YOUR PATH TO CERTIFIED ATHLETIC TRAINER STARTS HERE
If you want to work at the intersection of sports, medicine and hands-on patient care, athletic training puts you there. Ripon’s pre-athletic training preparation pairs rigorous science coursework with mentorship that gets you ready for accredited graduate programs—and, through our partnership with Carroll University, a clear path to your master’s degree.
WHAT ATHLETIC TRAINING PROGRAMS ARE LOOKING FOR
Athletic trainers (ATs) are licensed, multi-skilled health care professionals who work under physician direction to prevent, diagnose, treat and rehabilitate injuries and medical conditions. To become one, you’ll need to graduate from a program accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education (CAATE)—and getting in takes deliberate preparation.
Here’s what admissions committees are evaluating:
- A strong foundation in anatomy, physiology and the sciences
- Observation hours with a certified athletic trainer
- A competitive GPA, both cumulative and in your pre-professional coursework
- Letters of recommendation from faculty who know your work
- Coursework in psychology, statistics and exercise science
Requirements vary by program, so it’s worth checking the specifics for any school you’re considering.
BUILD THE RIGHT FOUNDATION*
There’s no single required major for athletic training programs, but there is a recommended sequence—and your advisor will help you follow it.
Your core coursework:
- Anatomy & Physiology — BIO 211 and BIO 312
- Chemistry — CHM 112
- Statistics — MTH 120 or PSC 211
- Psychology — PSC 110
Many programs also recommend or require:
- Physics — PHY 152
- Exercise Science — Foundations of Exercise Science (EXS 211), Research Methods (EXS 431), Physiology of Exercise (EXS 333), Biomechanics (EXS 432), Nutrition (EXS 286), Functional Anatomy (EXS 287)
- Additional Psychology — such as Psychopathology (PSC 221)
*Specific admission requirements vary from school to school, so it’s important to confirm details directly with any program you plan to apply to.
A CLEAR PATH TO YOUR MASTER’S DEGREE
Imagine knowing where you’re headed for graduate school before you finish your bachelor’s. That’s what Ripon’s agreement with Carroll University’s Master’s in Athletic Training Program offers qualified students in Waukesha, WI.
What it takes to apply:
- Anatomy & Physiology (BIO 211 and BIO 312)
- General Chemistry (CHM 111 and CHM 211)
- Physics (PHY 131 and PHY 152/172)
- Psychology (PSC 110)
- Statistics (MTH 120 or PSC 211)
- At least 25 hours of observation with a certified athletic trainer, completed within 2 years of application
- A cumulative and pre-professional GPA of 3.0 or higher
Your advisor will help you map this coursework early, so you’re on track from day one.
