Athletic Training

Earn a Master’s in Athletic Training

Master's

Help prevent, assess, treat and rehabilitate injuries on the court, in the athletic training room or on the sidelines.

Athletic trainers provide comprehensive health care to physically active individuals — especially athletes — helping them recover from injuries and return to peak performance.

At UW-La Crosse, you’ll find one of the most competitive, hands-on athletic training programs in the country. Our Master of Science in Athletic Training offers rigorous academics paired with immersive clinical experiences that set you up for success. Accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education (CAATE), UWL's program has a strong tradition of success. Program graduates have a 100 % pass rate on the national certification exam and a 100 % job placement rate in their career field.

A program within Exercise & Sport Science

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What does an athletic trainer do?

Athletic trainers are highly skilled health care professionals who specialize in the prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation of injuries and medical conditions related to physical activity. They work with athletes and active individuals across a wide range of settings — from sports teams and schools to clinics, hospitals, and the military.

It's important not to confuse athletic trainers with personal trainers. While personal trainers focus on general fitness and exercise to improve overall health and wellness, athletic trainers are medically-trained professionals who work under the direction of physicians to provide specialized care for injuries and conditions related to physical activity.

Athletic training education is rooted in the medical model, combining rigorous academic coursework with hands-on clinical experience. If you’re passionate about health, human performance and helping others stay active and injury-free, a career as an athletic trainer might be the perfect fit. Learn more on the National Athletic Training Association webpage.

How to become an athletic trainer

Athletic trainers must graduate from an accredited master’s program. Then, they must pass the national certification exam. UWL offers two paths to an accredited master's degree in athletic training:

Two-year master’s program: If you’ve already earned a bachelor’s degree, you can complete your Master of Science in Athletic Training in just two years at UWL.
Dual degree option (earn two degrees in five years): Undergraduate students can save time and money by pursuing a dual degree: a bachelor’s in Exercise Science and a master’s degree in Athletic Training in just five years instead of what typically takes six years if the degrees are completed separately.

Career outlook

Why choose UWL’s athletic training program?

100% national certification exam pass rate

Our students consistently achieve a 100% pass rate on the athletic trainer certification exam, with the most recent cohort reaching a 100% first-time pass rate.

100% job placement rate

All graduates secured athletic trainer jobs within six months of completing the program.

Accredited and respected

UWL’s program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education (CAATE). Learn more on the CAATE Program Information and Outcome Page. We’re also one of just 22 U.S. institutions to partner with the World Federation of Athletic Training & Therapy.

Small classes and personalized learning

With a student-to-faculty ratio of 10:1, our students receive personalized mentorship from faculty and strong connections with classmates. Clinical experiences are conducted one-on-one or one preceptor to every two students for deeper learning.

Real-world, hands-on experience

Learn by doing. Work with UWL college athletes, local high school teams, and patients in clinical settings—translating classroom theory into confident practice.

Featured courses

Diagnosis and Therapeutic Interventions I
ATS 712 | 5 credits
This course is designed to provide a foundation for evaluation and treatment of injuries and conditions for select body regions as seen in various patient populations. This course will prepare students to diagnose and treat injuries and conditions utilizing therapeutic interventions from diagnosis to discharge. Lect. 2, Lab 6. Prerequisite: ATS 700, ATS 710; admission to graduate Athletic Training Program. Offered Annually.
Lifespan Wellness and Conditions
ATS 720 | 5 credits
This course addresses conditions, pathologies, and injury outcomes that can be common throughout the lifespan of the active patient. Information on a wide variety of clinically-relevant items including history of pathology/condition, medical history, preventative strategies and diagnostic assessment, treatment, and long-term care of patient will be covered. Emphasis will include direct medical intervention, nutrition, and general healthy lifestyle activities, while utilizing evidence-based principles to increase overall wellness across the lifespan. Lect. 4, Lab. 2. Prerequisite: ATS 714; admission to graduate Athletic Training Program. Offered Summer.
Athletic Training Clinical I
ATS 731 | 4 credits
This initial clinical course exposes students to a variety of sports medicine clinical experiences. Supervised experiences will apply students' knowledge, skills, and abilities in a patient-centered healthcare environment. This course will emphasize the application of the foundational knowledge gained in previous coursework into clinical practice including, but not limited to, emergent medicine, professional communications, and evidence-based differential diagnosis. Prerequisite: admission to graduate Athletic Training Program. Offered Annually.