Master of Science in
Athletic Training

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About

The Master of Science in Athletic Training (MSAT) program at EWU is designed to produce intelligent, dedicated, and motivated health care professionals who will be able to 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.

For more information, contact the MSAT Program Director, Dr. Garth Babcock at gbabcock@ewu.edu or 509.359.2427. You may also contact the MSAT Clinical Coordinator, Dr. Parry Gerber at jgerber2@ewu.edu.

Application Process Curriculum & Requirements

Application Process

Please complete the following in preparation for application to the MSAT program. The application portal will open on November 3, 2023.

  1. A short essay that describes:
    1. How you became interested in becoming a certified athletic trainer?
    2. What makes you passionate about the field of athletic training?
      Note: Your response should be no longer than 1000 words.
  2. A professional resumé
    1. Include your education history and relevant experience
  3. Three letters of recommendation
    1. One from the ATC who supervised at least part of your observation hours.
    2. One from a previous instructor or professor who can attest to your academic performance.
    3. One from a person who can attest to your character. This person cannot be related to you.
  4. Provide proof of having completed a First Aid and BLS/AED certification within the past 4 years.
  5. An official transcript indicating a cumulative GPA in a Bachelors Degree of ≥B.
  6. Hours Verification Form.
    Indicating completion of 25 hours working, volunteering, or shadowing with a BOC-certified athletic trainer in a high school, college, or professional setting.  Note: preference will be given to applicants who provide proof of AT observations occurring at various healthcare sites and with different athletic trainers.
  7. The completed MSAT Technical Standards (Essential Functions).
  8. The completed Prerequisite Course Self Audit.
    Our prerequisite coursework follows the national guidelines as stated by CAATE: “The professional program requires prerequisite classes in biology, chemistry, physics, psychology, anatomy, and physiology at the postsecondary level.”

    1. Note that some biomechanics and/or kinesiology courses may meet the physics requirement if the course content is comparable to an introductory-level physics course. These will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.
    2. While these are the minimum course requirements, applicants who exceed these minimum standards by having completed additional courses as listed will be given a higher priority of acceptance during the application process.

  • Complete the EWU Graduate School Application
    1. Select Athletic Training (MSAT) from the options
  • Review of the applications will begin February 1 and end May 15
  • Submit all pre-application documents and official transcripts

Note: The MSAT Program does not require GRE or GMAT scores.

Apply Now

  1. Beginning February 1, applications will be reviewed and notification of acceptance will follow.
  2. You will be informed of the program’s enrollment decision no later than the last week of June.
  3. The MSAT faculty will notify those selected for admission utilizing the email address you provided on your application.

  1. If you are selected for admission, you will have one week to accept or reject your admission offer.
    1. Accept or reject the enrollment offer by completing and returning your acceptance letter via email.
  2. If you accept your enrollment, you will receive an email detailing program requirements that must be provided by the first day of class. These include, but are not limited to:
    1. Physical exam
    2. Official immunization records
    3. Criminal background check
    4. Drug test (optional, but may affect your clinical placement choices)

The Eastern Washington University Athletic Training is currently accepting applications for the 2024-25 admissions cycle.

We welcome applications with the following eligibility requirements:

  • Bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited university or completion of the pre-Athletic Training program at Eastern Washington University
  • A calculated GPA of at least 3.0 in the last 90 quarter or 60 semester-graded post-secondary credits
  • Current First Aid and CPR/AED certification
  • A minimum grade of ≥C in each Human Anatomy and Physiology and Kinesiology course completion of a minimum of 25 hours working, volunteering, or shadowing with a BOC-certified athletic trainer in a high school, college, or professional setting

Program Completion Options

Students have three options for entering and completing the MSAT program.

1. Dual-degree (BS+MSAT)

Students can select to complete a dual-degree (3+2 year) option. This option allows students to earn both a bachelor’s degree in Exercise Science: Pre-Athletic Training as well as a Master of Science in Athletic Training (MSAT). It is an intensive full-time format that integrates coursework and clinical experience and provides students with eligibility and excellent preparation for national certification.

2. Single Degree (MSAT Only)

Students that have already completed their bachelor’s degree can complete a single-degree (2-year) option for the Master of Science in Athletic Training that also includes a full-time format that integrates coursework and clinical experience and provides students eligibility and excellent preparation for national certification.

 

3. Dual-Degree (MSAT + DPT)

Eastern Washington University’s College of Health Science & Public Health offers a dual-degree program through which a student can earn both a Doctorate in Physical Therapy (DPT) and a Master of Science in Athletic Training (MSAT).

The typical route for entrance into the dual-degree program is as follows:

1.  A student applies for and is accepted into the DPT program.

2. The student applies for and is accepted into the MSAT program.  (An additional application fee should be waived)

3. The student then defers enrollment into the DPT program for one year.  The student attends the MSAT program for one year and then transitions into the DPT program.

4. Students completing this program receive two separate degrees.  If students elect to complete only one degree at any time in the program, they must then meet all  requirements for that individual degree.

Students interested in the dual-degree program option should contact the athletic training faculty prior to the application process for more information.

Program Costs

In addition to the general graduate tuition and fees, MSAT students are required to pay the following program costs:

ACTIVITYITEMCOSTRENEWAL
District ConferenceRegistration$100.00 (Early Bird)Yearly
Travel$50.00Yearly
Room and Board$150.00Yearly
LiabilityMarsh Inc.$80 / 2 yearsYearly
NATA MembershipCalendar Year$85.00Yearly
Background Check and
Drug Test		CastleBranch Inc.$77.00Covers 2 Years

Program Prerequisite Courses

Download and fill out the MSAT Self Audit Form to verify whether you meet our prerequisites.

Program Performance Data

  • BOC Pass Rate
  • Graduation Rate
  • Retention Rate
  • Employment/Placement RateCAATE Data Link

What You'll Learn

The following information comes from the official EWU catalog, which outlines all degree requirements and serves as the guide to earning a degree. Courses are designed to provide a well-rounded and versatile degree, covering a wide range of subject areas.

Athletic Training, Master of Science (MS)

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 501FOUNDATIONS IN ATHLETIC TRAINING I4
ATTR 502PATHOLOGIES IN ATHLETIC TRAINING5
ATTR 503ORTHOPEDIC EVALUATION I5
ATTR 504ORTHOPEDIC EVALUATION II5
ATTR 505FOUNDATIONS IN ATHLETIC TRAINING II2
ATTR 511THERAPEUTIC MODALITIES5
ATTR 512REHABILITATION I3
ATTR 513REHABILITATION II2
ATTR 514ADVANCED TECHNIQUES IN ATHLETIC TRAINING3
ATTR 521EVIDENCE-BASED PRACTICE2
ATTR 531ATHLETIC TRAINING PRACTICE SEMINAR I2
ATTR 532ATHLETIC TRAINING PRACTICE SEMINAR II2
ATTR 533ATHLETIC TRAINING PRACTICE SEMINAR III2
ATTR 551SPECIAL TOPICS IN ATHLETIC TRAINING I3
ATTR 552SPECIAL TOPICS IN ATHLETIC TRAINING II3
ATTR 554ATHLETIC TRAINING IN SPECIAL POPULATIONS2
ATTR 561MEDICAL CONDITIONS IN ATHLETIC TRAINING4
ATTR 562PHARMACOLOGY IN ATHLETIC TRAINING2
ATTR 563HEALTH CARE ADMINISTRATION4
ATTR 564PSYCHOSOCIAL STRATEGIES IN ATHLETIC TRAINING4
ATTR 587IMMERSIVE PRACTICUM I4
ATTR 588CLINICAL PRACTICUM (must be repeated 2+2+2+2)8
ATTR 589IMMERSIVE PRACTICUM II5
ATTR 590ATHLETIC TRAINING CAPSTONE4
Total Credits85

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.

Mission, Goals & Objectives

The program staff of the Athletic Training Program at Eastern Washington University strives to enhance the body, mind, and spirit of each student – to produce intelligent, dedicated, and motivated health care professionals who will provide safe and effective athletic training care to a diverse society in a variety of environments and contribute positively to their community.

Goal #1

Students will develop an understanding of and the skills needed to become versatile professionals capable of contributing positively to society and representing the Athletic Training profession well.
Objectives

  1. Threshold: 80% of graduates who desire will have gained employment or will be furthering their education within one year of graduating from the program.
  2. Students will participate in at least two community-based service activities and one leadership-based service activity while in the program.

Goal #2

Students will be afforded the opportunity to be taught and mentored by “student-first” faculty and preceptors in didactic and clinical environments conducive for learning and professional development.

Objectives

  1. Faculty will score an average of 3.75 (“good/very good”) or better on teaching evaluations by students.
  2. Faculty will score an average of 4 (“good”) or better on peer evaluations of teaching.
  3. Preceptors will score an average of 4 (“agree”) or better on preceptor evaluations.
  4. The clinical sites will score an average of 4 (“agree”) or better on clinical site evaluations.

Goal #3

Students will demonstrate academic and clinical competence to effectively practice health care as an entry-level certified athletic trainer.

Objectives

  1. Students will achieve a 70% first-time pass rate, 90% overall pass rate on the BOC exam.
  2. Ninety percent of students will score at least 80% on the BOC prep examination.
  3. Ninety percent of students will score a 4 or better on each indicator of the Evaluation of Student (by Preceptor) form during their final clinical rotation.

Accreditation

Eastern Washington University originally obtained CAAHEP accreditation for the athletic training curriculum program in October 2002. The program has since completed re-accreditation through the CAATE (Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education) in the 2007-2008 and 2017-2018 academic years. Our MSAT program has recently received full accreditation until the end of the 2027-2028 school year.

The purpose of the Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education (CAATE) is to develop, maintain, and promote appropriate minimum standards of quality of entry-level Athletic Training education programs. CAATE is sponsored by The American Academy of Family Physicians, the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine, and the National Athletic Trainers’ Association (NATA). CAATE is recognized by the Council for Higher Education Association (CHEA).