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The image of an athletic trainer taping an ankle on the sidelines reflects only one side of the profession. Today, they are licensed healthcare professionals who work alongside physicians, physical therapists, and nurses to deliver coordinated patient care.  Employment for athletic trainers is projected to grow 11% between 2024 and 2034,

When an athlete collapses on the field, there’s no pause button. They need rapid assessment, decisive action, and steady hands under pressure. Athletic training programs are built for these specific moments, developing the clinical judgment and confidence students need when every second counts. Textbooks lay the groundwork, but real clinical practice

Charting the course of your graduate education in athletic training will shape your professional path, including where you work, your leadership capabilities, and how far you can advance in the field.  For aspiring athletic trainers, graduate education unfolds in stages, with a master’s degree followed by a doctorate as their roles

A Master of Science in Athletic Training (MSAT) opens doors to some of the most dynamic and rewarding roles in today’s healthcare landscape.   Athletic trainers are valued far beyond the sidelines, thanks to their skills in injury prevention, rehabilitation, and movement science. With the right degree, your future can take you

There’s no better time to pursue a career in athletic training.   According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, jobs in athletic training are expected to grow 13% between 2023 and 2033, much faster than the national average. If you’re looking to enter this field or advance within it, one of

Graduate assistantships (GA’s) are an awesome opportunity to gain experience and receive funding in higher education.  Unfortunately, athletic training graduate assistantships at the professional level (master’s degrees, such as our MSAT) are not particularly common.  However, graduate assistantships are much more common at the post-graduate level, such as our Doctor of

Advanced Techniques in Athletic Training: Manual Therapy and Hands-On Approaches Unless you are an athletic trainer or physical therapist, you may have never heard of manual therapy. And even within the profession, some practitioners know many manual therapy techniques and use them often, while others may know few techniques and do

Not long ago, women in athletic training were the exception rather than the norm. Today, they make up a growing and influential part of the profession. The presence of women in athletic training reflects broader changes in sports, healthcare, and education. From expanded opportunities created by Title IX to increasing visibility

Sports nutrition is a vital component of an athlete’s performance and overall well-being.  To learn more about the importance of nutrition in sports performance, we sat down with Dr. Ann Brown, Performance Nutrition Specialist and Director of the Human Performance Laboratory here at the University of Idaho.   In this blog post,

Unlocking Opportunities: How to Finance Your Athletic Training Education A degree in athletic training is a transformative experience, opening doors into a rewarding career with ample job opportunities in a variety of placements.  However, the financial aspect of graduate studies can be daunting.  In this blog, we will help you navigate

Where do athletic trainers work? The answer goes far beyond the sidelines of a football game or the corner of a locker room. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of athletic trainers is projected to grow 11% over the next decade, much faster than the average for all

What It’s Like to Be an Athletic Trainer in the NFL In the United States, American football has the most participants of any other sport at both the high school and college level.  The NFL (National Football League) is the leading professional football league in the United States. It comprises 32

If you’re considering a career in sports medicine or healthcare, you’ve likely asked yourself: What does an athletic trainer actually do every day, and is this the right path for me? This guide breaks it down clearly. You’ll get a real look at daily responsibilities, the skills needed to succeed, the

Hear From Our Recent Athletic Training Graduate I recently had the pleasure of sitting down with Stephen Panteleakos, who graduated earlier this year from our University of Idaho MSAT program.  As an athletic training student, Stephen was always a delight to be around.  Our faculty and staff were excited when he

Letters of Recommendation: A Step-by-Step Guide for Applicants If you are applying to athletic training programs, you’re likely going to need letters of recommendation.  Our program here at the University of Idaho requires three.  We talk to many students who have questions about this.  What does LOR stand for?  Who should

Prepare for Your Athletic Training Interview with These 5 Key Questions Have you recently completed your degree and are ready to start your athletic trainer career?  Finishing your degree in athletic training and earning certification is a huge step toward landing your dream job, but it’s only half the battle. The

Anyone weighing a career in athletic training usually asks two questions right away: What skills does the job require, and what credentials open the door? In this post, we map out the athletic trainer skills you will use daily and the exact steps for how to become an athletic trainer, from

How can athletic trainers utilize social media? Like it or not, social media usage is on the rise.  We see it on our campus, in our clinic, and even in our classrooms.  While social media is often viewed as a distraction and hinderance (especially in our classrooms!), there are many social

An athletic trainer can tape an ankle perfectly and still lose trust with a single poorly handled conversation. Communication in athletic training is not a “soft skill.” It is a clinical skill that directly shapes athlete care, recovery outcomes, and professional relationships.  In sports medicine settings, effective communication in sports determines

The Role and Journey of Women in Athletic Training Since the first woman joined the National Athletic Trainers’ Association (NATA) in the early 1970s, the field has seen significant growth.  Here at the University of Idaho, we’ve mentored many women into their development as athletic trainers and have answered many questions

What is an athletic trainer? Unless you are an athlete or medical professional, you may be one of the many who do not necessarily know what an athletic trainer is, or what they do.  Is an athletic trainer the same as a personal trainer?  What sort of education do athletic trainers

How Athletic Trainers Manage Catastrophic Sports Injuries One of the benefits of having an athletic trainer on-site for athletic competitions and practices is that they are available to diagnose and treat athletic injuries and illnesses immediately.  Often injuries are relatively small, short-lived, and patients can quickly return to their activity.  But

Why Choose the University of Idaho’s DAT Program? If you are an athletic trainer, you may have heard of athletic training doctorate programs, and you may have heard that they can boost your career.  But what exactly are DAT programs and what do you learn through them?  At the University of

Busting the Top 3 Myths About Athletic Trainers Athletic training is potentially one of the most misunderstood allied healthcare professions.  Some may even be surprised to learn that athletic trainers are healthcare professionals.  Who exactly are athletic trainers, and what do they do?  Read on to burst three common myths in

How does mental health affect athletic performance? More and more, we’ve seen mental health in sports becoming a topic of conversation.  Whether it is Simone Biles and her decision to withdraw from the Olympics, or Michael Phelps talking about his struggles with depression, our society is slowly realizing that depression and

Are You Preparing to Become an Athletic Training Major? Found at the intersection of active lifestyles and healthcare, athletic training is a growing career field with ample job opportunities.  While many students find this prospect intriguing, they struggle with questions like “What is an athletic trainer’s job description?” and “What degree

What is the role of an athletic trainer in an industrial site? Have you heard of an industrial athletic trainer?  You may know that athletic trainers have been steadily pushing outside of athletics, as other industries have discovered the benefits of having a highly trained healthcare provider on-staff.  Athletic trainer job

What is an entry-level athletic training degree? To become a board-certified athletic trainer, a candidate must first complete an entry-level athletic training education program accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education (CAATE).  Earning the “ATC” credential is required to practice athletic training in 48 states. What is an

How does an athletic trainer help with injury prevention? Athletic trainers are highly trained healthcare professionals who, as part of a healthcare team, provide services such as primary care, injury and illness prevention, emergent care, examination and clinical diagnosis, therapeutic interventions and rehabilitation of injuries and illnesses.  They specialize in the

What do you learn in an athletic training program? Athletic training is a growing field, with many graduates finding employment in new and emerging settings.  Athletic trainers have many opportunities to find a rewarding and fulfilling placement that fits with their interests and strengths. What do you learn in an athletic

What is the Doctor in Athletic Training program? Athletic training education history The profession of athletic training has evolved over the last 25 years. Leading up to and during this period, athletic trainers were typically found in “traditional” settings such as secondary schools, colleges, and professional sports teams.  Bachelor’s degrees were

Unbeatable Skills Every Athletic Trainer Must Have At the intersection of emergency care, evaluation/diagnosis, and rehabilitation, athletic training creates opportunities not often seen in other allied health professions.  For example, athletic trainers can work closely with patients over long periods of time, developing relationships while providing personalized care.  There is also

Ways Technology Has Changed the Game for Athletic Trainers The medical field is one that has seen significant impact from changes in technology over the last few years.  Athletic trainers, whether they work with a professional sports team, in a high school, or in a clinic, have seen the changes in

Here are the new trends in athletic training we are keeping an eye on. Athletic training is a dynamic field; one that is always evolving to lead and sometimes follow the latest innovations and technologies.  As educators in the field, we help create, identify, and establish these trends by the research

If you ask most people, “What do athletic trainers do?”, they picture someone standing on the sidelines of a professional game, helping athletes stay healthy and responding to injuries. While this image is accurate, the role goes far beyond taping ankles and carrying medical kits. Athletic training for sports teams involves

The Importance of Advanced Education in Athletic Training If you’re considering a career in Athletic Training, congratulations!  You are launching into a fast-growing career field with a great deal of opportunities.  However, you may find yourself facing a lot of questions.  Do you need a master’s degree in Athletic Training, or

What do NFL Athletic Trainers do? As far as athletic training positions go, there are few as highly sought after as those in the NFL.  Why?  The glitz and glamour of professional football plays a role, but they also offer an opportunity to work in some of the best facilities and

Choosing Between Athletic Training and Exercise Science We see a lot of students who struggle with the differences of exercise science vs athletic training, and with good reason!  These are related and intersecting fields.  Both support physically active populations, but in very different ways.  For example, graduates from an exercise science

Career Paths for Athletic Training Graduates Kyle North ATC, LAT As a recent graduate of a master’s in athletic training program, you may be wondering “what can you do with an athletic training degree?” As healthcare providers, athletic trainers are in a unique situation regarding their flexibility and where they can

Step by Step Guide to be an athletic trainer Athletic trainers (ATs) are healthcare professionals who collaborate with physicians to provide preventative services, emergency medical care, clinical diagnosis, therapeutic intervention and rehabilitation of injuries and medical conditions in the physically active population. Those who want to become an athletic trainer (AT)

The Importance of Athletic Trainers in High Schools Dr. Matthew Smitley DAT, AT, ATC, SFMA It’s an unfortunate scene that plays out at High School sports fields, courts, and facilities. An athlete sustains an injury and a health care professional runs out to the field to help them… sometimes. A recent

If you are interested in becoming a certified athletic trainer (AT), you have chosen a rewarding and growing healthcare career! With a little bit of planning and the right information, you will be well on your way to earning your AT certification. Here are the steps you will want to follow

You’ve probably seen both of them on the sidelines, in the gym, or at a rehab clinic, but do you actually know the difference between an athletic trainer and a physical therapist?  Many people use the terms interchangeably, yet these are two distinct healthcare professions with different training, responsibilities, and goals. 

Why Is Athletic Training the Best Career Option? 1. General Overview:   Is athletic training a good career? For many, becoming an athletic trainer (AT) is not just a dream profession/career, but it is a calling to help others. The job brings about a sense of satisfaction for those who are certified

Career Opportunities with a Degree from an Athletic Training Program Athletic training is a good career and well known in athletic settings such as high school, college, and professional sports. As healthcare professionals, athletic trainers are trained in diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation, and injury prevention. These skills go beyond the sporting

Understanding The Causes of Injury in Physical Rehabilitation Most people will experience at least one significant injury in their lifetime. Fortunately, we understand more about the human body and physical rehabilitation than ever before. As we understand more about injury, we realize that there is often more to the injury than

The Vital Role of Athletic Trainers in Sports Training It’s an unfortunate scene that plays out in almost every athletic contest you see on TV. A play comes to an end and within moments, there’s a team of people rushing out to provide care to an injured athlete. There’s a time

Athletic Training Tips for Effective Sports Injury Prevention For those of us in active populations, we all want to feel great and perform our best. However, it is very common for athletes and active individuals to experience pain and injury. While these create unfortunate experiences, there are a number of ways

Sports Rehabilitation Therapy: Key Principles for Recovery Dr. Matthew Smitley, DAT, LAT, ATC Rehabilitating from sports injuries can be quite the complex process for any patient or clinician. Regardless of the injury, location, or its severity, a timely and appropriate progression is paramount to the success of the rehabilitation plan. Despite