Athletic Training (M.S.)

M.S. Athletic Training (Professional Master's)

Responding to recent trends in sports health, a master’s degree can help propel professionals to advanced career success.
students looking over a football player on the ground

Program Overview

Texas State University’s athletic training program has maintained national accreditation since 1972. It has a long, proud history for athletic training education involving both didactic and clinical education and for placing graduates in athletic training careers in industry, professional sports, college and university, and high school, as well as sports medicine clinical settings.

Students obtain knowledge and skills through didactic and clinical experiences with evidence-based injury prevention, diagnostic techniques, and therapeutic interventions.

Course Work

The athletic training program is transitioning the current undergraduate program into an (entry-level) professional master’s degree program that will encompass two consecutive calendar years involving very specific course work (55 credit hours), competitive clinical experiences and immersive experiences and culminate with an evidence-based research project.

Degree Hours Thesis Option Minor Option
Degree
M.S.
Hours
55
Thesis Option
Non-Thesis
Minor Option
No minor

What Our Alumni Say

“The Texas State athletic training program provided me with the tools and resources to be a well-rounded clinician. The ability to have hands-on experiences guided by experienced preceptors and mentors from all over the world greatly influenced my studies. The program’s history of excellence shines through in everything they do!ˮ

— Essence Ephran, ATC, LAT, Class of ᾿15

Program Details

Students will have the opportunity to obtain clinical skills in NCAA Division I and II intercollegiate athletics, high school athletics, general medical, and semi-professional and professional sports.

Program Mission

The mission of the professional master’s program is to provide students with a course of academic study in patient-centered care, interprofessional practice and education, evidence-based practice, quality improvement, healthcare informatics, and professionalism.

Career Options

Graduates holding a master of science degree in athletic training are prepared for employment in a variety of settings within the following areas:

  • colleges/universities
  • high schools
  • professional sports
  • rehabilitation/physical medicine clinics
  • hospitals and research facilities
  • industry
  • tactical settings (police, fire/EMS)

Program Faculty

Texas State University’s faculty in the professional master’s in athletic training program are national leaders in the field of athletic training. They are the authors of peer-reviewed publications and grants and officers and board members in professional associations and set high standards for students in the program. Additionally, the clinical faculty and staff have years of clinical experience, serve as role models, and set high standards for the students’ learning.

Contact The Graduate College for general questions about getting started with your application, funding your degree, and more. If you have program-specific questions after reviewing the program details, we encourage you to contact the following individuals.

Graduate Advisor
Dr. Darcy Downey
dd09@txstate.edu
512.245.2980
Jowers Center (JOW), Room A135

outside of jowers center

Apply Now Already know that Texas State is right for you?

Application Deadlines

Deadlines U.S. Citizen International
Deadlines
Summer I
U.S. Citizen
November 15 (*Flexible)
International
November 15 (*Flexible through March 15)

*A flexible deadline means applications received after the standard deadline may be reviewed on a first-come, first-served basis with no guarantees for admission consideration.

Funding Information
Applications must be complete by the deadline to be considered for certain types of funding.

Decision Timeline
This program reviews applications on a rolling basis.

Admission Requirements

The items required for admission consideration are listed below. Additional information for applicants with international credentials can be found on our international web pages.

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  •   Review important information about the online application.

    • $55 Nonrefundable application fee, OR
    • $90 Nonrefundable application fee for applications with international credentials

      Review important information about application fees.

    • baccalaureate degree from an accredited university (Non-U.S. degrees must be equivalent to a four-year U.S. Bachelor’s degree. In most cases, three-year degrees are not considered. Visit our International FAQs for more information.)
    • a copy of an official transcript from each institution where course credit was granted
    • minimum 3.0 GPA in your last 60 hours of undergraduate course work (plus any completed graduate courses)
    • minimum 3.0 GPA in all background courses

      Review important information about transcripts. Official transcripts, sent directly from your institution, will be required if admission is granted.

    Background Course Work

    As required background coursework, there is a set of 10 pre-requisites that will prepare the student for the rigors of the program. Each of these courses is necessary for a basic understanding of the fundamentals of the various courses that the student will be taking in the professional master's curriculum. The following is the list of pre-requisites that students must have completed in their undergraduate degree or are in progress of completing prior to admission:

    • Physics    
    • Chemistry    
    • Introduction to Nutrition    
    • Introduction to Psychology    
    • Introduction to Statistics    
    • Exercise Physiology    
    • Biomechanics    
    • Medical Terminology    
    • Anatomy & Physiology (with lab)    
    • Care & Prevention (or equivalent)    

      Review important information about transcripts. Official transcripts, sent directly from your institution, will be required if admission is granted.

  • GRE

    • GRE not required

    Approved English Proficiency Exam Scores

    Applicants are required to submit an approved English proficiency exam score that meets the minimum program requirements below unless they have earned a bachelor’s degree or higher from a regionally accredited U.S. institution or the equivalent from a country on our exempt countries list.

    • official TOEFL iBT scores required with a 78 overall
    • official PTE scores required with a 52 overall
    • official IELTS (academic) scores required with a 6.5 overall and
      • minimum individual module scores of 6.0
    • official Duolingo scores required with a 110 overall
    • official TOEFL Essentials scores required with an 8.5 overall

      This program does not offer admission if the scores above are not met.
      Review important information about official test scores.

    • confirmation of 75 observation hours signed by a certified (ATC) and/or licensed (LAT) professional who has guided the observational experiences
    • resume/CV
    • statement of purpose (maximum two pages) discussing why you have chosen to pursue graduate studies in athletic training at Texas State University
    • three forms of recommendation

      Review important information about documents.

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