Pre-Athletic Training

Preparing you for graduate work in Athletic Training in a Christ-centered environment.

Pre-Athletic training at Houghton is designed to prepare students for graduate study or careers in athletic training and sports medicine. Our pre-athletic training program is ideal for student-athletes and sports enthusiasts. With rigorous coursework, hands-on clinical experiences, and expert, caring faculty mentors, you’ll be ready to enter top graduate athletic training programs and become a trusted part of any team.

Program Snapshot

Undergraduate Pre-Professional Pathway

Recommended Majors: Exercise Science, Biology

Pre-Athletic Training Advisor: Ransom Poythress

Articulation Agreement Information Available Certifications

What will I learn?

Through Houghton’s Pre-Athletic Training program you will gain hands-on experience as you:

Develop a strong academic base in subjects like anatomy, physiology, biology, and chemistry to understand the human body and how it responds to exercise and injury.
Grow in your faith while exploring how Christian principles shape compassionate, ethical care.
Gain knowledge in recognizing, treating, and rehabilitating common sports injuries as well improving athletic performance and recovery.
Meet prerequisites and gain competitive experience in a variety of internships and real-world shadowing settings.
Build a portfolio of knowledge, certifications, connections, and experiences to help you succeed at the graduate level and beyond.

Why study Pre-Athletic Training at Houghton?

Personalized Care

Receive individualized, supportive academic advising, spiritual encouragement, and career coaching from professors who know you and pray for you by name. Professors care about your academic success as well as your spiritual, emotional, and professional growth.

Hands-on Learning

Build your clinical and scientific skills through weekly lab sessions for every class in the major. You can work in the field through off-campus study, practicums, internships, senior honors projects, shadowing, and student-faculty research collaboration (e.g., Shannon Summer Research Institute, Cornell University and the Sierra Nevada mountains of California).

Faith Integration

Deepen your faith, your understanding, and your excellence in practice by studying the Bible and applying the Christian worldview to your study material as well as real-world problems.

Popular Courses

EXS 345 - Exercise Physiology

Designed to help students analyze the physiological changes that occur in the body during exercise, after exercise, and during a training period.

SRWM 326 - Strength and Conditioning

Designed to give students the knowledge and skills to develop programming and training techniques specific to advanced sport and athletic performance. Students develop an understanding of concepts in sport metabolism, biomechanics, and nutrition.

Certifications Available

Choose to be certified in multiple areas through recognized leaders in the industry. Many of the certifications are integrated into the coursework. Certifications may require additional training and certification exams.

Certified Strength Coach (National Council on Strength and Fitness)

New York State

Elective Credit

First Aid-Responding to Emergencies

American Red Cross

Required

CPR-AED for the Professional Rescuer

American Red Cross

Required

Houghton students throwing their graduation caps in the air on the steps of the Chapel.

96%

of Houghton students are employed or in graduate school within 6 months of graduation.

Class of 2024

View Alumni Success and Career Outcomes

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Houghton student standing at podium during biology lecture.