Athletic Training
Department of Kinesiology and Health Education
The University of Texas at Austin is currently accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education (CAATE)2001 K Street NW, Third Floor North, Washington, DC 20006 USA. The program has chosen to Voluntarily Withdraw its CAATE Accreditation effective May 2025.
The University of Texas at Austin’s Athletic Training Program is no longer admitting students to the program.
Athletic Training prepares you for a career as an athletic trainer, a health care professional who specializes in the prevention, assessment, treatment, and rehabilitation of injuries and illnesses to athletes and those engaged in physical activity. This major is also appropriate for those interested in continuing their education in general medicine, sports medicine, physical therapy, occupational therapy, or other healthcare professions.
Preparing for this Major
If you are still in high school, take as many math and science courses as you can. We recommend shadowing a professional in your field of interest. Also, consider attending our Longhorn Sport Medicine Camp to get first-hand experience as an Athletic Trainer.
If you are currently attending another college or university, contact an academic advisor to make sure the classes you are taking will transfer.
Getting Started
You must be accepted to the university as a pre-athletic training major and complete the prerequisites and the Directed Observation Program during your first year. At the end of year one, you will apply to enter the Athletic Training major.
Please note that admission to this major is highly competitive as enrollment is limited to 60 students. Completion of the prerequisites does not guarantee acceptance to the major.
In addition to taking the University Core Curriculum courses and participating in the Directed Observation program, your advisor will help you incorporate the following prerequisite courses.
- KIN 219K: Introduction to Athletic Training (offered in Spring only)
- KIN 312: Care and Prevention of Athletic Injury
- KIN 424K: Applied Human Anatomy
- CC 306M: Introduction to Medical and Scientific Terminology
During the Directed Observation Program, you will
- Rotate to a new sport every two weeks, spending five hours per week observing the athletic trainers who work with that team.
- Learn and be tested on several basic athletic training competencies and skills,
- Attain 50 directed observation hours in the university’s athletic training facilities under the supervision of certified and licensed staff athletic trainers, and
- Be evaluated by our staff throughout this process.
Once accepted into the Athletic Training major, you will work as a student athletic trainer for UT Athletics in a variety of sports, at local high schools, and sport medicine clinics. You also will develop athletic training competencies by taking courses such as:
- KIN 312 Care & Prevention of Athletic Injuries
- KIN 219K Introduction to Athletic Training
- KIN 320 Applied Biomechanics of Human Movement
- KIN 326K Biomechanical Analysis of Movement
- KIN 424K Applied Human Anatomy
- KIN 425K Physiology of Exercise
- KIN 341 Therapeutic Modalities in Athletic Training
- KIN 342 Clinical Evaluation of Athletic Injuries I – Lower Body
- KIN 343 Clinical Evaluation of Athletic Injuries II – Upper Body
- KIN 344 Therapeutic Exercise & Rehabilitation – Lower Body
- KIN 344U Therapeutic Exercise & Rehabilitation – Upper Body
- KIN 345 General Medical Conditions in Athletic Training
- KIN 346 Athletic Training Program Administration
- KIN 363 Theory and Practice in Strength Coaching
These courses will prepare you to take the required exams to become certified at the state and national levels during the spring of your last year.
Program Benefits
Small Class Sizes
Hands-on Learning
Work Closely with Faculty
Consistently High Certification Passing Rate
Optimal for Pursuing an Allied Health Profession
