Master of Science in Athletic Training

Turn Your Passion for Sports into a Master of Science in Athletic Training from Pacific University

Why Should You Study Athletic Training at Pacific University?

Athletic trainers are health care professionals who work with physicians to optimize their patients’ activity. Pacific University offers an entry-level Master of Science in Athletic Training (MSAT), as well as an accelerated five-year Kinesiology and Athletic Training 3:2 program. The athletic training graduate program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education (CAATE) and graduates are prepared to sit the BOC exam.

Comprehensive Curriculum and Clinical Experience

The Master of Science in Athletic Training curriculum prepares graduates to be competitive employment candidates with opportunities to obtain additional certifications throughout their course of study. In addition, students in the master of science in athletic training program at Pacific University complete five semesters of clinical educational experience. Meeting this program requirement enables athletic training students to gain valuable professional experience in a wide variety of clinical settings, such as high schools, universities, professional soccer and hockey teams, medical clinics and fire and rescue units. 

Interdisciplinary Learning Environment on the Hillsboro Campus

The athletic training graduate program is located on the Pacific University Hillsboro campus, which is home to Pacific 's College of Health Professions. By virtue of being co-located on the Hillsboro campus with other professional health care students, the Master of Science in Athletic Training students participate in an interdisciplinary learning environment. This collaborative educational experience prepares Pacific’s athletic training students to work as part of a health care team to deliver patient care and excel within the athletic training field professionally.

How to Apply

Applications to the Master of Science in Athletic Training program will be reviewed and accepted via ATCAS on a rolling basis through April 1, 2024. You can contact Andrea Lybarger with any questions regarding program prerequisites or the application process. Or you can contact program ambassadors to learn more about the program.

Currently, the Master of Science in Athletic Training program is unable to accept international students. The athletic training program is investigating international admissions and we encourage you to check back for further information.

What Kind of Professional Qualifications do Athletic Trainers Need?

In 2015, the AT Strategic Alliance established the professional degree in athletic training at the master’s level. A master’s degree in athletic training from an accredited college or university prepares you for certification and licensure as an athletic trainer. 

What Kind of Career Opportunities Will I Have as an Athletic Trainer?

Athletic trainers provide physical medicine, prevent and diagnose injury, and treat and rehabilitate acute and chronic issues that would impair or limit their patients’ activity. Career opportunities for athletic trainers are forecasted to grow 17% from 2021 to 2031 — much faster than the average for all occupations — by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics with an average of 2,500 openings each year. Successful graduates from Pacific’s Master of Science in Athletic Training program pursue careers working with other health care professionals in clinical settings to provide emergency and follow-up care after injury, as well as developing injury prevention and treatment programs.