MASTER OF SCIENCE IN ATHLETIC TRAINING

Master of Science in Athletic Training (MSAT)

Gain clinical experience, prepare for Board of Certification (BOC) for the Athletic Trainer and work with diverse clinical populations, superior faculty and cutting-edge technology.

Prepare for a Career as an Athletic Trainer. Finish in 24 months.

Photography for Merrimack College brochure covers.

Graduate Info Session & Tour

Saturday, March 23, 2024 
from 10:30 am 
to 12:00 pm

Explore the Merrimack College community, gain tips on what makes a strong application, hear about our fellowship opportunities, take a tour and more!

Athletic Training Master’s Degree: Why Merrimack College?

Our master’s degree in athletic training emphasizes evidence-based practice and clinical excellence. Merrimack provides you with:

CAATE-accredited curriculum.

Merrimack College’s athletic training master’s degree is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training and Education (CAATE). Upon graduation, you’ll be eligible to challenge the Board of Certification exam and obtain your ATC credential as a certified athletic trainer.

Supportive faculty.

With small classes that encourage one-on-one faculty attention, our master’s in athletic training helps you develop strong relationships with your professors. Merrimack’s athletic training program is led by accomplished clinical practitioners such as Birgid Hopkins, LAT, ATC, and Dennis Fontaine, LAT, ATC, as well as Medical Director Matt Savory and Paul Schoonman, Doctor of Chiropractic. Our faculty teach from first-hand experience, providing career advice and professional mentoring in addition to academic instruction.

Extensive clinical training.

Our athletic training graduate degree emphasizes hands-on practice over textbook instruction, with an emphasis on interprofessional education. You’ll gain clinical experience in varied professional settings, including pediatric and collegiate athletic programs, physician’s practices and hospitals, occupational health and rehabilitation facilities, industrial workplaces, community health centers, public safety programs, military sites and more.

Elite facilities.

Graduate students in the athletic training master’s program can gain direct, hands-on experience with state-of-the-art equipment, including high fidelity simulation manikins and access to real-life patient experiences in a variety of clinical settings.

Program Format

  • On-Campus
  • Full-Time

Start Terms

  • Summer I

VIEW APPLICATION DEADLINES

Explore the Full Spectrum of Athletic Training Careers

The athletic training job market is rapidly expanding, fueled in part by demand among health care employers. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics forecasts the number of U.S. athletic trainer jobs to grow 19 percent between now and 2028.

 

The athletic training job market is rapidly expanding, fueled in part by demand among health care employers. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics forecasts the number of U.S. athletic trainer jobs to grow 19 percent between now and 2028.

Graduates of Merrimack’s athletic training master’s degree have an excellent job-placement record. Employers seek our graduates for their well-rounded clinical experience, professional polish and outstanding communication skills. After completing our master’s degree in athletic training, Merrimack students have gone on to work for high schools, physician’s offices, and collegiate sports programs such as:

  • Boston College
  • Brown University
  • Burlington High School
  • Curry College
  • Excel Orthopaedic Specialists
  • Fit For Work
  • Nobles Greenhough Academy
  • Salem State University
  • Southshore Orthopaedics
  • TB-12
  • University of Massachusetts (Amherst and Lowell campuses)
 

Get Complete BOC Preparation for a Career as an Athletic Trainer

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

Grad Chat Podcast

Listen in for this Grad Chat episode featuring Dylon Grzenda, a Master of Athletic Training student at Merrimack. Join us for a can’t-miss discussion on his two-year program, including classes, coursework and clinical rotations. While listening you will uncover the significance of communication for success in large sports organizations, the value of immersive hands-on learning versus textbook-based assignments and the expanding opportunities in the Athletic Training industry, with big players like Amazon and FedEx hiring ATs. Plus, learn how the program facilitates building a robust network within the Athletic Training field. 

Dennis Fontaine

Want to Learn More about the MSAT Program?

CAATE Accredited
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.

Scholarships

Athletic training scholarships can reduce your tuition and lower your debt obligation.

Learn More

How to Apply

Create your account to get started. Apply to start your Master of Science in Athletic Training today.

Create Your Account

Send Me Info

Here’s how to get more information about Merrimack College’s Athletic Training master’s degree program.

"*" indicates required fields

Stay up-to-date on the latest news about Merrimack College graduate programs and your program of interest. Please note a bachelor's degree is a prerequisite to enrolling in any graduate program. (* denotes required field)

Your Name*

Clicking the “Submit” button constitutes your expressed written consent to be emailed, called and/or texted by Merrimack College and its educational partners at the address(es) and number(s) you provided, regarding furthering your education. You understand that these messages may be generated using an automated technology.)

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.