Master of Science in Athletic Training (MSAT)

Program Overview

The UTA Master of Science in Athletic Training (MSAT) features nationally recognized faculty, highly experienced preceptors, a multitude of clinical rotation options, and outstanding sports medicine facilities. Students receive in-depth classroom and laboratory instruction focused on injury prevention, assessment and diagnosis, acute care, and therapeutic interventions for managing musculoskeletal injuries and common medical conditions in physically active individuals. The UT Arlington MSAT is a two-year cohort-based professional (entry-level) program designed to prepare students for the Board of Certification Inc. (BOC) examination and licensure in any state, leading to a career in athletic training.

The didactic, laboratory, clinical, and simulation experiences of the program are structured around the CAATE 2020 Professional Standards, which address the following:

The MSAT degree is a challenging, two-year, five-semester 57 semester credit hour program. All new, incoming students begin the degree in the month of June. The program sequence involves 2 summer semesters (11 weeks in length), and 4 long semesters (15 weeks in length). Students will be required to complete a minimum of 5 semesters of clinical rotations involving direct patient care in an approved health care setting. Two of these clinical rotations will be completed in clinical immersion in the DFW area or beyond, and identified based on students' career goals.

In order to complete the degree, students must meet the retention requirements which include both academic and professional behavior standards, as described on the MSAT Retention Criteria and Policy section.

Program Options

Option 1: Two-Year Program. This option is for students who will have already completed a bachelor’s degree and the required prerequisites when the program begins (summer).

Option 2: Accelerated (3+2) Program. This option allows students to complete a Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science and a Master of Science in Athletic Training degree in only 5 years. The Bachelor of Science degree will be conferred in the 4th year and the Master of Science degree at the end of the 5th year.
*Students interested in this program should work very closely with their advisor to ensure they are on track to enter the MSAT program at the appropriate time.

Mission

The MSAT program at the University of Texas at Arlington is committed to developing proficient and competent graduates through high-quality classroom and clinical instruction that emphasizes patient-centered holistic healthcare. Graduates will be prepared to pass the Board of Certification exam for Athletic Training, to advance health and the human condition, and will excel in areas of performance healthcare, manual therapy and integrative modalities, emergency preparedness and response, and administration and leadership.

Accreditation

Our athletic training program was established at UTA in 2001, with the MSAT offered since 2013. We have been accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education (CAATE) since 2006. The program received an excellent review with zero citations in March 2019 and is reaccredited through the 2029-2030 academic year.

CAATE Program Information and Outcomes

Performance Healthcare
Movement is medicine. Our students learn to use functional assessment and biomechanical analysis to design and implement targeted individualized corrective exercise and performance programming to rehabilitate an injury, mitigate the risk of injury, and optimize performance.

Manual Therapy and Integrative Modalities
Our students learn how to use evidence based manual techniques and modalities to enhance patient/client care and recovery.

Emergency Preparedness & Response
Our students learn to integrate best practices in immediate and emergency care, including implementing emergency action plans, triaging the severity of health conditions, and applying appropriate evidence-based emergent care procedures.

Administration and Leadership
Our students learn how to manage and resolve conflict, communicate effectively, advocate for yourself and the profession, develop a business/growth mindset, collect, analyze, and use data, assess risk, and engage in strategic planning.

Courses

Degree requirements are listed in the University Catalog. Students are governed by the catalog under which they were enrolled or, at the student’s option, the catalog of any subsequent year in which that student was in residence.

Specific course descriptions for the MSAT program can be found in the Kinesiology Graduate Programs page in the Catalog.

Degree Plan 

UTA MSAT students entering the program in 2023 or later will complete the following course sequence: MSAT Course Sequence (2023).

Admission Requirements

Official admission requirements for the MSAT program are described in the University Catalog for Department of Kinesiology Graduate Programs. 

Requirements for Admission: Two-year program 

• Earned Bachelor’s degree, with an undergraduate cumulative GPA of 3.0, or a 3.0 GPA during the last 60 hours of undergraduate course work.
• 50 hours of observation with an athletic trainer (LAT and/or ATC credential, prospective students may use this form to log observation hours, or another means of documentation if they choose). NOTE: This PDF form is meant to be downloaded and printed. It is not web accessible.
• Measles, Mumps and Rubella (MMR) vaccination
• Hepatitis B vaccination (three doses)
• Proof of current certification by the American Heart Association in Basic Life Support (Only AHA BLS certification will be accepted)
• International students are required to receive tuberculosis screening and this must be performed at the UTA Student Health Center or another U.S. facility
• International applicants must meet the University’s English language test score requirements for graduate admission.
• Successful interview with the MSAT admissions committee.
• Required prerequisite courses *Prerequisite courses must have been completed with a grade of “C” or better and within the last 10 years.
• Anatomy and Physiology I
• Anatomy and Physiology II
• Functional Anatomy (must be upper division and may also be titled Applied Kinesiology, Kinesiology, or Biomechanics)
• Physiology of Exercise
• Nutrition
• Psychology
• Statistics or Research Design
• Biology (lecture and lab)
• Physics (lecture and lab; will accept PHYS 3360 from UTA students)
• Chemistry (lecture and lab)

• Preferred Prerequisite Courses
• Medical Terminology
• Care and Prevention of Athletic Injuries

Requirements for Admission: Accelerated (3+2) program

• Must be within 30 hours of graduation with a BS in EXS
• Must have completed at least 30 hours of study at UTA with a 3.3 GPA or better
• A 3.3 overall GPA for all college courses
• 50 hours of observation with an athletic trainer (LAT and/or ATC credential, prospective students may use this form to log observation hours, or another means of documentation if they choose). NOTE: This PDF form is meant to be downloaded and printed. It is not web accessible.
• Measles, Mumps and Rubella (MMR) vaccination
• Hepatitis B vaccination (three doses)
• Proof of current certification by the American Heart Association in Basic Life Support (only AHA BLS certification will be accepted)
• Successful interview with the MSAT admissions committee
• A ‘C’ or better and 3.3 GPA in the following prerequisite courses:
• Anatomy and Physiology I
• Anatomy and Physiology II
• Functional Anatomy
• Physiology of Exercise
• Nutrition
• Psychology
• Statistics/Research Design
• Biology (lecture and lab)
• Physics (lecture and lab; will accept PHYS 3360 from UTA)
• Chemistry (lecture and lab)

Probationary Admission

Applicants failing to meet the unconditional admission criteria may be considered for probationary admission with documented previous relevant experience and recommendations describing potential for exceptional personal and professional growth. Students who are admitted on a probationary status will be required to submit a success plan to the faculty and complete their first term with a 3.0 GPA.

Criminal Background Check

All students initially accepted for admission into the MSAT will be required to complete a criminal background check prior to final acceptance. Students who have a criminal record are encouraged to meet with the MSAT Program Director to discuss how this may affect their ability to become credentialed as an athletic trainer. Note: A form is sent via email from UTA with instructions. Any applicant with a criminal background will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis by the program faculty. Prospective students should also consider the BOC certification exam eligibility criteria as it relates to candidates with felony or misdemeanor charges and convictions and Texas licensure eligibility for applicants with prior criminal convictions.

Application

Applications for the Summer 2027 cohort are now open in the Athletic Training Centralized Application Service (ATCAS). There are a limited number of ATCAS fee waivers available to qualified students. Find out more here. The MSAT Program accepts applications through rolling admissions and will continue until the cohort is filled. Due to a summer start date, no applications will be accepted after March 1^st of the application year. Students pursuing the accelerated (3+2) option will apply in their 3^rd year at UTA. International students are strongly encouraged to apply by December of the year before they intend to begin the program. 

The application process will occur as follows:

1. The applicant completes the ATCAS application, including completing all sections, ordering transcripts, and requesting recommendations. A personal statement, resume/curriculum vitae, and documentation of a minimum of 50 hours of observation with an athletic trainer must also be included.
2. The MSAT admissions committee reviews the application and determines whether the applicant will be invited for an interview.
3. The applicant is contacted and if invited for an interview, the interview is scheduled via Teams.
4. The applicant completes the interview with the MSAT admissions committee.
5. The committee makes a decision regarding the applicant’s acceptance.

Applicants will be evaluated based on their GPA, grades in designated prerequisite coursework, strength of references, personal statement, resume/curriculum vitae, verification of observation hours, and strength of interview.

If the applicant receives initial acceptance, they must complete the following to enter the program:

1. UT Arlington Graduate application
2. Submit a signed technical standards form, signed consent to release vaccination information form, and immunization record
3. Submit proof of current certification by the American Heart Association in Basic Life Support (only AHA BLS certification will be accepted)
4. Complete a criminal background check

Cohort numbers are dependent on classroom space and availability of clinical sites. Once a cohort is filled, remaining applicants who meet the program criteria will be placed on a wait list. Applicants receiving a letter of acceptance can choose to place themselves on the wait list, but will be placed at the bottom and may only accept a position in the program at a later time if the cohort is not full.

MSAT Retention Criteria and Policy

Academic Retention Criteria: Two-year program

1. Complete each course with a grade of C or better.

Students who earn below a C will be dismissed from the program.

2. Maintain a 3.0 cumulative GPA.

Students who earn below a 3.0 cumulative GPA will be placed on academic probation for one semester. If the student does not earn a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher by the end of the probationary semester, the student will be dismissed from the MSAT program.

Students on academic probation will be required to create an academic success plan, submitting to the faculty 2 weeks after the start of a summer term or 3 weeks after the start of a long semester.

Students who do not gain good academic standing with the program after one semester of probation will be dismissed from the program.

3. Adhere to documents which outline professional behaviors, including but not limited to the MSAT Student Handbook, the BOC Standards of Professional Practice, the NATA Code of Ethics, and course syllabi.

For professionalism offenses, a Student Conduct Digression Report will be completed. If a student obtains 3 of these, they will be dismissed from the program (3 strikes and you're out rule). If a professional offense is especially egregious, a student may be dismissed from the program with only 1 digression report.

Academic Retention Criteria: Accelerated (3+2) program

• Maintain a ‘B’ or better in the following courses:
• KINE 5120 Clinical Athletic Training I
• KINE 5229 Functional Anatomy & Biomechanics for the Athletic Trainer
• KINE 5230 Foundations of Orthopedic Assessment & Therapeutic Interventions
• KINE 5236 Prevention, Health Promotion, and Wellness
• KINE 5332 Assessment and Management I

Students who earn below a B in any of these classes will be dismissed from the program.

• Complete each additional course with a grade of C or better.
• Students who earn below a C will be dismissed from the program.
• Maintain a 3.0 MSAT GPA.
• Students who earn below a 3.0 MSAT GPA will be placed on academic probation for one semester. If the student does not earn a MSAT GPA of 3.0 or higher by the end of the probationary semester, the student will be dismissed from the program.
  *Students who have not yet completed their bachelor’s degree will be able to take undergraduate electives to complete their bachelor’s degree. They will also be eligible to apply for regular admissions to the MSAT program upon completion of their bachelor’s degree.
• Adhere to documents which outline professional behaviors, including but not limited to the MSAT Student Handbook, BOC Standards of Professional Practice, the NATA Code of Ethics, and course syllabi.
• For professionalism offenses, a Student Conduct Digression Report will be completed. If a student obtains 3 of these, they will be dismissed from the program (3 strikes and you're out rule). If a professional offense is especially egregious, a student may be dismissed from the program with only 1 digression report.

Clinical Education

Clinical Sites

The MSAT Program primarily utilizes a variety of clinical education sites throughout the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex.

The following clinical sites have also been used for full-time immersion experiences for students who chose to go outside of DFW:

Clinical Education Plan

YEAR 1

Year 1 Objective: Expose students to all required patient populations. By having students meet all requirements by the CAATE by the end of Year 1, there will be more flexibility to generate individualized clinical rotations in Year 2.

YEAR 2

Year 2 Objective: Develop individualized clinical education plans that support the career aspirations for each student.

Site will be determined based on students’ career goals, settings and/or patient populations they would like more exposure to, etc.

The number of rotations and timing of rotations throughout Year 2 will vary by student. (For example, a student who wants to work with collegiate basketball can get that clinical experience during the season (Oct-Mar) and that rotation can span both fall and spring. Other clinical experiences will be assigned before and after the season as appropriate.)

The UTA MSAT Degree: Excellent Value

Estimated Tuition and Fees

Our MSAT program offers a tremendous financial value for the student desiring a career in the field of Athletic Training. The table below shows an estimate of tuition and fees for the MSAT degree by semester. At UTA, accounts are due each semester prior to class start.

*For non-residents, tuition and fees can be estimated using the graduate nonresident tuition chart found here. Students will take 7 credit hours their first summer, then 10 credit hours each term after that (5 more terms).

Athletic Trainer Salaries and Job Outlook

The 2023 NATA Salary Survey indicated the average salary for a full-time Athletic Trainer is $68,907, while the average salary in District 6 of the NATA (Texas and Arkansas) is $74,139. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of athletic trainers is projected to grow 11% through 2034, much faster than average for all occupations.

International Students

The following additional fees apply to international students: Foreign insurance (health insurance) fee, international education fee, and international student service fee.

Post-Admissions Costs: Costs Ongoing while enrolled in the program

Credentialing Exams

*the LAT exam is not required if students pass the BOC exam

Overall Costs

Your total expenses as a graduate student will vary depending on several criteria, including Texas residency, where you live, the particulars of your lifestyle, and much more. The above-mentioned figures are solely representative of tuition and required student fees.

Sources of Funding

Helpful Information

MSAT Policies: While University faculty and staff members give students academic advice and assistance, each student is expected to take responsibility for his or her education and personal development. The student must know and abide by the academic and disciplinary policies of the Athletic Training Program, Department of Kinesiology, College of Nursing and Health Innovation, and the University of Texas at Arlington, including rules governing quality of work, the standard of work required to continue in the University, scholastic probation and dismissal, and enforced withdrawal.

Students will not be relieved of their responsibility to know the policies, deadlines and rules of the University on the grounds that they were not told. If students have questions regarding policies, it is the University’s expectation that the student will consult his/her academic advisor for guidance and resolution.

Course Load: Graduate education requires students to have dedicated time to devote to studying, completing assignments, preparing for, and participating in research activities and other course work. Students are encouraged to consider their work schedules and commitments considering the demands of the MSAT program and adjust accordingly. Commitments which compete with graduate study may result in suboptimal academic performance and place the student in academic jeopardy. We strongly recommend MSAT students do not hold outside employment while enrolled in the program, however if students must be employed we recommend no more than 10 hours per week.

Academic Calendar: Students should review the academic calendar prior to enrolling and prepare accordingly.

Read the MSAT Student Handbook to learn about requirements for the program

Student Success

Academic Advising

The University of Texas at Arlington MSAT program is dedicated to the overall success and retention of our students. One process that contributes to this goal is by providing academic advising to prospective and enrolled students.

Advising for the Prospective Student

We welcome and encourage prospective students to attend an optional academic advising session before program application and start. Those students who have not yet applied or enrolled in the MSAT program are welcome to contact the MSAT academic advisor to schedule a face-to-face, phone, or virtual advising appointment.

Advising for the Enrolled Student

Currently enrolled students may schedule an academic advising appointment at any time.

Learn more on the advising page here. 

Required Technical Standards for the UTA Master of Science in Athletic Training

The Master of Science in Athletic Training Program (MSAT) at The University of Texas at Arlington aims for its graduates to become competent and compassionate health care providers who are capable of entering the profession and meeting all requirements for credentialing athletic trainers. Students are expected to develop a robust knowledge base and the requisite clinical skills, professional attitudes, and behaviors, with the ability to appropriately apply their knowledge and skills effectively to interpret information and contribute to patient-centered decisions across a broad spectrum of situations and settings in athletic training.

The following technical standards, in conjunction with the academic standards, are requirements for admission, retention, and graduation. The term “candidate” refers to candidates for admission to the MSAT as well as current athletic training students who are candidates for retention and graduation. UTA’s MSAT program maintains a strong commitment to equitable and accessible educational opportunities for qualified students with disabilities who apply for admission or who are already enrolled. The technical standards may be met with or without reasonable accommodation.

Candidates with disabilities are encouraged to contact the office below early in the admissions or registration process to begin a confidential conversation about what accommodations they may need to meet these standards. This process is informed by knowledge that students with varied types of disabilities have the ability to become successful health care professionals.

Student Access and Resource Center
817-272-3364
sarcenter@uta.edu
University Hall, Room 102

In the event a student is unable to fulfill these technical standards, including but not limited to patient and peer safety, with or without reasonable accommodation, the student may be separated or dismissed from the program.

Observation: Candidates must acquire information as presented through demonstrations and experiences in the foundational sciences. Candidates must also:

• Evaluate patients* accurately and assess their relevant health, behavioral, and medical information.
• Obtain and interpret information through a comprehensive assessment of patients, correctly interpret diagnostic representations of patients' physiologic data, and accurately evaluate patients' conditions and responses.
• Clinical Skills: Candidates must conduct physical examinations and diagnostic maneuvers. These activities require some physical mobility, coordination of both gross and fine motor neuromuscular function, balance, and equilibrium. Candidates must also:
• Ensure general care and emergency treatment for patients and respond to emergency situations in a timely manner.
• Meet applicable safety standards for the environment and follow universal precaution procedures.

Communication: Candidates must exhibit interpersonal skills to enable effective caregiving of patients/clients. Candidates must also:

• Communicate effectively (in English), with all members of a multidisciplinary health care team, patients/clients, and those supporting patients/clients, in person and in writing.
• Clearly and accurately record information and accurately interpret verbal and nonverbal communication.

Clinical Reasoning: Candidates must effectively interpret, assimilate, and understand complex information required to function within the athletic training curriculum. Candidates must also:

• Comprehend three-dimensional relationships and understand the spatial relationships of structures.
• Effectively participate in individual, small-group, and lecture learning modalities in the classroom, clinical, and community settings.
• Learn, participate, collaborate, and contribute as a part of a team.
• Synthesize information both in person and via remote technology.
• Interpret causal connections and make accurate, fact-based conclusions based on available data and information.
• Formulate a hypothesis and investigate potential answers and outcomes.
• Reach appropriate and accurate conclusions.

Judgment: Candidates must exercise good judgment; promptly complete all responsibilities attendant to the diagnosis and care of patients; and develop mature, sensitive, and effective relationships with patients. Candidates must also:

• Effectively handle and manage heavy workloads, function effectively under stress.
• Adapt to changing environments, display flexibility, and learn to function in the face of the uncertainties inherent in the clinical problems of patients.

Behavioral and Social Attributes: Candidates are expected to exhibit professionalism, personal accountability, compassion, integrity, concern for others, and interpersonal skills. Candidates must:

• Accept and apply feedback and respect boundaries.
• Care for all individuals in a respectful and effective manner regardless of race, color, ethnicity, religion, national origin, ancestry, age, disability, status as a veteran, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information, marital status, parental status, or any other protected status.

Professional Expectations: Candidates must understand, and function within, the legal and ethical aspects of the practice of athletic training. Candidates must also:

• Maintain and display ethical behaviors commensurate with the role of an athletic trainer in all interactions with patients, faculty, staff, students, and the public.
• Maintain interest and motivation throughout the educational processes.

*The term “patient” throughout the document, refers to both patients and clients as referenced in the professional program standards from the Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education