ALL PROGRAMS

M.S. Athletic Training Degree

ON-CAMPUS
Master's in Athletic Training
ALL PROGRAMS

M.S. Athletic Training Degree

ON-CAMPUS
M.S. Athletic Training Degree

Master of Science in Athletic Training

The Master of Science in Athletic Training (MSAT) degree is a 63-hour, professional athletic training degree which provides graduate students with the knowledge, values, skills, and clinical education necessary to successfully practice as certified athletic trainers. Graduates of this program will be prepared to successfully pass the Board of Certification Inc. (BOC) certification examination.

The program is designed for students who have completed an undergraduate degree but are seeking entry into the athletic training profession through a graduate program that is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education (CAATE). The IWU MSAT program is accredited through the 2027-2028 academic year. This program is not intended for students who already have an undergraduate athletic training degree from a CAATE accredited institution or are currently eligible for the BOC certification examination.

Why Pursue My MSAT at IWU?

The mission of the MSAT at Indiana Wesleyan University is to offer high-quality, evidence-based educational opportunities that help students grow intellectually, professionally, and personally within a nationally accredited curriculum in athletic training, serving the healthcare needs of Indiana and beyond.

To achieve the mission of both Indiana Wesleyan University and the MSAT, we strive to provide:

A Christ-centered learning environment that nurtures and develops professional behaviors aligned with the values of excellence, caring, honesty, and respect. These values are consistent with the Code of Ethics by the National Athletic Trainers’ Association and the Standards of Professional Practice from the Board of Certification, Inc.

A comprehensive, student-focused curriculum that covers the full scope of athletic training. This curriculum builds on students' liberal arts and science foundation, deepens their understanding of athletic healthcare issues, and prepares them to engage with and serve a diverse patient population.

A variety of didactic, laboratory, and clinical experiences that expose students to a wide range of traditional and emerging healthcare and human service delivery models.

What Will I Learn in this MSAT?

In the MSAT program at Indiana Wesleyan University, you’ll learn:

  • Evidence-Based Practice: Apply the latest research and clinical guidelines to optimize patient care.
  • Clinical Skills: Gain hands-on experience in preventing, diagnosing, treating, and rehabilitating both chronic and acute medical conditions.
  • Professional Behaviors: Develop values like excellence, caring, honesty, and respect, aligned with the National Athletic Trainers’ Association's Code of Ethics.
  • Interdisciplinary Collaboration: Work effectively with physicians and other healthcare professionals.
  • Patient Engagement: Learn to serve a diverse patient population, promoting their health and activity in all aspects of life.
  • Christ-Centered Learning: Grow in a supportive, Christ-centered environment that fosters intellectual, professional, and personal development.

By completing the MSAT program, you’ll be well-prepared to meet healthcare needs in Indiana and beyond, making a meaningful impact in athletic training.

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CAATE Program Information and Outcomes

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What Makes IWU Different?

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What You'll Study

The curriculum for this Master of Athletic Training covers:

Indiana Wesleyan University

Courses in this Program

These courses contain the program-specific knowledge. Upon completion, you should have the tools to conquer your new career with confidence. For a full list of courses and prerequisites required to complete your degree, please visit the course catalog. Click on a course below to view the description.

ATR-510,ATR-501,ATR-515,ATR-520,ATR-520L,ATR-502,ATR-521,ATR-521L,ATR-525,ATR-525L,ATR-516,ATR-526,ATR-530,ATR-548,ATR-503,ATR-535,ATR-535L,ATR-531,ATR-545,ATR-545L,ATR-504,ATR-540,ATR-549,ATR-517,ATR-577

After Graduation

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Potential Careers

  • Educational Institutions: High schools, colleges, and universities, providing care to student-athletes.
  • Professional and Amateur Sports: Working with athletes in professional sports teams, minor league teams, and youth sports organizations.
  • Healthcare Facilities: Hospitals, clinics, and physician offices, offering rehabilitation and injury prevention services.
  • Corporate and Industrial Settings: Providing ergonomic assessments, injury prevention programs, and first aid to employees.
  • Performing Arts: Supporting the health and performance of dancers, musicians, and other performers.
  • Military and Law Enforcement: Assisting in the physical conditioning and injury management of military personnel and law enforcement officers.
  • These diverse environments highlight the versatile role of athletic trainers in promoting health and safety across various populations.

Work in Various Industries

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Tuition and Fees

$716 / Credit Hour

Financial aid is available in the form of grants, loans, scholarships, veterans’ benefits, and employer reimbursement.

Financial Aid Tuition Info

Applicable fees for resources and services will be assessed throughout the program. Tuition and fees for prerequisites and required elective courses are in addition to the charges shown on the program cost sheet. Cost sheets may be requested from an enrollment counselor by calling 765.677.6507 or emailing admissions@indwes.edu.

Program Requirements

  • Applicants to the Masters of Science Degree in Athletic Training (MSAT) program must have a baccalaureate degree with a minimum overall grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.
  • Application form: Submit a completed graduate application on the ATCAS system here.
  • Official Transcripts: Submit official transcripts from all universities and/or colleges attended. Official transcripts from all post-high school educational experiences are to be included.
  • References: Submit three references. At least one of the references must be from a medical practitioner and another from a previous faculty member who can speak to your capacity to do graduate level work.
  • Writing Sample: In a double-spaced typed essay of 500 to 750 words, explain your interest in the program, what you hope to achieve by completing the program, and how your personal or professional background relates to your interests or goals.
  • Curriculum Vitae: Other aspects of an applicant's record, such as educational achievement, professional experience and clarity of career goals should be reflected in a curriculum vitae.
  • Deadline for Application: We have a deadline of June 15th for all application materials. Eligible candidates will be required to participate in an interview with the faculty, which can be accomplished in person, virtually, or by telephone.  Decisions regarding the acceptability of applicants for the Master of Science Degree in Athletic Training program will be made by the admissions committee after evaluation of all pertinent application materials. Applications cannot be accurately reviewed until all application materials are received and requirements have been met. New applications are required for those who defer a year or miss the cutoff date for admissions.
  • All credits required in the course of studies with a minimum overall GPA of 3.25

Students must have completed the following courses with a grade of B or better from a regionally accredited college or university to be considered for the MSAT program.  These courses provide a foundation for success in professional level graduate work in the MSAT program.  The MSAT Program Director will make the final decision as to the compatibility of each course to meet curricular standards.

  • Anatomy with lab - 4 credits
  • Physiology with lab - 4 credits
  • Kinesiology - 3 credits
  • Biomechanics - 3 credits
  • Exercise Physiology - 3 credits
  • General Statistics - 3 credits
  • Biology with lab - 4 credits                                             
  • Chemistry with lab - 4 credits
  • Physics with lab - 4 credits

Accreditation

Students must have completed the following courses with a grade of B or better from a regionally accredited college or university to be considered for the MSAT program.  These courses provide a foundation for success in professional level graduate work in the MSAT program.  The MSAT Program Director will make the final decision as to the compatibility of each course to meet curricular standards.

  • Anatomy with lab - 4 credits
  • Physiology with lab - 4 credits
  • Kinesiology - 3 credits
  • Biomechanics - 3 credits
  • Exercise Physiology - 3 credits
  • General Statistics - 3 credits
  • Biology with lab - 4 credits                                             
  • Chemistry with lab - 4 credits
  • Physics with lab - 4 credits

Program FAQs

Our divisional faculty have decades of expertise in Athletic Training, Exercise Science, Physical Education, and Sport/ Recreation Management. The average tenure of our faculty is over 10 years at IWU with our most senior faculty member in his 27th Their impact and influence have been on the high school, collegiate, and professional levels of their professions. Additionally, we utilize a specialized group of adjunct faculty to ensure that students learn from leaders in their field. These amazing educators teach specific lecture, practical, professional, and clinical courses.
Contact 765-677-6901 Choose 1 and then ask for the Financial Aid office.
A sincere and invested connection with faculty and professional mentors is a critical component for professional acclimatization. The wisdom and experience provided by these individuals can be significant and impactful on an early career professional. Strong relationships with these professionals can open previously closed doors and connect graduates with future opportunities.
  • Students majoring in Exercise Science have multiple options to pursue upon degree completion. While some of the careers listed below require graduate school, others can be achieved immediately following graduation.
    • Athletic Trainer, Exercise Physiology, Cardiac and Pulmonary Rehab
    • Occupational Therapist, Physical Therapist, Speech Pathologist
    • Biomechanics, Nutritionist/ Registered Dietician
    • Physician’s Assistant, Researcher, Kinesiotherapist, Personal Trainer
    • Strength and Coordinating Coach, Corporate/ Adult Fitness
    • Wellness Centers/ Health Agencies, Fitness Leadership
    • Group Exercise Instructor, Chiropractor
    • Wellness Centers/Health Agencies, Fitness Leadership
  • Students majoring in Sport Management also have multiple options to pursue upon degree completion. While some of the careers listed below require graduate school, others can be achieved immediately following graduation.
    • Sports Marketing and Promotions Facility, Management and Design
    • Event Management/ Public Relations, Sports Information Director
    • Athletic Director/ Coach, Sports Agent/ Ticket Sales, Owning/Managing a Sports-related Business
    • Risk Management, Operations of Recreational Sports Programs
    • Fundraising Coordinator, Compliance Director, Sports Administration
  • Students majoring in Sport Ministry have the unique opportunity to couple Ministry with the global language of sport. Opportunities are robust within the following area:
    • Church Sports Ministry, Sport Camps, Youth Sport Ministries
    • Sports Chaplaincy, Individual Sports Coach Training
    • Mission Organizations, Sports Marketing and Promotions Facility, Management and Design
    • Event Management/ Public Relations, Sports Information Director
    • Athletic Director/ Coach, Sports Agent/ Ticket Sales
The curriculum of our majors and programs is largely based off industry accreditation standards which ensure students enrolled in our programs get high-quality education. We recognize our bias towards our own courses and institution, so we have pursued additional evidence of our efforts to provide students with the best preparation for their careers. External accreditation confirms our opinions that we offer excellent majors, minors, and programs. Both our Athletic Training program and Exercise Science program currently enjoy the maximum 10-year accreditation awards from their respective accreditors (CAATE & CAAHEP).
Students have earned graduate school placements at institutions around the country for athletic training, chiropractic medicine, medical schools, physical therapy, physicians’ assistant, occupational therapy, and positions within the recreation and sports management sphere. Jobs have been secured at every level of employment. Employer feedback is very important to our program faculty! We use this important information to continually modify curriculum and program structure to ensure our students keep pace with a rapidly changing employment landscape.
Many times, the steps taken post-graduation are planned for during a senior seminar type course during the final year of undergraduate education. Professional acclimatization is a taught, evaluated, and rehearsed skill developed through intentional planning between faculty and students as well as within the advising process.
It is encouraged that prospective and incoming students keep a broad perspective on where and with whom these experiences may occur. There are so many informative parts of their education that will shape their pursuit of the various types of clinical/practical/internship type opportunities. We, HHP faculty, take advising very seriously and meet with students one-on-one each semester to ensure a mutually agreeable course and practical progression is planned and successfully completed. This is an ongoing process that evolves as students’ complete coursework and develop priorities through each experience.
Depending on the program, yes, in-person education and practical training is imperative to achieve many of the post-graduation career goals. Many of these requirements can be met locally, both on campus and within the Grant County community. Should the opportunity present itself at a greater distance from campus, the supervising faculty advisor and student can navigate the logistics of that potential experience and make informed decisions.
IWU offers two 14-week semesters, fall and spring, as well as a 3 ½ week “May” term and various summer terms. Summer terms can be for the month of June and/or the month of July as well as a summer term that lasts both June and July combined.
A lot of that depends on the number of courses being taken that semester as well as the type of courses enrolled in. Some lecture and lab based courses take considerable additional time outside of class to be successful. Additionally, if the student is active in campus groups and extracurricular activities, their schedule and time commitments can vary broadly.
Most students will complete our majors/minors/programs within the traditional 4-year timeframe. However, there are many students who choose to extend their time at IWU to ensure they complete multiple majors/minors/programs as well as fulfill extracurricular investments. Some students opt to accelerate their curriculum and finish prior to the 4-year mark. This is rigorous and necessitates the student can handle to increased load and expectation of completing a degree “early”.
Students will be assigned an advisor(s) and provided a curriculum map that shows the necessary degree requirements. Students should keep in mind that this is an ever-changing plan. While a 4-year plan is somewhat prescriptive, it is rarely the final template for each individual student. There are numerous factors that impact this plan. CLEP courses, AP courses from high school, a transfer course(s) from another institution, taking coursework over the summer months, etc., will all potentially impact what each semester might result in actuality.
IWU boosts multiple robust resources for student thriving. The Center for Student Support, IT-Help Desk, Health Center, and Career Center are all available to students based on their individual needs. Academic advisors through both The Center for Academic Thriving and individual academic departments/ divisions are available and willing to meet with students on a scheduled basis to ensure their questions are answered and needs are met to be successful during their time at IWU.
As already mentioned, students are assigned academic advisors through both The Cener for Academic Thriving and individual departments/ divisions. Meeting and interacting regularly with these seasoned professionals provide both time and guidance to develop a student’s professional progression and acclimation into their intended discipline.
Students within the Exercise Science and Sports Management programs are required to have two professional experiences as well as a dedicated internship. These placements have historically been all over the country depending on the students’ interests as well as faculty and student connections with leaders in their field. They are in-person and range from semester-long to summer-long experiences depending on the placement.
However, this process isn’t concrete and never will be. Individual course(s) from other institutions can be considered for certain program requirements and if approved, are approved for a set amount of time before a course from a specific institution needs to be re-evaluated. Additionally, accreditation standards may impact the ability of a external course to be considered for an IWU program. This evaluation process is initiated by the registrar’s office and coordinated with the divisional and individual program leadership.
No
Yes, and they are traditionally accomplished through the advising process during the senior year of the students’ undergraduate education. They are included within a major/ program course which can be completed during the fall and/or fall and spring semesters.
We are confident students can get an excellent education in the areas we have listed above at many different institutions. The difference in our programs at IWU is that we will approach these professions and disciplines from a Kingdom perspective. We truly believe our students are World Changers and their impact on people can influence them to come to know Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. Our faculty are committed to creating an environment that blends faith and learning seamlessly.
Students who are serious about learning and are actively pursuing God’s plan for their lives will do very well in IWU programs. Progressing into professional occupations and positions doesn’t happen by default just by earning a undergraduate degree. It will take time and investment, as well as a willingness to commit to rigorous academic program standards.
  • Get your graduate degree at IWU! IWU offers a Master’s in Athletic Training, Master’s in Sports Leadership, Doctorate in Physical Therapy, and Doctorate in Occupation Therapy. Each program is fully accredited and is either housed on the traditional IWU-Marion campus or fully online.
  • The Human Performance Lab (RWC 240) houses a robust array of exercise physiology and biomechanics equipment along with dedicated space to conduct research initiatives. This laboratory has grown immensely since its initial construction in 1999 with 2 major construction renovations to ensure high-quality student learning is ongoing and meeting current industry expectations. Students have daily access to learn from state-of-the-art resources during their undergraduate preparation that they will more than likely encounter in graduate school and/ or their occupational positions.
Faith and Learning are a non-negotiable part of life at IWU. Faculty, Staff, and Administrators are called to this place and weaving our Christian walk and life into our vocations is an expectation.

Take Your Next Step

Jump start your career with your M.S. Athletic Training degree!

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