What is athletic training?

Where do athletic trainers work?

How much do athletic trainers make with a master's degree?

Do I need a master's in athletic training to boost my career?

These are just a few of the many questions our Team at Neumann University often receives from prospective athletic training students. For that reason, we wanted to outline several of the most frequently asked questions about our master's in athletic training — with accompanying answers.

1. What is Athletic training?

Certified athletic trainers are highly qualified, multi-skilled health care professionals that work in collaboration with physicians. The practice of athletic training encompasses preventing, examining, diagnosing, treating, and rehabilitating emergent, acute or chronic injuries and medical conditions in the physically active population.

Athletic trainers work with a range of patients and can assume a variety of positions in traditional and emerging clinical settings. Employment settings include high schools, colleges, universities, professional sports teams, hospitals, rehabilitation clinics, physicians’ offices, corporate and industrial institutions, the military, and the performing arts. Regardless of their practice setting, athletic trainers practice athletic training according to their education and state practice act.

2. Where do Athletic Trainers work?

Certified athletic trainers work everywhere from hospital emergency departments and sports medicine clinics to secondary schools, industrial settings, and more like the professional settings below!

• Secondary Schools
• Colleges and Universities Professional Sports
• Sports Medicine Clinics Hospitals
• Physician Offices
• The Military
• Industrial and Commercial Settings
• Fitness and Recreational Sports Centers

3. How much do athletic trainers make with a master's degree?

Athletic training is a field that is expanding rapidly. Due largely to an aging population as well as to a growing awareness of the seriousness of sports-related injuries, the industry is expected to grow an astounding 16 percent by 2029.

The salary that you can expect to earn as a certified athletic trainer may vary by state. If you’re a local, you may be surprised to learn that Pennsylvania employs more athletic trainers than almost any other state in the United States! In Pennsylvania, skilled professionals can earn upwards of $50,000 annually.

4. What are the requirements for entrance into the program?

Applications for the MS in Athletic Training Program must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 and must achieve a grade of “C” or higher in all prerequisite courses. It should be noted that selection into the program is competitive, and satisfaction of the minimum entrance requirements does not guarantee acceptance.

There are specific prerequisites that are required for admission into the program. If you have any questions, please contact the program director.

5. What does the hybrid course format consist of?

The courses in the Athletic Training Program are taught with both an online and classroom component. This means that some of the course content will be covered via online instruction, with on-campus meetings typically occurring once a week. 

The program is completed in 5 semesters (beginning with a summer session in the first year) over two years. For a review of the suggested two-year curriculum, see the course catalog.

6. Is NU's Athletic Training program accredited?

This program is aligned with the competencies and proficiencies established by the respected National Athletic Trainers’ Association (NATA.org) and Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education (CAATE.net). The didactic portion of the program is taught by experienced faculty in hybrid format, utilizing online and face-to-face instruction in our new state of the art Health Science Center. 

7. What does the clinical experience consist of?

To complete the Athletic Training Program at Neumann University, students must complete four semesters of clinical education with a minimum of 1,000 contact hours. There are various settings for clinical placement that includes secondary schools, colleges universities, professional sports, and clinics. It should be noted that students are responsible for any costs associated with the clinical sites and may include, but not limited to gas, tolls, parking, and/or public transportation.

8. Is there housing available for graduate students?

Specific questions regarding housing can be answered by the Resident Life staff. Contact information along with other FAQs related to housing and residence life at Neumann is available on our website.

9. Can I transfer into the program from another school?

For information regarding transferring into the program, please contact the program director. The courses taken will have to be reviewed to determine eligibility for transfer to the program.

10. Is there financial aid available for athletic training students at neumann?

You'll be surprised to discover just how affordable Neumann University is, especially when you take into account our respected academic programs, career-focused majors, expert faculty, superb location, and small class size. For information regarding assistance with tuition, please visit our Financial Assistance page!

Learn more about getting a master's in athletic training!

At Neumann University, we are committed to developing the next wave of leaders in athletic training who can meet the needs of an aging population and bring healing to individuals experiencing emergent, acute, or chronic injuries and medical conditions.

Through our Master of Science in Athletic Training, we prepare you to secure a lifelong, meaningful career in the dynamic and competitive field of athletic training. If you’re interested in taking the first step toward transforming your future, we encourage you to connect with us today!

Come join us to see if Neumann University can help you further your professional goals!

Check out Neumann University's Master's in Athletic Training Guide!