Athletic Training students working in a lab

Pre-Athletic Training

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Our Pre-Athletic Training program provides the foundational knowledge and skills to kickstart your journey towards a rewarding career in athletic training.

Degrees & Offerings
  • Concentration
Location
  • Bloomsburg
  • Lock Haven
Department
College
Program Contact
Professor / Graduate Program Director, M.S. in Athletic Training
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Program Overview

MS Athletic Training students posing for a photo on a football field

Our Pre-Athletic Training programs prepare graduates for careers as athletic trainers, who are are multi-skilled health care professionals who provide service or treatment under the direction of a physician to a variety of patient types in a variety of practice settings. 

The Pre-Athletic Training Concentrations provide you with the education you need to enter graduate athletic training programs. Both 4+2 and 3+2 options are available. Commonwealth University offers a graduate athletic training program at the Lock Haven Campus. 

Courses and Curriculum

  Degree Progress: Enrolled students can review program requirements and track progress toward degree completion using the university’s degree audit and advising tool, Degree Works.

Upon program completion, students will:

  • Demonstrate general knowledge of human anatomy and physiology in both healthy and disease states.
  • Apply critical thinking skills when making evidence-informed/evidence-based decisions.
  • Demonstrate entry-level communication skills including written, verbal, and affect skills specific to their proposed professional setting.

If you are considering the 3+2 accelerated program, be sure to designate the Health Science 3+2 Pre-Athletic Training track.

Applicants are carefully screened to ensure they have the track record (e.g. high class rank and SAT scores) to succeed in this very concentrated, rigorous, and demanding academic and professional program.

If accepted, a compressed schedule of undergraduate classes will enable you to transition into the graduate program at the end of your third year.

Once accepted into the "3+2" program, you must maintain/complete the following criteria in order to ensure a guaranteed seat into the graduate program:

  • Grade Point Average (GPA): 3.0 or above
  • 75 hours of Athletic Training observation
  • Successful interview

Health Science 3+2 Degree Map Health Science Student Learning Outcomes

  Degree Progress: Enrolled students can review program requirements and track progress toward degree completion using the university’s degree audit and advising tool, Degree Works.

MS Athletic Training students posing for a photo on a football field

Accelerated 3+2 M.S. Athletic Training Program

Interested in an accelerated path to athletic training? Choose the Health Science 3+2 Pre-Athletic Training track. Designed for high-achieving students, this rigorous program allows you to complete undergraduate requirements on an accelerated schedule and begin graduate studies after your third year.

Contact Dr. Russell to learn more!
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Field Experiences

Field Experiences

Students are required to complete a field experience to complete the program. 3+2 students do their field experience in spring of their junior year.. Most 4+2 students will do this during the spring of their last semester.

Recent internship sites include Bald Eagle Area High School, Bellefonte Area High School, Central Mountain Middle School, Central Mountain High School, Williamsport Area High School, South Williamsport High School, State College Area High School, Penn College, and Lycoming College.

Careers

Our Athletic Training graduates are prepared to excel in clinical and sports settings, and their success speaks for itself—100% of our alumni secure positions in the field shortly after graduation. Explore how our graduates are making an impact in athletic healthcare and beyond.

  • University of Arizona
  • Philadelphia Union
  • Washington Nationals
  • Roanoke College
  • Mt. Nittany Health
  • Geisinger Heath Systems
  • Milton Hershey School
  • York College
  • Virginia Military Institute
  • Resolution Think - U.S. Army's Holistic Health and Fitness Program
  • Salisbury University

ONWARD and UPWARD

23%
Job Growth
Nationally by 2030- So you'll be in high-demand.
3+2
Accelerated Program
Fast-track your climb to the top through the Accelerated 3+2 B.S.-M.S. Athletic Training!

Careers

As people become more aware of sports-related injuries at a young age, demand for athletic trainers is expected to increase. Due to the significant labor shortage, jobs in the field result in salary increases, sign-on bonuses, improved work-life balance, and better benefits. Work settings include:

Potential Job Opportunities

  • Collegiate Athletics
  • Hospitals
  • School Districts
  • Professional Sports
  • Physician Offices
  • Rehabilitation Clinics
  • Military
  • Performing Arts

Continue to Explore

Athletic Training student sitting at a desk

My most impactful experience since being in the program is with my advisor Dr. Streator. When I came to Lock Haven, I was not sure which health science track I wanted to go down. So, I took an Orientation to Athletic Training class with Dr. Streator. We talked about all kinds of duties he fulfills as an athletic trainer at Lock Haven. We visited the training center as well and talked to other professional staff. I am very grateful to have an advisor that has the same passion for Athletic training and wants me to succeed.

Katelyn McDonald
Pre-Athletic Training
Athletic Training student standing in front of a Athletic Training sign

I chose CU-Lock Haven for Athletic Training because of the welcoming environment and for the opportunities that were offered. After meeting some of the Athletic Training staff and being taken care of by them, I had played for the Women’s Soccer team my freshman year here, I knew that this was it!

Sydney Bolles
Pre-Athletic Training
Athletic Training student standing in front of a Athletic Training sign
Athletic Training student sitting at a desk

Program Faculty

Professor Jody Russell

Jody Russell

  • Professor / Graduate Program Director, M.S. in Athletic Training
  • Lock Haven

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