Frequently Asked Questions

1. Do the athletic training students get paid or receive scholarships?  Yes and no. We do offer limited athletic training scholarships during the students' sophmore, junior and senior years. There are additional scholarships available from Texas State University and other outside sources including the regional and national athletic training associations. Students are not paid during clinical experiences.

2. Can I have a job and still be an athletic training student?  Yes, but it is strongly discouraged. Being an athletic training student is very demanding and time consuming job alone.

3. Can the program be completed in less than 3 years?  No. Athletic training student's clinical hours must be accumulated over six full semesters in accordance with Texas state law.

4. Do I need high school experience?  No, but it may be beneficial during the application process to the athletic training education program.

5. How many hours will I work each week?  On average, an athletic training student engages in a clinical experience for 25 hours a week with their assigned sport or in an affiliated setting. Also, there are many weekends and holidays that the student will be required to participate in the clinical experience.

6. Can I be an athlete and an athletic training student at the same time?  No. Athletic training clinical assignments are time intensive and practice schedules conflict with clinical assignments.

7. What are the daily expectations of an athletic training student?  Our expectations are very high. Each athletic training student is expected to handle himself or herself in a professional manner. This is includes being on time, responsible for their actions, and taking care of, to the best of their ability, athletes within their assigned sport.

8. How is sport assignments made? Can I pick my sport assignment?  Sport assignments are changed every semester to provide students with a wide range of exposures and adequately prepare them for future professional demands. Assignments are made by the faculty based on a variety of factors including: student performance, the needs of the sport, the student’s need for exposure to a specific type of sport, and the student’s level in the program.

9. Do athletic training students get to travel?  Yes, athletic training students may be asked to travel with their supervising athletic trainer depending upon level of maturity and sport assignment. Travel schedules vary from sport to sport.

10. What is the difference between accredited and non-accredited programs?
Accredited programs are nationally recognized to adhere to high quality standards in the preparation of athletic training students. Only graduates from a CAATE accredited programs may sit for the BOC examination and become a Certified Athletic Trainer (ATC).