Athletic Training, Master of Science (MS)
The Master of Science in Athletic Training (MSAT) program at Eastern Washington University is designed to produce intelligent, dedicated, and motivated health care professionals who will work competently with diverse populations in a variety of athletic training and sports medicine settings. To complete this goal, the program will provide students with periods of full-time clinical engagement; a strong foundation in scientific knowledge including prevention, diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation of injuries and illness; and opportunities to work side by side with a variety of faculty and staff in a variety of educational and clinical settings.
The program is nationally accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education (CAATE) with our next accreditation cycle occurring in the 2027-28 academic year.
Degree Completion
Eastern Washington University's Department of Wellness and Movement Sciences in the College of Health Science & Public Health offers two paths for completion of the Master of Science in Athletic Training degree.
A 3+2 Dual-Degree Option where students first complete all requirements for graduation from the Exercise Science: Pre-Athletic Training option, and then apply during their third or Junior year to transition into the Master of Science in Athletic Training program. This is an intensive full-time format that integrates coursework and clinical experience and it is recommended that students interested in the 3+2 degree option meet frequently with their Exercise Science faculty advisor and also contact the Athletic Training faculty prior to the application process. This degree option provides eligibility and excellent preparation for national certification through the BOC.
A 2-Year Single-Degree Option where students that have already completed their bachelor's degree at Eastern or another accredited institution, can complete the Master of Science in Athletic Training program in a full-time format that integrates coursework and clinical experience and provide students with eligibility and excellent preparation for national certification through the BOC.
The College of Health Science & Public Health also offers:
A Dual Degree in Physical Therapy and Athletic Training: This option allows students to earn both a Doctorate in Physical Therapy (DPT) and a Master of Science in Athletic Training (MSAT). Students completing this program receive two separate degrees and are eligible to sit for certification in both professions. If students elect to complete only one degree at any point in the program, they must then meet all requirements for that individual degree. Students interested in this dual degree program option should contact the Athletic Training faculty prior to the application process for more information.
Admission to the program is based upon evaluation of the student's entire application, including: their academic record, signed statement of ability to meet the Program Technical Standards, completion of prerequisite courses, professional references and a written essay. First review of applications begins February 1st and the final deadline is May 1st each year. The number of applicants may exceed the number of students that can be admitted to the program; therefore, no assurance can be given that all applicants admitted to the university and who complete the application requirements, will be admitted to the MSAT program. For further information regarding the application process, please call 509.359.2427.
Prerequisites
Prerequisite coursework may be taken at EWU or at any other accredited college, or university. At the time of application, applicants must have completed at least three of the prerequisite courses listed below, and it’s highly recommended that anatomy and physiology be among them. All prerequisites must be taken for credit (not through certificate programs).
All prerequisites must be completed satisfactorily prior to entering the program. If you have any questions about these prerequisite courses, please contact us. Please enter all of your prerequisite courses directly on your MSAT application.
Application Requirements
- must have completed a minimum of 25 hours working, volunteering, or shadowing with a BOC certified athletic trainer in a high school, college, or professional setting. Preference will be given to applicants that provide proof of AT observations occurring at various healthcare sites and with different athletic trainers;
- must provide a copy of current First Aid and CPR/AED certification;
- must have a cumulative GPA ≥3.0 in a bachelor's degree;
- must earn a minimum grade ≥C in each Human Anatomy and Physiology and Kinesiology course.
| Prerequisite coursework (EWU course equivalents listed) | ||
| Students must have completed a series (full academic year) of the following (minimum grade ≥C). | ||
| BIOL 232 & BIOL 233 & BIOL 234 | HUMAN ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY NON-BIOL MAJORS and HUMAN ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY NON-BIOL MAJORS and HUMAN ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY NON-BIOL MAJORS | 15 |
| PHED 349 & PHED 350 & PHED 352 | ANATOMICAL KINESIOLOGY and PHYSIOLOGICAL KINESIOLOGY and MECHANICAL KINESIOLOGY | 12 |
| Students must have completed these courses (minimum grade ≥C). | ||
| CHEM 171 | GENERAL CHEMISTRY I | 4 |
| or HONS 171 | GENERAL CHEMISTRY I | |
| or CHEM 161 & 161L | GENERAL CHEMISTRY FOR THE HEALTH SCIENCES and GENERAL CHEMISTRY LABORATORY FOR THE HEALTH SCIENCES | |
| CSBS 320 | STATISTICS FOR THE SOCIAL SCIENCES | 5 |
| PHED 256 | MEDICAL TERMINOLOGY | 2 |
| PHED 372 | APPLIED NUTRITION AND PHYSICAL FITNESS | 3 |
| PHYS 131 & PHYS 161 | INTRODUCTORY PHYSICS I and MECHANICS LABORATORY (MATH 142 prerequisite) | 5 |
| PSYC 100 | GENERAL PSYCHOLOGY | 5 |
| or PSYC 302 | ABNORMAL PSYCHOLOGY | |
| Students must have completed five of the following courses (minimum grade ≥C). | 15-25 | |
| ORGANIC CHEMISTRY FOR THE HEALTH SCIENCES and ORGANIC CHEMISTRY LABORATORY FOR THE HEALTH SCIENCES | ||
or CHEM 163 | BIOCHEMISTRY FOR THE HEALTH SCIENCES | |
| PRINCIPLES OF PROGRAM DESIGN FOR SPECIAL POPULATIONS | ||
| RESEARCH AND ANALYSIS | ||
| STANDARD FIRST AID AND SAFETY | ||
| STRENGTH AND CONDITIONING PROLAB | ||
| ADAPTED PHYSICAL EDUCATION | ||
| INTRODUCTORY PHYSICS II | ||
or PHYS 133 | INTRODUCTORY PHYSICS III | |
| INTRODUCTION TO TECHNICAL COMMUNICATION | ||
| Total Credits | 66-76 | |
| Degree Requirements | ||
must earn a minimum grade ≥B in each ATTR required course | ||
must have a minimum cumulative GPA ≥3.0 for each quarter while in program | ||
must complete, present professionally, and submit for publication a comprehensive research project | ||
must be a member of the National Athletic Trainer’s Association | ||
must complete all program requirements | ||
must sit for the BOCs national examination | ||
failure to comply with the above standards will prohibit degree eligibility | ||
| Required Courses | ||
| ATTR 501 | FOUNDATIONS IN ATHLETIC TRAINING | 5 |
| ATTR 502 | PATHOLOGIES IN ATHLETIC TRAINING | 5 |
| ATTR 503 | ORTHOPEDIC EVALUATION I | 5 |
| ATTR 504 | ORTHOPEDIC EVALUATION II | 5 |
| ATTR 511 | THERAPEUTIC MODALITIES | 5 |
| ATTR 512 | REHABILITATION I | 3 |
| ATTR 513 | REHABILITATION II | 2 |
| ATTR 514 | ADVANCED TECHNIQUES IN ATHLETIC TRAINING | 3 |
| ATTR 521 | EVIDENCE-BASED PRACTICE I | 2 |
| ATTR 522 | EVIDENCE-BASED PRACTICE II | 2 |
| ATTR 523 | EVIDENCE-BASED PRACTICE III | 2 |
| ATTR 531 | ATHLETIC TRAINING PRACTICE SEMINAR I | 2 |
| ATTR 532 | ATHLETIC TRAINING PRACTICE SEMINAR II | 2 |
| ATTR 533 | ATHLETIC TRAINING PRACTICE SEMINAR III | 2 |
| ATTR 551 | SPECIAL TOPICS IN ATHLETIC TRAINING I | 3 |
| ATTR 552 | SPECIAL TOPICS IN ATHLETIC TRAINING II | 3 |
| ATTR 561 | MEDICAL CONDITIONS IN ATHLETIC TRAINING | 4 |
| ATTR 562 | PHARMACOLOGY IN ATHLETIC TRAINING | 2 |
| ATTR 563 | HEALTH CARE ADMINISTRATION | 4 |
| ATTR 564 | PSYCHOSOCIAL STRATEGIES IN ATHLETIC TRAINING | 4 |
| ATTR 588 | CLINICAL PRACTICUM (must be repeated 1+2+2+2+1+2+2+2) | 14 |
| ATTR 601 | PROFESSIONAL PROJECT (must be repeated 2+2+2) | 6 |
| Total Credits | 85 | |
Students who successfully earn a Master of Science in Athletic Training from EWU should be able to do the following:
- gain an understanding and demonstrate experience in being good citizens both in the community and in their professional organization;
- gain clinical experiences in a variety of service learning settings that will allow them to be prepared to work in the diverse opportunities found within the field of Athletic Training;
- gain the basic knowledge, understanding and skills needed to work competently as an entry level Certified Athletic Trainer as well as to contribute to the knowledge base in the field of Athletic Training.