Athletic Trainer Coursework (Prerequisites)
To prepare for athletic training, complete a bachelor’s degree and each target program’s stated prerequisites, often including anatomy and physiology with labs. Then earn a professional master’s degree from a CAATE-accredited program, complete supervised clinical education, and meet current Board of Certification and state rules. Course names, grades, labs, and deadlines vary, so confirm each item directly.
Would you like to know which courses to take before applying, without paying for classes that a program may not accept? Start with the schools you may attend, not a generic checklist. Athletic training programs set their own prerequisite rules, and course titles alone do not prove that a class will count.
I recommend treating admission as a course-matching task. List each target program’s requirements, compare them with your transcript, and get written answers where a course’s fit is unclear. This approach can help you avoid missing a required lab, repeating a class, or delaying your application.
Admissions and CAATE-Accredited Program Overview
A professional athletic training program prepares students for entry into the field through graduate study and supervised clinical education. In the United States, check that the specific program is currently accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education (CAATE); a school’s general accreditation does not replace this program-level check.
The usual route is a bachelor’s degree followed by a professional master’s degree in athletic training. Your bachelor’s major may be flexible, but you must complete the prerequisites set by the graduate programs you plan to apply to. Some schools may offer an approved combined pathway, so confirm the route and its requirements with that program.
CAATE accreditation matters because graduation from a CAATE-accredited professional program is generally required to qualify for the Board of Certification (BOC) exam. A bachelor’s degree, a “pre-athletic training” label, or a related certificate does not by itself make you eligible for the exam.
Before choosing a program, search the CAATE directory for the program’s current status. Check the specific athletic training program, not just the college name. Then review its admissions page and ask the program to confirm any point that is not clear.
There is no single national admissions checklist. Programs may differ in required courses, minimum grades, application deadlines, clinical exposure, references, and interviews. Many programs set a minimum GPA around 3.0, but the minimum is not a promise of admission, and some applicants may need stronger grades to be competitive.
Prerequisite Coursework, Curriculum, and Degree Requirements
Prerequisites are courses that must be completed before a student begins, or sometimes before they apply to, a professional program. Schools choose their own lists, so use each program’s current written requirements as the final guide rather than relying on a general list or an adviser’s informal opinion.
Human anatomy and physiology are common requirements. Programs often ask for labs, which are practical course sessions where students apply or observe concepts. Some also require or recommend courses in exercise physiology, biology, chemistry, physics, statistics, psychology, nutrition, or medical terminology. The exact combination varies.
| Course area | What to check in each program’s rules | Common planning question |
|---|---|---|
| Anatomy and physiology | Whether both subjects are required; whether labs are needed; how many courses count | Does my course include the required lab? |
| Exercise physiology | Whether it is required or recommended; accepted course title or content | Will my kinesiology course meet this requirement? |
| Biology, chemistry, or physics | Required subject, course level, and lab rules | Does the program accept my course for this category? |
| Statistics | Accepted type of statistics course and grade rule | Does my social science statistics course qualify? |
| Psychology or nutrition | Whether each subject is required, optional, or not listed | Is this course needed for admission or only useful preparation? |
| Medical terminology | Whether a course is required and what formats are accepted | Does the school accept online or non-credit study? |
Do not assume that a course counts because its title sounds similar. A class might lack a lab, cover different material, or fall outside a program’s recency limit. Online courses may also be treated differently across schools. Ask each program to review the course description and transcript before you register or rely on transfer credit.
A course accepted toward your bachelor’s degree may still fail to meet a graduate program’s prerequisite. This is one of the most costly planning errors: it can mean paying for a replacement course or waiting for a later admissions cycle. Request a written equivalency decision from the program, and save the reply.
Build a tracker with one row per prerequisite and one column per target program. Include the course name, credits, lab status, grade, completion date, and the program’s written decision. Mark each item as required, recommended, completed, in progress, or unclear. That simple record makes gaps easier to spot before deadlines approach.
Also check whether a program requires prerequisites by the application date or by the start of classes. Some may allow a course to be in progress during the application period, while others may require it to be complete. Do not infer the rule from another program’s policy.
Academic Success, Clinical Education, and Student Experience
Admission prerequisites are only the first part of professional preparation. A CAATE-accredited program includes graduate coursework and supervised clinical education, where students learn and practice skills in approved settings. Review both parts before enrolling, since program length, placement structure, and costs can differ.
A strong academic plan starts with the science courses that appear on several target lists. Give yourself time for anatomy and physiology, especially if you have been away from school or need to build study habits. Prioritize solid grades in prerequisite courses, and ask programs how they calculate overall and prerequisite GPAs.
Programs may also look for exposure to athletic training, observation hours, references, or an interview. These expectations are not universal. Ask what counts as relevant experience, whether hours must be documented, and whether the program has rules for who may supervise an observation.
For a practical comparison, I would use two planning scenarios:
- A recent graduate with a science-heavy transcript: Map completed courses to each program’s list, then request written confirmation for unclear equivalencies. The student may need fewer extra classes, but should still check lab and grade requirements.
- A working adult changing fields: Compare class schedules, course delivery, prerequisite timing, and clinical commitments. A course offered online may help with scheduling, but the target program must confirm that it accepts that format.
These are planning examples, not accounts of specific applicants or promises of admission. They show why a course plan should reflect your transcript, schedule, and target schools rather than a broad “pre-athletic training” template.
When comparing programs, look beyond the number of prerequisite courses. Check total program length, the structure of supervised clinical placements, published outcomes, net price, and aid eligibility. Ask how clinical placements are arranged and what costs may arise from travel or schedule demands. Confirm these details directly with each school.
A bachelor’s degree in a related field can help you prepare, but it does not replace the professional master’s training required for the usual BOC exam pathway. Likewise, a short course or certificate may add knowledge but should not be treated as a substitute for a CAATE-accredited professional program.
BOC Certification, State Licensure, and Career Outcomes
The BOC exam is a certification exam for athletic trainers. In general, candidates need to graduate from a CAATE-accredited professional program to be eligible. State practice rules are separate: the state where you plan to work may require a license or other steps beyond BOC certification.
As you near graduation, check the BOC’s current eligibility rules and application steps. Requirements can change, so verify them with the BOC rather than relying on an old checklist. After certification, review the licensing rules of the state where you intend to practice. State boards set their own requirements, and a credential accepted in one state may not meet every step in another.
Use this sequence to reduce avoidable delays:
- Choose target programs. Confirm current CAATE status in the official directory.
- Map your transcript. Compare every completed and planned course with each program’s written prerequisite list.
- Resolve uncertain courses. Send course descriptions and ask for a written equivalency decision, especially for labs, online classes, transfer credit, or older coursework.
- Check application details. Confirm GPA rules, deadlines, prerequisite completion dates, exposure expectations, references, and interview steps.
- Compare full program demands. Review length, clinical education, published outcomes, net cost, and aid.
- Verify the transition to practice. Before graduation, confirm BOC eligibility and the licensing rules in your intended state.
The key point is that there is no universal prerequisite package. Your safest plan is the one verified by the specific programs you may attend, then updated against current BOC and state requirements.
Frequently Asked Questions
What courses do I need before applying to an athletic training master’s program?
Anatomy and physiology, often with labs, are common. Other requirements may include exercise physiology, biology, chemistry, physics, statistics, psychology, nutrition, or medical terminology. Check each program’s current list.
Do I need a bachelor’s degree before graduate athletic training school?
Most applicants should expect to complete a bachelor’s degree before professional master’s enrollment. A program may offer an approved combined pathway, so ask the school about its specific route.
Does my bachelor’s degree have to be in athletic training?
Not always. Programs may accept different majors if you complete their prerequisites. Confirm the rules with each program before choosing courses or assuming a major will satisfy a requirement.
Is anatomy and physiology with a lab required?
It is common, but requirements differ. Check whether the program requires both subjects, labs, a specific course sequence, or a certain course age.
Is there one required GPA for all athletic training programs?
No. There is no universal admissions GPA or cutoff. Many programs set a minimum near 3.0, but check the current overall and prerequisite GPA rules for each school.
Can online prerequisite courses count?
Some programs may accept them, and others may set limits. Ask each target program whether it accepts the course and its lab format before enrolling.
Will a course transfer if my bachelor’s school accepted it?
Not automatically. A graduate program may reject it because of course content, lab status, grade, or age. Get written approval from the athletic training program.
Can I take the BOC exam with only a bachelor’s degree?
A bachelor’s degree alone generally does not meet BOC eligibility requirements. Plan to graduate from a CAATE-accredited professional program, then verify the current BOC rules.
Does CAATE accreditation matter if my college is accredited?
Yes. Institutional accreditation and CAATE program accreditation are different. Check the current status of the specific athletic training program in the CAATE directory.
Do all states have the same athletic trainer license rules?
No. State requirements vary. Check the licensing board in the state where you plan to work, along with current BOC requirements.
(This article was written by one of our staff writers, Richard Thornton. Visit our Meet the Team page.)
