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Drake Pre-Athletic Training students practice monitoring balance and other performance attributes on each other in a campus lab

Pre-Athletic Training Pathway

Set yourself up for a strong application, successful graduate studies, and improved patient care outcomes by entering the Pre-Athletic Training track within Drake University’s Health Sciences program.

College of Pharmacy & Health Sciences | On-Campus

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What You'll Learn

Athletic training is a growing field with rewarding work. Also known as ATs, these allied healthcare professionals are qualified to provide many types of treatment, including primary care, injury and illness prevention, wellness promotion and education, emergent care, examination and clinical diagnosis, therapeutic intervention, and rehabilitation of injuries and medical conditions.

To enter the profession, you’ll need a master’s degree—and getting into and through these programs is both competitive and demanding. Drake’s Pre-Athletic Training curriculum gives you an edge, preparing you to gain admission and thrive in a Master of Athletic Training (MAT) program at one of our partnering institutions.

Through this track that builds on our Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences, you’ll satisfy standard prerequisites in sciences, mathematics, and other core areas through rigorous, hands-on courses that ensure concept mastery. You’ll also learn how to think critically, collaborate, and communicate as you progress through liberal arts subjects intended to broaden your perspective and competencies.

Look into your future as you access opportunities like student associations, job shadowing opportunities, and expert mentorship that strategically position you to excel. After three years in the Pre-AT track, you’ll be prepared to pursue graduate coursework, with opportunities available to earn both your B.S. and MAT within five years.

About Pre-Athletic Training at Drake

  • Take an accelerated path to professional practice in a 3+2 format, graduating in as little as five years from a partnering institution.
  • Solidify your aspirations as you shadow existing AT professionals and explore related career paths and settings.
  • Access faculty who specialize in Athletic Training, as well as an enrollment advisor for career advice, guidance, and support as you put together your application.
  • Keep your options open. The Pre-Athletic Training curriculum is an ideal foundation for a broad range of healthcare careers.

Program Facts

  • On campus, with the first 3 years at Drake
  • 120 credit hours (to complete Bachelor’s degree)

Program Options

To study athletic training, you’ll first need to understand movement, anatomy, and body mechanics. Discover all the ways to personalize your path as you check off all prerequisites. You’ll complete one of the following two degrees to prepare you for admission to a master’s-level AT program.

B.S. in Health Sciences

Offering a holistic look at the healthcare field, this program includes tracks for clinical and medical sciences, health care administration, and public health, so you can align the curriculum with your interests.

B.S. in Kinesiology

With a particular focus on human movement and exercise science, the Kinesiology major provides another solid foundation for a career in Athletic Training, also offering accelerated pathways to partnering graduate programs.

Meet the Faculty

Tap into professional expertise and personalized support. You’ll learn and grow as you work with instructors dedicated to helping you master the fundamentals and move forward in your career.

Richelle Williams, PhD

Richelle Williams, PhD

Associate Professor, Athletic Training

Nathan Newman, EdD

Nathan Newman, EdD

Assistant Dean, Enrollment Management; Professor, Athletic Training

Sean Rogers, DAT

Sean Rogers, DAT

Associate Professor, Athletic Training

All Faculty Members

Outside the Classroom

Alongside an intensive curriculum, experiences and support outside the classroom help you uncover your career options, grow your professional skills, and establish relationships that will create future opportunities.

Drake Pre-Athletic Training students stand to the side of a football field to assist players during a practice

Field Experiences

Learn the landscape as you begin your journey. You’ll get a broad introduction to healthcare and have the chance to pursue internships as you discern your career direction.

In a simulation lab, a Drake faculty member instructs a Pre-Athletic Training student in performing a rehabilitative therapy

Mentorship

From your first year, you’ll be paired with a faculty mentor within the College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences and an advisor from the Office of Student Affairs and Enrollment Management, giving you access to support and guidance focused on your professional goals.

In a dark room, an instructor points to a lit anatomy table while two Drake Pre-Athletic Training students smile and observe

Faculty Expertise

Learn from several faculty members who have had extensive experience working with athletes and in other clinical rehabilitation settings.

Careers & Skills

Athletic trainers are in demand, with positions projected to grow by 11% between 2024 and 2034.

Drake’s Pre-AT track is your first step toward this goal. You’ll build a solid base of scientific knowledge and professional skills before seamlessly transitioning to graduate studies. But your options are open: your coursework points toward diverse paths forward in healthcare.

Opportunities

  • College and university athletics programs
  • High schools
  • Hospitals
  • Physical therapy clinics
  • Professional sports teams
  • Sports medicine clinics
  • Industrial settings (e.g., John Deere)
  • Performing arts

Skills

  • Collaboration
  • Communication
  • Critical thinking
  • Knowledge of the health sciences
  • Leadership
  • Professionalism and ethical practice
  • Research
A Drake Pre-Athletic Training student receives instruction on knee adjustments in a campus lab

Salary & Growth Outlook

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Median salary for athletic trainers in 2024. (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics) Note: Professional degree needed.

“What I appreciated most about Drake was the incredible support from the professors. They were, and continue to be, instrumental to my success. I also loved the smaller class sizes, which made my experience feel like being part of a close-knit family.”
Sara Wilson, HS’24, MAT’24
Athletic Trainer, Drake University Athletics

Related Programs

Explore additional majors at Drake that outfit you for advanced study and rewarding careers in healthcare.

Health Sciences, BS

Lay the groundwork for a variety of careers in healthcare through this interdisciplinary major with three specialized tracks.

Pre-Nursing, BS & ABSN

This degree combination allows you to graduate in four years plus a summer with two degrees: a BS in Health Sciences/Clinical and Medical Sciences and an ABSN, making you better prepared for the healthcare field.

Pre-Occupational Therapy, BS

Enter a clearly defined path toward a career improving patients’ quality of life while positioning yourself for future success in Drake’s Occupational Therapy Doctorate program.

Take the Next Step

Begin your journey toward a career as an athletic trainer, establishing the right foundation to reduce injury risks and improve athletic performance in Drake’s Health Sciences Pre-AT track.

Contact us

Lauren Sharp, MAC
Director of Enrollment Services
lauren.sharp@drake.edu

Request Info Visit Apply
Drake Pre-Athletic Training students explore the human body's systems through a lit anatomy table