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PRE-ATHLETIC TRAINING

Start Your Journey to Becoming a Certified Athletic Trainer

Picture yourself interning with an NFL team, helping ballet dancers perform at their peak or supporting a leading orthopedic firm. At Manchester University, you can start your journey to incredible opportunities such as these with our Pre-Athletic Training Program.

With our Bachelor of Science in Clinical and Rehabilitation Sciences and a concentration in Pre-Athletic Training, you’ll get hands-on clinical experience and training that will prepare you to apply to a graduate program and then test for licensure as a certified athletic trainer (ATC).

Athletic trainers serve valuable roles as members of health care teams in high schools, colleges, universities, performing arts venues, professional sports teams, sports medicine clinics, hospital settings and more. Wherever your passion lies, our comprehensive program will equip you with the knowledge, skills and experience you need to thrive.

Furthermore, because a master’s degree in athletic training is essential to becoming a certified athletic trainer, we make the transition from our Pre-Athletic Training Program to our Master of Athletic Training Program more seamless. Take advantage of unique pathways like Early Assurance and our 3+2 MAT program option, ensuring you’re on the fast track to a rewarding career.

MU PRE-AT @ A GLANCE

58

Credits

4

Years*

Tuition

View Annual Cost

Fall Session

August 2025

Learning Environment

On Campus with some courses online 

Faculty

Meet your professors

*Pre-AT students can earn this degree in 3-4 years.

Why Choose Manchester for Pre-Athletic Training?

Our Pre-Athletic Training Program offers a multifaceted and comprehensive approach, empowering you with the knowledge and skills needed to advance your journey to becoming a certified athletic trainer. This includes not only technical expertise but also a deep understanding of health care and the sports industry.

Our curriculum and support systems are tailored to equip you with the competencies essential for a successful career. From hands-on clinical experience to personalized mentorship, our faculty will guide you every step of the way to help you reach your full potential in this dynamic and rewarding field.

Athletic Training 3+2 Option

Unlock the fast track to your career with our Athletic Training 3+2 option. In just five years, you can earn both your bachelor's in clinical and rehabilitation sciences and your Master of Athletic Training. With our accelerated schedule, including summer coursework, you’ll save time and money on the way to your dream career. Plus, you'll gain invaluable experience and connections at our Fort Wayne, Ind., location.

Some students prefer the traditional path that includes four years of undergraduate study, including student-athletes who intend to maintain four years of athletic eligibility.

Early Assurance

Start your journey with confidence through our Pre-AT Early Assurance Program. As a first-year undergraduate student, opt in to this program to receive structured guidance, ensuring you're on the right path to becoming a certified athletic trainer. If eligible, you can secure your reserved seat in Manchester's MAT Program.

Learning from industry experts

Our faculty mentors bring years of real-world experience to the classroom. You'll learn from the best, gaining practical insights and knowledge that can't be found in textbooks alone. Your professors, are passionate, available and driven to help you succeed.

Meet your professors

Professor Jeff Beer demonstrates proper technique during an exercise science lab.

" I chose athletic training to work with a wide variety of motivated people to be their best self. Athletic training is different every day, and you get the chance to impact people’s lives, both injured and non-injured, in many ways."
Jeffrey A Beer PhD, LAT, ATC
Chair & Professor Exercise Science, Manchester University

What Can You Do With Your Pre-Athletic Training Degree?

With a degree in Pre-Athletic Training from Manchester, your opportunities are as diverse as they are exciting. Our program not only equips you with a solid foundation in athletic training but also prepares you for a wide range of dynamic career paths.

You could find yourself working in high schools, colleges or universities, where you'll play an integral role in ensuring the well-being of student-athletes. Hospitals may be your calling, where you assist patients on their journey to recovery. Sports clinics offer a fast-paced and rewarding environment, and professional sports teams provide a thrilling backdrop for your expertise. Or perhaps you’re interested in pediatrics or orthopedics.

Whatever professional goals you aspire to, you can make a genuine impact on the lives of individuals through a rewarding career as a certified athletic trainer.

Career Outlook for Athletic Training Graduates

Athletic trainers are highly sought after. In fact, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects a remarkable 14 percent growth in employment of athletic trainers by 2032. This rate is significantly faster than the average for all occupations. It's also a testament to the crucial role athletic trainers play in a variety of settings.

How Much Do Athletics Trainers Make?

According to BLS wage data, the median annual salary for athletic trainers in the United States was $53,840 in 2022, with the highest 10 percent earning more than $78,000. Athletic trainers working in educational settings, such as colleges and universities, earned an average of $56,930.

Explore Our Pre-Athletic Training Courses

Our Pre-Athletic Training curriculum seamlessly combines theory and hands-on experience, ensuring you’re well-prepared for the diverse challenges you'll face as an athletic trainer.

Our comprehensive program takes you beyond the traditional classroom learning. Each course is thoughtfully crafted to provide you with a deep and comprehensive understanding of the athletic training field.

You'll explore fundamental principles that underpin athletic recovery, learning how to assess and diagnose injuries effectively. Additionally, you'll examine the intricacies of the human body's mechanics, comprehending its movements both in health and during injury.

With an additional emphasis on developing essential skills, including orthopedic evaluations and therapeutic modalities, our pre-athletic training degree will prepare you to tackle real-world challenges in this exciting field.

View all required classes for the Pre-Athletic Training Program.

Get Started on Your Pre-Athletic Training Degree

Take the next step toward earning your Pre-Athletic Training degree from Manchester University. We have the resources to help you get started. Apply today or request more information.

Non-Discrimination in the Admission Process

Manchester University is committed to non-discrimination in campus life. The University does not discriminate on the basis of national origin, ancestry, race, color, age, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, familial status, religion, disability or veteran status in admissions or any area of campus life, including its educational programs, scholarships and loan awards, residence life programs, athletic programs, extracurricular programs, promotion and tenure policies and practice, and alumni affairs.

Manchester University is committed to carry out the provisions of Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans With Disabilities Act, which provide for accessibility of University programs to the physically disabled.