Department of Movement Sciences

Athletic Training Programs

Combine evidence-based practice with patient-centered care while integrating advanced clinical experience, research, and didactic education into a hybrid format, with a degree in Athletic training from the University of Idaho.

As an athletic trainer, you'll collaborate with physicians and other health professionals to optimize patient care, client activity, and participation in athletics, work and life. The practice includes the prevention, examination, diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation of chronic and acute medical conditions.

You'll become an innovator in care, research and education with the backing of Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education (CAATE)–accredited degrees. You'll learn the importance of addressing relevant practice and professional issues with the purpose of transforming future clinical care and education, and gain advanced manual therapy, rehabilitation, clinical reasoning and practical research skills you can take into the workforce or apply in your existing position.

Athletic Training Degree Programs

University of Idaho offers two graduate programs in athletic training: the Master of Science in Athletic Training (M.S.A.T.) and Doctor of Athletic Training (D.A.T.), both blending face-to-face and online instruction with clinical experience and research.

Students spend part of the year gaining hands-on experience and the rest in hybrid learning environments. Along with U of I’s clinical affiliations across multiple states, our on-campus applied learning spaces allow students to work alongside faculty members in a collaborative setting.

Master of Science in Athletic Training (M.S.A.T.)

Master of Science in Athletic Training

The M.S.A.T. is a non-thesis, entry-to-professional graduate degree that will prepare you to take the Board of Certification exam and become a certified athletic trainer. Over a period of 24 months, a rigorous six-semester structure combines didactic and clinical experiences at U of I’s partnering sites:

Summer Semesters: Two required summer semesters as an M.S.A.T. students will place you at an affiliated location to complete a total of 900 clinical education hours under the direct supervision of a preceptor. In the process, students earn at least 175 hours of manual therapy coursework and get certified in the Mulligan Concept, MyoKinesthetic System, Positional Release Therapy, RockTape, and more techniques.
Fall and Spring Semesters: During the remaining four semesters, you will work toward your 84 total credit hours covering topics in clinical anatomy, injury care and prevention strategies, diagnostic methods, rehabilitation principles, neuroscience, health promotion strategies, pharmacology, and therapeutic modalities. Courses will be scheduled in a physical classroom, through synchronous learning via Adobe Connect, or fully asynchronously.

As you complete your degree, you’ll join many previous M.S.A.T. students who have earned an average BOC exam pass rate of 95%. Individuals interested in this program are required to have previously taken courses in human anatomy and physiology, regardless of undergraduate degree, and have current first aid and CPR knowledge. To earn your M.S.A.T. degree, the University of Idaho has laid out two possible pathways:

Traditional Graduate Student: Students apply as a master’s degree–seeking candidate and, along with fulfilling all prerequisites, must meet all existing admission requirements.
3+2 M.S.A.T. Program: Students apply as a traditional undergraduate student with the intention of beginning the M.S.A.T. program after finishing their junior year. To start this process, candidates select a relevant bachelor’s degree major, ideally in exercise science, health science, or a similar field, to cover all prerequisites and take courses in biology, chemistry, physics, and psychology. After finishing 90 semester hours of their undergraduate requirements, students transition into the M.S.A.T. program and follow the 24-month, six-semester structure. After five years, all 3+2 candidates receive both a bachelor’s in their undergraduate major and a master’s degree in athletic training.

Whether you’re applying as a traditional graduate student or are interested in the 3+2 athletic training program, learn more about the M.S.A.T. degree.

Doctor of Athletic Training (D.A.T.)

Doctor of Athletic Training

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The D.A.T. program is a post-professional terminal academic degree geared toward working health care professionals interested in improving their clinical skills and transitioning into an athletic training educator role. In turn, this athletic training program focuses on the candidate’s ability to conduct their own original applied clinical research.

The D.A.T. also uses a 24-month, six-semester structure. Beyond advanced clinical experience and didactic coursework, all D.A.T. candidates must produce a culminating research project to graduate.

Building off both the M.S.A.T. and professional experience, the D.A.T. blends evidence-based practice content with current manual therapy techniques, novel interactions and instruction in applied research, allowing students to gain specialty training and advanced clinical skills and refine their research abilities.

The D.A.T. is structured as follows:

Summer Experience: Designed to help D.A.T. students improve their research skills, the summer semesters involve collecting, analyzing and utilizing patient outcomes to gather evidence while improving patient care. Because the program is geared toward experienced professionals, many candidates can complete these requirements in their current workplace.
Fall and Spring Semesters: D.A.T. students have the opportunity to participate in mentored clinical residencies while getting through didactic coursework and making headway in their applied research. These periods further allow candidates to expand their expertise in chronic musculoskeletal pain and dysfunctions.

Learn more about the D.A.T. degree, including its structure, requirements, and research.

Careers in Athletic Training

For over the past 30 years, the American Medical Association has recognized athletic training as an allied health profession. Athletic trainers work under the direction and supervision of a physician while delivering comprehensive and targeted care to athletes and other physically active individuals.

This arrangement is collaborative, with the athletic trainer being key in the assessment, treatment, rehabilitation, and prevention of athletic injuries. More specifically, athletic trainers:

educate individuals about injury risks and the strategies for avoiding them;
provide guidance on the proper use of equipment, athletic form, and protective devices;
recognize, respond to, and assess athletic injuries within clinical, school, and sporting event settings;
treat and rehabilitate existing athletic injuries;
discuss treatment and rehabilitation options with physicians and other healthcare professionals, including in the context of other health issues;
address acute, chronic, and emergency health conditions and disabilities that limit or fully impair a patient’s movement; and
work in educational settings, hospitals, fitness centers, and physicians’ offices and for professional sports teams.

As the first step to becoming an athletic trainer, M.S.A.T. students must pass their BOC exam. From here, graduates have earned the title of “BOC certified athletic trainer” and are eligible to put “ATC” after their name in professional correspondences. Keep in mind that individual states may have their own additional certification and licensing requirements.

Learn More About U of I’s Athletic Training Programs

Whether you’re interested in entering the field or forwarding your career, reach out to the University of Idaho’s Athletic Training Program. Contact the program by email or by phone at 208-885-2182, or fill out a request for information form today.

Doctor of Athletic Training (D.A.T.)

The University of Idaho College of Education's Doctor of Athletic Training (D.A.T.) is a post-professional terminal academic degree. The D.A.T. program is designed for working health care professionals who are interested in improving their clinical practice capabilities as an athletic training educator and ability to conduct applied clinical research.

The flexible, innovative program boasts a mix of hybrid and on-campus instruction over a 24-month curriculum and culminating project unique to each student. Students gain specialty training, research training and advanced clinical skills relevant to today's interdisciplinary job market. The six-semester curricular phase is delivered during four weeks of on-campus instruction each summer, followed by synchronous off-campus instruction and clinical residences in the fall and spring.

The Summer Experience

Unique to the U of I D.A.T. program, the two four-week summer experiences are delivered by program faculty members and external experts in specific areas of focus. Evidence-based practice content is infused with current manual therapy techniques, novel interventions and training in applied research. The summer experience best prepares clinicians to become adept at collecting, analyzing and utilizing patient outcomes to create practice based evidence while assessing and improving their patient care.

Fall and Spring Curriculum and Residency

During the fall and spring semesters, students participate in clinical residencies, create applied research and receive didactic course work that is delivered via a combined framework of synchronous and asynchronous distance learning.

The intent of the mentored clinical residencies is the examination and advancement of each student's clinical practice competence. Students identify a clinical practice setting or specialty area, often their site of employment, as their D.A.T. residency (similar to the medical residencies model). Students also select an attending clinician (i.e., clinical mentor) for the residency site. Residencies will vary for each student according to individual interests.

As part of the program, all students will conduct original research in chosen areas of focus. Patient care data will be collected during each student's residency, which will serve as a foundation for much of the student's research during the program. Ongoing multi-site research gives students a platform to complete a collaborative applied research project focused on improving professional practice as a component of their Culminating Clinical Project (CCP). Students integrate clinical experience and research to become scholarly practitioners who shape the future of healthcare.

Redefining Excellence in Patient Care

The University of Idaho D.A.T. program is set apart by advanced clinical practice, the ability to produce outcomes in clinical practice that exceed published expectations and the ability to generate foundational knowledge through research in advanced practice.

Admission Cycle

Opens: July 1
Rolling admission until April 15

Master of Science in Athletic Training (M.S.A.T.)

The Athletic Training master’s (M.S.A.T.) program is designed to prepare graduates, not only for the Board of Certification (BOC) exam, but also to provide excellent patient care and be generational leaders in the profession. It is critical you set yourself apart at the professional level by attending a unique and innovative program such as the one at University of Idaho.

Program Overview

Our six-semester program is designed to prepare students to be clinicians with advanced skill in manual therapies and rehabilitative care typically reserved for post-professional training. The two-year sequence includes two on-campus summer intensives on UI’s Moscow campus. The fall and spring semesters are delivered in a hybrid format, where students will take online courses and courses that require the student's physical attendance. This model offers a lower cost of living, more individualized and specialized clinical experiences and a program cost below the national average.

The hybrid delivery of coursework empowers students to pursue clinical rotations that prepare you to accomplish your distinct career goals. Students maximize clinical experiences by choosing from UI affiliate sites throughout the U.S. or by working with faculty members to create new sites that align with career objectives. You may choose to work alongside a leading expert in a clinical focus area, stay close to home and family or explore a new geographical location.

Mission

To redefine excellence in patient care by preparing students with the skill set necessary to embark on the path towards advanced clinical practice. Our students will purposefully integrate clinical practice, research, and education to provide excellent patient care and solve relevant problems in clinical practice.

Vision

To be the premier athletic training program for preparing athletic training students who provide excellent patient care, have advanced manual therapy skills, and transform clinical practice in athletic training. Our graduates will utilize progressive skills in manual therapy and rehabilitation, advanced clinical reasoning, and applied research skills to solve complex health care problems and lead the profession of athletic training. In doing so, our students, who successfully graduate from the U of I AT Program, will not only meet or exceed the minimum standards set forth by the BOC in regards to exam eligibility, but will be uniquely prepared as leaders in musculoskeletal rehabilitation. The program will provide students with comprehensive and continuous training in the skills and theory needed for successful clinical practice, develop athletic trainers who demonstrate intellectual curiosity and skill in applying an evidence-based approach to patient care, and who generate practice-based evidence using patient outcomes data. Acquiring the knowledge and skills provided in this Program will enhance the graduate’s ability to become competitive professionals in the sports medicine market, valuable members of any sports medicine team, and clinicians who have begun to develop advanced athletic training practice.

Admission Cycle

Opens: July 1

Priority Deadline: Nov. 15. Phone interviews will take place through mid-December.
Secondary Deadline: Jan. 25. Phone interviews will take place through mid-February.
Tertiary Deadline: March 15. Phone interviews will take place in late March.

All other applicants will be considered for the final round of phone interviews, pending space in the program, scheduled for the last week of April. International applications must have all materials submitted no later than March 15th.

The Power of Your Degree

In the ever-changing health care landscape, the UI program is leading the way to promote evidence-based advanced practice in athletic training. It is our mission to give our graduates the tools necessary to continue their journey toward advanced practice throughout their careers. Minimally, our graduates are able to:

Demonstrate the ability to treat patients from multiple clinical paradigms using several traditional and novel manual therapy techniques.
Collect and utilize patient outcome measures to create practice-based evidence to evaluate and improve clinical practice.
Seamlessly incorporate literature evidence and practice-based evidence into patient care.
Succeed in a variety of diverse clinical settings.

Distinctive Facts

Tuition is a flat fee that is the same for in- and out-of-state students and includes all books.
We offer several advanced manual therapy courses included in the cost of your tuition in addition to the curriculum, unlike any other program in the nation. The courses are taught by experts in the manual therapy paradigm and many are exclusively taught in our program.
We recently unveiled a 1,500-square-foot Integrated Sport Medicine and Rehabilitative Therapy (ISMaRT) Clinic that serves as a classroom in the summer and our fully functioning teaching clinic for the M.S.A.T. program in the fall and spring semesters.
Download some of the scholarly products developed by UI athletic training students.

The Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education (CAATE)

The University of Idaho, College of Education Health and Human Sciences: Master of Science in Athletic Training (M.S.A.T.) is accredited through CAATE on a ten-year cycle. The current cycle began in 2018 with the next review taking place in 2028.

The Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education (CAATE) which is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization recognized as an accrediting agency by the Council of Higher Education (CHEA). The CAATE’s mission is to: define, measure, and continually improve AT Education. For more information regarding the CAATE or the current U of I M.S.A.T. accreditation standing please see the CAATE website.

» CAATE Program Information and Outcomes Page

Research

Successful practice as an athletic trainer, no matter the setting, requires a versatile approach to practice and the ability to translate research to practice. We believe in the full evidence-based practice model of incorporating the best literature evidence, clinical expertise and individual patient needs. Idaho's athletic training programs engage in patient care research that aims to transform healthcare by enhancing evidence-based practice and creating practice-based evidence.

Every athletic training faculty member maintains a balance of applied and laboratory research while serving to mentor student-led projects. Students will have the opportunity to conduct research to solve problems in clinical practice and directly improve their patient care.

Faculty, students and alumni have received grant funding to support research and have shared their research findings at professional conferences and in academic journals. A selection of published works is listed below.

Selected Research Publications

Peer-Reviewed Journal Articles

Stevenson, V, Baker, RT, Nasypany, AM, May, J, Uriarte, M, (In Press) Title: Using the MyoKinesthetic System to Treat Bilateral Chronic Knee Pain: A Case Study. Journal of Chiropractic Medicine
Bonser, B, Hancock, C, Loutch, R, Zeigel, A, Stanford E, Baker, RT, Nasypany, AM, May, J, Cheatham, S, (In Press). Changes in Hamstring Range of Motion Following Neurodynamic Sciatic Sliders: A Critically Appraised Topic. Journal of Sport Rehabilitation.
Hudson, R, Richmond, A, Sanchez, B, Stevenson, V, Baker, RT, May J, Nasypany AM, Reordan, D, (2016). An Alternative Approach to the treatment of meniscal pathologies: A case series analysis of the Mulligan Concept. International Journal of Sports Physical Therapy, 11(4): 564-574.
Fyock M, Nasypany AM, Seegmiller JG, Baker RT (2016). Treating patients with patellofemoral pain syndrome using regional interdependence theory: A critically appraised topic. International Journal of Athletic Therapy and Training, 21(3):5-11.
Hansberger BL, Baker RT, May J, & Nasypany A. Incorporating neurodynamics in the treatment of lower leg pain: a case review. (In Press – Athletic Training and Sports Health Care).
Syverston P, Baker RT, & Nasypany A. (2016). Avulsion fracture of the anterior superior iliac spine and the iliac crest: a mindfulness approach to rehabilitation.International Journal of Athletic Therapy and Training, 21(1):24-29.
May J, Krzyanowicz R, Nasypany A, Baker R, & Seegmiller J. (2015). Mulligan concept use and clinical profile from the perspective of American certified Mulligan practitioners. Journal of Sport Rehabilitation, 24:337-341.
Brody K, Baker RT, Nasypany A, & Seegmiller JG. (2015). Treatment of meniscal lesions using the mulligan “squeeze” technique: a case series. International Journal of Athletic Therapy and Training, 20(6):24-31.
Rhinehart AJ, Schroeder KM, May J, Baker R, Nasypany AM. (2015). Movement assessment: techniques and possible integration into clinical practice. International Journal of Athletic Therapy and Training, 20(6):5-9.
Baker RT, Hansberger BL, Warren L, & Nasypany A. (2015). A novel approach for the reversal of chronic apparent hamstring tightness: a case report.International Journal of Sports Physical Therapy, 10(5): 723-734.
Hansberger BL, Baker RT, May J, & Nasypany A. (2015). A novel approach to treating plantar fasciitis – effects of primal reflex release technique: a case series.International Journal of Sports Physical Therapy, 10(5): 690-701.
Rhinehart AJ. (2015). Effective treatment of an apparent meniscal injury using the Mulligan Concept. Journal of Sports Medicine and Allied Health Sciences: The Official Journal of the Ohio Athletic Trainers' Association, 1(2):Article 4.
Brody K, Baker RT, Nasypany A, & Seegmiller JG. (2015). Meniscal lesions: the physical examination and evidence for conservative treatment. International Journal of Athletic Therapy and Training, 20(5):35-38.
McMurray J, Landis S, Lininger K, Baker RT, Nasypany A, & Seegmiller J. (2015). A comparison and review of indirect myofascial release therapy, instrument assisted soft tissue mobilization, and active release techniques to inform clinical decision-making. International Journal of Athletic Therapy and Training, 20(5):29-34.
Brody K, Baker RT, Nasypany A, & May J. (2015). The myokinesthetic system, part 2: treatment of chronic low back pain. International Journal of Athletic Therapy and Training, 20(5):22-28.
Brody K, Baker RT, Nasypany, A, & May J. (2015). The myokinesthetic system, part 1: a clinical assessment and matching treatment intervention. International Journal of Athletic Therapy and Training, 20(4):5-9.
Loutsch RA, Baker RT, May JM, & Nasypany AM. (2015). Reactive neuromuscular training results in immediate and long-term improvements of measures of hamstring flexibility: a case report. International Journal of Sport Physical Therapy, 10(3):371-377.
Thompson MA, Lee SS, Seegmiller J, McGowan CP. (2015). Kinematic and kinetic comparison of barefoot and shod running in mid/forefoot and rearfoot strike runners. Gait & Posture, 41:957-959.
Krzyanowicz R, Baker RT, Nasypany A, & Seegmiller JG. (2015). Patient outcomes utilizing the selective functional movement assessment and mulligan mobilizations with movement on recreational dancers with sacroiliac joint pain. International Journal of Athletic Therapy and Training, 20(3):31-37.
Seegmiller JG, Nasypany A, Kahanov L, Seegmiller J, & Baker RT. (2015). Trends in doctoral education among health professions: An integrative review. Athletic Training Education Journal, 10(1):47-56.
Matocha M, Baker RT, Nasypany A, & Seegmiller JG. (2015). Effects of neuromobilization on tendinopathy: Part 2. International Journal of Athletic Therapy and Training, 20(2), 41-47.
Matocha M, Baker RT, Nasypany A, & Seegmiller JG. (2015). Effects of neuromobilization on tendinopathy: Part 1. International Journal of Athletic Therapy and Training, 20(2), 36-40.
Eusea J, Nasypany A, Seegmiller JG, & Baker RT. (2015). Utilizing Mulligan sustained natural apophyseal glides (SNAGS) within a clinical prediction rule for treatment of low back pain (LBP) in a secondary school football player. International Journal of Athletic Therapy and Training, 20(1), 18-24.
Thompson MA, Gutmann A, Seegmiller J, & McGowan CP. (2014). The effect of stride length on the dynamics of barefoot and shod running. Journal of Biomechanics, 47:2745-2750.
Warren L, Baker RT, Nasypany A, & Seegmiller JG. (2014). Core concepts: Understanding the complexity of the spinal stabilizing system in local and global injury prevention and treatment. International Journal of Athletic Therapy and Training, 19(6), 28-33.
Gamma SC, Baker RT, Iorio S, Nasypany A, & Seegmiller JG. (2014). A Total Motion Release warm-up improves dominant arm shoulder internal and external rotation in baseball players. International Journal of Sport Physical Therapy, 9(4), 509-517.
Mau H, & Baker RT. (2014). A modified mobilization with movement to treat a lateral ankle sprain. International Journal of Sport Physical Therapy, 9(4), 540-548.
Baker RT, Van Riper M, Nasypany A, & Seegmiller JG. (2014). Evaluation and treatment of apparent reactive tendinopathy of the biceps brachii. International Journal of Athletic Therapy and Training, 19(4), 14-21.
Baker RT, Nasypany A, Seegmiller JG, & Baker JG. (2013). Instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization treatment for tissue extensibility dysfunction.International Journal of Athletic Therapy and Training, 18(5), 16-21.
Johnston K, Baker RT, & Baker JG. (2013). Use of auscultation and percussion to evaluate a suspected fracture. International Journal of Athletic Therapy and Training, 18(3), 1-6.
Baker RT, Nasypany A, Seegmiller JG, & Baker JG. (2013). Treatment of acute torticollis using positional release therapy: Part 2. International Journal of Athletic Therapy and Training, 18(2), 38-43.
Baker RT, Nasypany A, Seegmiller JG, & Baker JG. (2013). Treatment of acute torticollis using positional release therapy: Part 1. International Journal of Athletic Therapy and Training, 18(2), 34-37.
Baker RT, Nasypany A, Seegmiller JG, & Baker JG. (2013). The mulligan concept: Mobilizations with movement. International Journal of Athletic Therapy and Training, 18(1), 34-38.
Baker RT, Sanchez BJ, Cady AC, & Zinder SM. (2012). Repetitive nonunion fracture of the tibia and fibula in a soccer player. International Journal of Athletic Therapy and Training, 17(1), 29-35.