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School of Kinesiology - George Mason University

"When I was an athlete, I had a couple of injuries and didn’t have the opportunity to work with an athletic trainer, so I now appreciate the value of being cared for by an athletic trainer. I loved the idea of going into the profession. Once I started my studies, I realized master’s degrees were becoming more and more important in our career field, so I continued straight through with that. Throughout my master’s program, I found that I was really enjoying research and how it plugged into the larger picture in sports medicine and athletic training."
—Trish Kelshaw, BS Athletic Training '14

The Master of Science in athletic training (MSAT) provides students with personalized, high-quality classroom and experiential learning opportunities, preparing them to pass the Board of Certification (BOC) examination required for practicing athletic trainers. It is a full-time, year-round program comprising 65 credits, including practicum courses that require a series of clinical education field experiences in an array of practice settings. The union of classroom instruction and clinical application is a vital part of the program, as it represents multiple opportunities for students to develop, practice, and refine the knowledge, skills, and professional disposition necessary to succeed as high-caliber health care professionals.

What Sets Mason Apart from Other Schools When Choosing a Master’s Degree Program in Athletic Training?

Our location in a large, diverse metropolitan region, along with our faculty's expertise and experience, allows us to provide our students with high-quality educational experiences in a wide variety of practice settings. Our pediatric and performing arts sports medicine experiences have been recognized as some of the best in the nation.

What Is the Job Demand for Athletic Trainers?

The U.S. Department of Labor projected employment for athletic trainers to grow by 16% from 2019 to 2029. With increasing sports-related injuries in young people, demand for athletic trainers is expected to continue to increase, particularly in schools and youth leagues.

What Do Athletic Trainers Do?

Certified athletic trainers provide care for athletes and those who are physically active within six areas of clinical practice: prevention; immediate care; clinical evaluation and diagnosis; treatment, rehabilitation, and reconditioning; organization and administration; and professional responsibility.

Who Are the Faculty?

All full-time faculty members are state-licensed and nationally certified athletic trainers. They combine teaching excellence, clinical experience, and research expertise to provide students with a high-quality professional education. The athletic training program also provides students the unique opportunity to apply classroom knowledge in numerous work settings under the direct supervision of preceptors. In addition, the adjunct faculty affiliated with the program consists of professionals from a variety of health care fields, including physicians, certified athletic trainers, pharmacists, physical therapists, nutritionists, and psychologists.

Is the Program Accredited?

Yes, Mason’s master’s degree in athletic training is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education (CAATE).

What are the MSAT Program Outcomes?

Please see the following link for the MSAT Program Outcomes.