JMU's Master of Science in Athletic Training (M.S.A.T.) is a CAATE accredited, professional-level program designed to prepare students to successfully pass the Board of Certification (BOC) Exam. This program is for students seeking to begin their careers as athletic trainers. Athletic Trainers are health care professionals who collaborate with physicians to provide preventative services, emergency care, clinical diagnosis, therapeutic intervention and rehabilitation of injuries and medical conditions.
This program is designed to be completed in 2 years. Summer courses are required.
Accreditation
The athletic training (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.
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. Students are selected through a competitive admission process. The cohort begins classes in the summer semester.
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 in their senior year.
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 athletic training program. These include:
A bachelor's or higher degree from a regionally accredited college or university
Preferred grade point average (GPA) of 2.7 or higher
Completion of all required prerequisite course work with a minimum grade of "C-" in each course
Due to COVID-19 the program is accepting Pass/Credit options for prerequisite coursework
Official transcripts from all colleges or universities attended
Documentation of 50 or more observation hours under the supervision of a certified/licensed athletic trainer
Pre-requisite Coursework
General Psychology
Nutrition
Statistics or Research Methods
Human or Mammalian Anatomy & Physiology
Physics or Biomechanics
General Chemistry
Exercise Physiology
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 (for example, Anatomy and Physiology I and II) 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 prerequisite courses must be completed at a regionally accredited college/university level before the program start date. Prerequisite courses must be completed within 7 years of the program start date. Otherwise, applicants working in a related field who 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 students are uncertain whether a course meets prerequisites, they should email athletictraining@jmu.edu and include a copy of the syllabus from the semester they took course.
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 athletic training Program through ATCAS, and the second to the JMU Graduate School. Applicants must complete both applications for their application to be reviewed.
A completed athletic training admission application will include:
Official transcripts from all colleges/universities where the student has 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.)
Graduate students who are non-native speakers of English must demonstrate English language proficiency. All non-native English speakers are required to submit satisfactory English proficiency test scores from one of the following. Read more about English Proficiency Requirements.
GREs are not required for application to the MSAT degree program.
Degree Requirements
All courses in the Master of Science in Athletic Training (MSAT) curriculum 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.
Students must take ATEP 652. Students may be required to take ATEP 520 if assigned.
Accelerated Pathway to the Master of Science in Athletic Training
JMU undergraduate students majoring in Health Sciences or in Kinesiology (Exercise Science concentration) are eligible for the 3+2 Accelerated Pathway to the Master of Science in Athletic Training. The purpose of the Accelerated Pathway is to provide a unique opportunity for highly motivated and academically talented students to fast-track their education. This pathway prepares students to become certified athletic trainers by completing both the undergraduate and graduate degree programs in 5 years, compared to the traditional 6 years for completing both degrees.
A maximum of 22 graduate credits will be applied toward the completion of the undergraduate degree, and will include:
Application and Admissions Information for the Accelerated Pathway
See the Health Sciences and Kinesiology pages in the undergraduate catalog for information on the application process, prerequisites and admissions requirements for the 3+2 accelerated pathway.
