![A student observing how to wrap an ankle injury](/sites/default/files/styles/width_500/public/2024-03/athletic_training_hero_image.jpeg?itok=33sAdPu0)
Master of Science in Athletic Training
As an athletic training student at Commonwealth University-Lock Haven you’ll have the opportunity to learn from high-quality faculty and clinical instructors in state-of-the-art classrooms and clinical settings. Our program emphasizes academic rigor, evidence-based practice, and clinical decision making that will prepare you to work as a licensed athletic trainer.
- Degrees & Offerings
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- M.S.
- Location
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- Lock Haven
- Department
- Program Contact
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Professor / Program Director
Program Details
![MS Athletic Training students holding a trophy](/sites/default/files/styles/width_287/public/2024-07/560x600_-_ms_athletic_training_-_trophy.jpg?itok=oNUqagmU)
- Interdisciplinary Faculty – Including a pharmacist, physical therapist, and exercise physiologists.
- Program Delivery – Majority of courses are taught in-person at the Lock Haven campus.
- Coursework Overview – Includes 45 credits of courses and 15 credits of clinicals. Students also have two semesters of cadaver dissection and musculoskeletal evaluation and treatment, as well as courses in pharmacology and exercise prescription and nutrition.
- Clinical Experiences – Students complete 4 clinical rotations that culminate into a final semester internship that aligns with the student’s career and professional goals.
- Accreditation – Accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education (CAATE) allows you to sit for certification.
- Who Should Apply – Perfect fit for students majoring in exercise science, biology, or health sciences.
Courses and Curriculum
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:
![Athletic Training Centralized Application System (ATCAS) Logo](/sites/default/files/styles/width_287/public/2024-03/atcas_logo.png?itok=hQ6xhMVy)
- 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 Heatlh 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.
Athletic Training
Accreditation
Commonwealth University - Lock Haven Athletic Training is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education (CAATE).
The program will have its next comprehensive review during the (2032-2033) academic year.
- Requirements for degree completion and track sheet
- Technical standards
- Communicable disease policy
- Program costs
This program is expected to result in a Pennsylvania certification. Please see our State Authorization webpage for further instructions if you are planning to hold licensure in another state.
Program Costs
The MS-AT is a professional degree program and therefore has costs in addition to standard university tuition and fees. Tuition and fees can be found on the University’s website. Students are responsible for securing their own housing throughout the program.
The ATP makes a conscious effort to minimize the additional costs for students. An estimate of the costs for students enrolled in the program is listed below. Students should realize that this is an estimate and may vary annually. The cost breakdown does not include specific course materials (texts, lab fees, etc) or the professional attire that must be worn while on clinical rotation.
Tuition estimates for 2024-2025
- In-State Students: $39,758
- Out-of-State Students: $56,748
Fee cost estimates for 2024-2025
Typhon Subscription | $100.00 |
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Liability Insurance | $35.00 |
NATA Membership (Strongly encouraged, but not required) | $85.00 |
CPR Certification or Renewal | $90.00 |
Background checks | $46.00 |
Drug screen | $27.00 |
Travel to off-campus clinical site | $250.00 |
Fee cost estimates for 2024-2025
Liability Insurance | $35.00 |
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NATA Membership (Strongly encouraged, but not required) | $85.00 |
Background checks | $46.00 |
Drug screen | $27.00 |
Travel to off-campus clinical site | $250.00 |
BOC Exam Registration | $335.00 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Applications are accepted for the summer semester only.
Taught 100% in-person at the Lock Haven campus.
No, the GRE is not required for admission.
Graduate assistantships are available within the department and across the university.
Clinical Rotations
Clinical Experiences
Students enrolled in the athletic training program will participate in four clinical rotations.
- First Two Clinical Rotations: Occur in traditional collegiate or high school/middle school settings.
- Third Clinical Rotation: Students rotate through a variety of rehabilitation facilities and medical centers.
- Final Clinical Rotation: Includes a full-time semester-long off-campus internship. The internship site is aligned with the student’s professional and career goals.
Recent internship sites include Arizona State University, University of Miami, Rothman Institute, Sporting Kansas City, Pennsylvania State University, University of Michigan, Muhlenberg School District, Clemson University, and Manheim Township High School.
Onward and Upward
Careers
As people become more aware of sports-related injuries at a young age, demand for athletic trainers is expected to increase. Due to the significant labor shortage, jobs in the field result in salary increases, sign-on bonuses, improved work-life balance, and better benefits. Work settings include:
Potential Job Opportunities
- Collegiate Athletics
- Hospitals
- School Districts
- Professional Sports
- Physician Offices
- Rehabilitation Clinics
- Military
- Performing Arts
![MS Athletic Training students posing for a photo on a football field](/sites/default/files/styles/width_560/public/2024-05/untitled_design_0.png?itok=PLPCvsXX)
M.S. Athletic Training Year in Review
Follow the CU-Lock Haven M.S. Athletic Training students journey through the 2023-2024 academic year!
![MS Athletic Training graduate student at Arizona State University](/sites/default/files/styles/width_560/public/2024-04/untitled_design_2_0.png?itok=_ylJjaj7)
Internship Stories
Learn about M.S. Athletic Training students' internships and preview what may be in store for you!
Applying to Graduate Programs
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