Curriculum
Learn more about Merrimack College’s Master of Science in Athletic Training curriculum.
Degree Requirements You Can Put into Practice
The Athletic Training curriculum balances the evidence-based knowledge and practical skill you need to provide the highest quality care through the infusion of the 2020 CAATE Core Competencies.
- Patient-Centered Care
- Inter-professional Practice
- Evidence-Based Practice
- Quality Improvement
- Healthcare Informatics
- Professionalism
- Care Plan
- Examination Diagnosis and Intervention
- Prevention, Health Promotion and Wellness
- Healthcare Administration
Post-baccalaureate Degree
- Fulfill 60 classroom credits and 20 clinical credits to earn your MSAT in two years
Accelerated (3+2) track
- Fulfill 174 credit hours in five years to earn the Bachelor of Science in Health Science or Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science and the Master of Science in Athletic Training degrees.
- Complete 94 credit hours for the Bachelor of Science in Health Science or Exercise Science by the end of your third year; the remaining 32 credits required for the bachelor’s degree will be earned through graduate-level courses in athletic training taken in the summer between the third and fourth year and during the fall of the fourth year of study.
- The Master of Science in Athletic Training is awarded at the end of the fifth year of study with the completion of 48 credits.
Clinical Education Experiences
To enhance your learning, all program courses are taught by expert faculty who bring real-world experience from the front lines of athletic training to each discussion. Classroom learning is complemented through clinical education experiences. Under the supervision of certified athletic trainers and other health care providers, students further develop their knowledge and skills in a wide range of settings to promote interprofessional collaboration. In addition, interactive lectures and group projects help you build a better understanding of the clinical skills needed to effectively care for athletes and other individuals as part of a healthcare team.
Through either track, you’ll complete the two years of clinical experiences required by CAATE standards for professional programs. Tapping our longstanding partnerships with a variety of organizations in surrounding communities, you’ll receive hands-on training and sharpen your clinical skills at practicum sites that align with your career goals.
Sample Course of Study
The Master of Science in Athletic Training is a two-year, full-time program requiring 80 credits (60 graduate credits + 20 clinical graduate credits) in athletic training. All courses are four credits each. Students take a total of 16 credits per semester.
Below is a sample course of study.
Summer |
| ATR 5100 Functional Clinical Anatomy (4cr) |
| ATR 5200 Fundamental Skills for Athletic Training (4cr) |
| ATR 5150 Emergency Management and Prevention (4cr) |
| ATR 5300 Clinical Decision Making I (4cr) |
First Year
| Fall | Spring |
| HSC 5320 Chronic Disease Prevention (4cr) | ATR 6550 Concepts in Therapeutic Interventions (4cr) |
| ATR 5400 Clinical Exam/Diagnosis I (4cr) | ATR 6400 Clinical Exam/Diagnosis II (4cr) |
| ATR 5500 Physical Agents & Mechanical Modals (4cr) | ATR 6450 Clinical Pathophysiology & Medial Intervention (4cr) |
| ATR 5301 Clinical Decision Making II (4cr) | ATR 6300 Clinical Decision Making III (4cr) |
Second Year
| Fall | Spring |
| ATR 6350 Cultural Competence in Health Care Administration (4cr) | ATR 6750G Behavioral Health Care (4cr) |
| ATR 6600 Research Methods in Clinical Practice (4cr) | HSC 6200 Sports Nutrition (4cr) |
| ATR 6650 Intro to Medical Imaging (4cr) | ATR 6700 Special Topics in Healthcare (4cr) |
| ATR 6301 Clinical Decision Making IV (4cr) | ATR 6302 Clinical Decision Making V (4cr) |
Contact Us
For more information, contact the Office of Graduate Studies at graduate@merrimack.edu or 978-837-3563.
