Athletic Training Program Overview

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High job placement. High job satisfaction.

The Athletic Training Program (ATP) at Washington State University (WSU) is to provide future athletic trainers with the highest quality of education, knowledge, and skills to enhance the health and well-being of physically active populations throughout our community and the world.

The WSU athletic training program is a comprehensive 5-year professional program (B.S. in Sports Medicine + Master’s in Athletic Training). All five years must be completed at WSU for application and consideration to the M.A.T. program.

Students who graduate from the program will be well-prepared for the Board of Certification (BOC) Examination and a future in helping all individuals safely participate in physical activity. As faculty, we educate our students with the most current evidence-based and practical knowledge while providing an example of expert, professional, and compassionate service.

The M.A.T. is a professional master’s degree program that prepares the student and provides eligibility to take the National Athletic Trainers Association (NATA) certification exam obtain an Athletic Trainer Credential (ATC®).

Please note several items of importance of this degree:

The ENTIRE 5 years must be completed at WSU.
Application to the Athletic Training (AthT) program will take place in the Fall of your second year (sophomore year), with pre-admittance status.
You must have at or above a 3.0 cumulative GPA in order to apply.
There is a required summer enrollment between the 4^th and 5^th year at the graduate level.
There will be 3 semesters in the graduate portion of the program; these semesters are not usually eligible for financial aid, however, scholarships or loans may be available.
Please make sure to review the AthT Program Fees document.

All questions about the program should be addressed to: Katy Pietz, Clinical Coordinator, at katy.pietz@wsu.edu.

Pro-growth

Our Athletic Training students have great opportunities to be hired into various clinical settings. Employment of athletic trainers is projected to grow 22.8 percent.

Athletic trainers specialize in preventing, diagnosing, and treating muscle and bone injuries and illnesses. They apply protective or injury-preventive devices, such as tape, bandages, and braces. They also develop and carry out rehabilitation programs for injured athletes. Athletic trainers are usually one of the first healthcare providers on the scene when injuries occur on the field. They also work in healthcare facilities, including offices of physical therapists and in hospitals.

This is a five-year program

The Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education (CAATE) requires all students to graduate from a master’s level athletic training program in order to be eligible to sit for the Board of Certification Exam (BOC), which allows a student to become a certified athletic trainer.

Since 2018, any freshman who attends WSU only has the option of completing the Master’s in Athletic Training which is a comprehensive five-year program that requires a student to be at WSU for all five years. The amount of time necessary to complete this for a transfer student may vary. Questions can be directed to the program’s academic advisors.