Master of Science in Athletic Training
Become a certified athletic trainer with your master’s degree from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette. Our rigorous athletic training graduate program blends a challenging curriculum with practical, hands-on clinical experiences.
Starting in 2022, the Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education and the National Athletic Trainers’ Association will mandate a master’s degree for athletic trainers seeking national certification. The Master of Science in Athletic Training (MSAT) at UL Lafayette will equip you to achieve this certification, preparing you for careers in college, high school, clinics, and industry settings.
This program prepares its students for licensure or certification within the state of Louisiana. Please visit the list of licensure programs for important information if you plan to move out of state.
Mission Statement
The mission of the athletic training master’s degree program at UL Lafayette is to prepare students for professional assimilation through a rigorous education process that blends a challenging academic curriculum with aggressive, hands-on clinical experiences. Through this process, our students will become life-long learners who seek answers to the changing medical environment by exploring and conducting research. Ultimately, graduates of the athletic training program at UL Lafayette will be prepared to pass the Board of Certification (BOC) exam and become competent Allied Healthcare professionals for physically active individuals.
Athletic Training Program Goals
Through didactic and clinical experiences, students will master the knowledge and clinical competencies related to the core content areas on the path to a successful career as a Certified Athletic Trainer. In addition to the core content, program goals and objectives aim to:
- Develop decision making and critical thinking skills in students by immersing them in hands-on clinical experiences.
- Have students learn effective communication and active listening skills by interacting with a variation of patient population.
- Achieve a 70% first-time pass rate and 90% overall pass rate on the BOC exam.
- Promote professional socialization of students in the athletic training field by encouraging at least two healthcare mentors prior to graduation.
- Promote significant contributions to the profession through research and service requiring all students to submit for presentation or publication prior to graduation.
- Achieve 70% student placement in a professional setting prior to graduation.
Accreditation
UL’s athletic training program has been designed following Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education (CAATE) accreditation standards. UL’s MSAT Program is fully accredited by CAATE, 6850 Austin Center Blvd Suite 100, Austin, Texas, 78731-3184 (phone #512-733-9700). Our most recent comprehensive re-accreditation review was in 2022-2023 and was awarded a 3-year accreditation period with our next comprehensive review in 2027-2028.
Athletic Training Curriculum
Our athletic training master’s degree program is designed in accordance with CAATE accreditation standards, ensuring you gain the knowledge and experience necessary to become a certified athletic trainer.
This full-time, year-round program spans six semesters and begins every June. Students progress through the program in a cohort model, following a structured semester-by-semester curriculum.
The curriculum comprises 55 graduate credit hours and includes four clinical rotations, with the option to choose between a thesis or non-thesis track.
You'll benefit from extensive clinical experiences that allow you to work alongside certified athletic trainers, giving you a comprehensive understanding of the day-to-day responsibilities of the profession.
CAATE Program Information and Outcomes Page
To view our program data and outcomes, follow the link below.
Admissions Requirements
- You must have a cumulative 2.75 overall GPA or a 3.00 cumulative GPA in the last 60 credit hours including all transfer credit hours.
- There is no GRE requirement for the MSAT Program.
- Please review program qualifications for admission to the MSAT program.
- Learn more about the pre-requisite requirements. NOTE: Substitutions for this coursework may be considered by the program on a case-by-case basis after the application is submitted.
To formally apply to the MSAT Program, applicants are required to submit additional documents. These documents must be uploaded through the Graduate School portal.
- Evidence of completion of 75 hours of observation under a certified Athletic Trainer (ATC). If observation hours are completed with multiple ATs, the candidate will be required to upload one file that includes separate forms from each healthcare provider. Download a sample observation hours documentation form.
- Current resume and statement of purpose. The statement of purpose must include prompts that can be found on the MSAT Program’s website.
Apply to the MSAT program through the University of Louisiana at Lafayette Graduate School.
The Athletic Training Education Committee will review applicants once a month following the opening of the application portal. Students will begin receiving reminders about missing application pieces once the committee begins to review applicants. Throughout the application process, you may be asked to verify your immunization history with documentation, including the COVID-19 vaccination as well as complete a health history questionnaire.
Applicants may be invited for an interview (virtual or in person) for candidates to further demonstrate their acceptability for candidacy. These interviews will be scheduled based on committee and candidate availability throughout the application cycle until seats for the program have filled.
Application Deadlines
Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis. Final deadline is April 1. Since admission is offered to a limited number of students each year. We encourage applying early.
All students are admitted only once a year. Classes begin in June.
Start your application for graduate studies in athletic training now! Apply today »
Tuition & Fees
Tuition and fees are based on your state residency and how many credit hours you take each semester. In total, the program requires completion of 55 graduate credit hours.
Contact Us
For more information about the master’s in athletic training, contact:
Aimee Gros, Assistant Professor
Graduate Coordinator/Athletic Training Program Director
aimee.gros@louisiana.edu
(337) 482-5624
Sarah Myers, Assistant Professor
Athletic Training Clinical Coordinator
sarah.myers@louisiana.edu
(337) 482-6615