Athletic training

The M.S.A.T. in athletic training is an 85-credit program combining coursework and applied learning experiences. Students build technical expertise while gaining hands-on experience in the field.

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View the program handbook

Explore program courses in the University Catalog

Accreditation

U of I’s Master of Science in Athletic Training (M.S.A.T.) is accredited through the Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education, an accrediting agency recognized by the Council of Higher Education. 
 

Clinical education, immersion and certification preparation

Students integrate knowledge from classroom and laboratory learning into supervised clinical education and clinical experience courses. Over the two-year M.S.A.T. program, they complete a minimum of 1,050 hours of supervised clinical practice.

Clinical rotations take place locally, at University of Idaho and regional sites, or through approved affiliate locations nationwide. In every setting, students apply clinical skills with real patients while working closely with licensed clinicians and faculty mentors. Under the direct supervision of preceptors, students complete required clinical competencies and patient encounters aligned with each clinical education course.

View current clinical sites

The ISMaRT Clinic: Learn by leading

What sets this U of I program apart is the Integrated Sports Medicine and Rehabilitative Therapies (ISMaRT) Clinic, a fully functioning teaching and learning clinic housed on campus. ISMaRT serves real patients, including U of I students, employees and community members, giving M.S.A.T. students something few programs can offer: the chance to take a leading, active role in evaluating and treating injuries and illnesses before they graduate.

Working under the direct supervision of athletic training faculty, students don't just observe care at ISMaRT. They direct it. Students lead evaluations, develop rehabilitation plans and manage patient care from start to finish in a collaborative, interdisciplinary environment. During summer semesters, the clinic transforms into an immersive classroom where students practice a comprehensive, patient-centered approach to care. Alongside the Integrated Sports Medicine Movement Analysis Laboratory (ISMMAL), the clinic connects clinical practice with research, so students graduate knowing how to both deliver care and improve it.

Graduates consistently say their time in the ISMaRT Clinic put them ahead of the curve on day one of their careers.

Board of Certification outcomes

Our graduates demonstrate exceptionally strong Board of Certification (BOC) results, with an average 97% pass rate from 2015 to 2020. This sustained success reflects the program's rigorous clinical preparation, extensive hands-on training and close mentorship, ensuring graduates are fully prepared to sit for and succeed on the BOC exam.

Faculty mentorship and advising

Students learn from program faculty, clinical instructors and preceptors who help them connect academic coursework to patient care. The program director and clinical education coordinator support student progression, clinical placement, clinical competencies, professional development and preparation for certification. Students are expected to follow the prescribed sequence of courses so that foundational knowledge and clinical skills are developed before more advanced clinical experiences.

Learning outcomes

• Apply literature evidence and practice-based evidence to improve patient care
• Make informed clinical decisions through advanced assessment, diagnosis and rehabilitation
• Communicate effectively with patients, families and interdisciplinary health care teams
• Provide high-quality care for diverse patient populations across a variety of clinical settings
• Collect and evaluate patient outcomes to improve clinical practice
• Demonstrate the knowledge and skills needed to sit for and pass the Board of Certification exam

Research and scholarly opportunities

The M.S.A.T. curriculum emphasizes evidence-based practice, practice-based evidence, action research and clinical outcomes. Students build research literacy through Research Methods & Statistics I and II and apply those skills in Scientific Inquiry and Research Presentation. Faculty mentor student-led projects and help students translate research into clinical practice. 

M.S.A.T. program costs

All students enrolled in the M.A.T. program pay the same flat tuition rate of $24,000 for the program, regardless of residency status, enrollment level or academic term.

Courses taken outside of the athletic training curriculum are billed separately at the university’s standard online or in-person tuition rates, depending on the course format.

Scholarship opportunities

Scholarship opportunities may be available through national, regional and state athletic training associations and health education organizations. Program-specific scholarships are not guaranteed; students should review available scholarships and contact the program about any current funding opportunities. 

• National Athletic Trainers’ Association Research & Education Foundation Scholarships
• Northwest Athletic Trainers’ Association Research & Education Foundation Scholarships
• Idaho Athletic Trainers’ Association Scholarship
• Gritman Foundation Scholarships
• Professional Football Athletic Trainers’ Society Scholarships
• F.A. Davis Health Science Education Scholarship

Because the program has significant coursework and clinical requirements, we encourage students to talk with our program team before planning outside employment or assistantship commitments. 

Have questions about the program, research opportunities or the graduate student experience? Connect with our program team for personalized guidance about curriculum, faculty mentorship, application requirements and graduate funding opportunities.

Program contact:
Jayme Baker, DPT
MSAT Program Director
ui-at@uidaho.edu
208-885-2182

Clinical education contact:  
Samantha Hughes, DAT, AT
MSAT Clinical Education Coordinator
samhanna@uidaho.edu 

For questions related to admissions, application materials, transcripts or enrollment steps, contact Graduate Admissions: 

Graduate Admissions contact:
graduateadmissions@uidaho.edu
208-885-4001

Interested in research areas or finding a faculty mentor? Explore faculty expertise, research interests and advising opportunities on the department’s faculty page. 

Meet SHAMP faculty and staff

All applications to the University of Idaho Athletic Training program are processed through the Athletic Training Centralized Application Service (ATCAS).

Program availability

• Concentration: non-thesis
• Semester intake: Summer (classes start in June)
  • Location: Moscow campus summer intensive sessions; fall and spring semesters include hybrid coursework and approved clinical sites.
  • Eligible for international admission for students in F-1 visa status when they enroll full-time and take at least 6 credits of in-person classes during their first summer term and the following spring and fall semesters.
• Deadlines:  
  • Priority Deadline — Oct. 15
  • Applications accepted up to March 15
  • Applications for this program are submitted in ATCAS. Visit ATCAS to learn more and start your application.
• Start dates: View the academic calendar to see start and end dates

Applicants for the M.S.A.T. in athletic training must meet the following admission requirements:

• Education level: Bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution, or early/tentative admission through an approved 3+2 pathway after the junior year.
  • Transcripts for all post-secondary education will be required. Official transcripts must be submitted to ATCAS as part of the application process. If coursework is still in progress at the time of application or admission, final official transcripts must be sent directly to the Graduate Admissions Office by the issuing institution(s) upon completion of the coursework and prior to enrollment.
• GPA: 3.0 (Applicants with a lower undergraduate GPA who have relevant professional experience in the field, have already earned a graduate degree, or have completed graduate-level credits may still be considered for admission with approval from the academic program.)
• GRE: Not Required
• English proficiency (for applicants whose education was completed in countries where English is not an official language).  
  • Accepted tests: TOEFL: 4.5, IELTS: 6.5, Duolingo: 115, PTE-A: 58. Learn what qualifies as proof of English proficiency.
• Number of references: Two letters of recommendation  
• Required application materials: Current resume documenting related professional and extracurricular experiences; written statement of academic and career objectives/goals; Professional Rescuer CPR certification; official transcripts; two letters of recommendation; interview with the AT Program Admissions Committee.
• Other requirements:
  • Course-by-course professional credential evaluation report (for applicants with international post-secondary education) [link to the Foreign Credential Evaluation content on the Graduate Requirements page]
  • Bachelor’s coursework must include:  
    • Human Anatomy (4 credits)
    • Human Physiology (4 credits)
    • Biology (1 credit minimum)
    • Chemistry (1 credit minimum)
    • Physics (1 credit minimum)
    • Psychology (1 credit minimum)
    • Current First Aid and CPR (AHA or ARC)

Post-admission requirements: Before clinical rotations, students must provide/complete required documentation such as liability insurance, NATA membership, CPR certification, National Provider Identifier number, Protection of Minors training, background check, technical standards attestation and program policy acknowledgements. Clinical sites may require additional documentation, testing or costs.

Admissions process summary

Step 1: Review prerequisite coursework, technical standards and clinical education requirements.

Step 2: Create an ATCAS account and select University of Idaho Master of Science in Athletic Training.

Step 3: Complete the ATCAS application, including academic history, official transcripts, resume, written goals statement, references and required certifications.

Step 4: Complete an admissions interview if invited by the AT Program Admissions Committee.

Step 5: If admitted, complete required post-admission documentation before clinical rotations begin.

Step 6: Begin the program in the summer term, with in-person coursework on the Moscow campus. 

The program is designed as a 24-month, six-semester professional master's program that begins in summer and requires 85 credits.

The M.S.A.T. uses a hybrid format. Students complete in-person coursework on the Moscow campus each summer. Fall and spring semesters combine online coursework with supervised clinical experiences at approved clinical sites.

The program admits students for summer intake, with classes starting in June. The priority application deadline is Oct. 15, and applications are accepted through March 15.

No. GRE scores are not required for admission.

Tuition is $24,000 per year. See detailed cost of attendance information. Tuition covers courses, course fees and textbooks, with extra courses and certifications in the athletic training curriculum included at no additional cost. Students should also budget for variable costs such as travel, housing, liability insurance, NATA membership and clinical site requirements. 

Students complete a minimum of 1,050 hours of extensive supervised clinical education and clinical experience across the two‑year program. 

Yes. Graduates of our CAATE-accredited program are eligible to sit for the Board of Certification exam. State licensure or certification requirements vary by state.

Yes. Students may be eligible for early/tentative admission through the University of Idaho Athletic Training track in exercise, sport and health sciences or through an approved articulated 3+2 agreement.