Master of Science in Athletic Training (MSAT)
Tarleton State University’s Master of Science in Athletic Training (MSAT) degree offers an entry-level graduate program that leads to athletic trainer certification and licensure. Following a two-year cohort model, the Master’s in Athletic Training program admits 15 students each year who will serve and lead in their communities, as well as around the world.
As a Tarleton graduate student in the MSAT degree program, you have opportunities to look beyond yourself, be part of a team, and discover how to impact the greater health care community. As you progress through the curriculum, you are challenged to think more deeply, be creative, and build connections in order to make impactful changes in your future athletic trainer career.
What is Athletic Training?
Athletic training is an allied health care profession focusing on muscle and bone injury prevention, assessment, treatment, and rehabilitation. As expert medical professionals, athletic trainers are a key member of a health care team.
Tarleton’s program is among the most affordable athletic training degrees in Texas. The job market for athletic trainers in the state is vast, and graduates successfully pursue careers as athletic trainers in sports medicine, training facilities at high schools and colleges, performing arts, industrial settings, and even the military.
What can you do with your master’s degree in Athletic Training?
Our Master’s in Athletic Training develops students’ clinical decision-making skills by utilizing evidence-based practice. In recent years, 84% of Tarleton graduate students taking the Board of Certification exam have passed, with more than half earning their athletic training certification on the first try.
After earning your MSAT degree and passing the Board of Certification exam, you have the qualifications to spark your career as an athletic trainer. You may also choose to continue your education with a fellowship for doctoral degree programs in athletic training, kinesiology, or recreational therapy. In addition, the clinical training provided during your master’s degree offers connections to other allied health professions such as occupational therapy.
Careers in Athletic Training
Most Tarleton MSAT graduates work in high schools, clinics, or universities. Athletic trainers have also found career opportunities with military branches, hospitals, performing arts organizations, rodeos, industrial corporations, and entertainment companies.
Our large alumni network in athletic training, coaching, and sports medicine provides networking and job opportunities for our graduate students. Many clinical sites have hired graduates from our master’s in athletic training program who, in turn, provide additional clinical experiences for our students.
Estimated Completion
2 years including summers, with a May completion date
MSAT Full Course Sequence
5 year BS/MSAT Track
BS/MSAT Course Sequence
Application Process
Cost
Locations Available
Department
College
MSAT Student Resources
CAATE Outcomes
Check out our CAATE Program outcomes!
How much do MSAT graduates make?
The median annual wage for nationally certified athletic trainers in Texas is $60,000, according to the 2018 NATA Annual Salary Survey. The annual wage for athletic trainers across the entire country is $51,000, according to the same survey.
Learn more about graduate studies at Tarleton!
Why study Athletic Training?
At Tarleton, the Master’s in Athletic Training program combines classroom and clinical experiences to develop your knowledge and provide you with hands-on skill development. Our faculty are national certified athletic trainers with diverse clinical experience who care about your success. They are leaders in the field who offer expert instruction in small, personable classes.
You will conduct and implement solutions for real-world problems in a health care setting. Local clinical experiences on campus may be with Tarleton or other collegiate and high school athletics, Tarleton Corps of Cadets and Army ROTC, emergency medical services and clinics for orthopedics, family practice, or sports rehabilitation.
At Tarleton, we want you to be an excellent clinical athletic trainer, as well as an active member in local and global communities. Our graduate students are engaged in service learning every semester, with opportunities to learn in non-traditional settings, including military and industrial settings.
The student organization for athletic trainers on campus hosts a homecoming tailgate with alumni, participates in recreational sports, fundraises to attend conferences, and more. You could also assist with service activities on campus and in the community, such as local 5K races, the DFW Susan G Komen 3-Day Walk, and the Tarleton Halloween carnival.
Accreditation
Tarleton’s CAATE-accredited Master of Science in Athletic Training degree comprehensively prepares you to become a certified athletic trainer.
Earn Program Scholarships or Qualify for Financial Aid
We award program scholarships to select Athletic Training graduate students through the Harris Methodist Sports Medicine Award and the Texan Sports Medicine Association Award. You may also be able to get help with covering other program costs, such as study abroad and travel to professional conferences. Tarleton also offers a variety of opportunities for federal financial aid and general university or private scholarships.
Student Resources
Jumpstart your career as an athletic trainer. This accelerated degree program allows students to earn a BS in Kinesiology with an Athletic Training concentration and a Master of Science in Athletic Training within five years.
A dedicated Athletic Training Lab exposes graduate students to traditional modalities, manual therapy techniques, and laser and light therapy. Other campus facilities offering additional opportunities to practice include the Nursing High-Fidelity Simulation Lab, Clinical Exercise and Research Facility, Laboratory for Wellness and Motor Behavior, and Kinetic Performance Lab.
Tarleton's Sports Medicine News offers community updates such as National AT Month events and Western Athletic Conference awards. Student involvement with professional organizations and attending conferences is strongly encouraged. Our award-winning alumni have recognition in Dallas/Fort Worth, Houston, Austin, Lubbock, and nationwide. Grow your network before you begin your career!
MSAT Admissions Overview
- Submit ATCAS application for Tarleton MSAT including the following:
a. Official Transcripts
b. Contact information for two references (prefer one AT & one college professor)
c. Personal statement (guiding questions are included in the online application)
d. Course Description Completion Form
e. Documentation of at least 50 observation hours with a credentialed athletic trainer
f. Resume - When instructed, submit Tarleton School of Graduate Studies application.
- Priority Interview Dates: December 12 or January 8. Further dates will be added as needed
What master’s degree programs are related to Athletic Training?
Tarleton’s MS in Athletic Training focuses on sports medicine and clinical practice, while the MS in Kinesiology program offers concentrations that lead to careers in exercise science or sport administration.
Earn your MSAT Degree at Tarleton
Tarleton’s Master of Science in Athletic Training program provides the hands-on skills to become an athletic trainer as well as the in-depth knowledge to pass professional certification exams. The rewarding career path of an athletic trainer allows you to support athletes at all levels in injury prevention and recovery.
Request information to learn more about earning your Master’s in Athletic Training at Tarleton.