Master of Science in Athletic Training

Merrimack College’s athletic training master’s degree is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training and Education (CAATE).

Master of Science (M.S.) in Athletic Training

Earn your ATC credential through a CAATE-accredited, hands-on MSAT program! Finish in 24 months.

Gain clinical experience, prepare for Board of Certification (BOC) for the Athletic Training Certification and work with diverse clinical populations, elite facilities and expert faculty mentors.

Athletic Training Master's Degree at a Glance

Mode of Study

On Campus

Est. Time

24 Months Full-time (Part-time Study Available)

Start Terms

Summer I
View Application Deadlines

Credits

80 total (20 clinical, 60 classroom instruction)

STEM Designated

No

Accreditation

CAATE

Fellowships

No

Scholarships

Dean Scholarship &
Alumni Scholarship

Tell Me More About Merrimack's M.S. in Athletic Training

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Graduate Programs Virtual Information Session

Wednesday, January 22, 2025 
from 5:30 pm 
to 6:30 pm

Learn about the Merrimack College community, application process, financial aid, your program's curriculum, professional opportunities, fellowships and more!

Master of Science in Athletic Training

$
Published Tuition

$1,100 per credit (32 credits). Tuition for 2024-2025. Rates are subject to change.

$
Average Aid Amount

Scholarships significantly reduce the tuition for most of our students.

$
Average Tuition Cost

After scholarships.

Typical Tuition Savings for the M.S. in Athletic Training

Merrimack College offers generous scholarship opportunities to offset your graduate tuition.

Double Warrior Alumni Scholarships are awarded to all Merrimack College alumni, covering $22,704, or 33% of tuition, for recent graduates (25% for previously graduated alumni).

33%

Dean Scholarships are merit based aid awarded to all students, ranging from $7,000 to $18,000 and average $11,300 or 16% of tuition.

16%

Visit the pages below to find all up-to-date information regarding tuition, fees, and additional program costs.

Overview of Merrimack's M.S. in Athletic Training

Merrimack’s Master of Science in Athletic Training (MSAT) offers aspiring athletic trainers the opportunity to gain hands-on clinical experience while mastering advanced techniques in injury prevention, diagnosis, and rehabilitation. Designed for individuals seeking to excel in high-demand roles, this program emphasizes evidence-based practice, patient-centered care, and interprofessional collaboration. Our students benefit from exposure to diverse clinical settings, expert mentorship, and preparation for the Board of Certification exam, ensuring they graduate with the knowledge and skills to thrive in high-demand athletic, healthcare, and rehabilitation environments.

Merrimack offers 2 degree pathways to earning your MSAT:

Post-Baccalaureate Track

Our traditional, two-year post-baccalaureate program is for those with a bachelor’s degree. This option is ideal for those individuals who are looking to change their career or experienced allied health professionals who are looking to work with the active patient population. With this track, our graduates benefit from a rigorous curriculum and clinical education, preparing you to meet the specialized demands of a career in athletic training upon graduation.

Our post-baccalaureate track is also available to career changers with undergraduate degrees in unrelated fields, though these students will need to meet certain requirements to enter the program.

Accelerated (3+2) Track

With our accelerated track, students entering as freshman undergraduates can satisfy requirements for both the Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science and the MSAT after general education and pre-athletic training requirements—in just five years. You’ll complete three years of prerequisite courses (general education requirements) by the spring semester of your third year (94 credits), then advance directly into the master’s program where you’ll gain substantial clinical experience. Combining a liberal arts experience with professional education in athletic training, this track helps our graduates move quickly into the workplace with the competitive advantage of a master’s degree.

*Our 3+2 option can be available to students transferring into the concentration from other majors, though those students may need additional coursework to stay on track toward their degree.

Why Choose the M.S. in Athletic Training at Merrimack?

CAATE-ACCREDITED CURRICULUM

Merrimack’s MSAT program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education (CAATE), ensuring that students receive a high-quality education that meets professional standards. This accreditation prepares students for the Board of Certification exam and a successful career as a certified athletic trainer (ATC).

PERSONALIZED FACULTY MENTORSHIP

This program features small class sizes and dedicated faculty with diverse clinical expertise who provide individualized support and mentorship. Students build strong relationships with experienced clinical practitioners, gaining both academic instruction and career guidance from experts in the field.

EXTENSIVE HANDS-ON CLINICAL TRAINING

This program emphasizes practical learning through clinical training in diverse settings such as athletic programs, rehabilitation clinics, and hospitals. Students gain valuable experience in varied environments, including pediatric and collegiate sports, community health centers, military sites and more.

CUTTING-EDGE TECHNOLOGY AND FACILITIES

Our Athletic Training master’s program offers students access to state-of-the-art equipment, such as high-fidelity simulation manikins and advanced medical imaging tools. These resources enable students to practice and refine their skills in a modern, clinically relevant environment.

CAREER-READY GRADUATES

Graduates leave the program prepared to work in a range of settings, from sports teams and hospitals to rehabilitation facilities and performing arts. The combination of rigorous academic training, extensive clinical practice, and professional mentoring helps students stand out in a competitive job market.

Career Outlook: Where Can a M.S. in Athletic Training Take You?

$ 0
Average Annual Salary

For an Athletic Trainer in Massachusetts

0 %
Employment Growth

Faster than average employment growth in the United States between 2022 and 2032.

Job openings

In Athletic Training as of 2023

 

Sources: Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) & Salary.com, 2025

Jobs with a Athletic Training Master's Degree

  • Certified Athletic Trainer
  • Director of Sports Medicine
  • Injury Prevention Specialist
  • Head Athletic Trainer for Professional Sports Teams
  • Sports Program Administrator
  • Rehabilitation Specialist
  • Clinical Educator in Athletic Training
  • Military Athletic Trainer

Where Merrimack's M.S. in Athletic Training Graduates Work

Boston College

Assistant Director, Sports Medicine

The Noble & Greenough School

Athletic Trainer

Curry College

Head Athletic Trainer

Mass General Brigham

Athletic Trainer

What Our M.S. in Athletic Training Students and Alumni Say

What You'll Learn in Merrimack's MSAT Program

MSAT Clinical Affiliations

Pediatric and High School Settings

  • Andover High School, Andover, MA
  • Billerica High School, Billerica, MA
  • Brooks School, North Andover, MA
  • Central Catholic High School, Lawrence, MA
  • Derryfield School, Manchester, NH
  • Essex Technical High School Danvers, MA
  • Groton Dunstable Regional Academy, Groton, MA
  • Haverhill High School, Haverhill, MA
  • Lawrence Academy, Groton, MA
  • Lexington High School, Lexington, MA
  • Methuen High School, Methuen, MA
  • Nobles & Greenough School, Dedham, MA
  • Phillips Exeter Academy, Exeter, NH
  • Pingree School Hamilton, MA
  • Pinkerton Academy, Derry, NH
  • Reading High School, Reading, MA
  • Salem High School, Salem NH

College and University Affiliates

  • Assumption University, Worcester, MA
  • Boston College, Newton,MA
  • Brown University, Providence, RI
  • Bryant University, North Smithfield, RI
  • College of the Holy Cross, Worcester, MA
  • Curry College, Milton, MA
  • Emerson College, Boston, MA
  • Gallaudet University, Washington, DC
  • Harvard University, Cambridge, MA
  • Merrimack College, North Andover, MA
  • Naval Academy, Annapolis, MD
  • Northeastern University, Boston, MA
  • Rivier University, Nashua, NH
  • Saint Anselm’s College, Manchester, NH
  • Salem State University, Salem, MA
  • Stonehill College, Easton, MA
  • Tufts University, Medford, MA
  • UMASS Boston, MA
  • UMASS Lowell, Lowell, MA
  • University of Rhode Island, South Kingston, RI
  • Villanova University, Villanova, PA
  • WPI, Worcester, MA

Clinical Settings

  • Excel Orthopedics, Woburn, MA
  • Micheli Center at Childrens’ Hospital, Waltham, MA
  • New England Baptist Hospital, Outpatient Center Dedham, MA
  • Sports Rehab Unlimited, Middleton, MA

Professional Setting

  • FC Dallas, Dallas, TX (Major League Soccer)

Key Courses You'll Take

Behavioral HealthCare

ATR 6750

  • Explore the principles of integrated behavioral health care within primary care settings
  • Develop foundational and advanced skills in patient engagement, assessment, intervention planning, treatment implementation, and program evaluation.
  • Gain expertise in identifying mental health disorders, high-risk psychiatric presentations, and substance use issues while supporting diverse patients with complex health and behavioral needs.

Clinical Pathophysiology and Medical Interventions

ATR 6450

  • Gain comprehensive knowledge in assessing and diagnosing musculoskeletal injuries of the lower extremity and low back.
  • Focus on the integration and application of clinical outcome measures to guide injury evaluation and treatment decisions.
  • Develop skills in evidence-based practice, ensuring that diagnostic and referral strategies are informed by the latest research and clinical guidelines.

Intro to Medical Imaging

ATR 6650

  • Gain foundational knowledge of diagnostic imaging techniques used in the medical community.
  • Understand the role of imaging in diagnosing and managing various medical conditions.
  • Develop familiarity with commonly used imaging technologies through guided instruction.

M.S. in Athletic Training Curriculum

View Full Curriculum from the Graduate Catalog

M.S.A.T Requirements

To see more details about the program, please visit catalog.merrimack.edu.

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Clinical Education Plan

The clinical education plan maps the athletic training student’s clinical rotation experiences to the academic component of their education.

Skills You'll Learn

Merrimack’s two-year, full-time athletic training master’s program equips you with a complete set of applied skills and full preparation for the Board of Certification exam to earn athletic trainer certification (ATC).

The athletic training master’s program consists of 20 credits of clinical practice, plus 60 credits of classroom instruction in areas such as:

Functional clinical anatomy
Evidence based clinical decision making
Clinical Pathology and Medical Intervention
Clinical examination and diagnosis
Acute and emergent care
Therapeutic interventions
Clinical mental health strategies
Medical imaging
Health care administration
Research Methods in Clinical Practice

Featured Faculty

Scholarships and Financial Aid

Merrimack College offers generous scholarships for MSAT students:

  • Dean Scholarship: Determined by academic merit and financial need. All prospective students are automatically considered for a Dean Scholarship upon applying.
  • Double Warrior Alumni Scholarship: Available to all Merrimack graduates. Students enrolling immediately after senior undergraduate year automatically receive a 33% discount, and 25% thereafter. Please note that Double Warrior alumni scholarships cannot be combined with Dean Scholarships.

Financial aid in the form of federal aid, private loans, and payment plans are also options available for graduate students. Click the link below to learn more about our scholarships and financial aid opportunities.

Application Information for the M.S. in Athletic Training

It’s easy to apply online! Simply create your account by registering a username and password. This will allow you to start an application, save and log back in at any time to complete it before submission.

A Completed Application Includes:

Important Information:

Graduate Community and Student Support

Discover Merrimack’s vibrant and supportive graduate community! Our Graduate Center, located on the second floor of the McQuade Library, is our hub for student life, resources, and support, ensuring that you get the most out of your graduate experience.

Enjoy the following benefits that are exclusive to graduate students:

A comfortable lounge for studying and socializing
A home base for daily life on campus with coffee and tea, a microwave and a fridge
A venue for programs and services supporting graduate student success
A warm, inviting place to connect with staff and other graduate students
Grad students sitting outside

Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education (CAATE) Accreditation

Merrimack College is currently accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education (CAATE),
2001 K Street NW, Third Floor North, Washington, DC 20006.

Learn more about our program’s BOC pass rate, program retention rate, program graduation rate and graduate placement rate.

Want to Learn More about the M.S. in Athletic Training?

Contact the Program Director, Birgid Hopkins.

Schedule an Informational Call with the Program Director

Take the Next Step (We're Here to Help)

At Merrimack, we are ready to meet you where you are and get you where you want to go. And, we make the process simple along the way! Please feel free to contact our Graduate Admission team or join us at an upcoming event if you have any questions regarding scholarships, financial aid, or the application process.

Grad Chat Podcast

  • Check out this episode of Grad Chat featuring Caitlin Victor from the Master of Science in Athletic Training program. Caitlin shares her reasons for choosing Merrimack College, highlighting the high percentage of students who pass the BOC exam on their first try, the strong job placement rate for graduates, and the extensive list of available clinical sites. She also discusses why this program holds a special place in her heart. Interested in learning more about Merrimack’s Athletic Training program? Don’t miss this episode!

 

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