M.S. in Athletic Training
Become an athletic trainer and work with a physically active population across a spectrum of settings, ages and activities. This program gives healthcare professionals the ability to build close working relationships with patients, and ultimately improve their health-related quality of life. If you're looking to join a dynamic profession where workdays are seldom the same, apply today.
The UVA master's program in Athletic Training goes beyond athletics, it's part of the broader healthcare profession. As such, this degree prepares student to work as an athletic trainer and provide a continuum of care along the 5 domains of athletic training practice:
- Injury/Illness Prevention & Wellness Protection
- Examination, Assessment & Diagnosis
- Immediate & Emergency Care
- Therapeutic Intervention
- Healthcare Administration and Professional Responsibility
The MSAT is an accredited program by the Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education (CAATE). This 24-month, year-round program is designed to exceed the CAATE standards. It provides instruction, clinical, and research experiences to prepare students to become certified athletic trainers. Emphasis is placed on didactic coursework, mentored clinical experience, with opportunities for students to pursue scholarly achievements. Students who successfully complete a degree in Athletic Training from an accredited athletic training program are eligible to sit for the Board of Certification (BOC) examination. BOC certification (ATC) establishes the entry-level credential to work as an athletic trainer.
This is an intensive, practical based program with classes 2-4 days per week and clinical experiences during the week and on weekends as applicable (e.g. sporting events/practice). The second summer includes 6 weeks of classes and a general medicine clinical experience. The second fall semester will consist of a 14-week immersive clinical educational experience at varying sites across the country. This focus on clinical work prepares our students to be effective in their jobs right away. And positions are plentiful as the athletic training field is expected to grow 21% by 2024 according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
The UVA School of Education and Human Development Difference:
- Faculty are leaders in their field who consistently produce cutting-edge contributions that continue to evolve the professions. Students will have the opportunity to collaborate with faculty to produce a scholarly product.
- Check out our Exercise and Sport Injury Lab.
- Curriculum is evidence-based and clinical techniques are based on scientific research conducted by School of Education and Human Development faculty and are field-tested. Faculty have authored textbooks and research articles, earned grants and conducted research in the areas of therapeutic modalities; lower extremity and spine injury identification, prevention and treatment; concussion identification and management; and clinical reasoning and clinical outcomes assessment.
- Clinical placements occur throughout the entire two-year program in a variety of settings
- UVA has several top-tier athletic programs for clinical placements including with the University of Virginia Sports Medicine team, which uses an integrated approach to athlete care including daily access to sports medicine physicians in on-grounds clinics, performance enhancement with strength and conditioning specialist, mental health services and sports nutrition counseling.
- Access to the University Virginia School of Medicine and UVA Health System allows for interprofessional collaboration that enhances patient care opportunities.
Didactic Coursework
Curriculum is evidence-based, and clinical techniques are based on scientific research conducted by the School of Education and Human Development faculty and are field-tested.
Mentored Clinical Experience
Clinical placements occur throughout the entire 24-month program in a variety of settings, including the University of Virginia's Sports Medicine team, School of Medicine and Health System.
Scholarly Achievement
Students will have the opportunity to collaborate with faculty, who consistently produce cutting-edge contributions that continue to evolve the athletic training profession. Faculty have authored textbooks and research articles, earned grants and conducted research in the areas of therapeutic modalities; lower extremity and spine injury identification, prevention and treatment; concussion identification and management; and clinical reasoning and clinical outcomes assessment.
The MSAT is an accredited program by the Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education (CAATE).
Program Details
-
Students complete 67 hours of coursework during the 24-month, intensive program. All courses provide instruction related to Athletic Training and related health care professions. Courses are designed to meet the CAATE standards and competencies in each content area of 1) Evidence-Based Practice, 2) Prevention and Health Promotion, 3) Clinical Examination and Diagnosis 4) Acute Care of Injury and Illness, 5) Therapeutic Interventions, 6) Psychosocial Strategies and Referral 7) Healthcare Administration, and 8) Professional Development and Responsibility.
Courses:
Students take 47 credits of didactic courses, 17 clinical practicum and 3 thesis or independent research credits. All students will complete a scholarly project as part of their graduate experience. All courses provide instruction related to Athletic Training and are taught by athletic training faculty for professional athletic training students.
Course Sequence:
Proposed new Curriculum Starting Summer 2022
Summer I (8 credits) -
KINE 5700 Foundational Athletic Training Skills and Emergency Care (4)
KINE 5710 Anatomy & Functional Kinesiology or (3)
KINE 5715 Clinical Practicum I (1)Fall I (15 credits)
KINE 5720 Assessment and Intervention of Injury I (3)
KINE 5725 Therapeutic Interventions (3)
KINE 5740 Assessment and Intervention of Injury II (4)
KINE 7645 Evidence Based Sports Medicine I (2)
KINE 5735 Clinical Practicum II (2)Spring I (14 credits)
KINE 5730 Medical Aspects of Athletic Training (3)
KINE 5750 Assessment and Intervention of Sport-Related Concussion, Head, and Cervical Spine (4)
KINE 5745 Evidence Based Sports Medicine II (1)
KINE 5760 Principles of Strength & Conditioning (3)
KINE 5765 Clinical Practicum III (3)Summer II (7 credits)
KINE 5775 Pharmacology/ Radiology (2)
KINE 6700 Clinical Practicum (1)
KINE 6720 Psychosocial Aspects of Athletic Injuries (3)
KINE 6715 Translational Research I (1)Fall II (12 credits)
KINE 6710 Administration Strategies in Athletic Training (3) online
KINE 6725 Clinical Immersive (8) (14 weeks)
KINE 6735 Translational Research II(1) onlineSpring II (13 credits)
KINE 6730 Human Performance in Sports Medicine (3)
KINE 6740 Athletic Training Seminar (3)
KINE 6745 Translational Research III(1)
KINE 8999 Thesis credit (3)
Or
KINE 5993 Independent study (3)
KINE 6755 Clinical Practicum IV (3)
Total Credits = 67Please download the MSAT student manual containing program mission, goals, assessments, outcomes and technical standards.
-
Bolded Courses are required to complete the B.S.Ed. in Kinesiology.
First Year Fall (16 credits)
- BIOL 2100 – 4 credits
- Calculus – 3 credits
- Intro to KINE – 3 credits
- Humanities – 3 credits
- Social Science – 3 credits
First Year Spring (16 credits)
- Biol 2200 – 4 credits
- Humanities – 3 credits
- First Writing Req – 3 credits
- Data Literacy/Stats – 3 credits
- Social Science – 3 credits
Second Year Fall (16 credits)
- BIOL 3410 - 3 credits
- Second Writing – 3 credits
- Chemistry I – 3 credits
- Social Science – 3 credits
- KINE Applied/Elective – 2 credits
Second Year Spring (16)
- BIOL 3420 – 3 credits
- Cultural Literacy – 3 credits
- Physics – 3 credits
- KINE Applied/elective – 5 credits
Third Year Fall (16 credits)*DECLARE INTENT TO PURSUE MSAT*
- KINE 3600 - 3 credits
- KINE 3410 - 3 credits
- KINE Applied/Electives 7+ credits
- Elective – 3 credits
Third Year Spring (16)
- KINE 3660 - 3 credits
- KINE 3620 - 3 credits
- KINE Applied/elective – 7+ credits
- Elective – 3 credits
96 total credits
36 Kinesiology Major Credits
60 General Education CreditsStudents will apply a maximum of 24 credits earned in the fourth year while matriculating in the athletic training program to accrue the 120 credits required to complete the B.S.Ed. degree requirements. The remaining 43 credits will meet the requirements for the MSAT and the School of Education and Human Development’s requirements that all master’s degrees meet or exceed 30 credit hours:
NOTE: In the academic semester after the student reaches 120 credits required for their B.S.Ed they will be matriculating as a graduate student.MSAT Program (summer and fall class credit used for completion of UVA Kinesiology major)
Fourth Year Summer (8 credits)
- KINE 5700 Foundational Athletic Training Skills and Emergency Care (4)
- KINE 5710 Anatomy & Functional Kinesiology (3) (could be used as KINE applied elective if needed)
- KINE 5715 Clinical Practicum I (1)
Fourth Year Fall (14 credits)
- KINE 5720 Assessment and Intervention of Injury I (3)
- KINE 5725 Therapeutic Interventions (3)
- KINE 5740 Assessment and Intervention of Injury II (4)
- KINE 7645 Evidence Based Sports Medicine (2)
- KINE 5735 Clinical Practicum II(2)
Fourth Year Spring (14 credits)
- KINE 5730 Medical Aspects of Athletic Training (3)
- KINE 5750 Assessment and Intervention of Sport-Related Concussion, Head, and Cervical Spine (4)
- KINE 5745 Evidence Based Sports Medicine II (1)
- KINE 5760 Principles of Strength & Conditioning (3)
- KINE 5765 Clinical Practicum III (3)
Fifth Year Summer (7 credits)
- KINE 5775 Clinical Practicum (1)
- KINE 6700 Pharmacology/ Radiology (2)
- KINE 6720 Psychosocial Aspects of Athletic Injuries (3)
- KINE 6715 Translational Research I (1)
Fifth Year Fall (12 credits)
- KINE 6710 Administration Strategies in Athletic Training (3) online
- KINE 6725 Clinical Immersive (8)(14 weeks)
- KINE 6735 Translational Research II (1)
Fifth Year Spring (13 credits)
- KINE 6730 Human Performance in Sports Medicine (3)
- KINE 6740 Athletic Training Seminar (3)
- KINE 6745 Translational Research III (1)
- KINE 8999 Thesis credit (3)
Or
KINE 5993 Independent Study (3) - KINE 6755 Clinical Practicum IV (3)
-
All students are required to complete a substantial scholarly project. This can consist of an original research thesis or alternatively, a non-thesis scholarly project. The expectation is that these will be of such quality that it will be presented at a national professional meeting (NATA, ACSM or another related association or organization related to sports medicine) and acceptable for publication in a peer-reviewed journal. Thesis topics must be performed in the area of expertise of one of the core athletic training faculty members. Core athletic training faculty include:
Dr. Joe Hart
Dr. Jay Hertel
Dr. Michael Higgins
Dr. Jacob Resch
Dr. Susan Saliba -
The purpose of clinical education is to provide opportunities for students to have clinical experiences providing patient care to real patients with a variety of condition in different clinical settings. The goal is to prepare students to be able to make timely clinical decisions to improve clinical outcomes and to maximize patient health-related quality of life.
During each semester (including summers) every student will have a clinical education experience at one of our approved affiliated sites. Experienced clinical preceptors at each site provide clinical and professional mentorship. Clinical sites are available in the following settings: college/university (public and private), secondary school (public and private), physician clinic, therapy clinic, and non-traditional sporting/activity settings.
In addition, the program includes opportunities to complete immersive experiences providing full-time patient care at 3-distinct time points in the program: 1.) a 3-week immersive in pre-season, 2.) a 6-week summer immersive in the summer between the first and second year and 3.) a 7-week immersive during the fall of the second year. A student may choose to combine the 6-week and 7-week immersive to complete a 13-week immersive in any location in the US. During these immersive experiences, students will have no requirements to meet in face-to-face classes.
Clinical Site Type Name College/University University of Virginia Sports Medicine
Virginia Military Institute Sports Medicine
Hampden Sydney University
Randolph Macon UniversitySecondary School St. Anne’s Belfield High School
Monticello High School
Albemarle High School
Western Albemarle High School
William Monroe High School
Miller School
Fork Union Military Academy
Covenant SchoolClinic University of Virginia Primary Care Sports Medicine Physician Clinic
University of Virginia Orthopaedics and Surgical Observation
University Physicians Group Rehabilitation
ACAC Physical Therapy (multiple locations)
The Performance Place Physical Therapy and Sports Medicine
Albemarle Orthopaedics, PLC
INOVA
MedStar
HCA Virginia Sports Medicine
Texas Sports RehabilitationEmerging Settings University of North Carolina School of the Arts (Dance Medicine)
More sites in development!
-
This major is a full-time cohort based major. Admission into the program is highly competitive and is based on the criteria stated below.
- Completion of a bachelor’s degree with a minimum GPA of 3.0.
- Students may apply to the program in their last year of undergraduate work, but must have completed their degree prior to starting in June of matriculating year.
- Completion of a minimum of 50 clinical hours (75 or more preferred) under the direct supervision of an athletic trainer. Applicants will provide proof of hours through a signed supervisor letter that indicates the number of hours completed under their supervision.
- Completion of and preferred 3.0 GPA in the following courses. Please contact the Program Director if you have questions about whether a course meets the requirements listed below.
- REQUIRED COURSES
- Psychology
- Biology with Lab
- Anatomy and Physiology with lab (two courses)
- Physics or Human Movement Science (e.g. Biomechanics, Motor Control)
- Chemistry
- PREFERRED COURSES
- Statistics/Biostatistics
- Exercise Physiology
- Nutrition
- REQUIRED COURSES
As part of the application process, students are required to also submit the following documents that will be used in assessing the applicant.
- A resume
- Two letters of recommendation
- A one-two page goal statement indicating why you are seeking a degree in athletic training
Applicants are responsible for ensuring that all required materials are submitted by the deadline. Incomplete applications will not be read and may be cancelled if left incomplete. Materials should be tracked using the checklist in the application system.
- Completion of a bachelor’s degree with a minimum GPA of 3.0.
-
The University of Virginia M.S. in Athletic Training Program is 24-month continuous program that begins in June of the matriculating year. There are two options for applying to the UVA M.S. in Athletic Training Program. Regardless of application option, all students must meet the prerequisite and admission requirements of the MSAT detailed later in this page.
External Candidates and Non-Accelerated UVa Graduate Applicants should submit their applications via ATCAS as early as possible. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling admissions basis until we have filled our class for the upcoming year. It is strongly encouraged to apply by February 1st. Applications will be accepted until May 15th on a space-available basis. For more information about how to use ATCAS, please visit the ATCAS Help Center.
Accelerated Applicants:
Applicants should submit the following to Mr. Eric Molnar, Assistant Director of Admissions and Enrollment Reporting at esm2h@virginia.edu.- A resume
- Two letters of recommendation
- A one-two page goal statement indicating why you are seeking a degree in athletic training
Accelerated Degree Plan for UVA Kinesiology Majors
UVA students currently in the B.S.Ed. in Kinesiology program who choose to focus their course work and practical experience in Athletic Training can complete both the B.S.Ed and M.S. in Athletic Training (MSAT) program in a total of 5 years. These candidates must be in good academic standing in order to matriculate into the MSAT and should declare their intent to pursue the MSAT in the fall of their 3rd year to be considered. Additionally, all candidates must meet the M.S. in Athletic Training program prerequisites and requirements to be considered*. Students interested in pursuing this option must complete specific coursework within the B.S.Ed by the end of the Spring semester of the 3rd year to qualify. The following link (INSERT LINK HERE FOR BELOW) details the suggested degree program sequence and required coursework completion. Students interested in pursuing this degree plan should speak with their academic advisor to develop a plan to ensure that all required coursework will be completed in a 3-year period.
*SAT or ACT scores may be substituted for the GRE score. Applicants who had SAT or ACT scores sent to the university previously do not need to have them re-sent.
NOTE: In the academic semester after the student reaches 120 credits required for their B.S.Ed they will be matriculating as a graduate student.
Non-Accelerated Degree Plan for UVA Graduates
UVA students who are in their last year of earning an undergraduate degree and would like to apply to the MSAT should follow the guidelines listed below under the Prerequisites and Admission Requirements. In order to be eligible for this route students should complete a bachelor’s degree with a minimum GPA of 3.0 before June of the matriculating year. For applicants enrolled in an undergraduate degree program at UVA at the time of submission: SAT or ACT scores may be substituted for the GRE score. Applicants who had SAT or ACT scores sent to the university previously do not need to have them re-sent.
External Candidates
Candidates who have earned a bachelor’s degree or are in their last year of earning an undergraduate degree should follow the guidelines listed below under the Prerequisites and Admission Requirements. In order to be eligible for this route students should complete a bachelor’s degree with a minimum GPA of 3.0 before June of the matriculating year. Candidates who are external to UVA will not be required to submit Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores.
-
Funding Opportunities
Please note that there is no tuition waiver associated with the clinical placement - students are responsible for either in-state or out-of-state tuition depending on their Virginia residency status. Students are also responsible for their own health insurance costs. The School of Education and Human Development offers scholarships on an annual basis and information regarding these scholarships can be found here.
Students are encouraged to apply for federal financial aid, including work-study. Information about federal aid programs, including applying using the FAFSA, can be found through Student Financial Services. Additional financial aid information can be found on School of Education and Human Development's Financial Aid web page.
Program Costs
Information regarding program specific tuition and fees.
Program specific costs for students who are accepted into the program include:
Student Fees (paid by student)
Clothes
250.00
Clinical software
90.00
NATA Membership
103.00
Criminal Background Check
50-100.00
-
-
Focus on clinical work prepares students to be effective in their jobs right away, and positions are plentiful as the athletic training field is expected to grow 21 percent by 2024. Clinical athletic training positions in a variety of health care settings including but not limited to colleges, high schools, professional sports, sports medicine centers, military, physician offices and clinical settings.
-
As a member of the State Authorizations Reciprocity Agreement, the University of Virginia (UVA) is authorized to provide curriculum in a distance learning environment to students located in all states in the United States except for California. (34 CFR 668.43(a)(6)& 34 CFR 668.72(n)).
Upon completion of the M.S. in Athletic Training program at the UVA School of Education and Human Development, graduates may be eligible for initial professional licensure in another U.S. state by applying to the licensing board or agency in that state. Please visit the University’s state authorization web pages to make an informed decision regarding which states’ educational requirements for initial licensure are met by this program. (668.43(a)(5) (v)(A) - (C))
Enrolled students who change their current (or mailing) address to a state other than Virginia should update this information immediately in the Student Information System as it may impact their ability to complete internship, practicum, or clinical hours, use Title IV funds, or meet licensure or certification requirements in the new state. (34 CFR 668.402).
The information contained on this website is for informational purposes only. The Undergraduate Record and Graduate Record represent the official repository for academic program requirements. These publications may be found at http://records.ureg.virginia.edu/index.php.