Athletic Training (MS)

Why earn a master's degree in Athletic Training?

Athletic Training is a multi-faceted field that combines a love for and interest in sports medicine, biology, physiology, medicine, and the science of exercise. With a master's degree and your certification in hand, you will be able to work with athletes and other physically active individuals in treating, diagnosing, and preventing sports injuries, as well as promoting their overall health. Combine this education with a strong sense of compassion and empathy for others, attention to detail, and excellent interpersonal skills, and you'll be on your way to a rewarding career in this field.

Why earn a master's degree in Athletic Training at AU?

Our state-of-the-art athletic training lab sets the scene for a comprehensive education that teaches you not only the necessary skills to be an athletic trainer, but advanced methods and techniques that will really set you apart from graduates of other programs when you transition to practice.

Our program is designed to progress your knowledge throughout the curriculum. We place an emphasis on evidence-based practice and inter-professional education that keeps you on the cutting edge of current practice. The certified professionals that comprise the AU faculty ensure that all of our students are ready to practice as soon as they graduate by carefully monitoring progress and going above and beyond to help you achieve a full understanding of athletic training concepts.

The MSAT program provides you with exposure to a variety of learning environments and experiences, including:

  • Traditional classroom work with an emphasis on new and emerging techniques
  • Laboratory time to practice learned skills taught by the athletic training faculty
  • Simulation laboratory to enhance your learning by providing realistic skill practice in a safe environment
  • Advanced certifications in therapeutic interventions (tool-assisted massage certification, etc.)
  • Clinical experiences in a variety of settings that integrate classroom and lab work into practice (college, high school, outpatient clinic, physician's office, occupational health, professional sports, etc.)

New undergraduate students are currently able to enter the “3+2” track.

Athletic trainers are licensed or otherwise regulated in 49 states and the District of Columbia; efforts continue to secure regulation in California, according to the National Athletic Trainers Association.

Accreditation

The Athletic Training program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education, 6850 Austin Center Blvd., Suite 100, Austin, Texas 78731-3184, 512-733-9700.

More than 70% of athletic trainers have a master's degree or higher.
National Athletic Trainers’ Association
$53,840

2022 annual median salary for athletic trainers

14%

2022-2032 projected job growth rate

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, National Athletic Trainers' Association
Athletic trainers come to the same diagnosis as physicians 92% of the time.
National Institutes of Health
Curriculum Highlights
  • Taping and bracing
  • Injury diagnosis
  • Emergency medical response
  • Therapeutic intervention
  • Applied manual therapy
Student Organizations
  • AU Human Performance
  • AU Science Organization
  • Healthcare Professionals of the Future
Experiential learning

Experiential learning

The 8-week clinical immersive modules within our five semesters give you the best possible opportunity to fully experience the day-to-day routines and practice of a certified athletic trainer in a variety of settings. Our clinical site opportunities span the entirety of the Chicagoland area and beyond. With the separation of clinical and classroom responsibilities, you are able to stay closer to home while still getting a great experience learning from the dedicated professionals that serve as our clinical preceptors.

Clinical sites

  • Advocate Medical Group
  • Chicago Red Stars
  • De La Salle Institute
  • Harper College
  • Hinsdale Central High School
  • Hinsdale Orthopedics
  • Lake Forest College
  • Lurie Children's Hospital
  • Marmion Academy
  • Mundelein High School
  • Neuqua Valley High School
  • Northwestern Medicine
  • OrthoIllinois
  • Stanford University
  • University of Chicago
  • Waubonsee Community College
  • Windy City Bulls

Where our graduates work

  • ATI Physical Therapy
  • Athletico Physical Therapy
  • Chicago Cubs
  • Hinsdale Orthopedics
  • Orthopedic Rehab Specialists
  • OSF Orthopedics
  • Northwestern University
  • Schaumburg Fliers
  • University of Florida