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Should You Choose a Career in Athletic Training?
Demand is high for these health professionals across traditional and emerging settings
The work of an athletic trainer, or AT, starts long before they hit the field, the court, the track, the rink or the gym to work with athletes of all levels. With a focus on injury prevention, emergency care and rehabilitation, they provide a full spectrum of support on the sidelines, in training facilities, and, increasingly, in other arenas.
March is National Athletic Training Month, a monthlong celebration sponsored by the National Athletic Trainers' Association (NATA). It’s a chance to highlight the profession and the many athletic trainers who work in public and private secondary schools, colleges and universities, along with those who work in clinics, hospitals and 
professional sports.
We spoke with Stephanie Clines, program director of Sacred Heart University’s Master of Science in athletic training, about the role of an athletic trainer, the education and experience needed to become one, some emerging trends in the field and the benefits of pursuing a career in this high-demand profession.
What is an athletic trainer? What do they do?
As certified health care professionals who specialize in sports medicine, athletic trainers have a varied skill set in treating musculoskeletal conditions and injuries. They could be the first medical professional to respond to an injury and then work with that athlete to get them back in the game.
“When an injury happens, we can do the initial evaluation, treat it or make a referral, design rehabilitation plans, monitor progress, bring them all the way through recovery, return them to play and get them back on the field,” Clines said. “That we can build rapport with our patients throughout the entire process really differentiates the work of ATs.”
From taping or bracing up ankles to meeting with a team or consulting physician, the day in the life of an AT is a comprehensive one. At any moment, they might be recognizing and evaluating injuries, providing first aid or emergency care, keeping track of the progress of rehabilitation plans or planning and implementing broad policies or programs to prevent injury, such as concussions or heat-related illnesses.
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What training or schooling do you need to become an AT?
To become an AT, you must graduate from an educational program accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education (CAATE) and pass the Board of Certification (BOC) examination.
Sacred Heart’s CAATE-accredited athletic training master’s program is the first MSAT program offered in Connecticut. The program prepares students to succeed when they enter the athletic training field, which has led to a 100% pass rate on the national certification exam among SHU athletic training graduates.
Clines said the strength of any AT program is the combination of classroom experience, hands-on training and meaningful clinical education experiences in diverse settings. A low student-to-faculty ratio—a feature of SHU’s program—is key, as is the network of experienced practitioners, or preceptors, who provide one-on-one supervision and instruction at clinical sites.
“All of our clinical sites support our program goals and serve as an extension of the classroom,” Clines said. “We want students to learn something in class and then have the hands-on opportunity to practice with a patient, under supervision, in the clinical environment.”
And while some opportunities may have higher visibility than others, such as working with professional sports teams, Clines said the most important part of any clinical practice is not just observation, but real-life application of what students are learning. SHU students participate in clinical rotations with many types of sports teams, including those on campus, at nearby academic institutions—including highly competitive secondary schools and colleges—and with professional sports teams.
What are emerging trends in the field of athletic training?
Traditionally, athletic trainers work in schools, colleges and universities; professional and Olympic sports; and youth leagues and sports facilities. You can also find them in physician practices, hospitals, emergency rooms and urgent and ambulatory care centers. Athletic trainers also enjoy careers in sports medicine, cardiac rehab, medical fitness and wellness and physical therapy. (An alum of Sacred Heart’s athletic training program was recently named the first director of health and innovation of the National Football League.)
Increasingly, however, the skills and expertise of athletic trainers have proven to be a benefit in other sectors, such as:
- Military service
- Performing arts
- Public safety
- Occupational health (such as in warehouses and other industrial settings)
- Circus art
For instance, they might undertake an ergonomic assessment to establish a plan to prevent repetitive work injuries or offer in-house rehabilitation. Or they might help a circus acrobat or professional dancer remain at peak performance levels.
What’s the job outlook for athletic trainers?
Clines said with increased need and opportunities for athletic trainers, there is a shortage of these professionals. For about the next 10 years, the U.S. Bureau of Labor (BLS) expects employment of athletic trainers to grow 13%, which is much faster than the average for other occupations.
The average annual salary is $68,907, according to the NATA. Those at the higher end of the salary range can make, on average, upwards of $90,306 a year.
“Now is a great time to get into the profession,” Clines said. “There are just so many options. The skills you learn in an athletic training program are a great foundation that can be easily extrapolated to many opportunities.”
Interested in pursuing a career in athletic training?
If you want to study athletic training in a program that features faculty with deep classroom and field experience, along with clinical practice opportunities that provide meaningful instruction and hands-on experience, Sacred Heart’s Master of Science in athletic training could be the one for you.
For more information, schedule a meeting with Lea DiStasio, or reach out at distasiol2@sacredheart.edu. Graduate admissions also provides opportunities to schedule a visit, attend an open house or participate in a virtual information session.
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