What Is a Master’s Degree in Athletic Training?
A master’s degree in athletic training provides students with extensive knowledge, skills and experience in sports medicine, injury prevention, assessment, treatment and rehabilitation. The curriculum typically includes courses on human anatomy, human physiology, first aid and biomechanics coupled with hands-on immersive clinical experiences and rotations that include working with local high schools and on-campus athletic departments.
Some programs may even require students to gain general medical experience, which could involve working with a family practitioner, in an emergency room, or in orthopedic and physical therapy settings.
How Many Athletic Trainers Have Their Master’s Degree?
Approximately 70% of athletic trainers hold a master’s degree. This stems from a 2016 decision by the National Athletic Trainers’ Association, the accrediting body for athletic trainers, which mandated a master’s degree for new accreditation. However, professionals who were already practicing as athletic trainers with only a bachelor’s degree are not required to obtain a master’s degree to meet this standard.
In addition to national accreditation from the Board of Certification (BOC), many states also require their own licensing or certification mandates for athletic trainers.
Benefits of a 3+2 Program
Some colleges and universities offer a 3+2 athletic training program, which is where students spend three years in their undergraduate work followed by two years of a graduate program. This allows students to earn a bachelor’s and master’s in five years, as opposed to a traditional 4+2 program (four years of undergraduate study and two years of graduate education).
Benefits of a 3+2 program include:
- Time and cost efficiency: By obtaining both a bachelor’s and master’s degree in just five years, students can save time and money by earning graduate credits at a discounted rate and moving on an accelerated path to certification.
- Seamless transition from an undergraduate program to graduate curriculum: A 3+2 program has a consistent curriculum and is designed with a smooth transition between programs, often allowing students to start specializing in their fields of interest earlier than if they were in a 4+2 program.
- Early clinical exposure: This allows students to engage in hands-on learning earlier in their educational journey.
- Reduced time in the job market: Students in a 3+2 program can enter the workforce sooner, which is especially important given that athletic training jobs are growing at a much faster rate compared to other occupations — 14% growth versus 3%.
Required Certifications to Become an Athletic Trainer
In order to become an athletic trainer, you must graduate with a master’s degree from an accredited professional athletic training program and then pass a comprehensive test administered by the BOC. This allows you to become licensed in the state in which you intend to practice.
Once you have obtained certification, you must meet ongoing educational requirements to remain certified. The Athletic Trainer Certification® (ATC) credential and the BOC requirements are accepted in 49 states (plus the District of Columbia) as meeting the qualifications needed to work as an athletic trainer.
Some positions or industries may require additional certifications, examples of which include:
- Sports Manual Therapy Certification (SMTC) from the Institute for Athlete Regeneration.
- Instrument Assisted Soft Tissue Manipulation (IASTM) certification from Graston Technique or HawkGrips.
- Blood Flow Restriction Certification through either the Owens Recovery Science or Smart Tools.
- Dry needling certification (available through numerous avenues, such as the Myopai Seminars Dry Needling Certification Program, Integrative Dry Needling Institute Certification, and the American Academy of Manipulative Therapy. Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist courses by the National Strength & Conditioning Association (NSCA) are recommended if you’re working or responsible for strength and conditioning programs.
- Corrective Exercise Specialist from the National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM) is ideal if you are working in rehab.
- Functional Movement Screen (FMS) and Selective Functional Movement Assessment (SFMA) courses from the Functional Movement Systems. FMS and SFMA courses 1 and 2 can be completed either online or in person.
Who Should Pursue a Career in Athletic Training?
Are you wondering if a career in athletic training is right for you? People considering this role often possess some or all of the following qualities:
- Passion for sports and athletics, fitness and/or medicine
- Interest in helping athletes or professionals prevent and recover from injuries
- Ability to handle high-pressure situations involving severe injuries and medical emergencies
- Organizational skills, attention to detail and teamwork
- General interest in sports medicine, anatomy, physiology and rehabilitation techniques
Overview of Athletic Training Responsibilities
The National Athletic Trainers’ Association defines athletic trainers as “highly qualified, multi-skilled health care professionals.” They are specifically trained in preventative services, emergency care, clinical examination and diagnosis, therapeutic intervention and rehabilitation of medical conditions and emergent, acute and chronic injuries.
Athletic training is recognized as an allied health care profession by the American Medical Association, the Health Resources and Services Administration and the Department of Health and Human Services.
Dr. Zach Garrett, the director of Marshall University’s Athletic Training Program, explains that while athletic trainers have a wide range of responsibilities, some of the most satisfying days are the quiet ones — when, for example, practice goes smoothly.
“The best days are when nothing happens,” Garrett said. “If I just have to watch practice, that’s a win. You never know what you’re going to see. You have to be prepared. When someone goes down on the field, it could be a knee injury or a cardiac emergency. Students who want to help others in a unique environment are often driven to this kind of program and career.”
Typical duties include:
- Applying injury-preventative devices, such as tape or braces
- Providing on-site emergency care and coordinating with doctors and EMS officials
- Developing a rehab program for an injury
- Planning preventative programs to prevent injuries
- Offering educational programs
- Performing administrative tasks such as ordering supplies and writing reports
Where Do Athletic Trainers Work?
While athletic trainers are commonly found with sports teams (ranging from high school to the professional level), they also work in a variety of industries and settings that involve a lot of movement and the potential for injury and rehab, such as manufacturing facilities and dance studios.
Potential places of employment include:
- Professional sports teams
- Colleges and universities
- Health departments
- High schools
- Military branches
- Law enforcement/public safety
- Performing arts
- Fitness centers
- Health and wellness facilities
- Hospitals and physicians’ offices
- Military and law enforcement agencies
- Orthopedic surgeon’s offices
- Sports rehab facilities
- Clinics with specialties in sports medicine, cardiac rehab, medical fitness, wellness and physical therapy
- Youth sports facilities
- Occupational health departments
- Manufacturing companies
Average Salary for Athletic Trainers
Your athletic training salary will vary based on many factors, including the employer, industry, where the job is located and how much experience is required. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average annual salary for an athletic trainer is around $58,000 with the highest 10% earning more than $80,000.
Top Reasons for Earning a Master’s Degree in Athletic Training
While a master’s degree is now required to become an athletic trainer, there are additional benefits to receiving an advanced education, including additional clinical experience and exposure to valuable networking opportunities.
- Increased knowledge: A master’s degree program allows you to gain deeper expertise and experience in injury prevention, rehab techniques and sports medicine.
- Expanded professional network: Build connections with faculty, peers and other professionals in the industry, all of which can lead to important opportunities and collaborations.
- Research experience: Gain experience and knowledge by working on advanced research projects.
- Opportunity to explore various work environments: While many aspiring athletic trainers aim to work with professional sports teams, a master’s degree program can expose you to a variety of other professions and industries where athletic training may be crucial, such as rehab clinics, youth sports facilities and branches of the government.
Ready to Learn More About Marshall’s 3+2 Athletic Training Education?
Marshall University is one of two institutions in West Virginia to offer a 3+2 program structure, which means students are eligible to take the BOC exam a year earlier in their education than students in competing programs. Additionally, the program’s structure reduces tuition costs, making Marshall one of the most affordable athletic training programs in the country, even for out-of-state students.
We offer a rigorous academic program that blends classroom and laboratory instruction with clinical rotations, where students obtain required clinical education experience under BOC-certified athletic trainers, physicians, physical therapists and other healthcare professionals.
Additionally, the Marshall University Professional Master of Science in Athletic Training (PMSAT) Early Assurance Program (EAP) allows high school seniors (in-state or out-of-state) to apply for conditional acceptance into the Masters in Athletic Training Program.
If you have questions or would like additional details, visit the Athletic Training B.S.-to-M.S. Program page or request more information.