Athletic Training (MS)

Why Earn a Master of Science in Athletic Training at Indiana State?

Indiana State’s Athletic Training MS program is one of the oldest programs in the United States (founded in 1969). The program has over 3,000 alumni working in all athletic training settings in multiple countries. More than 20 athletic trainers associated with Indiana State University are members of the National Athletic Trainers Association Hall of Fame.

The Athletic Training MS program provides an advanced, innovative education in the profession. Students who earn their Master of Science in Athletic Training at Indiana State are well prepared to practice at the top of their license as ethical, inclusive, culturally competent, and highly skilled athletic trainers.

Receive Extensive Clinical Training

Students in the Master of Science in Athletic Training program at Indiana State University gain five semesters of clinical experience under the supervision of highly skilled athletic trainers with professional experience in multiple settings, including athletics (high school, collegiate, and professional sports); industrial; clinic; and physician extender.

During the first year, you will complete local clinical experiences. During the second year, you will complete 26 weeks of immersive clinical experience, learning full-time under the supervision of a certified athletic trainer. The longer immersions prepare our graduates with the confidence and skills needed to become highly successful practitioners.

Learn from Our Excellent Faculty

Athletic Training faculty and clinical preceptors bring many years of clinical experience and scholarly research to their classes. Award-winning instructors remain professionally active through consulting work, committee memberships, scholarship, and other activities. They provide students with academic guidance and professional mentorship throughout the two-year program and beyond.

What You’ll Learn in the Athletic Training MSAT Program

The Master of Science in Athletic Training program features comprehensive, experience-based coursework that incorporates four essential and distinctive principles.

• Patient-centered, culturally competent care emphasizes the central role that individual patients’ specific health needs and desired outcomes play in treatment decisions. It aims to train care providers who are respectful of patient background and preferences, social and cultural traditions, values, and socioeconomic conditions.
• Simulated patient encounters are used to provide students with realistic learning experiences that provide knowledge and skills in a controlled environment. Simulations are customized to help students develop specific skills and improve on individualized goals.
• Disablement models provide a framework for evaluating and treating each patient’s unique needs by assessing patient-centered outcomes and determining the effectiveness of health care interventions. By using disablement models, students learn quality improvement strategies they can use to provide high-quality, patient-centered care.
• Evidence-based medicine is the practice of integrating patient values and clinical experiences with the best available research to provide the best possible patient-centered care. Students complete a culminating research project that emphasizes improving patient care using quality improvement and practice-based research.

The first year of the Athletic Training MS program focuses on the development of foundational knowledge and clinical skills gained through classwork and simulated patient encounters. Students begin their first clinical experiences during the first fall and spring semesters.

The program’s second year follows a hybrid model, with students completing most of their coursework online and are in person for three-to-four days per semester. This model allows students the flexibility to pursue a variety of immersion experiences. The curriculum in the second year focuses on developing critical judgment and gaining clinical experiences.

Clinical experience sites for the Master of Science in Athletic Training include Indiana State University Athletics, Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology Athletics, Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College Athletics, Eastern Illinois University, Vigo County School Corporation, Forte Orthopedics, Indy Eleven, Indy Fuel, and Windward Extreme Sports camps. Clinical placements can be anywhere if the site meets all the program criteria and has a signed contract with Indiana State.

Students who successfully complete the Athletic Training MS program will also fulfill the requirements for two additional certifications: 

• Graston Technique Essentials – Students will complete the Graston Technique Essentials course during their third semester in the program.
• Workplace Injury Prevention Certificate – Students will complete the iMSKA program to earn the certificate. The program is designed to prepare students for the Industrial/Tactical settings.
   

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Program Availability

The Master of Science in Athletic Training at Indiana State University is offered through the Department of Applied Medicine and Rehabilitation in the College of Health & Human Services. It is open to U.S. and international students who hold (or anticipate) a bachelor’s degree, and who satisfy the program’s prerequisite academic coursework.

The Athletic Training MS degree is a 54-credit cohort program. The program has six consecutive semesters with a summer start. 

To apply, applicants must have a prerequisite and an overall GPA of 3.0. You may apply with three outstanding prerequisite courses. To find a list of prerequisites, clinical sites, and more information, please visit the following PDF. 

Athletic Training MS Program Information

Application Instructions

All students seeking admission to the Athletic Training MS program must apply to and be accepted as a graduate student by Indiana State University. In addition to completing the application for admission, applicants must submit some additional materials specifically required by the athletic training graduate program.

How to Apply

Indiana State University Undergraduate Students and Alumni

1. Current Indiana State students who meet the prerequisite requirements can apply through Early Assurance. If you have questions about this pathway, contact the program director, Timothy Demchak, PhD, ATC, at Timothy.Demchak@indstate.edu.
2. Students in the Pre-Athletic Training or 3+2 pathways for Applied Medicine and Kinesiology programs who meet the prerequisite requirements have a reserved seat in the program.
3. Apply online.
4. After selecting that you are applying for Graduate or International>Graduate admissions, you must select the college for your program. This program is in the College of Health and Human Services.
    

Domestic Applicants

Complete your application through the Athletic Training Centralized Application System (ATCAS). You will need to complete the questions, submit your essay, and add your transcripts. You do not need to add all of your classes.

International Applicants

Complete your application through the Athletic Training Centralized Application System (ATCAS). You will need to complete the questions, submit your essay, and add your transcripts. You do not need to add all of your classes. 

Deadlines

The Master of Science in Athletic Training program has rolling admissions, which means we will review your application, interview you, and communicate our decision to you throughout the year. We accept applications up to the week prior to the start of Summer 1 classes. International applicants must apply by April 1 to ensure adequate time to obtain all of the necessary documents and visa.

Next Steps

After it is submitted, your application will be reviewed by the Athletic Training MS admissions committee. You will be invited to participate in an online meeting if you meet the prerequisite requirements. Then, you will receive communication with one of the following decisions: Accepted; Conditional Acceptance; or Not Accepted. If offered admission into the program, you will have the option to accept or decline the offer. 

Once admitted, you will receive notification from the University and will be provided your University ID number, which is needed to activate your University username on the MyISU Portal. The Portal offers access to online registration, University records, and other important services, including e-mail and University announcements.
 

Career Possibilities for Athletic Training MS Graduates

While many athletic trainers find career employment with high school, college, and professional sports organizations, other fields such as law enforcement, performing arts, industry, physician practice, and other health care providers also employ athletic trainers.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts that industry demand for athletic trainers will grow 17 percent from 2021-31, much higher than the rate for occupations overall.

The National Athletic Trainers Association Salary survey shows salary data by job settings. Indiana State is proud to have had a 100-percent job placement rate for Athletic Training MS graduates for the last three graduating classes. The average starting salary is $58,500, with a salary range of $45,000 to $70,000. 

Accreditation

This program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education. More information about our program accreditation status and student outcomes can be found on our CAATE Program Information and Outcomes Page.