Step into a new athletic training career

In 1969, astronaut Neil Armstrong and the National Association of Athletic Trainers (NATA) took historic steps that changed their respective professions. Armstrong was the first person to step foot on the moon. NATA approved the first undergraduate athletic training education programs at four U.S. universities. Since then, careers for athletic trainers evolved beyond the playing field into non-traditional environments such as business, manufacturing, the Arts and healthcare—the fastest growing field according to the United States Bureau of Labor and Statistics. They project a 21 percent growth in this field through 2024 which is faster than the average for all occupations.

Athletic trainers in healthcare

Historically, the relationship between physicians and athletic trainers was limited to the athletic sidelines. Today, athletic trainers work in various clinical settings assisting physicians. In this role, they assist by taking patient histories, evaluating injuries, scheduling tests, preparing injections, fitting DME products, developing rehabilitation programs, educating patients, assisting in surgery and conducting research. The role is expanding and evolving, but most healthcare positions require additional training and prior experience beyond an athletic training degree.