Whitworth University’s athletic training master’s program preparing graduates for the field of athletic training for over thirty years, however declining enrollment has threatened its viability and a recent announcement sent out to currently enrolled students in the program announced its end.  

“It is with sad hearts that we announce that the master’s level professional program will no longer be enrolling new students, effective immediately,” said Dr. Cynthia Wright, director of the athletic training program.

The Whitworth athletic training master’s program had been a graduate offering at Whitworth for over 35 years. It includes a variety of courses specifically tailored to the skill requirements for an athletic trainer, such as “emergency response and acute care,” “techniques in manual therapy” and “general medical conditions.” 

The loss of the athletic training program is a major change in Whitworth’s graduate school offerings, and now students looking to become athletic trainers will now have to enroll in programs at other institutions.  

“Whitworth will continue to offer undergraduate pre-athletic training courses. The Bachelor of Science in [the] health science, pre-athletic training track, is still enrolling students,” said Wright. “The pre-athletic training degree track prepares undergraduate students with the educational background needed to pursue entry to an athletic training master’s program at another institution.”

“The decision to close the professional master’s program was primarily influenced by low enrollment numbers,” said Wright. “Unfortunately, nationwide applications to [athletic training] programs decreased 48% over the past five years, making continued operations financially unsustainable.”

Although the athletic training master’s program will be officially discontinued at Whitworth after the graduation of the 2025 class, its impact will live on.

“We are grateful for the opportunity to serve many students throughout our program history. Our program alumni are amazing — we are extremely proud of the impact they will continue to make in the lives of their patients and clients,” said Wright.