How long does it take to complete an MS in Athletic Training program?

Given differences in course loads and scheduling preferences, each student may have a different experience. It’s ideal to speak with a university counselor to get personalized guidance regarding how long it might take to earn your degree. Fill out the form on this page to request a consultation with a university counselor at GCU.

How competitive is the athletic training industry?

The athletic training field is poised for growth in the foreseeable future. According to the BLS, the estimated job growth rate for athletic trainers from 2023 to 2033 is 13%, much faster than average. Additionally, athletic trainers can now pursue employment across a wider range of settings. Aside from sports organizations, athletic trainers may apply to jobs in occupational care, performing arts and many other settings.

Master of Science (MS) in Athletic Training

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Master's

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Area of Study

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Program

MS in Athletic Training

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Overview

Work Toward a Career in Injury Prevention and Rehabilitation

The Master of Science (MS) in Athletic Training program at Grand Canyon University is designed to prepare graduates to pursue employment as athletic trainers in various clinical and educational settings. These may include schools, colleges and universities, rehabilitation clinics and hospitals, as well as emerging settings in amateur and professional sports.¹

As an athletic trainer, you would be responsible for reducing the risk of athletic injuries, as well as providing emergency and stabilizing care when injuries do occur. If you’re passionate about both sports and health science, you may feel called to serve your community as an athletic trainer. Our MS in Athletic Training program was developed to prepare you for a career in the diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation of athletic injuries.

Master of Science in Athletic Training

Offered By

College of Nursing and Health Care Professions

Class Settings

Campus

Tuition Rate

Campus: $8,250 per semester [More Info]

Cost of Attendance

Course Information

Credits: 65

Campus: 15 weeks

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Transfer Credits

Up to 12 credits or 1/3 of the total program requirements in transfer (whichever is less)

Credits: Fill out the Lopes Eval to find out what will transfer

Admission Requirements

Admission Requirements (Master's)

Undergraduate Degree*
2.8+ GPA

OR 2.5+ Unweighted GPA and

GMAT: 500
GRE: 300 combined**

Admission requirements may differ based on degree level, program and modality, or transfer status. Some programs of study may require a higher GPA and/or other qualifying criteria for admission. Please review full admission and program requirements in the University Policy Handbook.
* Degree must be from an accredited college or program that has been approved by GCU.
** Combined verbal/quantitative, after August 2011 (1,000 combined verbal and quantitative, prior to August 2011).

Why GCU

Explore Your Passion For Sports and Health at GCU

As an athletic trainer, you would be responsible for reducing the risk of athletic injuries, as well as providing emergency and stabilizing care when injuries do occur. If you’re passionate about both sports and health science, you may feel called to serve your community as an athletic trainer.

At GCU, you will have opportunities to prepare for certification as a professional athletic trainer while being immersed within our Christian learning environment. As a Christian university, GCU emphasizes servant leadership and professional ethics.

Examine Core Concepts in Athletic Care

This athletic training degree is offered by our College of Nursing and Health Care Professions. Athletic training is recognized by the American Medical Association (AMA), Health Resources Services Administration (HRSA) and the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) as an allied healthcare profession.²

Take Athletic Training Courses on Campus

As a student in the MSAT program, you will participate in on-campus lectures, hands-on labs, simulations and clinical experiences at local athletic and rehabilitation facilities. As an on-campus student, you will have access to our many campus life activities and amenities. Enjoy being surrounded by like-minded students as you work to pursue your professional ambitions.

Prepare for Future Certification

Upon completion, you will be eligible to sit for the Board of Certification (BOC) exam to obtain athletic training certification. Nearly every state requires a certification, and it typically requires that athletic trainers graduate from a program accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education (CAATE).³ GCU’s master’s in athletic training is CAATE-accredited.

MS in Athletic Training Program Admission

Eligibility for this athletic training master’s is dependent on specific program requirements, including admission, clinical requirements and the application process. This degree is part of the Athletic Training Centralized Application System’s (ATCAS) centralized application portal. Students interested in the MSAT at GCU should apply using the ATCAS system. Complete the form on this page to get started.

To meet all CAATE accreditation standards and guidelines, as well as liability and health precautions, all students must complete the following information 30 days prior to starting their first clinical course to the Office of Field Experiences:

Certification in first aid
Certification in Emergency Cardiac Care (Approved by the Board of Certification, Inc.)
State of Arizona DPS Level One Fingerprint Clearance Card
Health History and Physical Examination form
ATP Technical Standards form
Updated immunization records
Proof of health insurance
Proof of valid professional student liability insurance
Completed HIPAA and FERPA confidentiality acknowledgment form
National Athletic Trainers’ Association membership

Failure to meet these standards and guidelines may result in the loss of your clinical spot and require reapplication to this degree program.

Admission to the athletic training program requires you to meet the following academic requirements:

Minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale from a conferred baccalaureate degree earned at an accredited institution
Minimum grade of C (2.0) or better on all required prerequisite coursework listed below:

General Prerequisite (Actual Prerequisite Course)

General Biology lecture and lab* (BIO-181, 181L)
Human Anatomy lecture and lab, four credit minimum* (BIO-201 and 201L OR BIO-210 and 210L)
Human Physiology lecture and lab, four credit minimum* (BIO-202 and 202L OR BIO-211 and 211L)
General Chemistry lecture and lab, four credit minimum* (CHM-113 and 113L)
General Physics lecture and lab, four credit minimum* (PHY-111 and 111L)
Exercise Physiology (EXS-340 and 340L)
Introduction to Psychology* (PSY-102)
Introduction to Nutrition (NSC-150 or BIO-319)
Kinesiology (EXS-335 and 335L)

*CAATE requirement (Standard 54).

For applicants, conferred baccalaureate degree will be evaluated for courses that are equivalent to the required prerequisite coursework.
Completed GCU background check (within the last six months of the application deadline)

The application process to this degree program is usually swift and seamless as long as you adhere to specific application requirements and meet application deadlines, such as:

Meet the above requirements for application.
All applications are reviewed on a rolling basis.
Applicants who meet all minimum admission requirements can apply to start in the fall, spring or summer semester.
All minimum criteria must be successfully met no later than seven days prior to the start date of the semester for which you are seeking full admission.

Explore Professional Skills and Gain Experience

The athletic training degree teaches skills and knowledge in each of the five domains of professional practice:

Injury and illness prevention and wellness promotion
Examination, assessment and diagnosis
Immediate and emergency care
Therapeutic intervention
Healthcare administration and professional responsibility

Athletic Training Topics and Labs

This advanced, on-campus degree program was designed to align with industry expectations and certification requirements. You will complete supervised clinical hours in a professional setting to apply what you’ve been taught in classes and labs.

You will also be required to complete a capstone project at the end of the program. This project is intended to prepare you to be a clinical scholar and distribute research relevant to the athletic training field.

Some core topics you can expect to cover in this program include:

Medical condition evaluation and diagnosis

Emergency management

Athletic training research methods and statistics

Biomechanics

Psychosocial conditions

Kinetic chain and spine analysis

Careers

Career Paths for MSAT Degree Graduates

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), colleges and universities are one of the largest employers of qualified athletic trainers.¹ In these settings, they may support NCAA athletic divisions as well as intramural and club sports programs.

Jobs with an athletic training degree are also commonly available in:¹

Hospitals

Fitness centers

Physicians’ offices

Law enforcement and military departments

Professional sports teams

Performing arts organizations

13%

Estimated job growth rate for athletic trainers from 2023 to 2033⁴

Accreditation

Earn Your MSAT Degree From an Accredited University

The Master of Science in Athletic Training is currently accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education (CAATE), 2001 K Street NW, Third Floor North, Washington, DC 20006 USA. In addition to benefitting from programmatic accreditation, you will also be attending an institutionally accredited university.

The Higher Learning Commission has continually accredited GCU since 1968. The College of Nursing and Health Care Professions shares the university’s commitment to upholding the principles and standards established by our accrediting bodies. Institutional accreditation is a reflection of our commitment to providing quality education and comprehensive curriculum for our students.

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

Athletic trainers tend to have a passion for both science and helping people heal. If you think athletic training is the career for you, GCU has prepared answers to your most frequently asked questions about the degree program with the intent of helping you reach your career goals.

Every athletic training degree has specific eligibility requirements such as a required GPA or course-specific grade requirements. One prerequisite for this degree program is an undergraduate degree in a related major. A bachelor’s degree curriculum may also provide the opportunity to build out-of-classroom experiences and pursue related volunteer opportunities.

The athletic training field is poised for growth in the foreseeable future. According to the BLS, the estimated job growth rate for athletic trainers from 2023 to 2033 is 13%, much faster than average.⁴Additionally, athletic trainers can now pursue employment across a wider range of settings. Aside from sports organizations, athletic trainers may apply to jobs in occupational care, performing arts and many other settings.⁵

While these both have a focus on athletic health, they work differently within the industry. Sports medicine is a medical discipline that focuses on treating athletes with sport-related injuries. Meanwhile, athletic trainers help create plans to rehabilitate athletes, prevent sport-related injuries and often work on-the-spot to assist athletes during sporting events.

Physical therapists and athletic trainers require different schooling and credentials. However, you may be able to apply for physical therapy school with an undergraduate athletic training degree, provided that it meets the physical therapy school’s admission requirements. Alternatively, you might consider earning a Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science with an Emphasis in Pre-Physical Therapy degree. You will need to earn your doctoral degree in physical therapy to practice as a physical therapist.⁶

Courses

Course List

Credit Summary

Major65 credits

Degree Requirements65 credits

Core Courses

ATP-500

2 Total Credits

Course Description

This course provides students with an introduction to the foundations of professional athletic training practice. Students learn about the various health professions that comprise the sports medicine team and the appropriate communication strategies in patient care. These concepts are rooted in rules, regulations, and profession documents that comprise the athletic trainer’s scope of practice and standards of care. Students also learn about injury and illness prevention strategies such as health and wellness, nutrition, athletic taping and bracing, and sports regulations (NCAA, NAIA, etc.). Lastly, students learn about the Core Competencies: patient-centered care, interprofessional education (IPE), evidence-based practice, quality improvement, and health care informatics. Prerequisite: Formal acceptance into the MS – Athletic Training program. Co-Requisite: ATP-500L.

ATP-500L

1 Total Credits

Course Description

This lab complements and supports the principles taught in the lecture course. This course encompasses: the principles of health and wellness, injury and illness prevention basics, nutrition planning, taping, bracing and padding for the extremities and spine, communication strategies in sports medicine, and sports-specific equipment fitting. Prerequisite: Formal acceptance into the MS – Athletic Training program. Co-Requisite: ATP-500.

ATP-510

4 Total Credits

Course Description

This course provides foundational knowledge in general evaluation skills for an athletic trainer. This course also provides knowledge, skills, and assessment techniques for general medical conditions and associated pathologies of the physically active, as well as information applicable to athletes, coaches, and athletic trainers of all levels. The systems instructed in this course are: Respiratory, Cardiovascular, Abdominal, Genitourinary, Gynecologic, Reproductive, Neurology and Concussions, Ears, Eyes, Nose, Throat, Infectious Disease, Systemic Conditions, Dermatology, and an Introduction to Psychosocial Conditions.

ATP-515

3 Total Credits

Course Description

This course includes the study of the proper techniques for managing patients with acute or emergent conditions. Students learn to perform a primary and secondary survey, as well as triage medical emergencies. Skills and knowledge instructed in this course include establishing and maintaining an airway, maintaining neutral spine alignment with an athlete wearing protective equipment, wound management, immobilization, management of shock, anaphylaxis, mental health emergencies, transfer techniques including spine boarding, core body temperature, and caring for athletes with systemic conditions. All this content is founded in the development of an Emergency Action Plan. Prerequisite: Formal acceptance into the MS – Athletic Training program. Co-Requisite: ATP-515L.

ATP-515L

1 Total Credits

Course Description

This lab complements and supports the principles taught in the lecture course. This course encompasses: establishing and maintaining an airway, maintaining neutral spine alignment with an athlete wearing protective equipment, wound management, immobilization, management of shock, anaphylaxis, mental health emergencies, transfer techniques including spine boarding, core body temperature, and caring for athletes with systemic conditions. Prerequisite: Formal acceptance into the MS – Athletic Training program. Co-Requisite: ATP-515.

ATP-511

3 Total Credits

Course Description

This course provides students with the specific knowledge and practical skills required to perform proper orthopedic evaluations. Students learn to palpate body and soft tissue structures, and perform active, passive, and resistive range of motion testing, neurological testing, and special ligament tests for the major synovial joints in the body. The body regions that are taught in this course include: Foot/Toes, Ankle/Lower Leg, Knee, and Pelvis/Thigh. Students also learn appropriate documentation strategies for orthopedic evaluations. The evaluation process is rooted in the use of evidence-based practice and students learn the basics in the application of this concept while making clinical decisions. Prerequisite: Formal acceptance into the MS – Athletic Training program. Co-Requisite: ATP-511L.

ATP-511L

1 Total Credits

ATP-520

3 Total Credits

Course Description

This course is a study of various therapeutic modalities that aid in the healing process of injuries. Students learn the theories of pain relief and management, the phases of the healing process, and the viscoelastic properties of tissue. These concepts are woven into each of the electrophysical agents taught in this course such as manual therapies, electrical stimulation, cryotherapy, thermotherapy, ultrasound, diathermy, LASER, and other contemporary modalities. The course also covers treatment planning, goal setting, and the appropriate prescription of therapeutic agents. Prerequisite: ATP-500. Co-Requisite: ATP-520L.

ATP-520L

1 Total Credits

ATP-540

2 Total Credits

ATP-551C

3 Total Credits

Course Description

This course provides a clinical setting in which athletic training students clinically apply and demonstrate proficiency in athletic training skills. Students are assigned to a preceptor who provides supervision daily through constant visual and auditory interaction, providing feedback to students on their progression. The mode of delivery is student-to-student demonstration and a clinical exam testing students' proficiency at a clinical site (high school, college, or professional) on real patients. The emphasis of this clinical is on developing critical thinking skills, reasonable clinical decision making and clinical competency in emergency response, general medical evaluations, injury prevention strategies, lower extremity evaluations, and therapeutic modalities. Clinical hours: 135.

ATP-512

3 Total Credits

Course Description

This course builds on the knowledge and skills from ATP-511. This course provides students with the specific knowledge and practical skills required to perform proper orthopedic evaluations. Students learn to palpate body and soft tissue structures, and perform active, passive, and resistive range of motion testing, neurological testing, and special ligament tests for the major synovial joints in the body. The body regions that are taught in this course include: Fingers, Hand, Wrist, Forearm, Elbow, Upper Arm, Shoulder, and Spine. Students also learn appropriate documentation strategies for orthopedic evaluations. The evaluation process is rooted in the use of evidence-based practice and students learn the basics in the application of this concept while making clinical decisions. Prerequisite: ATP-511. Co-Requisite: ATP-512L.

ATP-512L

1 Total Credits

ATP-521

3 Total Credits

Course Description

This course covers the specific and applied use of manual therapies and therapeutic exercises. Students are introduced to the principles of rehabilitation, including, exercise prescription, injury prevention programs, clinical evaluation, collecting and analyzing patient-rated outcome measures to make clinical decisions, and developing a plan of care, to include objective return to play criteria. Students in this course are prepared to work with members of the sports medicine team, through interprofessional collaboration, to optimize patient-centered care, function, and return to play. This course has a foundation in the ICF model to guide patient care to address all contextual and personal factors in the rehabilitation process. Prerequisite: ATP-520. Co-Requisite: ATP-521L.

ATP-521L

1 Total Credits

Course Description

This lab complements and supports the principles taught in the lecture course. This course encompasses the principles of rehabilitation, including exercise prescription, injury prevention programs, clinical evaluation, collecting and analyzing patient-rated outcome measures to make clinical decisions, and developing a plan of care that includes objective return-to-play criteria. Prerequisite: ATP-520. Co-Requisite: ATP-521.

ATP-530

2 Total Credits

Course Description

This course introduces the student to statistics and research design in medicine. Students learn how to identify clinical and research problems. The main purpose of the Research Methods and Design and Statistics for Athletic Trainers course is to introduce students to quantitative and qualitative methods for conducting meaningful inquiry and research. Students gain an overview of research formulation, specifically: design, methodology, format, data management, data analysis, and data presentation. The course helps students develop the ability to use this knowledge to become more effective sports medicine researchers. This course also teaches students about: injury and illness surveillance systems and public data sources, incidence and prevalence rates, screening data, and patterns and trends in epidemiology. This course is an introduction to basic public health concepts and will be scaffolded upon later in the program.

ATP-552C

3 Total Credits

Course Description

This course provides a clinical setting in which athletic training students clinically apply and demonstrate proficiency in athletic training skills. Students are assigned to a preceptor who provides supervision daily through constant visual and auditory interaction, providing feedback to students on their progression. The mode of delivery is student-to-student demonstration and a clinical exam testing students' proficiency at a clinical site (high school, college, or professional) on real patients. The emphasis of this clinical is on developing critical thinking skills, reasonable clinical decision making and clinical competency in upper extremity evaluations, orthopedic rehabilitation, and a review of skills from the previous clinical class. Clinical hours: 135.

ATP-610

3 Total Credits

Course Description

This course establishes a framework for health care administration and management, tasks and techniques required in athletic training, health care programs, the health care industry, and interscholastic and intercollegiate athletics. Students assess their personal and professional readiness for management and leadership and acquire skills necessary for effective administration and leadership within the industry. This knowledge and skills include: documentation in EHR/EMRs, leadership concepts, management (human resources, payor systems, budget, grant funding or other income sources), organizational concepts, facility design, scope of practice and legal aspects in sports medicine. This course also builds on the foundations in public health and includes topics such as advocacy groups, group interventions, public education on specific pathologies, population health, regional identification of health-related problems, and other advanced public health concepts. This course contains a culminating project that proposes a solution to an identified public health problem.

ATP-522

3 Total Credits

Course Description

This course examines current theories and practices of pharmacology as related to athletic training and sports medicine. Students learn about the drugs used to treat musculoskeletal injuries, respiratory conditions, cardiovascular system, GI disorders, metabolic disorders, and infectious diseases. This course also covers the FDA approval process, supplements and banned substances in international sport. The course also examines how to appropriately create a plan of care for a patient utilizing therapeutic modalities, rehabilitation, and pharmacologic interventions.

ATP-600C

4 Total Credits

Course Description

This clinical allows students to experience the totality of care rendered by an athletic trainer. Students are assigned to a preceptor who provides supervision daily through constant visual and auditory interaction, providing feedback to students on their progression. The mode of delivery is student-to-student demonstration and a clinical exam testing students' proficiency at a clinical site (high school, college, or professional) on real patients. Clinical hours: 180.

ATP-602

2 Total Credits

Course Description

In this course, learners propose their capstone project. This includes: Problem Statements, a PICO question, Methodology, Review of Relevant Literature, CITI Training, Formal Proposal, and IRB Submission (if applicable). This course culminates into the second research class in preparation for data collection, publications, professional abstract submission, and final capstone presentations.

ATP-601

2 Total Credits

Course Description

This course provides content in the recognition and management of mental health conditions, motivation of the athlete, and self-care strategies for the athletic trainer. This includes skills and knowledge in communication strategies, motivational techniques, appropriate referral strategies, intervention planning and mental health first response. Focus on the development and application of interpersonal communication strategies, motivational techniques, and referral strategies commonly used for psychosocial interventions in athletic training.

ATP-553C

6 Total Credits

Course Description

This course provides a clinical setting in which athletic training students clinically apply and demonstrate proficiency in athletic training skills. Students are assigned to a preceptor who provides supervision daily through constant visual and auditory interaction, providing feedback to students on their progression. The mode of delivery is student-to-student demonstration and a clinical exam testing students' proficiency at a clinical site (high school, college, or professional) on real patients. The emphasis of this clinical is on developing critical thinking skills, reasonable clinical decision making, clinical competency, and integration of knowledge and skills from all domains of athletic training. Clinical hours: 270.

ATP-603

2 Total Credits

ATP-620

2 Total Credits

ATP-554C

4 Total Credits

Course Description

This course provides a clinical setting in which athletic training students clinically apply and demonstrate proficiency in athletic training skills. Students are assigned to a preceptor who provides supervision daily through constant visual and auditory interaction, providing feedback to students on their progression. The mode of delivery is student-to-student demonstration and a clinical exam testing students' proficiency at a clinical site (high school, college, or professional) on real patients. The emphasis of this clinical is on developing critical thinking skills, reasonable clinical decision making, clinical competency, and integration of knowledge and skills from all domains of athletic training. Clinical hours: 180.

GCU cannot and will not promise job placement, a job, graduate school placement, transfer of GCU program credits to another institution, promotion, salary, or salary increase. Please see the Career Services Policy in the University Policy Handbook.
Please note that this list may contain programs and courses not presently offered, as availability may vary depending on class size, enrollment and other contributing factors. If you are interested in a program or course listed herein please first contact your University Counselor for the most current information regarding availability.
Please refer to the Academic Catalog for more information. Programs or courses subject to change

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¹U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. (2024, April 17). Athletic Trainers: Work Environment. Occupational Outlook Handbook. Retrieved Aug. 27, 2024.

²National Athletic Trainers’ Association. (n.d.). What Is Athletic Training? NATA. Retrieved Aug. 27, 2024.

³U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. (2024, April 17). How To Become an Athletic Trainer. Occupational Outlook Handbook. Retrieved Aug. 27, 2024.

⁴ COVID-19 has adversely affected the global economy and data from 2020 to 2023 may be atypical compared to prior years. Accordingly, data shown is effective September 2024, which can be found here: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Athletic Trainers, retrieved Oct. 29, 2024.

⁵Sitzler, B. (2023, March 21). The State of Employment for Athletic Trainers. National Athletic Trainers’ Association. Retrieved Aug. 28, 2024.

⁶U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. (2024, April 17). How To Become a Physical Therapist. Occupational Outlook Handbook. Retrieved Aug. 28, 2024.

Master of Science (MS) in Athletic Training

Master of Science (MS) in Athletic Training

Work Toward a Career in Injury Prevention and Rehabilitation

Master of Science in Athletic Training

Explore Your Passion For Sports and Health at GCU

Examine Core Concepts in Athletic Care

Take Athletic Training Courses on Campus

Prepare for Future Certification

MS in Athletic Training Program Admission

Critically Evaluate Foundational Knowledge

Explore Professional Skills and Gain Experience

Athletic Training Topics and Labs

Career Paths for MSAT Degree Graduates

13%

Earn Your MSAT Degree From an Accredited University

Frequently Asked Questions

Course List

Begin Your Athletic Training Journey

MS in Athletic Training Program Admission

Course List

Master of Science in Athletic Training

Athletic Training Topics and Labs

Career Paths for MSAT Degree Graduates

13%