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 Athletic Training degree program. Here at the University of Idaho, we typically have one or two GA positions available every year. These positions provide doctoral students with a tuition waiver, additional training in clinical skills, as well as a stipend. In return, they work a set number of hours in our on-campus clinic as a preceptor, and assist in the delivery of our MSAT coursework. The GA position is only contracted to work about 20 hours per week, allowing plenty of time to focus on doctoral coursework.
Qualifications and Eligibility
What students are eligible for graduate assistantships? First, they must already be a licensed (or soon to be licensed) athletic trainer. They also must qualify for admission into the Doctor of Athletic Training (DAT) program or a Ph.D program. They may also be required to have additional training or experience, depending on the position. Here at the University of Idaho, we require applicants to have experience in research and provide evidence of scholarly potential. Our preferred qualifications include advanced manual therapy training, experience using patient-reported outcome scales, and proficient scientific writing.
Roles and Responsibilities
Different institutions have different expectations for graduate assistantships, so it is important to carefully read the specific posting that you are interested in applying to. Here at the University of Idaho, we primarily offer teaching assistantships. These students assist in the delivery of our Masters of Science in Athletic Training (MSAT) coursework. They may assist in the classroom, and additionally with grading. Also, these students serve as preceptors and athletic trainers in our on-campus clinic, the Integrated Sports Medicine and Rehabilitative Therapy (ISMaRT) Clinic.
Benefits and Opportunities
A graduate assistantship can be a great opportunity for an athletic trainer to advance their career. Students can enhance their patient skills, progress as educators, and develop focused lines of research in athletic training. It can be difficult to get experience with teaching without a graduate assistantship. If you’re interested in pursuing a career in higher education, a graduate assistantship can help you gain valuable experience in the classroom that can help you get a teaching position after graduation. Additionally, some graduate assistants will work as athletic trainers with the university’s athletic teams, which provides a great opportunity to gain experience with college-level athletics.
Also, the financial opportunities of a graduate assistantship cannot be overlooked. Graduate education can be expensive, and there are fewer scholarship and grant opportunities than are available for undergraduate education. GA positions can bring graduate education into reach.
Tips for successful application and interview
Your first step for preparing your application is to research the institution that you’re applying to. Different programs have different foci, and you’ll want to find one that is the best fit for you. Here at the University of Idaho, we focus heavily on patient care and patient care research. If that is not something you find interesting, there are other DAT programs that focus on the business side of athletic training, or the leadership side. You’ll be most successful in your program if you find one that is a good fit! Other tips:
1. Prepare your clinical and teaching philosophy; you’ll likely be asked to share this in the interview.
2. Think about your research experience and interests. You’ll want to feature this in your application and be able to talk about it in the interview.
3. How are you a good fit for the specific program you’re applying to? Be ready to showcase yourself. Don’t be afraid to show how you’ve researched the program and faculty.
4. Be ready to talk about yourself!
In conclusion, Graduate Assistantships are an amazing way to fund your post-professional education and get the experience you need for the next steps in your career. If you’re interested in our assistantships here at the University of Idaho, we’d love to hear from you!