Athletic Trainer

This helps us connect you with the right enrollment counselor to help you through the process. Degree Level Make a selection Select One Bachelor's Master's Doctoral Bridge Associate's Class Setting Make a selection First select a degree level Area of Study Make a selection First select a degree level and how you would like to attend Program Make a selection First select degree level, modality, and area of interest Overview What Is an Athletic Trainer? Athletic trainers are medical providers who specialize in preventing, diagnosing and treating sports-related injuries. (See disclaimer 1) Their responsibilities include rehabilitation and long-term injury prevention, and they often collaborate with physicians, coaches and strength and conditioning staff. (See disclaimer 1) Athletic trainers are healthcare professionals who help athletes stay safe and care for injuries related to physical activity . They apply clinical expertise and evidence-based, proactive care to treat injuries and support long-term wellness across active populations. (See disclaimer 1) Athletic trainers provide immediate first aid and emergency response for injuries during physical activity or competition. They identify risk factors and implement evidence-based strategies to reduce the likelihood of injury and enhance safety. Health education Athletic trainers promote health literacy by educating patients, enabling them to understand and make informed health decisions. Wellness optimization Athletic trainers support overall wellness, including physical, emotional and environmental health for individuals and active groups. Environmental safety assessments They monitor environmental conditions and respond appropriately to ensure safe participation in physical activities. Clinical evaluation Athletic trainers perform physical examinations and interpret findings to formulate accurate clinical diagnoses. They establish and implement individualized care plans based on clinical diagnoses and evidence-based practices. Education What Experience and Education Does an Athletic Trainer Need? A solid educational foundation is essential for becoming an athletic trainer. This path typically starts with earning a high school diploma, followed by obtaining a bachelor’s degree in athletic training or a related field. To practice professionally, individuals must also obtain certification from the Board of Certification. In the following sections, we will explore each of these steps in more detail. Understanding these key milestones is important for anyone considering a career in athletic training. High School Diploma To pursue a career in athletic training, start with a high school diploma and focus on science courses such as biology, anatomy and health. Engaging in sports or volunteering with school athletic programs can provide experience and develop essential skills like communication, teamwork and first aid. College Degree To become a certified athletic trainer, you must first complete a bachelor’s degree with coursework in kinesiology, sports medicine, nutrition and injury evaluation. Following this, a master’s degree in athletic training is required to develop advanced skills in rehabilitation, emergency care and healthcare administration. (See disclaimer 1) Professional Certification Certification is required to practice as an athletic trainer in most states, starting with graduation from a CAATE-accredited program. (See disclaimer 3) GCU’s Master of Science in Athletic Training meets this standard, providing an education aligned with national requirements. Graduates can then take the Board of Certification (BOC) exam for certification. (See disclaimer 4) Best Degrees for Athletic Trainers Programs for future athletic trainers combine rigorous STEM education with practical clinical experience to prepare students for the profession’s demands. Coursework is designed to build a strong foundation in science, math and nutrition while exploring specialized athletic training topics. Key academic domains and subjects include: Biology, chemistry, exercise science integration Scientific communication in healthcare teams Ethical decision-making in clinical settings Health data analysis for outcomes Athletic training for injury prevention Nutrition science for performance and recovery Social factors affecting patient care GCU Recommends These Degree Programs for Athletic Trainers GCU provides a clear and flexible path for students aiming for a career in athletic training. Starting with a Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science with an Emphasis in Pre-Athletic Training, students can gain a strong foundation in biology, kinesiology and exercise science. The program introduces injury prevention, rehabilitation and performance enhancement. The Master of Science in Athletic Training provides specialized training in emergency care in sports, injury evaluation, rehabilitation techniques and healthcare administration for those seeking certification and licensure as athletic trainers. Additionally, GCU offers a bridge program for individuals with a bachelor’s degree in an unrelated field, which can equip them with essential scientific and clinical knowledge to transition into the master’s program. What Skills Does an Athletic Trainer Need? Athletic trainers need more than technical knowledge. They depend on various personal and professional skills to care for athletes, communicate effectively and make critical decisions under pressure. These skills can enable them to handle the emotional, physical and logistical challenges of injury treatment and prevention while maintaining trust and professionalism in high-stakes environments. Athletic trainers work in a variety of settings. They can be found in schools, hospitals, professional sports teams and the military , and their role adapts to the specific needs of each environment. (See disclaimer 1) Many trainers work evenings and weekends and often need to travel to support teams during games and events. Athletic trainers in high schools and colleges offer injury prevention, emergency care and rehabilitation services to student-athletes, collaborating closely with coaches and medical staff. Hospitals Athletic trainers aid in patient rehabilitation, work alongside physicians and physical therapists, and support recovery for both athletes and non-athletes. Therapy offices Athletic trainers collaborate with physical, occupational, and speech therapists in clinics to help patients restore mobility and function through specialized treatment plans. Military and law enforcement agencies Athletic trainers enhance physical readiness and aid injury recovery for service members and officers in demanding tactical environments. Professional sports teams Trainers at the elite level manage athlete health, provide on-the-spot care during games and oversee long-term performance and recovery strategies. Performing arts Athletic trainers for performing artists provide specialized care and conditioning to prevent injuries, manage physical stress, and enhance peak performance. Advancement Opportunities Within Athletic Training Athletic training can offer a diverse career path with opportunities for advancement into leadership and administrative roles. Many begin as assistant athletic trainers and, with experience, can progress to positions such as head athletic trainer, athletic director or practice administrator within hospitals, clinics or physician offices. These roles include increased responsibilities like staff management. Explore More on Athletic Training Athletic Trainer and Physical Therapist: What Is the Difference? Discover how physical therapists and athletic trainers differ in education, scope and patient care to find the right fit for your career goals. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. (2025, Aug. 28). Athletic Trainers . Occupational Outlook Handbook. Retrieved Sept. 12, 2025. National Athletic Trainers’ Association. (n.d.). Obtain Certification . Nata.org. Retrieved Sept. 16, 2025. COVID-19 has adversely affected the global economy and data from 2020 to 2023 may be atypical compared to prior years. Accordingly, data shown is effective August 2025, which can be found here: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Athletic Trainers , retrieved Sept. 19, 2025. The earnings referenced were reported by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), Athletic Trainers as of May 2024, retrieved Sept. 19, 2025. Due to COVID-19, data from 2020 to 2023 may be atypical compared to prior years. BLS calculates the median using salaries of workers nationwide with varying levels of education and experience. It does not reflect the earnings of GCU graduates as athletic trainers, nor does it reflect the earnings of workers in one city or region of the country or a typical entry-level salary. Median income is the statistical midpoint for the range of salaries in a specific occupation. It is very unlikely that a median salary will reflect an entry-level salary. It represents what you would earn if you were paid more money than half the workers in an occupation, and less than half the workers in an occupation. It may give you a basis to estimate what you might earn at some point if you enter this career. Grand Canyon University can make no guarantees on individual graduates’ salaries. Your employability will be determined by numerous factors over which GCU has no control, such as the employer the graduate chooses to apply to, the graduate’s experience level, individual characteristics, skills, etc. against a pool of candidates. #J-18808-Ljbffr