³ÉÈ˽ûÇø

A: According to the National Athletic Trainers’ Association, “athletic trainers are highly qualified, multi-skilled health care professionals who render service or treatment, under the direction of or in collaboration with a physician, in accordance with their education, training and the state’s statutes, rules and regulations.” Athletic training includes the prevention, examination, diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation of emergent, acute or chronic injuries and medical conditions. To learn more about the athletic training profession, feel free to reach out to our faculty or check out the following link:  

A: Yes! Athletic trainers are recognized by the American Medical Association (AMA), Health Resources Services Administration (HRSA), the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) as a health care profession. Athletic trainers are sometimes confused with personal trainers, but while there is some overlap in skills sets, personal trainers focus in areas related to strength and conditioning and wellness whereas athletic trainers focus on the evaluation, diagnosis, and treatment/intervention of physically active patient’s orthopedic injuries and medical conditions.  

The athletic training profession is regulated by state practice acts and regulations. The skills athletic trainers can provide will depend on the individual’s state of employment. For a quick reference to each state’s regulations click on the following link within the Board of Certification (BOC) website:

A: A typical day for an athletic trainer depends on the setting in which they are employed (see “Where can athletic trainers work?”). The responsibility of the athletic trainer and their associated job duties will vary between clinical settings. During a typical day, athletic trainers may do one or all the following job duties:  

• Conduct an injury evaluation 

• Provide first aid to injured patients 

• Assess a patients’ health and well-being 

• Perform a general medical evaluation 

• Deliver emergency care 

• Support an athlete/patient during a mental health crisis 

• Implement rehabilitation programs for injured athletes 

• Develop injury prevention programs 

• Perform administrative tasks, such as writing reports, instructions, policies, and procedures 

• Provide therapeutic interventions and/or modalities for pain relief and to optimize a patient’s function 

• Apply tape, bandages, and braces to protect or prevent injuries 

• Monitor environmental conditions 

• Educate patients about their injury or illness 

• Collaborate with physicians and other health care professionals 

• Communicate with patients, athletes, parents, coaches, and other healthcare providers to provide optimal patient care 

A: Athletic trainers are traditionally employed as health care providers in professional, collegiate and university, high school, and recreational athletics. Other employment settings for athletic trainers include orthopedic and physical therapy clinics, hospitals, corporate businesses, industrial organizations, education, and research settings. The athletic training profession is expanding into new emergent settings such as military, public safety, and performing arts. Our program is designed to provide you with exposure to your desired employment setting during your clinical immersion. To learn more about diverse employment settings for athletic trainers, check out:  

A.  Salary Survey 2023

Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS)

• 2023 median salary for ATs: $68,907 (+11%)
• 2023 median annual wage for all occupations: $46,310 (-17%)
• 2023 median annual wage for all health care practitioners and technical occupations: $77,760 (-9%)

• 2020 median annual wage for all occupations: $56,310
• 2021 average salary for ATs: $61,998
• 2020 median annual wage for all health care practitioners and technical occupations: $85,900

In 2023, full-time employed certified/licensed athletic trainers reported an average national salary of $68,907. This makes an 11 percent increase from the 2021 average national salary.

Over the past 5 years, there has been a notable increase of more than $11,700.

For 2023 survey respondents who were NATA members, the median salary was $62,500, while non-members reported a median salary of $59,300. 

There are many things that make ³ÉÈ˽ûÇø’s MAT Program stand out from the rest!  

• ³ÉÈ˽ûÇø’s MAT students have had a 100% employment rate within 6 months of graduation since 2020.Comparable cost of education: 

• • The ³ÉÈ˽ûÇø MAT Program consists of 60 credits at a rate of $720/credit (as of fall 2023). The state average is 60.6 credits at an estimate of $767/credit (based on public information posted on university websites for other MAT programs in the state of PA as of fall 2023). 

• Our ³ÉÈ˽ûÇø Athletic Training Student Association (GATSA) includes undergraduate and graduate students interested in serving and learning more about athletic training in a social environment. We encourage student engagement/service within the university and professional associations. This club’s past activities and accomplishments include:  

• • State, regional, and national convention attendance. 

• • Student presentations for professional conferences. 

• • Student publications in professional and peer-reviewed journals. 

• • State, regional, and national student association officers. 

• • 2024 National Runner-Up for the NATA Student Leadership Video Contest. 

• • 2023 National Runner-Up for the NATA Student Quiz Bowl Competition. 

• • 2023 District 2 Quiz Bowl Champion  

• • Annual Easter Egg Extravaganza for Erie area youth (currently over 5,000 eggs and 100 participants). 

• • GIVE DAY: Sisters of St. Joseph Neighborhood Network garden and landscaping annual maintenance. 

• • Professional advocacy for the MAT, ³ÉÈ˽ûÇø, and athletic training profession through social media promotion and take-overs. 

A: Students who aspire to become an athletic trainer will need to major and acquire a graduate degree in athletic training. The athletic training major provides students with hands-on, practical learning experiences alongside traditional didactic, classroom learning. The athletic training major offers students authentic learning experiences where students will have 5 semesters of supervised clinical experience before graduation. As a profession, athletic trainers are in a unique position to work directly with patients and athletes from the time of their injury and throughout their recovery. Students who want to make a difference, enjoy problem-solving, strive to build relationships, seek variety in their work, and desire to learn more about the health care profession feel the athletic training major is an excellent match for them.

A: In 2015, the Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education decided to move from a baccalaureate degree program to a master’s degree program to enter athletic training. As a result, students will need to graduate with a master’s degree from an accredited professional athletic training education program, like our MAT program, and pass the comprehensive examination administered by the Board of Certification, Inc. to become a certified athletic trainer.

A: There are endless opportunities in Erie, PA!  

• Erie is home to the beautiful Presque Isle State Park with 13 beaches, almost 15 miles of biking and hiking trails, fishing and boating (kayaking, motorboating, sailing), wildlife conservation, and numerous community events all 4 miles from campus. 

• Erie hosts two professional-affiliate sports teams. The Erie Otters are a member of the Ontario Hockey League with games played at the Erie Insurance Arena from September through April only 2 blocks away from campus (³ÉÈ˽ûÇø MAT students have completed clinical experiences and immersions with the Otters). The Erie Seawolves is a Detroit Tigers Minor League Baseball affiliate that play at UPMC Park, adjacent to the Erie Insurance Area, also 2 blocks from ³ÉÈ˽ûÇø. 

• The Warner Theater is a classic vintage stage theater that was commissioned by the world-famous Warner Bros. and opened its doors in 1931. It has been host to such popular events as Shrek the Musical, Whose Line is it Anyway, Godsmack, Dancing with the Stars, Stomp, and many, many more. The theater is literally across the street from ³ÉÈ˽ûÇø. 

• The Erie Bayfront District, just 4 miles from campus, lies along the waterfront and is home to a variety of activities, attractions, restaurants, and amenities for those visiting our students.  The Erie Maritime Museum captures the history of the area and its impact on the heritage and industry of the Greater Erie region. The U.S. Brig Niagara can be spotted on the Erie Bayfront as well as the Port Erie Bicentennial Tower.  

• For a little adventure just outside downtown Erie, approximately 15 miles from campus, you can find additional hiking, wetlands, fields, and streams to explore and experience the beautiful surroundings in Asbury Woods. 

• Erie offers lots of adventure and entertainment, whether you are interested in some fun in the sun at Waldameer and Water World Amusement Park, or some indoor fun at Splash Lagoon Indoor Water Park Resort.  

• The Erie Zoo, open seasonally, offers the opportunity to observe 11 botanical gardens and over 400 species of animals, including lions, tigers, orangutans, zebras, and kangaroos.