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A group of students simulate a situation in which they will use their knowledge as Athletic Trainers. In the picture, two students assist another to a bed where a nurse is waiting to help.

Athletic Training, M.S.

Prepare for a Successful Career as a Qualified Health Care Professional for the Physically Active
Athletic Training Program Overview

About the Program

The UNCW Athletic Training Program is a limited access program designed to prepare students for a successful career as a qualified health care professional, educated and experienced in the management of health care problems associated with the physically active. The Master of Science in Athletic Training (MSAT) will prepare entry-level professionals to enter the field of Athletic Training. The degree is built around 60 credit hours of required coursework to satisfy the eligibility requirements for the students to sit for the national Board of Certification examination.

Graduates from the program establish successful careers as athletic trainers in secondary schools, colleges and universities, professional sports programs, sports medicine clinics, and other athletic health care settings.

Clinical Education

The UNCW Athletic Training Program uses more than nine clinical sites and 17 preceptors at facilities throughout New Hanover County. The clinical education component of the UNCW Athletic Training Program is designed to provide “real life” learning opportunities for students in addition to classroom and laboratory experiences.

Clinical education is encompassed within six clinical courses totaling 18 credit hours. Within each course, students are assigned to supervising preceptors throughout the community. The clinical courses also require immersive experiences which are practice-intensive experiences that allows the student to experience the totality of care provided by athletic trainers.

Students must participate in the day-to-day and week-to-week role of an athletic trainer. These experiences will be outlined within each clinical course’s syllabus. ATR 503 is a unique clinical course as it is a completely immersive experience occurring during the summer.

Learn To

Be prepared for an entry-level position in Athletic Training in a variety of settings with a wide range of athletic populations

Demonstrate specific knowledge in the field of Athletic Training as demonstrated by passing the national Board of Certification (BOC, Inc.) examination for athletic trainers

Be recognized as prepared for entry-level positions or advanced study in Athletic Training by external constituencies, program faculty, potential employers and self-evaluation

Find ready employment in the field of Athletic Training

Find your career in:

Clinically supervise undergraduate students in the athletic training program while providing athletic training services to intercollegiate and interscholastic athletics. (Source)

Specialize in the management, prevention and recovery of injured professional athletes.

Treat anyone who is physically active to help them improve performance, enhance overall health, prevent injury and maintain their physical activity throughout their lives. (Source)

Carry out patrols and answer calls for service or help.

A student lays on his back while another student stands over him and assists by stretching his leg.

Sample Courses

Table shows sample courses for the M.S. in Athletic Training
ATR 510 Foundational Skills in Athletic Training
ATR 515 Anatomical Basis of Clinical Practice in Athletic Training
ATR 545 Nutrition and Health Promotion Across the Lifespan
ATR 535 Therapeutic Exercise
ATR 540 Spine, Posture and Movement Assessment
See The Full Curriculum

How do I apply?

  • Meet the technical standards for admission or show potential for accomplished tasks
  • Undergraduate degree from a regionally accredited college or university
  • Minimum of 3.0 GPA from undergraduate coursework
  • Personal statement in 1000 words or less describing primary career goals, most direct influence on choice to become an athletic trainer, your attributes related to the field of athletic training, and why you should be selected to the Athletic Training major
  • Three letters of recommendation
  • Personal interview with the UNCW Athletic Training faculty and staff (via Zoom or in person)
  • Must complete a secondary application with ATCAS

Admission Deadlines & Requirements

Information: M.S. Athletic Training

Apply Now

  • Complete applications are reviewed for admission by the program as they are received.
  • All application and supporting documents must be received by the published deadline.

Coordinator:

Location/Delivery Method:

  • Main Campus

Deadlines (11:59 p.m. EST)

  • Summer II 2025:
    • Priority Deadline: December 1, 2024
    • Space Available Deadline: May 1, 2025

Transcripts

  • One official transcript is required from each U.S. post-secondary institution attended. Refer to the Getting Started page for international transcript instructions. (Retrieved from ATCAS)

Test Scores

  • None Required

Recommendations

  • 3 letters of recommendation (Retrieved from ATCAS)

Additional Requirements

  1. ATCAS Secondary Application: Must complete a secondary application with ATCAS.
    ATCAS
  2. Personal statement (Upload into ATCAS): Personal statement in 1000 words or less describing primary career goals, most direct influence on choice to become an Athletic Trainer, your attributes related to the field of Athletic Training, and why you should be selected to the Athletic Training major.
  3. Interview:  Personal interview with the UNCW Athletic Training faculty and staff (via Zoom or in person).
  4. Recommendations (Retrieved from ATCAS): Three letters of recommendation.
  5. Prerequisite Courses: Applicants must demonstrate completion of prerequisite courses (Uploaded into ATCAS) with a minimum grade of "C" of at least one course at the undergraduate or graduate levels in each of the following subject areas: Human Anatomy & Physiology I and II (labs ARE required) or 1 semester of Human Anatomy and 1 semester of Human Physiology, General Chemistry I (lab preferred not required), General Physics I (lab preferred not required), General Biology I (lab preferred not required), Medical Terminology, Exercise Physiology, General Psychology, Biomechanics/Kinesiology (recommended not required), and Technical Writing (recommended not required).
  6. Note: UNCW Graduate School will retrieve all supplemental materials from ATCAS.

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