The M.S. in Athletic Training is an entry-level professional program that prepares you to take the national Athletic Training Board of Certification exam. Certified athletic trainers are medical experts in preventing, recognizing, managing, and rehabilitating injuries that result from physical activity. Athletic training is recognized by the American Medical Association as an allied healthcare profession.
This program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education (CAATE).
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Professional athletic trainers use the latest advances in the field to prevent, diagnose, and treat injuries and to help clients maximize their physical performance. The academic study is rigorous. The pay-off can be a great career in sports medicine and the opportunity to help others on a daily basis
Certified Athletic Trainers (ATCs) work in athletic departments, hospitals, clinics, sports, industry, the military, and wherever people are physically active. Build a foundation in sciences and practice your skills in the university athletic training room. Graduate fully prepared to sit for the National Athletic Training Board of Certification exam.
Note: If you want to be admitted to the Athletic Training MS, you must apply and be accepted to the Department of Athletic Training program in addition to being admitted to the university.
To receive a master’s degree at Northern Arizona University, you must complete a planned group of courses from one or more subject areas, consisting of at least 30 units of graduate-level courses. Many master’s degree programs require more than 30 units.
You must additionally complete:
Read the full policy here.
In addition to University Requirements:
| Minimum Units for Completion | 58 |
| Additional Admission Requirements | Individual program admission requirements over and above admission to NAU are required. |
| Fieldwork Experience/Internship | Required |
| Comprehensive Exam | Comprehensive Exam may be required by chosen emphasis or offered as an option. |
| Research | Individualized research may be required by chosen emphasis or offered as an option. |
| Additional Fees/Program Fees | Required |
| Some online/blended coursework | Required |
| Progression Plan Link | View Program of Study |
Purpose Statement
The purpose of the Athletic Training graduate program is to prepare students to work with physically active individuals in a variety of settings to provide injury prevention and care services. To succeed in this, we emphasize both classroom (didactic) and clinical education every semester in our program. This provides our students with not only the necessary knowledge and skills to become Athletic Trainers, but also the practice to perfect their skills prior to becoming nationally certified. Our program is tailored toward students who want to be involved in both healthcare and sports, working with athletes to both prevent injuries and to provide a continuum of care to get them back to participation after injury.
Mission Statement
The mission of the Athletic Training Master’s Degree Program at Northern Arizona University is to provide a student centered graduate learning experience that effectively links didactic and clinical education in the prevention, evaluation, treatment, and rehabilitation of athletic injuries. The program faculty promote professional and ethical conduct, encourage professional leadership, prepare students to be successful on the national Board of Certification (BOC) examination, and strive to produce competent and confident Athletic Trainers prepared for a career in athletic training.
Student Learning Outcomes
Outcomes align with Standards from the National Athletic Trainers’ Association
Evidence-Based Practice
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Individual program admission requirements over and above admission to NAU are required.
The NAU graduate online application is required for all programs. Admission to many graduate programs is on a competitive basis, and programs may have higher standards than those established by the Graduate College.
Admission requirements include the following:
Visit the NAU Graduate Admissions website for additional information about graduate school application deadlines, eligibility for study, and admissions policies.
Ready to apply? Begin your application now.
International applicants have additional admission requirements. Please see the International Graduate Admissions Policy.
*Students may take AT 229, Emergency Care in Athletic Training, on the NAU Flagstaff Mountain Campus during the summer after acceptance to become CPR certified.
Upon admission, we require that students have a physical exam by a physician of their choice; show proof of immunization for hepatitis B, measles, mumps, rubella, tetanus, and diphtheria; and attest that they meet the technical standards established by our program and by the Northern Arizona University's Disability Support Services.
For more information details on individual program admission requirements, please visit Admission Requirements - Master of Science in Athletic Training.
Take the following 58 units with a grade of "C" or better:
Select one from:
ORThe Graduate College requires a minimum of a 3.0 cumulative GPA and no more than 6 hours of “C” while in the program, in order to graduate. You should be aware that you may be placed on probation if your grade point average falls below a 3.00, or if you receive a grade lower than a "C" in any course required for the program. If you are on probation, you will be assigned limited or no clinical experience.
Teacher Preparation
If you plan to teach in the high school setting, you should pursue a bachelor’s degree in Secondary Education - Biology. You must work with an advisor from the College of Engineering, Forestry and Natural Sciences to fulfill the requirements of this degree. See Biology Advising.
Be aware that some courses may have prerequisites that you must also successfully complete. For prerequisite information, click on the course or see your advisor.
Program fees are established by the Arizona Board of Regents (ABOR). A program fee of $2000 per year has been approved for this program on the Flagstaff Mountain Campus and a program fee of $3000 per year for the Phoenix Biomedical campus.