Master of Science in Athletic Training

• Advanced Knowledge and Skills: The program offers comprehensive knowledge in injury prevention, diagnosis, and rehabilitation. You'll gain advanced skills that will make you an effective and valuable asset in various settings.
• Increased Career Opportunities: A master's degree can significantly broaden your employment opportunities. Athletic trainers are in demand in schools, colleges, professional sports, clinics, and even industrial settings.
• Hands-on Experience: Our MSAT programs incorporate extensive clinical education, allowing you to gain real-world experience under the supervision of experienced professionals. This practical training is invaluable.
• Professional Certification: Many states require certification by the Board of Certification for the Athletic Trainer, and a master's program is often aligned with these certification requirements. This can streamline your path to becoming a certified professional.
• Interdisciplinary Faculty: Including a pharmacist, physical therapist, and exercise physiologists. This interdisciplinary faculty will not only provide a more comprehensive education for our students but also open new avenues for collaborative research and innovative projects across different domains of healthcare and wellness.

Degree Requirements Degree Works

Note: Degree requirements effective for enrolled students beginning Fall 2023. All enrolled students, including matriculating students prior to Fall 2023, can review their degree program requirements and track progress to degree completion with our degree audit and advisement tool, Degree Works.

To complete the application process, students must submit:

• Submit the online application through ATCAS.
  • Create an account in ATCAS and follow the directions to complete the application.  
  • All of your supporting materials are submitted through ATCAS. Submit an official transcript for all university coursework to ATCAS. Transcripts should be mailed to: 
    ATCAS
    P.O. Box 9132
    Watertown, MA 02471
• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution.
• Overall cumulative GPA of 3.00 or higher verified via official college transcript(s).
• Completion of the following prerequisites with a grade of “C” or better.
  • Anatomy & Physiology 1 with lab
  • Anatomy & Physiology 2 with lab
  • Biomechanics or Kinesiology
  • Exercise Physiology
  • Nutrition
  • General Psychology
  • Statistics
  • Biology 
  • Chemistry
  • Physics
• Contact information for 2 professional references.
• Statement of Professional Goals (750 words or less).
• Documentation of 75 observation hours in athletic training.
• Successful completion of an interview.

Exceptions to the admission requirements, including prerequisite course requirements, will be made on an individual basis. Applicants with healthcare or research experience, observation hours in excess of the minimum required for admission, additional science course preparation, and Commonwealth University undergraduate students are given priority in the admission process.

Technical standards for completion of the MS-AT program can be found here.

Admission to the accelerated "3+2" program is by invitation only. To be considered you must submit an Commonwealth University application designating the major Health Science/Exercise Science track and be accepted by November 1st.

Applicants are carefully screened to ensure they have the track record (e.g. high class rank and SAT scores) to succeed in this very concentrated, rigorous, and demanding academic and professional program.

If accepted, a compressed schedule of undergraduate classes will enable you to transition into the graduate program at the end of your third year.

Once accepted into the "3+2" program, you must maintain/complete the following criteria in order to ensure a guaranteed seat into the graduate program:

• Grade Point Average (GPA): 3.0 or above
• 75 hours of Athletic Training observation
• Successful interview

Health Science 3+2 Degree Map Health Science Student Learning Outcomes

Upon program completion, students will

• Achieve academic competency within the domains of athletic training.
• Integrate didactic knowledge, clinical knowledge, and clinical reasoning skills in order to make independent clinical decisions that are guided by the professional literature.
• Integrate the professional behaviors and attitudes of a healthcare provider into clinical practice.

CAATE Program Information and Outcomes