Athletic Training, M.S.

The Department of Kinesiology  

The Master of Science in Athletic Training (MSAT) is designed for students with professional goals in athletic training and is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education (CAATE). The program is designed to prepare students for a career in athletic training through a combination of rigorous coursework, clinical practice, and research opportunities. Students that graduate from the program will be eligible to sit for the credentialing examination for athletic trainers and will be eligible for licensure in most states. The program has high academic and performance standards that include completion of a two-year competency-based clinical education program.

Admission Requirements

Admission to the program requires the student to: (a) apply for University graduate student status; (b) submit an application through ATCAS; (c) have an undergraduate GPA of at least 3.0; (d) participate in an interview; (e) document 100 hours of observation with a Certified Athletic Trainer; and (f) earn a C or better and 3.0 GPA in the following prerequisite courses:

1. Biology with lab (BIOL 10  or BIOL 1A )
2. Chemistry with lab (CHEM 3A )
3. Physics with lab (PHYS 2A )
4. Two semesters of Anatomy and Physiology with Lab (BIOL 67A  and BIOL 67B )
5. General Psychology (PSYCH 10 ) or Sport Psychology (KINES 33 )
6. Biomechanics (KINES 116 )
7. Exercise Physiology (KINES 118 )
8. Nutrition (NUTR 53 )
9. Statistics (PH 92  or MATH 11 )
10. Care and Prevention of Athletic Injuries (KINES 38 )
11. First Aid & CPR (KINES 48 , PH 48 , or PH 49 ) or provide evidence of current or expired emergency cardiac care (ECC) card*

*ECC certification must include all of the following: Adult & Pediatric CPR, AED, 2-Rescuer CPR, Airway Obstruction, Barrier Devices (e.g., pocket mask, bag valve mask). ECC certification does not need to be current, but applicants must have completed the course at least once prior to applying. Recertification occurs within in the program.

Advancement to Candidacy Requirement

Students usually advance to candidacy in the fall semester of their second year of the MSAT. Students must meet the following criteria:

1. Classified graduate student standing.
2. A minimum GPA of 3.0 on all coursework in the MS in Athletic Training degree, with no grade below C.
3. Successful completion of the qualifying exam given at the end of the spring semester of the first year. The qualifying exam consists of a computerized exam containing 175 questions on content learned during the first year in the program.
4. Demonstrated graduate-level writing proficiency (as assessed by the Critically Appraised Topic paper in AT 226 ).