| MS in Athletic Training
Your Future in Athletic Training Begins Here
Increase your professional potential with this exciting accredited master's program. Accredited by the Commission of Accreditation of Athletic Training Education (CAATE) since 2009, UIW has been successfully educating athletic trainers for over ten years. The Master of Science in Athletic Training (MSAT) degree program allows students to apply knowledge and expertise to improve healthcare for the physically active and serve as healthcare leaders in their communities.
Master of Science in Athletic Training
The full-time, two-year MSAT program prepares students for a career as an athletic trainer. The MSAT program includes a combination of coursework and clinical experiences to prepare students to sit for the Board of Certification (BOC) exam.
Military Clinical Experiences
Unique clinical opportunities to students are available in the military—with up to 75 percent of clinical experiences conducted with the armed forces. UIW faculty are pioneering injury prevention through running gait within U.S. Air Force Basic Military training—providing one-of-a-kind opportunities. All clinical rotations within the military setting provide interprofessional teams of practitioners within which students engage and learn.
Program Features
- Designed for students interested in working with physically active individuals in communities, secondary schools, colleges and universities, and military settings.
- Hybrid last semester allows for immersive clinical practice experience in various geographical locations.
- Courses offered in a year-round format to optimize clinical experiences, with degree completion in 24 months.
- Focus on interprofessional education and practice with an emphasis on servant leadership development.
Admissions Requirements
- Application through the Athletic Training Common Application System
- Letter of intent
- Resume
- Two letters of recommendation
- Complete prerequisite courses with a minimum 2.75 GPA.
- Submit all college transcripts; minimum cumulative GPA 2.75 required.
- Complete at least 50 hours of observation under a certified athletic trainer.
UIW at a Glance
14%
Expected growth rate for jobs in Athletic Training between 2022 - 2032
15
Unique clinical sites within 15 miles of UIW
13:1
Student to Faculty Ratio
Be the Word in the World
Since our founding in 1881 by the Sisters of Charity of the Incarnate Word, we have challenged our students to think critically, explore curiously and to leverage their God-given talents to make positive impacts on their communities and the world around them.
Career Outlook and Opportunities
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics expects the employment of athletic trainers is projected to grow 16% from 2019 to 2029, much faster than the average for all occupations.
Demand for athletic trainers is expected to increase as people become more aware of the effects of sports-related injuries, and as the middle-aged and older population remains active.
Athletic trainers need at least a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university. Master’s degree programs are also common, and may be preferred by some employers.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
Military Committed to Hiring Athletic Trainers
The U.S. Military has a growing need to hire Athletic Trainers to boost readiness of service members in our growing armed forces. Most branches of the Department of Defense have hired Athletic Trainers to provide interprofessional services in performance optimization, injury prevention, and accelerated return to duty. The outcomes demonstrated in these collaborative patient care teams have led to hundreds of new positions nationwide. UIW is as at the forefront of demonstrating professional impact and preparing students to excel in unique situations.
Sources
- Stone, Patrick Smith and Erin. “Holistic Health and Fitness (H2F).” The Company Leader, 3 Oct. 2020.
- “Army May Use Nutritionists, Sports Trainers to Boost Readiness.” Www.army.mil.
- Moody, Sgt. Annika. “Athletic Trainers Are Enablers of Marine Corps Readiness.” United States Marine Corps Flagship, 27 Jan. 2020.,
- “Athletic Trainers to Assist Marine Corps in New Initiative -.” Spectrum Healthcare Resources, 28 Feb. 2020.
Athletic trainers work in a variety of different professional settings, including:
- Hospital emergency departments
- Intercollegiate athletics
- Law enforcement and military
- Occupational and industrial settings
- Performing arts
- Physician offices
- Professional sports
- Secondary schools
- Sports medicine clinics
Nearly all states require athletic trainers to be licensed or certified; requirements vary by state.
CAATE Accreditation
In May 2005, the Athletic Training Education Program was granted initial accreditation through the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) through the recommendation of the Joint Review Committee on Educational Programs in Athletic Training (JRC-AT). CAAHEP is the largest external programmatic accreditors for the health sciences fields.
In July 2006, the JRC-AT broke away from CAAHEP to form the Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education (CAATE). This is an independent accreditation agency dedicated toward the advancement of the education of athletic trainers.
The program was re-accredited from CAATE until the 2029-2030 academic year.
Kristin White, MS, ATC, LAT
Alumni, University of the Incarnate Word