Athletic Training, M.S.A.T.

Licensure/Certification

This program meets the educational requirements for licensure or certification in the Commonwealth of Virginia. Please refer to the JMU Professional Licensure Program Status by Jurisdiction Index to determine if this JMU program meets the educational requirements specified by the associated licensing or certification agency in the state or territory in which you are located and other states and territories. Requirements vary by state and are subject to change. The information provided is current as of the review date indicated in the table.

Admission Requirements

The JMU AT Program admits one cohort of no more than 22 students each year. The cohort begins classes in the summer semester. Students are selected through a competitive process that includes two separate applications - one to the JMU Graduate School, and the second to the AT Program through ATCAS. Applicants MUST complete both applications in order for their application to be reviewed. See full admission criteria on the program website.

Following are the admission criteria. Students considering application to the JMU MSAT should focus on earning a bachelor’s degree in their desired major, maintaining a strong GPA, taking the proposed prerequisite courses, and applying during their senior year.

For admission consideration to the Master of Science in Athletic Training program, candidates must successfully complete the requirements of The James Madison University Graduate School and of the AT program. These include:

• A bachelor’s or higher degree from a regionally accredited college or university
• Overall grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 or higher is preferred, minimum 2.7 required
• Official transcripts from all colleges or universities attended
• Documentation of 50 or more observation hours under the supervision of a certified/licensed athletic trainer
• All non-native English speakers are required to submit official results of the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) with a minimum score of 570 (paper-based) or 88 (internet-based).

Prerequisites

Applicants must have earned an undergraduate degree by the start of the graduate program. Overall GPA of 3.0 or higher is preferred, minimum of 2.7 is required. Applicants must successfully complete the following prerequisite course work with a grade of “C-“, 1.7/4.0 level or better. Due to COVID-19 the program is accepting Pass/Credit options for prerequisite coursework.

Applicants may meet the anatomy and physiology prerequisites by taking a semester course in each topic or by taking the entire sequence of combined anatomy and physiology courses at a single college. The combined courses must cover all of the body systems and regions and must ideally include a laboratory component in anatomy. 

Completed high school AP courses will be reviewed by the admissions committee but acceptance as completion as a pre-requisite will not be guaranteed. The required courses listed below must be completed before the program start date at a regionally accredited college/university level. Prerequisite courses must be completed within 7 years of the program start date. Applicants working in a related field that have maintained current knowledge, should apply and explain how they have maintained current information in these fields. The admissions committee will decide if the justification is sufficient to meet the prerequisites.

If you believe you have taken a course that might meet the below prerequisites, but have questions, please email athletictraining@jmu.edu.

Accreditation

The AT program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education (CAATE). Accreditation is the review of the quality of higher education institutions and programs and provides eligibility to take the Board of Certification (BOC) Examination. Successful completion of the BOC Examination is required for graduates to be licensed to practice.

Curriculum

All courses are required and must be taken in sequence. Students must be full-time and must take the curriculum in a consecutive 24-month period. Exceptions are rare and are granted only by the program director. 

Application to the Athletic Training Program

JMU’s Athletic Training Program provides a supportive, student-focused environment fostering clinical and professional skills. Students develop critical-thinking through diverse patient encounters and exemplary patient-centered care. JMU’s Athletic Training program strives to develop a holistic clinician through a robust curriculum, authentic patient care experiences, and professional development activities. We are excited to receive your application! Please e-mail athletictraining@jmu.edu if there is anything we can do to aid your application process.

The JMU MSAT program application process opens on June 30.

A rolling admission process will be used to review and accept applicants. Program review of applications begins on September 1. Our rolling admissions process is ongoing until May 2.

Students are selected through a competitive process that includes two separate applications - one to the JMU Graduate School, and the second to the AT Program through ATCAS. Applicants MUST complete both applications in order for their application to be reviewed.

Financial Assistance with Application Fees

The JMU Graduate School charges a $60 application fee. If you cannot afford this fee, you may apply for a graduate application fee waiver.

If you cannot afford the ATCAS application fees, please read consider their fee assistance and/or fee waiver policies.

A completed AT Admission Application will include:

A completed Graduate School Application: https://www.applyweb.com/jmug/index.ftl

Complete the JMU Graduate School Application

A completed ATCAS Application (https://atcas.liaisoncas.com/applicant-ux/#/login) which includes:

• Official transcripts from all colleges/universities where you have earned or will be earning a degree or completed pre-requisite requirements
• Cover letter and resume
• Three letters of recommendation from professional references. (At least one recommendation must be from a certified/licensed athletic trainer with whom the student was supervised by during their observation hours.)
• Writing sample
• JMU technical standards verification
• All non-native English speakers are required to submit official results of the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) with a minimum score of 570 (paper-based) or 88 (internet-based).
• GREs are NOT required for application to the MSAT degree program.

Complete the ATCAS Application