Master of Science in Athletic Training
Introduction
The Master of Science in Athletic Training (MSAT) degree is designed for students interested in injury/illness prevention, wellness promotion/education, and treatment/rehabilitation of injuries or medical conditions related to physically active populations. The program consists of intense coursework and clinical experiences completed over three consecutive semesters (summer, fall, spring) for two years.
Students who complete the master of science in athletic training degree will graduate from an accredited program by the Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education (CAATE). Upon graduation, students will be eligible to take the National Board of Certification examination to become a Certified Athletic Trainer.
Five Reasons to Get a Master of Science in Athletic Training Degree at UNLV
- Skills in Diverse Clinical Internship Sites: Our students receive access to unparalleled clinical experience opportunities that are individually tailored to provide comprehensive hands-on experience in unique settings.
- Receive Mentorship from Engaged Faculty: Our dedicated educators have a collective 25+ years of clinical practice and extensive teaching experience. They are deeply committed to teaching, service, and advancing scholarship.
- Pursue Your Master’s Degree With Less Financial Stressors: Our master’s program offers high quality education at an affordable cost in comparison to peer institutions.
- Attend One of the Nation’s Most Diverse Universities: As one of the nation’s most diverse universities, UNLV provides a welcoming campus community representing and supporting students from various backgrounds.
- Study at a Uniquely Accredited Program: The Athletic Training Program at UNLV is the only athletic training curriculum program in Nevada accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education (CAATE).
Our Curriculum
The MSAT degree requires 61 units of coursework to be delivered full-time over two academic years. Each academic year begins in the summer and students are required to be continuously enrolled for the summer, fall, and spring semesters over two years.
Our curriculum is designed to best prepare students for the Board of Certification (BOC) exam. For data regarding the BOC pass rates, graduation rates, retention rate, and employment/placement rate of our undergraduate students, visit our program’s CAATE Program Outcomes Data page. Graduate data will be available after we graduate our first class of students.
Admission Requirements and Application Process
The application period for this year will commence on October 3, 2024. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the cohort reaches capacity. However, candidates who submit their applications by November 17, 2024, will receive the strongest consideration for admission.
How to Apply
Students interested in applying to the UNLV Master of Science in Athletic Training Program (MSAT) must complete a two-step application process. First, applicants must apply directly to the program through ATrack (link provided below). Upon approval from the program, candidates must then submit a second application to the UNLV Graduate College.
STEP ONE: To begin the application process, applicants must first complete this survey for ATrack access.
After completing the survey, applicants will receive a confirmation email with login details for ATrack. The ATrack application will require the following uploads:
•Two letters of recommendation
•A statement of intent
•Unofficial transcripts
•Clinical Observation Verification Form
The Athletic Training Program Admissions Committee will review all applications that meet the minimum criteria for admissions. Once program application materials have been reviewed, recommended applicants will be invited for an interview with program faculty. In-person interviews will be offered to in-state applicants, and virtual options will be available for out-of-state applicants. Acceptance letters will be sent to selected applicants at the completion of the application cycle. Upon acceptance, approved applicants can move on to Step Two.
STEP TWO: Submit second application to the UNLV Graduate College.
Upon acceptance to the MSAT, approved students will need to complete the UNLV Graduate College application.
All domestic and international applicants must review and follow the Graduate College Admission and Registration requirements as outlined in the Admissions section of the Graduate Catalog.
Priority deadline for the Graduate College application is February 1st.
Final deadline is April 1st.
For full information about our program’s requirements and application, visit the Master of Athletic Training Degree page.
Student Experience
Learn In Dynamic Facilities
The MSAT program utilizes a dedicated classroom that is modeled after an athletic training facility. In this classroom, students have access to the hands-on tools and equipment that are utilized in the practice of athletic training.
Hands-On Work Through Clinical Rotations
The MSAT program offers extensive hands-on experience through a diverse range of clinical rotations. Students have the opportunity to intern in various settings, including college and university athletics, community college, club sports, high schools, specialized clinics, and professional sports settings. Situated in Las Vegas, one of the world's premier sports and entertainment capitals, our program provides unique and valuable experiences that prepare students for successful careers in athletic training.
Clinical Sites
- Baseball
- Basketball (men's and women's)
- Football
- Soccer (men's and women's)
- Softball
- Spirit squads
- Swim and dive
- Tennis (men's and women's)
- Track and field
- Volleyball
Community College: College of Southern Nevada (CSN)
- Baseball
- Basketball (women’s)
- Soccer (men’s and women’s)
- Softball
- Volleyball (women’s)
Club Sports
- UNLV Club Hockey
Clark County School District (CCSD)
- Basic High School
- Clark High School
- Desert Oasis High School
- Durango High School
- Western High School
Private High Schools
- Bishop Gorman
- Faith Lutheran
Physical Therapy Clinics
- Earnest Physical Therapy
- Elevate Sports Performance
- Tim Soder Physical Therapy
Orthopedic Clinic
- Desert Orthopedic Center
Specialty Center/Clinic
- Titan Athletes
- UFC Performance Institute
Funding Your Education
Visit the Tuition and College Costs page for more information about graduate program tuition. The Athletic Training Department also offers scholarship opportunities to help support qualifying students. Visit the Scholarships for School of Integrated Health Sciences Students page to learn more.
Additional Fees
Note that the following fees are subject to change. For more information, email athletic.gradcoord@unlv.edu.
- ATrack subscription: $90 lifetime fee
- Background checks/fingerprinting: $60
- BOC exam application fee: $35-$65
- BOC exam registration: $330
- Clinical internship travel cost: $750-$1,500
- Extracurricular conference registration: $20-$400*
- National Athletic Trainers Association (NATA) fee: $117 per year*
- Professional attire: $200-$400
- Student membership in professional organizations: $105*
*Optional Fees
Accreditation
The Athletic Training Program at UNLV is the only athletic training curriculum program in Nevada accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education (CAATE):
6850 Austin Center Blvd., Suite 100
Austin, TX 78731-3184
Telephone: 512-733-9700
The CAATE accredited athletic training program at UNLV has completed an accreditation review and is compliant with the nationally established standards through 2033. The program tracks graduation rates, retention rates, graduate placement, and first-time pass rates on the Board of Certification exams for the past three years.
For program specific information regarding accreditation at UNLV, please head over to Academic Program Accreditations.
- Students completing the degree requirements are eligible to sit for the Board of Certification (BOC) examination for athletic trainers. Graduating students must take and pass the BOC exam to become a licensed athletic trainer.
- In addition to taking and passing the BOC exam, graduating students must apply for licensure to practice as an athletic trainer in each U.S. state or territory where they will work.
- The UNLV Athletic Training Program encourages all prospective and current students to fully explore the licensure requirements in each state(s) where they wish to practice in the future. For more details regarding state licensure, visit National Athletic Trainers' Association (NATA) webpage. The NATA provides students and current licensees with contact information for the respective Athletic Training Licensing Boards for all U.S. states and U.S. territories, as well as useful tools to determine state by state licensing requirements.
- Non-Educational requirements, as outlined in NRS 640b and NAC 640b (as of May 2020), include the following: Must pass national exam; must submit fingerprints and background check; must submit an application and pay a fee; must be of good moral character.
- Those planning to apply for a license to practice Athletic Training in Nevada are encouraged to review the relevant Nevada statutes and regulations regarding the practice of Athletic Training. Learn more at the Nevada Athletic Training Board website.
Contact
Tedd Girouard, M.S., ATC, LAT
Kara Radzak, Ph.D., ATC
Michelle Samuel, Ph.D., ATC, LAT
Contact the Athletic Training Program
Mailing Address
Athletic Training Program
Department of Kinesiology and Nutrition Sciences
University of Nevada, Las Vegas
Mail Stop: 3034
4505 S. Maryland Pkwy
Las Vegas, NV 89154
Main Office Phone: 702-895-0996
Email: athletic.gradcoord@unlv.edu
Main Office Campus Location:
Rod Lee Bigelow Health Sciences (BHS), Room 323
Office Hours:
Monday-Friday: 8 a.m.-5 p.m.