Athletic training faculty and students working together in a simulation lab
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Athletic Training: M.S. - Master of Science

The M.S. 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 five domains of athletic training.

At a Glance

Program Results

M.S. - Master of Science

Athletic Training

Career Outcomes

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.

Best Suited To

  • Individuals who have completed a bachelor's degree with a minimum GPA of 3.0.
  • Current undergraduates completing their last year of coursework (degree must be completed prior to starting this degree program in June of the matriculating year).
  • UVA undergraduates currently in the B.S.Ed. in Kinesiology program may qualify to complete the M.S. in Athletic Training program through an accelerated track.

Program Type

  • Full Time

Location

  • In-Person

Estimated Length

2 year, year-round program

Application Deadline

Applications are due on the following dates through ATCAS (the Athletic Training Central Application System)

  • Early notification deadline: October 1
  • Final deadline: May 1

Credits

67

About This Program

  • 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.
  • This degree prepares the student to work as an athletic trainer and provide a continuum of care along the five domains of athletic training practice:
  1. Injury/Illness Prevention & Wellness Protection
  2. Examination, Assessment & Diagnosis
  3. Immediate & Emergency Care
  4. Therapeutic Intervention
  5. Healthcare Administration and Professional Responsibility

 

Program Overview

Admission Requirements

Applicants are responsible for ensuring that all required materials are submitted by the deadline. Incomplete applications will not be read and may be canceled if left incomplete. Materials should be tracked using the checklist in the application system. 

Students may apply to the M.S. in Athletic Training (MSAT) program in their last year of undergraduate work but must have completed their degree prior to starting in June of matriculating year. UVA undergraduates currently in the B.S.Ed. in Kinesiology program may qualify to complete the M.S. in Athletic Training program through an accelerated track, completing both the B.S.Ed and the MSAT in a total of 5 years. Candidates for the accelerated track must meet the same admission requirements and prerequisites as applicants who apply directly to the MSAT, and are guided by an academic advisor to ensure that all required coursework for the B.S.Ed. will be completed in a three-year period. 

Beginning in 2024, all applications (both accelerated and non-accelerated) to the MSAT are administered through the Athletic Training Centralized Application System (ATCAS), a service of the Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education (CAATE) that is administered by Liaison International (LI) and no GRE is required.

Admission into the program for both accelerated and non-accelerated tracks is highly competitive and is based on the following criteria:

  • Completion of a bachelor’s degree with a minimum GPA of 3.0
  • A resume
  • Two to three letters of recommendation
  • A one to two-page personal statement addressing professional goals
  • Applicants are expected to provide signed proof of completion of a minimum of 50 clinical hours (75 or more preferred) under the direct supervision of an athletic trainer.
  • Completion of specific prerequisite undergraduate courses including:

Required Courses

  • Psychology
  • Biology with lab
  • Anatomy and Physiology with lab (two courses)
  • Physics, Biomechanics, or Human Movement Science
  • Chemistry (no lab required)

Preferred Courses

  • Statistics/Biostatistics
  • Exercise Physiology
  • Nutrition

Application Fee

You will be prompted to pay an application fee as part of your online application. This fee is charged by ATCAS and is not administered by the School of Education and Human Development (EHD); no application fee waivers are available through the school. Information on current application fees and waivers can be found in the ATCAS Applicant Help Center.

Graduate Admission

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 1. Applications will be accepted until May 15 on a space-available basis. For more information about how to use ATCAS, please visit the ATCAS Help Center.

Apply through ATCAS

Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education CAATE

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, and mentored clinical experience, with opportunities for students to pursue scholarly achievements.

CAATE Information and Outcomes

Logo of the Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education (CAATE)

Athletic Training Board Certification

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.

Clinical Experience

  • This is an intensive, practical based program with classes two to four days per week and clinical experiences during the week and on weekends as applicable (e.g. sporting events/practice).
  • The second summer includes six 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. Positions are plentiful as the athletic training field is expected to grow at a faster than average rate according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Program Costs
Apart from the program fees reflected on our Tuition & Fees page, program-specific costs for students who are accepted into the program include:

  • Clinical software $90
  • NATA Membership $103
  • Criminal Background Check if needed  $50-$100
     

Coursework

To learn more about specific courses taken as part of the completion of this degree, visit the UVA Graduate Record website. These web pages represent the official repository for academic program requirements. 

Students complete 67 hours of coursework during the 24-month, intensive program. All courses provide instruction related to Athletic Training and related healthcare 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.

MSAT Course Descriptions

Information on courses that are part of the MSAT curriculum can be found on the UVA Graduate Record website.

Curriculum

Additional Program Details & Resources

M.S. in Athletic Training News

All School News

Program Faculty

All Program Faculty
Jay Hertel

Jay Hertel

  • Chair, Department of Kinesiology
  • Joe Gieck Professor in Sports Medicine
Michael Higgins

Michael Higgins

  • Professor
  • Athletic Training Program Director
Chris Kuenze

Chris Kuenze

  • Associate Professor
Emily Madrak

Emily Madrak

  • Assistant Professor
  • Director of Simulation, Athletic Training Program
Erin M Moore

Erin M. Moore

  • Assistant Professor
  • Athletic Training Clinical Education Coordinator
Jacob E Resch

Jacob E. Resch

  • Associate Professor
Curriculum Vitae Susan Saliba

Susan Saliba

  • Professor

Contact Information

Disclosures

As a member of the State Authorizations Reciprocity Agreement (SARA), 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)). Although California does not participate in SARA, it allows students to enroll in out-of-state programs.

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).