Master of Science in Athletic Training

Salem State University’s Master of Science in Athletic Training prepares students to become licensed, board-certified athletic trainers ready to excel in today’s evolving healthcare landscape. Our program is fully accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education (CAATE) and delivers a rigorous, immersive, and student-centered experience.

Over two years, students progress through a carefully sequenced curriculum that integrates classroom instruction, hands-on laboratory skill development, and 1,000+ hours of supervised clinical experiences across diverse patient populations and practice settings. From day one, you’ll learn alongside experienced faculty who blend contemporary research, clinical expertise, and advanced technology to elevate your professional preparation.

Our integrative model ensures that students develop the knowledge, clinical reasoning, and patient care skills needed to provide comprehensive, evidence-based sports medicine care in a variety of settings. With limited enrollment, students benefit from personalized mentoring, individualized faculty support, and high-impact learning opportunities that position them for success.

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Program Requirements

Program Highlights

An athletic trainer bends the knee of an athlete on the training table

This 60-credit direct-entry program is completed over 2 academic years (full-time enrollment required – day courses only). Courses are designed to suit various learning styles, with lecture and laboratory sessions that simulate real-life patient care.

Students progress through the program curriculum as a group. This team-like approach provides students with a support network of their peers and future colleagues.

Faculty and Facilities

Our dedicated full-time faculty have over 50 years of experience teaching and practicing athletic training.

Two state-of-the-art athletic training classroom-laboratory spaces total 2,500 square feet of versatile teaching, laboratory, research, and patient care spaces.

Hands-On Experience

Students complete over 1,000 hours of real-life, hands-on experiences delivering patient care under the supervision of a licensed athletic trainer, including two full-time immersive clinical experiences. Clinical sites range from high schools and universities to professional sports.

In-Demand Career Opportunities

Graduates gain contemporary knowledge and patient care skills that prepare them to immediately compete as licensed athletic trainers in a high-demand job market. The program has a long history of successful alumni who have significantly impacted our local communities and across professions, including athletic trainers working in high schools, colleges, professional sports, and other fields.

Apply to the MSAT Program at Salem State

Students interested in joining the MSAT program may apply using the ATCAS application system. ATCAS allows students to upload their information and supporting documents to a centralized location and select from participating programs. Then, they can have their completed application materials sent directly to the selected programs' administrators. Review the required application materials before getting started.

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If you are concerned about the cost of applying, please contact Professor Kevin Silva directly and/or apply for the fee waiver assistance program through the ATCAS website.

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A female athletic trainer examines a knee on the training table

One of the Top MSAT Programs in New England

The poof is in the numbers
Program Outcomes

Facts and Figures

  • 60

    Credits Hours Over Five (5) Semesters

  • 1,000+

    Clinical Experience Hours

  • 92

    %
    BOC Pass Rate

Academic Plan and Course Sequence

60 credits total

Fall ICourseCreditsSpring ICourseCredits
ATR700Functional Anatomy for the AT4ATR710Clinical Exams and Diagnosis II: UE4
ATR702Principles of AT and Emergency Care4ATR716Evidence-Based Practice1
ATR704Neurological Exam and Immediate Care2ATR718Clinical Experience I3
ATR706Taping, Bracing and Prot Equip2ATR714Therapeutic Exercise4
ATR708Clinical Exam and Diagnosis I: LE4ATR806Manual Therapy3
 Total16 Total15

 

Summer ICourseCredits
ATR720Clinical Experience II3

Year Two

Fall IICourseCreditsSpring IICourseCredits
ATR800Research Methods I2ATR812Seminar in Athletic Training3
ATR802Clinical Path and Pharm4ATR814Research Methods II 2
ATR712Electrophysical Agents4ATR816Clinical Experience IV4
ATR808Clinical Decision Making1ATR804Admin and Prof in Healthcare3
ATR800Clinical Experience III3   
 Total14 Total12

 

Download the Master of Science in Athletic Training (MSAT) Program Handbook

 

Careers in Athletic Training

Upon successful completion of the BOC examination, graduates of the professional MSAT program are prepared to enter the profession as a licensed athletic trainer. Graduates of the program can work in a variety of clinical settings, including but not limited to:

  • Interscholastic Athletics (Example: High School, Middle School, Youth Sports)
  • Intercollegiate Athletics (NCAA Division I-III, Club Sports, Recreation)
  • Professional Sports (NBA, NFL, MLS, NHL, MLB)
  • Performance Medicine (Performers, such as theaters, dancers, acrobats)
  • Military and Public Safety (ROTC, armed forces, police, fire, EMS)

MSAT Program Update

The CAATE mandated that the entry-level athletic training (AT) degree be changed from undergraduate to graduate by 2022. Based on this mandate, Salem State University is fully committed to transitioning to the graduate level. It has been approved by the Massachusetts Board of Higher Education and the CAATE to offer a Professional MSAT Program. We welcomed the first MSAT cohort in the fall of 2021.

Incoming freshmen and transfer students interested in the MSAT Program are encouraged to enroll in exercise science, specifically pre-rehabilitation sciences, within the sport and movement science (SMS) department.

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Additional Program Costs

In addition to tuition and fees, the following list of expenses are the approximate costs to the student associated with the professional BSAT program; not all expenses listed apply to all students. It is the AT student’s responsibility to cover all associated expenses related to the program. Please note that expenses may vary depending on the location of the clinical site(s) and the individual student’s living situation. 

FeeCost
Annual residential parking pass (students living on campus)$400-600/year
Commuter parking pass$170/year
Transportation (varies per clinical site)$500/semester
Professional AT attire$150
NATA student membership$85
Student name tag$9
AT medical supplies/equipment$150
BOC online self-assessment examination$120
ECC certification$85
Physical examination (variable cost based on student’s insurance)$75
Annual Tuberculosis test$15
Annual influenza vaccination$15
Annual professional liability insurance (purchased through Salem State)$15
Criminal background check/finger printing (more than one CORI or SORI check may be required depending on clinical placement)Up to $75

 

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Accreditation Program Contact Information

512-733-9700
2001 K Street NW, 3rd Floor
North Washington, DC 20006​​

​​Toll Free: 844-GO-CAATE (844.462.2283)
Mailing Address:
352 Lafayette St.
Salem, MA 01970
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