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 1^st and the final deadline is May 1^st 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, 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. For any questions about these prerequisite courses contact the department. Applicants enter all of their prerequisite courses directly on their 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	FUNCTIONAL ANATOMY and EXERCISE TESTING AND PRESCRIPTION and BIOMECHANICS	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
CHEM 162 & 162L	ORGANIC CHEMISTRY FOR THE HEALTH SCIENCES and ORGANIC CHEMISTRY LABORATORY FOR THE HEALTH SCIENCES
or CHEM 163	BIOCHEMISTRY FOR THE HEALTH SCIENCES
EXSC 420	PRINCIPLES OF PROGRAM DESIGN FOR SPECIAL POPULATIONS
EXSC 455	RESEARCH AND ANALYSIS
PHED 193	STANDARD FIRST AID AND SAFETY
PHED 335	STRENGTH AND CONDITIONING PROLAB
PHED 452	ADAPTED PHYSICAL EDUCATION
PHYS 132	INTRODUCTORY PHYSICS II
or PHYS 133	INTRODUCTORY PHYSICS III
TCOM 205	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 I	4
ATTR 502	PATHOLOGIES IN ATHLETIC TRAINING	5
ATTR 503	ORTHOPEDIC EVALUATION I	5
ATTR 504	ORTHOPEDIC EVALUATION II	5
ATTR 505	FOUNDATIONS IN ATHLETIC TRAINING II	2
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	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 554	ATHLETIC TRAINING IN SPECIAL POPULATIONS	2
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 587	IMMERSIVE PRACTICUM I	4
ATTR 588	CLINICAL PRACTICUM (must be repeated 2+2+2+2)	8
ATTR 589	IMMERSIVE PRACTICUM II	5
ATTR 590	ATHLETIC TRAINING CAPSTONE	4
Total Credits		85

Students who earn an MS in Athletic Training from EWU should be able to:​

• 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.