work with individual athletes, teams, or sports performance facilities.
Advanced degree holders can specialize in clinical rehabilitation, working with athletes recovering from sports-related injuries or surgeries. They develop customized rehabilitation programs, monitor progress, and facilitate return-to-sport protocols to help athletes regain optimal function and performance.
With advanced knowledge of sports medicine principles and practices, athletic trainers can pursue careers as clinic directors or managers in sports medicine clinics or orthopedic practices. They oversee clinic operations, coordinate patient care, and ensure quality services for athletes and active individuals.
Individuals with advanced degrees in athletic training can engage in sports science research, investigating topics such as biomechanics, exercise physiology, sports nutrition, or injury prevention. They may work in academic institutions, research laboratories, or sports performance centers to advance scientific knowledge and inform best practices in sports medicine and athletic training.
Advanced degree holders may work as sports rehabilitation consultants, providing expertise to sports teams, healthcare organizations, or fitness facilities. They offer guidance on injury prevention strategies, rehabilitation protocols, and performance enhancement techniques to optimize athletes’ health and performance.
Advanced degree holders can work as educators in athletic training programs, teaching courses related to sports medicine, injury prevention, rehabilitation techniques, and therapeutic modalities. They play a crucial role in training the next generation of athletic trainers and promoting evidence-based practice in the field.
Athletic trainers with advanced degrees can serve as sports injury prevention coordinators, working with sports teams, schools, or community organizations to develop and implement injury prevention programs. They may conduct screenings, assess risk factors, and educate athletes, coaches, and parents on injury prevention strategies to reduce the incidence and severity of sports-related injuries.
Next Steps
Request Info
Complete the Request Information Form and we will be in touch soon.
