Launch Your Career in Sports Health
Pre-Athletic Training Advising
A career in sports health with a strong foundation in injury prevention and rehabilitation.
Pre-Professional Program in Athletic Training
The Pre-Athletic Training Advising Track is not a major — it’s an advising support layer you add to any degree program at the University of Lynchburg. Athletic training graduate programs admit students from a variety of majors, but all require strong preparation in anatomy, physiology, biology, and movement sciences. This track helps you plan your prerequisite courses, build clinical experience, and prepare for competitive admissions to the Master of Science in Athletic Training (MSAT) or entry-level professional programs.
Whether you major in exercise physiology, biomedical science, public health, or another discipline, the pre-AT advising track provides structured guidance on course sequencing, observation hours, certification expectations, and the application process. You’ll work closely with advisors who understand the competencies athletic training programs require, including communication, critical thinking, injury evaluation, rehabilitation principles, and emergency care.
Our goal is to help you gain the academic foundation and experiential readiness needed for success in athletic training programs across the country.
How to Declare the Pre-Athletic Training Advising Track
- Contact the Office of Academic Advising.
- Request the Pre-Athletic Training Advising Track.
- You’ll be assigned a faculty advisor specializing in athletic training preparation.
Declaring ensures correct course sequencing, observation hour planning, and application guidance.
Recommended Majors
Students most commonly choose:
- Exercise Physiology (BS) — the closest major to AT prerequisites
- Biology – Biomedical Science (BS)
- Public Health (BS)
- Psychological Science (BS)
Other majors may work with careful prerequisite planning.
Prerequisite Courses for Athletic Training Programs
While requirements vary, most MAT programs expect the following:
Core Sciences
- Anatomy & Physiology I and II
- Biology (with lab)
- Chemistry (2 semesters sometimes required)
- Physics (1–2 semesters)
Movement & Behavioral Sciences
- Exercise Physiology
- Biomechanics
- Nutrition
- Psychology (General or Abnormal)
- Statistics
- Medical Terminology
Some programs also require CPR certification or documented clinical shadowing hours.
Recommended Lynchburg Courses
According to your provided materials:
- BIOL 113, 114
- CHEM 111, 112
- PHYS 141–142 or 161–162
- PSYC 111, PSYC 241
- ENGL 123W
- EXPH courses such as Exercise Physiology, Kinesiology, and Biomechanics
Students should consult with their advisor early to ensure all prerequisites are met.
Clinical & Observation Experience
Most athletic training programs require documented observation hours with a certified athletic trainer. Common settings include:
- University or college athletic programs
- High school sports teams
- Physical therapy clinics
- Sports performance centers
- Orthopedic clinics
Observation hours help you understand the fast-paced, hands-on nature of the profession.
What Jobs Can I Get with Pre-Athletic Training?
Graduates typically continue their education in athletic training programs to become certified athletic trainers. Job titles include:
- Certified Athletic Trainer: $68,907
- High School Athletic Trainer: $65,653
- College/University Athletic Trainer: $67,226
- Clinic/Secondary School Athletic Trainer: $58,330
- Professional Football Athletic Trainer: $167,548
- Professional Basketball Athletic Trainer: $144,614
- Performing Arts Athletic Trainer: $85,965
- Industrial/Occupational/Corporate Athletic Trainer: $70,211
Salary and job projections come from the National Athletic Trainers’ Association Salary Survey data. The data is meant to provide you with an idea of career options and salary ranges, not as a guarantee of obtaining these positions after graduation. These represent national averages and may vary depending on the source and time frame of collection. Actual salaries vary by region. Some jobs may require additional training or graduate education.
DuAnn Kremer, PhD, ACSM EP-C
Associate Professor of Health Sciences & Human Performance, Coordinator of Clinical Education
As a Lynchburg pre-athletic training student, you'll:
Build a strong grounding in anatomy, physiology, biology, biomechanics, and exercise science.
Develop laboratory skills related to human movement, injury prevention, and rehabilitation.
Gain hands-on experience through observation hours with athletic trainers, physical therapists, or sports medicine professionals.
Learn about injury evaluation, first aid, emergency response, and therapeutic exercise principles.
Receive guidance on athletic training application timelines, required documentation, and letters of recommendation.
Explore athletic training specialties such as orthopedics, emergency care, rehabilitation, sports performance, and more.
“Every time I stepped foot on campus, it felt more like home to me. I could not get that feeling anywhere else. Lynchburg has everything I want in a school."
- Julian Douglas '21
