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What is the best degree to pursue if I want to be an athletic trainer?

I have played sports my whole life and I want sports to continue to be in my life after college. Therefore leading to my wanting to be an athletic trainer. I don't know anyone in this field already so I was wondering what I can do to reach my end goal of being an athletic trainer

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Ethan’s Answer

Hi Calie,

Athletic training is a wonderful career path to pursue as an athlete. As for some context, I played a sport in college and got to see all the sides of my university's athletic training staff. With that being said, I think that there are three distinct paths that you could look into regarding athletic training.

The first path would be a strength and conditioning coach. These are the people that develop weight programs and assist athletes with strength, flexibility, and injury prevention. A degree path that could lead to a career in this side of athletic training would be kinesiology (the study of human movement). The next degree path to consider would be physical therapy. A physical therapist could assist an athlete with recovery and help with minor injuries. Lastly, the most involved path would be the medical doctor route. Team doctors are a vital part of the athletic training staff as they deal with more serious injuries/medical issues. Team doctors can assist their athletes with sports-related and non-sports related injuries.

Hope this helps!

Best,
Ethan
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Emily’s Answer

Hi Calie!
The most straight forward route is to find an exercise phys/kinesiology program for a bachelors or a university with a 3+2 degree (North Dakota state offers) where you’re able to start your masters degree the last year of your bachelors degree. Otherwise, you can get any bachelors degree as long as you satisfy admission requirements for your graduate school, usually general sciences, anat and phys, exercises phys…are some examples. Hence the easier route being a science/exercise physiology major.
Talk with your advisor or establish a connection with a professor at whatever undergraduate you choose! That will help a ton!
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Zen’s Answer

You will need to find a grad school that has an a CAATE accredited program (CAATE.net) and then see what the prerequisites are.

It’s usually an exercise science or kinesiology degree in undergrad. And most schools will also require some hours shadowing an athletic trainer.
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Reggie’s Answer

Hi Callie, that’s great that you are interested in a career in athletic training! To become an athletic trainer you will need to attend an accredited graduate level athletic training program where you will receive your masters in athletic training. Upon completion of your masters degree then you will be eligible to sit for the board certification test for athletic training. Most students now attend undergraduate college and receive degrees in pre-athletic training, biology, exercise science or kinesiology before attending graduate school.
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