Master of Science in Athletic Training (Post-Baccalaureate)

Get your career in shape

The Master of Science in Athletic Training (MSAT) program at Alvernia University provides students with an intellectual and clinical foundation, enabling them to play an important role in the health care of athletes, those involved in physical activity, and those who seek to incorporate activity and wellness into their lives. The program combines Alvernia’s Franciscan core values with the foundation of evidence-based practice in theory and clinical experiences. Graduates of the MSAT program become highly qualified health professionals in the field of athletic training capable of “knowledge joined with love.”

Athletic trainers focus on the prevention, assessment, immediate care, and rehabilitation alongside of physicians. Our program offers a wide foundation of skills to address injuries and illnesses resulting from sport, recreation, work, and other physical activities.

Alvernia offers two MSAT degree tracks:

The post-baccalaureate MSAT program option features accelerated scheduling that allows for completion of the MSAT in two years for post-baccalaureate students.
The five-year MSAT gives students a breadth and depth of knowledge in the field of athletic training, as well as in the liberal arts.

Estimated Program Length	2 years
Credit Hours	61
Course Length	13 weeks
Transfer Credits Accepted	Up to 6
Cost per Credit	$900*

*Tuition discount available. Ask for details!

Graduate Programs

Getting Started

Where You Can Get A Degree

The Master of Science in Athletic Training program is available at the following Alvernia University campus:

Reading

Application Instructions

Along with your completed application accompanied by $50 non-refundable application fee, you’ll need to provide a few
supporting materials. Pre-professional candidates must complete an undergraduate degree as well as all prerequisite
courses prior to starting the MSAT program. Candidates must also complete the following:

Complete formal application through the ATCAS system.
An earned bachelor’s degree;
A minimum GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale in below prerequisite courses**:
- General Biology with lab (4 credits)
- Anatomy and Physiology 1 and 2 with labs (8 total credits)
- General Chemistry with lab (4 credits)
- General Physic with lab (4 credits, and can be non-calculus based)
- Nutrition (Sports nutrition is preferable) (3 credits)
- Kinesiology with lab
- Exercise Physiology with lab
- Introduction to Psychology
- Psychology: Human Development over the lifespan
- Math: Statistics

**Candidates must receive a "C" or better in each of the prerequisite courses, but their overall grade point average must be at least 3.0 in the courses. Candidates who do not meet the prerequisite admissions requirements may meet with the Program Director to discuss options.**

Financing Your Education

There are options to assist in financing your education and making the tuition affordable. Visit our financial aid page for a detailed overview of the process, including a link to complete the FAFSA application, as well as more information about the tuition payment plan and the tuition deferment program we offer. Alvernia’s Title IV code for the FAFSA is 003233. The Office of Student Financial Services is available to help with any questions you may have. Call 610-796-8201 or email sfs@alvernia.edu.

Request More Information

Program Overview

Curriculum

Accelerated scheduling allows for completion of the MSAT in two years for post-baccalaureate students. Post-baccalaureate students must complete the following coursework indicated below:

Fall Semester 1 (15 credits)

DPT 500 Gross Anatomy (5 credits)

AT 510 Athletic Training Clinical Procedures I (3 credits)

AT 520 Athletic Training Clinical Practicum I (Clinical Evaluation & Pathology 1 - Lower Extremity) (7 credits)

Spring Semester 2 (13 credits)

COR 520 Ethics & Moral Leadership (3 credits)

AT 511 Athletic Training Clinical Procedures II (3 credits)

AT 521 Athletic Training Clinical Practicum II (Clinical Evaluation & Pathology 2 - Upper Extremity) (7 credits)

Summer Semester & Fall Semester 3 - MOD Format (20 Credits)

Summer MOD -

AT 625 Athletic Training Clinical Procedures III (3 credits)

AT 630 Evidence Based Practice: Clinical Research 1 (3 credits)

Fall Mod 1 -

AT 610 Athletic Training Clinical Practicum III: Immersive Clinical Experience 1 (6 credits)

Fall Mod 2 -

AT 615 General Medical Conditions in the Physical Activity (3 credits)

AT 640 Healthcare Administration & Professional Responsibility (2 credits)

AT 645 Evidence Based Practice: Performance Enhancement (3 credits)

Spring Semester 4 - MOD Format (13 credits)

Spring MOD 3 -

AT 618 Pharmacology in Athletic Training (online) (2 credits)

AT 620 Clinical Pathology & Differential Diagnosis (2 credits)

AT 635 Evidence Based Practice: Clinical Research Seminar (3 credits)

Spring MOD 4 -

AT 611 Clinical Practicum IV: Immersive Clinical Experience 2 (6 credits)

Experiential Learning Opportunities

Students are required to complete four supervised clinical practicums during the professional phase (years 4 and 5) of the program. The variety of clinical practice settings include:

College and university athletics (NCAA divisions 1, 2 and 3)
Semi-professional athletics
High school athletics
Industrial settings
Physician practice settings
Inter-professional education experiences (traditional and non-traditional patients)

These experiences allow each student the opportunity to practice athletic training skills in a real-world setting with direct patient contact.

Accreditation Statements

The university's athletic training program is fully accredited through the Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education (CAATE).
Alvernia is an accredited institution and a member of the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE). MSCHE is an institutional accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation.

Career Outlook

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of athletic trainers is projected to grow 17 percent from 2021 to 2031, much faster than the average for all occupations. The median annual wage in 2021 was $48,420.

Traditional practice settings:

secondary schools
colleges and universities
professional sports programs
sports medicine clinics

Emerging practice settings:

industry
the military
law enforcement
physician practices
performing arts

Contact Us

For more information about Alvernia’s Master of Science in Athletic Training, please contact Graduate and Adult Admissions at 610-796-5187 or gradandadult@alvernia.edu.

Or please reach out directly to:

Thomas Franek, Ph.D, LAT, ATC
Chair, Department of Athletic Training
Associate Professor
610-796-3012
thomas.franek@alvernia.edu

Stephanie Christmann
Admissions Advisor, Graduate and Adult Education
610-796-8496
stephanie.christmann@alvernia.edu

Get To Know Your Faculty

For more information about Alvernia’s Athletic Training program contact the Graduate Admissions Office at 610-796-5187 or gradandadult@alvernia.edu. Or reach out directly to Associate Professor of Athletic Training Thomas Franek at 610-796-3012 or thomas.franek@alvernia.edu.