Athletic Training Graduate Program

Program Overview

Educational preparation of athletic trainers at Indiana dates back as far as 1949. Since then the athletic training program has continued to develop under guidelines established by the National Athletic Trainers Association (NATA). This program is now highly regarded by those seeking to earn an advanced degree and to professionalize the skills necessary to be a successful athletic trainer.

Indiana's program is classified as a Post Certificate Graduate Education Program (PCGE), meaning that it is designed to provide advanced preparation for individuals who are certified by the NATABOC. The Master of Science degree with specialization in Athletic Training may be earned through the Department of Kinesiology. Indiana offers an accredited undergraduate program as well as an accredited post-professional graduate program in athletic training.

Indiana University’s master's program includes a combination of classroom, clinical, and laboratory experiences as part of the two year degree. Selection for admission is competitive and limited to six candidates per year. Admission to the program is predicated on NATABOC certification or eligibility for certification as well as completion of the bachelor's degree. Career goals, previous experiences in athletic training, and scholastic performance are considered during the selection and admission process.

The structure of the program provides the student with the unique opportunity to be exposed to different philosophies and techniques (taught by a talented and experienced faculty and professional staff) Graduate students work closely with Indiana University's Athletics Department as well as the community school corporations to provide athletic health care for intercollegiate and interscholastic athletes.

Career Opportunities

Certified Athletic Trainers can find employment opportunities in the following settings:

Secondary Schools

Public and private schools offer special job opportunities for athletic trainers. Many athletic trainers in the high school setting also teach in various academic subjects.

Colleges and Universities

Institutions of higher education have historically been recognized places for employment for athletic trainers. The job responsibilities generally fall into two categories:

  • Athletic department staff assignment
  • Combination faculty/athletic trainer.

Employment in this setting remains stable with little turnover. A majority of colleges and universities require a master's degree for employment.

Private or Hospital Based Clinics

Corporate and hospital based physical therapy and sport medicine clinics employ the services of athletic trainers. The job responsibilities vary greatly depending upon the regulatory practice acts in their state. Positions often fall into two categories:

  • Full time clinic athletic trainer typically treating physically active individuals
  • Full time employee of the clinic, working half days in the clinic treating patients and the afternoons in a secondary school setting

This setting has been the predominant area for job availability for the past several years.

Corporate or Industrial Setting

Industrial athletic trainers work for major companies in the facility's health center in the plant. Their job responsibilities involve site analysis, work hardening, fitness assessment, and screening plus the traditional athletic training tasks of evaluation, treatment and rehabilitation of injury.

Professional Settings

An extremely small percentage of athletic trainers work in the professional sports arena. These positions have very little turnover.

Degree Requirements

Master of Science in Kinesiology
Emphasis in Athletic Training
44 credit hours with a minimum 3.0 GPA required for graduation

Tab Sheet

Required Courses Title Credits
Fall
T590 Introduction to Research in HPER 3
A610 Introduction to Athletic Training Research 2
A581 Athletic Training Principles for the Spine
 3
A587 Athletic Training Principles for Upper Extremities 3
A603 Practicum 2
Spring
T591 Interpretation of Data in HPER 3
A610 Introduction to Athletic Training Research 2
A590 Athletic Training Priciples for Lower Extremities 3
Elective 3
A603 Practicum 2
Fall
A611 Advanced Topics in Athletic Training Research 2
A585 Rehabilitation and Conditioning of Athletes 3
A603 Practicum 2
K602 Independent Study & Research 3
Spring
A611 Advanced Topics in Athletic Training Research 2
A584 Administration of Athletic Training 3
A582 Current Topics in Athletic Training 3
A603 Practicum 2
K602 Independent Study & Research 2
Summer
A588 Anatomical Basis of Athletic Injuries 3

Admissions

Prerequisite for admission to the postgraduate Athletic Training program:

  1. Submission of all application materials to the School of Public Health-Bloomington.
  2. Completion of the Graduate Record Examination (GRE).
  3. Admission to Indiana University and to the School of Public Health-Bloomington
  4. NATA certification or having taken the exam by June before an anticipated fall admission.

Contact

For more information about admissions and application materials please contact:

Program Coordinator:
Dr. John W. Schrader, HSD, ATC, LAT
Phone:( 812) 856-4905
E-mail: schrade@indiana.edu

Program Faculty:
Dr. Carrie L. Docherty, PhD, ATC, LAT
Phone: (812) 856-6035
E-mail: cdochert@indiana.edu

Kathleen Gilbert, Executive Associate Dean
School of Public Health-Bloomington
Office of the Dean
1025 East 7th Stret, Room 111C
Indiana University
Bloomington, IN 47405-4801
Phone: (812) 855-1561