Athletic Training
There are many pieces to the athletic training school application, including your GPA, personal statement, list of experiences, letters of recommendation, and biographical information. Use the navigation below to explore each aspect of preparing for athletic training programs.
- What is an athletic trainer?
- Athletic trainers (ATs) are highly qualified, multi-skilled healthcare professionals who render service or treatment, under the direction of or in collaboration with a physician, in accordance with their education, training and the state's statutes, rules and regulations.
- Becoming an athletic trainer:
Obtain a bachelor’s degree and complete all pre-AT requirements, including prerequisites and experiences. Earn a master’s degree in athletic training from a university with an accredited entry-level master’s program.
Professional: Also known as Entry-Level Programs. Available for individuals looking to enter the athletic training professionTake the Board of Certification (BOC) Exam
Become licensed in the state you wish to practice.
- Athletic Training Prerequisites
Most schools require:
Athletic Training Prerequisites Courses to Take at UC Davis General Biology BIS 2ABC General Chemistry CHE 2ABC Physics PHY 7ABC Human Anatomy with Lab EXB 106/106L or CHA 101/101L Human Physiology with Lab NPB 101/101L OR NPB 110C/101L Psychology PSC 1 Exercise Physiology EXB 101
Some Schools May Require:
Athletic Training Prerequisites Courses to Take at UC Davis Statistics STA 13 or STA 100 Nutrition NUT 10/11 Medical Terminology (not offered at UCD) Typically offered at Community College as an online course Biomechanics NPB 109
* Check your major requirements before choosing classes.
**Double check schools website for requirements. Each AT program has different prerequisites. Check each school's prerequisites before applying. Note: The above courses are only suggested, not absolute.
See the AT School Prerequisite Chart for a sample list of athletic training schools and their requirements.
You can choose any major and apply to AT programs. If you choose a non-science major, you still have to take the science prerequisites required by AT programs.
HPA recommends that pre-AT students maintain a minimum GPA of 3.0, although many AT programs will have GPA averages above this minimum.
Complete all of your prerequisite courses for a letter grade - DO NOT take any of them P/NP.
- Graduate Record Examination (GRE)
The Graduate Record Examination (GRE) is required by some AT programs prior to application.
The exam is available on a continuous basis throughout the year.
The GRE includes three sections:
Verbal Reasoning
Quantitative Reasoning
Analytical WritingThe exam cost $220 each time you take it. You are only allowed to take the GRE every 21 days after your previous exam.
The GRE is not a course-dependent test, meaning there are no specific UCD courses you need to take to prepare. The best way is to give yourself time to study the test by buying test prep books or taking a test prep course.
Whatever you do, do not take the test without preparing! Click here to register for the GRE.
- AT Experiences
Most AT programs will require 10-200 hours of observation under a certified athletic trainer in two or more settings (e.g. university/college, school, and/or clinic).
Examples of athletic training experiences include:
- Shadowing/interviewing an athletic trainer
- Working or volunteering in a athletic training clinic, hospital, and/or long-term care facility (i.e. senior care)
- Becoming a athletic training aide
- UC Davis Sports Medicine Internship ProgramHere are some good places to start looking for experiences at UC Davis:
- Health Related Internships through the Internship and Career Center (ICC)
- Global Health Internships through Study Abroad
- Health Related Internships through the Washington Program
- Completing community service using the ICC Community Service Database
- Join a Pre-Health related club or other student organizations through the Center for Student Involvement
- Participate in research- Applying to Athletic Training Programs
HPA is here to support applicants (UCD students and alumni) throughout the entire application process, including personal statement and other written components.
ATCAS:The ATCAS admissions cycle begins Dec/Jan and closes in March the following year. Not all schools and programs participate in ATCAS. If a program does not use ATCAS, you will need to apply through their specific program application found on the admissions website.
Personal Statement:
For your Personal Statement, describe your professional goals, including why you have chosen Athletic Training as a career. Visit the Applicant Help Center for more information. HPA helps all UC Davis students and alumni with revising their personal statements during Drop-ins and scheduled appointments.
Resume:
Some programs will also require you to submit a resume. The ICC can help you update a resume. Click here to learn more about ICC resources. HPA can help with updating your resume for AT programs.
Letters of Recommendation:
You are required to request at least 2 and may request a maximum of 4 evaluations. If you want to submit more, send those additional evaluations directly to your programs. For some programs, at least 1 LOR must be written by an athletic trainer. Review the requirements for the different schools you are thinking about attending.
Interviews:
Some AT schools will require interviews, and interview formats will vary by the school. Examples of interviews could be one-on-one conversations with faculty or KIRA style interview questions.
Some programs may request or require that you complete a Kira Talent assessment, which is separate from your ATCAS application. Kira Talent is a cloud-based, online video screening platform where your programs create virtual interview questions. Contact each program directly if you have questions.
Supplemental Applications
Varies by school
Choosing AT Programs:
There are a variety of factors that go into choosing which AT programs to apply to, including location, environment (i.e. urban), tuition, class size, focus or mission statement, etc. Spend some time researching schools online and create a spreadsheet that tracks the factors most important to you. HPA also recommends meeting with an advisor to discuss your school list.
- California AT Programs:
California State University- Long Beach
Point Loma Nazarene University
California State University- Fullerton