Athletic Training

MS

The UWM athletic training master’s program is a graduate-level professional program that prepares you to become a credentialed athletic trainer. This is a program for students who already have a bachelor’s degree.

Here are some options for students just starting their undergraduate degree:

• The UWM BS-Kinesiology/MS-Athletic Training is an accelerated program where you earn your bachelor’s and master’s degree in only five years.
• Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology
• Bachelor of Science in Occupational Science and Technology

MS Athletic Training Student Handbook (PDF)

The Master of Science in Athletic Training program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education (CAATE). UWM received initial accreditation in 2003 for the Bachelor of Science in Athletic Training program, and was approved for degree change in December 2016. In Fall of 2017 the program completed a comprehensive accreditation review, and was reaccredited for the maximum 10 year period. The next comprehensive review will occur in the 2027-2028 academic year.

CAATE Program Information and Outcomes Page

Employment Outlook

Earnings

Athletic trainers working in full-time positions typically receive a salary and benefits. The salary depends on the education and experience of the athletic trainer and also on the setting in which the individual is working. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual income of athletic trainers in Wisconsin is $50,180, compared to the national average income of $48,440. The National Athletic Trainers’ Association (NATA) provides estimates of salary by experience level, education and job setting based on a membership survey conducted every two years. The 2018 NATA Salary Survey (PDF) indicated a national average salary of $57,203.

Expected Growth

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of athletic trainers is projected to grow 16 percent from 2019 to 2029, much faster than the average for all occupations.

Projections from the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development indicate that from 2020-2028, there will be a 10% increase in the number of athletic training jobs in the state of Wisconsin, and a 9% increase in the greater Milwaukee area (Milwaukee, Ozaukee, Waukesha and Washington counties). This exceeds the overall increase in health care practitioner positions (5%), indicating that athletic training continues as a strong area of growth in the health care professions.

Competition is expected for positions with collegiate or professional sports teams. These settings are expanding their services to physically active youth and adult populations. The demands for services will continue to expand beyond traditional “sport-related” roles to include exercise and reconditioning, on-site occupational health, on-site injury prevention, and fitness and wellness. As our society continues to age and increase its focus on health and physical activity, the role of the athletic trainer is likely to increase proportionally. The athletic trainer is able to provide a diverse perspective in the prevention and treatment/rehabilitation of physical activities across our diverse and aging population.

Competition for well-trained professionals with recognized degrees in the field, relevant experience, and certifications beyond minimal requirements are likely to drive salaries and positions in this industry. According to the National Athletic Trainers’ Association, almost 70 percent of athletic trainers have a master’s degree or higher. Athletic trainers may need a master’s or higher degree to be eligible for some positions, especially those in colleges and universities, and to increase their advancement opportunities. Because some positions in high schools involve teaching along with athletic trainer responsibilities, a teaching certificate or license could be required.

Sources: 2018 NATA Salary Survey (PDF); Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Athletic Trainers.

Related Programs

• Accelerated BS Kinesiology / MS Athletic Training
• Certified Mental Performance Consultant, Graduate Certificate
• Trauma Informed Care, Graduate Certificate
• Health Sciences, PhD
• Pre-Athletic Training

Admission

To apply for the MSAT program, all application materials must be submitted through the Athletic Training Centralized Application Service (ATCAS). The program seeks to admit highly qualified students until the class has been filled (approximately 16 students per year). 

Students earning a Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology degree from UWM should have met all of the prerequisite courses needed for a strong foundation on which to build their athletic training education. Up to 25% (four out of 12) of slots per year are prioritized for highly qualified students holding a Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology degree from UWM.  

If you have already completed a bachelor’s degree and are interested in taking courses at UWM to satisfy MSAT program prerequisites, you should apply for admission to UWM. On the application, you should identify your reason for applying as “Undergraduate courses as a visitor/guest student” and your “applying as” status as “Undergraduate non-degree student with a bachelor’s degree.” You should apply as a second degree student only if you plan to complete a second bachelor’s degree. Questions regarding financial aid for non-degree students should be directed to Gayla Jenkins (jenkinsg@uwm.edu) in the UWM Department of Financial Aid. 

Early Decision Cycle 
Application deadline: Nov. 1 
Interview window: Nov. 15 – Dec. 1 
Notification window: Dec. 1-15 

Rolling Admission 
After Nov.1, applications will be evaluated on a rolling basis until the class is filled, but no later than March 1. 

Admission Requirements

In addition to the Graduate School minimum qualifications, applications must meet the following prerequisites to be eligible for admission to the athletic training master’s program: 

1. Completion of a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution with an overall cumulative grade point average (GPA) of a 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale) at the time of application submission and graduation. Official transcripts must be submitted. Undergraduate degree must be completed by the time the applicant plans to begin in the MSAT program. 
2. Completion of 10 prerequisite courses. A prerequisite GPA of 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale) or grades of B or better is recommended. 
3. Two letters of recommendation. One of the letters must come from an academic reference (preferably a faculty member as opposed to a graduate student instructor) and one from an athletic trainer with whom the applicant completed observation hours if they were completed.  If you didn’t complete an observation, then the second letter can come from another supervisor or professor.  The applicant generates the recommendation request from the ATCAS website once the application has been created.  
4.  Optional: Completion of observation of athletic training practice with a certified athletic trainer within 12 months of application submission. 10-20 hours of observation is preferred.  The observation hours documentation log can be found on the MSAT website.
5. Optional: GRE scores.  Those whose undergraduate GPA is below 3.0 must provide evidence of ability to succeed in graduate study, and taking the GRE is one of several options for providing this evidence.  https:/uwm.edu/graduateschool/admission/ 
   
   If GRE scores are being submitted, the General Test of the GRE should have been taken within the last five years. Applicants are encouraged to complete the GRE approximately six months before the date of application submission, if not sooner.  This timeframe allows an applicant to repeat the test to increase scores if desired. GRE scores can take up to eight weeks to be delivered to UWM. Applicants are encouraged to prepare in advance for the test. Additional information (including preparation materials) is available on the GRE’s website (link above).   UWM’s institutional GRE Code is 1473. 

Prerequisite Courses

You must complete the following 10 prerequisite courses. A prerequisite GPA of 3.0 is recommended for the athletic training master’s program.

Prerequisite Course	UWM Course Number (or equivalent)
Human Anatomy	Biological Sciences 202
Human Physiology	Biological Sciences 203
Chemistry I	Chemistry 100 or 102
Biology	Biology 150
Physics I	Physics 110 or 120
Biomechanics	Kinesiology 320
Exercise Physiology	Kinesiology 330
Introductory Nutrition	Biomedical Sciences 232 or Nutritional Sciences 235
Introductory Psychology (3 cr.)	Psychology 101
Statistics (3 cr.)	Kinesiology 270

If you are currently enrolled in a prerequisite course, you may be granted conditional admission, pending successful completion of the course and meeting all prerequisite criteria. Preference will be given to applicants who have completed all prerequisite courses at the time of application submission.

Transfer Students

Due to the sequential and cumulative nature of the curriculum, transfer students must complete all the athletic training core courses at UWM. Acceptance of transfer credits is determined by the program director in consultation with the UWM Graduate School.

Matriculation Requirements

Once admitted to the athletic training master’s program, students must complete the following to enroll in the university and program.

1. Criminal Background Check  

The university is required to perform a criminal background check on students prior to beginning the program. Consistent with Wisconsin’s Caregiver Background Law, individuals with certain convictions may be disqualified from working in hospitals and other health care or care facilities. Such individuals may also be denied national certification and licensure. More information about the Caregiver Background Law is available at: http://www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/caregiver/index.htm.  

If you have a criminal conviction in your background, it may affect your ability to work in certain facilities or obtain certification and licensure.  The inability to be placed in facilities may affect your completion of clinical education requirements and thus degree completion. In addition, the existence of disqualifying convictions under the Caregiver Background Law may also affect your eligibility for certification and licensure, and/or your ability to gain employment in this field.  It is the student’s responsibility to notify the program director if an event occurs while in the program that may change the results of the criminal background check.  You should contact the program director as soon as possible to discuss whether you should apply to the program or consider alternative programs.   

2.  Immunization Verification and Testing 

Students must provide a document with proof of immunization through an official state immunization record document. Students will upload this document into their eValue Personal Records section.  Required immunizations include the following: 

• Tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis (Tdap) 
• Tetanus Booster (Td)  (within last 10 yrs) 
• Measles/Mumps/Rubella (MMR) 
• Hepatitis B (HepB)  (Or signed refusal) 
• Varicella (Positive titer OR varicella vaccine (VAR))
• Meningococcal  (Recommended for students living in the dormitories, but not required) 

There are some additional immunizations and tests that will be required.  These can be completed on campus at the UWM Student Health and Wellness Center.

• QuantiFERON-TB Gold+ for TB screening (required before July 1)
• 10 panel urine drug test (required before July 1)
• Influenza vaccine (required before October 15^th)
• COVID-19 (may be required for certain clinical sites)

Our program respects that a student may elect to not receive immunizations for various reasons.  A student may be asked to provide additional documentation from their medical provider if they are unable to obtain the required immunization for the clinical experience.  Students must comply with the clinical affiliate’s immunizations/medical documentation policy.  If a student is not in compliance with the policy, the clinical affiliate may decline the student placement.  Students should be aware that this could impact their clinical placement options and delay the progression through the program. 

3. Technical Standards and Physical Examination  

The Athletic Training Program is a rigorous and intense program that places specific requirements and demands on the students enrolled in the program. An objective of this program is to prepare graduates to enter a variety of employment settings and to render care to a wide spectrum of individuals engaged in physical activity. The Technical Standards establish the essential qualities considered necessary for students admitted to this program to be able to function independently, without an intermediary, to achieve proficiency in the knowledge and skills of an entry-level athletic trainer. A student who has a disability may request reasonable accommodation.  Students should read the Technical Standards document carefully, and then attest that they meet the Technical Standards. Students with a disability may request reasonable accommodation and must work with the University Student Accessibility Center to discuss possible accommodation.  If a student is unable to fulfill these Technical Standards, with reasonable accommodation, the student will not be able to matriculate into the program and/or may be dismissed from the program.    

The athletic training master’s program provides a structured, tracked curriculum that contains coursework as well as community engaged opportunities for clinical education, research and professional development. Philosophies of evidence-based practice, integrated person-centered care, cultural competence and clinical problem solving are incorporated into all courses within the curriculum. There are several courses that are taught interprofessionally, where students from multiple health care professions learn about, from and with each other.

The curriculum consists of 71 credits to degree and meets all of the competencies and requirements set forth by the Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education. At the completion of the program, you will be eligible to sit for the national certification exam, administered by the Board of Certification.

Athletic Training Master’s Degree (71 credits)

Year One – Summer

Course Title	Course Number	Credits
Gross Anatomical Kinesiology	ATRAIN 725	3
Prevention & Care of Emergent Medical Conditions in Athletic Training	ATRAIN 710	4
Introduction to Clinical Education and Professional Development	ATRAIN 701	1
Clinical Education in Athletic Training I	ATRAIN 785	1
**Possible location of required elective course		2
Total credits		9-12*

Year One – Fall

Course Title	Course Number	Credits
Clinical Exam and Diagnosis of the Lower Extremity in Athletic Training	ATRAIN 747	3
Foundations of Therapeutic Interventions in Athletic Training	ATRAIN 757	3
Pathoetiology of Tissue Injury	ATRAIN 521	3
Psychological Aspects of Human Movement	KIN 550	3
Ethics in Healthcare	ATRAIN 702	1
Foundations of Interprofessional Practice	ATRAIN 703	1
Clinical Education in Athletic Training II	ATRAIN 786	2
Total credits		16

Year One – Spring

Course Title	Course Number	Credits
Clinical Exam and Diagnosis of the Head and Spine in Athletic Training	ATRAIN 748	3
Physical Agents	ATRAIN 758	2
Medical Physiology II	ATRAIN 753	3
Psychology of Injury/Illness/Disease: Implications and Strategies for Rehabilitation	KIN 551	3
Foundations of Clinical Research	ATRAIN 705	3
Clinical Education in Athletic Training III	ATRAIN 787	2
Total		16

Year Two – Summer

Course Title	Course Number	Credits
Clinical Exam and Diagnosis of the Upper Extremity in Athletic Training	ATRAIN 749	3
Therapeutic Intervention for the Upper Extremity	ATRAIN 759	2
Clinical Gait Analysis	ATRAIN 708	3
Clinical Education in Athletic Training IV	ATRAIN 788	3
**Possible location of required elective course		2
Total credits		11-14*

Year Two – Fall

Course Title	Course Number	Credits
Professionalism and Leadership in Healthcare	ATRAIN 704	1
Capstone Clinical Education in Athletic Training (4-8 credits variable, totaling 12 over Fall and Spring)	ATRAIN 883	6
Athletic Training Board of Certification Exam Preparation	ATRAIN 800	1
**Possible location of required elective course		2
Total credits		7-10*

Year Two – Spring

Course Title	Course Number	Credits
Professionalism and Leadership in Healthcare	ATRAIN 744	3
Capstone Clinical Education in Athletic Training (4-8 credits variable, totaling 12 over Fall and Spring)	ATRAIN 883	6
**Possible location of required elective course		2
Total credits		9-12*

• Didactic courses: 15 contact hours = 1 credit
• Clinical education courses: 50 contact hours = 1 credit
• **One three-credit elective course is required at some point in the athletic training master’s degree. The term that it can be taken is flexible as indicated.

Prospective Students

If you have questions about pursuing athletic training, you are encouraged to seek advising from the pre-athletic training advisor in the College of Health Professions and Sciences Office of Student Affairs.

Admitted Students

You will receive advising from designated program faculty. Additional information will be made available to you after admission.

Graduation

The established graduation criteria for the athletic training master’s program include:

• Payment of graduation fee in PAWS
• Completion of 71 degree credits
• Minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0

Use UWM’s Graduation website to review campuswide graduation requirements, application deadlines, applying for graduation and ordering your cap and gown.