The AT Early Assurance Program at Manchester University offers incoming first-year students a structured pathway to transition into the graduate-level Master of Athletic Training (MAT) program. Upon enrolling at Manchester, students can opt in to this unique opportunity and receive extensive guidance from academic advisors and faculty mentors throughout their undergraduate journey in the Clinical & Rehabilitation Sciences major.

The Early Assurance path ensures students follow a clearly outlined timeline that includes semester check-ins, progress evaluations, and strategic course planning. With this consistent support, athletic training students stay on track to meet program benchmarks such as GPA minimums (3.0 or higher), completion of prerequisite courses with a minimum grade of C, and successful submission of the ATCAS application.

Students also gain early exposure to the professional expectations of certified athletic trainers, including ethics, clinical settings, and immersive clinical experiences. This proactive approach builds self-confidence, helps students maintain compliance with educational requirements, and fosters early engagement with the healthcare team. It’s a powerful advantage for those committed to a career in athletic training.

Graduates of Manchester’s Pre-Athletic Training program are prepared to pursue graduate studies that lead to certification as athletic trainers. After completing the MAT program and passing the certification exam, students may qualify for a wide range of professional roles. Certified athletic trainers are in demand across various settings including high schools, colleges and universities, professional sports teams, and sports medicine clinics.

In educational settings, athletic trainers often collaborate with coaches, administrators, and other allied health professionals to provide injury prevention programs, emergency care, and rehabilitation for student-athletes. In healthcare environments, they may support orthopedic teams, physical therapists, or rehabilitation programs, contributing directly to the care of patients recovering from athletic injuries or chronic medical conditions.

Beyond sports settings, athletic trainers also find roles in occupational health, performing arts, and public health. Graduates of the Pre-Athletic Training program may also continue their education in related fields such as physical therapy, occupational therapy, physician assistant studies, or kinesiology.

This degree pathway strengthens both clinical and professional skills—giving graduates the flexibility to explore careers across the spectrum of health sciences, exercise science, and sports performance. It’s an ideal foundation for those passionate about improving mobility, recovery, and human performance.

While both exercise science and Pre-Athletic Training share core content in anatomy, biomechanics, and physiology, Manchester’s Pre-Athletic Training course is uniquely focused on the professional preparation of future certified athletic trainers. It aligns specifically with graduate program prerequisites and emphasizes direct patient care, clinical practice, and therapeutic intervention.

The Pre-Athletic Training track includes specialized coursework such as orthopedic evaluation, functional kinesiology, therapeutic modalities, and clinical internships that are not always required in general exercise science programs. These courses ensure students acquire hands-on skills in evaluating and treating athletic injuries—key competencies for athletic training education and practice.

Furthermore, the program integrates immersive clinical experiences that replicate real-world scenarios students will encounter as part of the healthcare team. This includes opportunities to work alongside clinical professors, gain exposure to medical conditions commonly treated in sports medicine, and develop professional communication strategies with patients, coaches, and other healthcare providers.

Another differentiator is the Early Assurance option, which creates a direct link between undergraduate coursework and graduate-level training. With this targeted focus, students are better prepared to pass the certification exam, meet educational requirements, and transition into clinical settings with confidence.

Support is central to the student experience in Manchester University’s Pre-Athletic Training course. From day one, students work closely with faculty members who are both experienced educators and practicing clinicians in the field of athletic training. This mentorship provides personalized academic guidance, career planning, and professional development throughout the undergraduate journey.

Students also benefit from Manchester’s robust advising system, which includes regular meetings with both academic and MAT program advisors. These structured check-ins help students stay on track with prerequisites, maintain eligibility for the Early Assurance program, and prepare for graduate-level clinical training.

Experiential learning is woven throughout the program. Students participate in internships, community outreach, and health-related campus events, all of which provide practical exposure to the responsibilities of athletic trainers. They also receive help preparing their graduate school applications and résumés, often with direct input from the MAT program director and faculty.

Student organizations related to health professions and sports medicine provide additional networking and leadership opportunities. Whether exploring clinical sites, engaging in research opportunities, or volunteering in public health initiatives, athletic training students are supported holistically to ensure their academic, professional, and personal success.

After completing the Pre-Athletic Training program at Manchester University, students typically advance into a graduate-level training program such as Manchester’s Master of Athletic Training (MAT). This transition begins with earning a bachelor’s degree in Clinical & Rehabilitation Sciences, which includes clinical coursework in areas like injury evaluation, orthopedic interventions, and human movement.

Students then apply to the MAT program through the ATCAS centralized system. Admission requires a minimum grade of C in all prerequisite courses and a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher. Once accepted, graduate students receive advanced clinical training, including immersive clinical experiences at approved clinical sites.

To become a certified athletic trainer, students must successfully complete their professional program, pass the Board of Certification (BOC) exam, and meet the licensing or registration standards required in their state—since most states require athletic trainers to be licensed or certified to practice.

This pathway is grounded in a medical-based education model that combines classroom instruction with clinical practice to ensure students graduate with the professional skills and knowledge needed for a successful career as part of the healthcare team.

Certified athletic trainers work in a wide range of clinical settings and industries, from high schools and colleges to professional sports teams, military installations, performing arts organizations, and even public health agencies. Their responsibilities include emergency care, injury evaluation, therapeutic interventions, and helping patients return to optimal performance.

A common role is head athletic trainer, where professionals oversee a team of support staff and coordinate care for athletes across a school or organization. Others may specialize in sports performance, develop rehabilitation programs, or serve as liaisons between patients and other allied health professionals, such as physician assistants, physical therapists, and nurses.

Because athletic trainers are healthcare professionals, their role extends beyond the field. They often work in health sciences settings, research institutions, and government agencies to promote public health and injury prevention at the population level.

As highly educated members of the allied health professions, many continue their graduate studies or pursue continuing education to maintain certifications, maintain compliance, and stay current in evidence-based care. Opportunities for research, teaching as a clinical professor, and leadership in graduate seminars are also common for experienced professionals.