MS in Athletic Training (MSAT)
Athletic trainers are healthcare professionals who prevent, evaluate, diagnose, treat, and rehabilitate emergent, acute, and chronic injuries and illnesses in direct collaboration with a physician. Athletic trainers are employed at a variety of settings that include, but, are not limited to:
- Professional, Olympic, collegiate, interscholastic, and recreational sports
- Rehabilitation centers and clinics focused on sports medicine, orthopedics, cardiac rehabilitation, wellness, and neurological rehabilitation
- Physician practices
- Hospital emergency rooms and urgent care centers
- Occupational health in industrial, manufacturing, and distribution centers
- Law enforcement and fire departments, branches of the military, NASA
- Performing arts including performance, dance, and acting
According to the U.S. Department of Labor, the athletic training profession is projected to grow 19% between 2018 and 2028. This is much faster than the average growth for all occupations.
The athletic training program at UGA is a two-year, six-semester program that will prepare students to become highly skilled and confident healthcare practitioners in the profession of athletic training capable to practice in a variety of clinical settings.
Highlights
What sets UGA’s athletic training program apart from other programs?
- Students complete clinical education experiences in the Southeastern Conference!
- Over 40 weeks of immersive clinical experiences
- Individually tailored clinical experiences to professional goals
- Opportunity to obtain emergency medicine technician (EMT) credential
- Option to conduct research and prepare for a terminal degree
- Opportunity to study abroad
- Faculty and staff expertise in behavioral health, biomechanics and injury, concussion, emergency care, environmental conditions, manual therapy, and spine evaluation and treatment
Program Outcomes
The athletic training program boasts a high level of student success. See our most current program outcomes to learn more about the success of our athletic training students.
Virtual Information Sessions
Prospective students are encouraged to register for an upcoming virtual information session to learn more about the M.S. in Athletic Training.
During the session, the program director will cover the MSAT application process, curriculum, and clinical education schedule. There will also be a designated time for questions from attendees.
To register, just click on the date/time that works best for you (under Upcoming Dates on this page). You’ll be prompted to register for that session, and will receive a confirmation with a link for it when your registration is complete.
Upcoming Dates
Accreditation Information
The Athletic Training Program at the University of Georgia is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education (CAATE). Students who successfully complete the Master of Science in Athletic Training program will be eligible to take the Board of Certification Examination. Certification as an athletic trainer through the Board of Certification is required to practice as an athletic trainer.
Curriculum
The athletic training curriculum (PDF) is a 79-credit, two-year, six-semester program. Classes are offered in an accelerated manner to allow for an immersive clinical education. Students can only complete this program on a full-time basis.
The program’s unique and progressive curriculum includes:
- Human cadaver anatomy dissection
- 8 courses on evaluation and treatment
- A course preparing students to treat athletes with disabilities
- A course preparing students to read and perform diagnostic testing and imaging
Additional information and disclosures regarding state licensure for professional practice in this field can be found at the UGA Licensure Disclosure Portal .
How to Apply
The University of Georgia Class of 2026 (entering during the Summer of 2024) is full at this time. Any additional applications will be reviewed on an as needed basis off of a waitlist. Please email Dr. Jill Manners with any questions.
Applications for the Class of 2027 will begin to be accepted in June of 2024.
Step One: Apply to UGA’s Master of Science in Athletic Training program through ATCAS.
Applicants will apply directly to ATCAS and upload the required documentation.
The Athletic Training Program conducts a competitive admission process. In order to be admitted to the MSAT program, students must minimally meet the following requirements:
Please note that meeting the minimum requirements does not guarantee admission to the athletic training program at UGA.
- Completed program pre-requisites within 10 years of application
- Pre-requisite courses completed at the post-secondary level, within 10 years of program application
- At least 8 of the 10 program pre-requisites must be complete or in progress by the application deadline. Transcripts for in-process courses must be submitted after the semester in order for program review. All pre-requisites must be complete by program matriculation.
- General Biology (3 credits minimum) (lab preferred)
- General Chemistry (3 credits minimum) (lab preferred)
- General Physics (3 credits minimum) (lab preferred)
- Anatomy and Physiology I & II (3 credits minimum/class) (labs preferred)
- General psychology (3 credits)
- Statistics (3 credits)
- Nutrition (3 credits) (sports nutrition preferred)
- Exercise Physiology (3 credits minimum) (lab preferred)
- Applied Kinesiology or Biomechanics (3 credits minimum) (lab preferred)
- Minimum undergraduate GPA of 3.0
- Minimum Pre-requisite GPA of 3.0 with no grade below a “C”.
- Minimum GPA for the last 60 hours completed of 3.0
- 50 hours of observation of an athletic trainer within 5 years of application
- Please complete this observation log (PDF) and upload it to ATCAS.
- You must complete our observation log form.
- 3 letters of recommendation
Although anyone who can speak to your personal and professional characteristics may be an appropriate individual to write your letters of reference, preference will be given to strong letters from physicians and allied health professionals. At least one letter of recommendation must be from an athletic trainer or physician familiar with sports medicine (an athletic trainer is strongly encouraged.). Please do not submit letters of recommendation from a family member. - Completed Essays
- Submission of a current resume or curriculum vitae
- Students whose native language is not English must submit English proficiency test scores and meet the minimum language proficiency threshold. Please self-report scores via ATCAS and have official test scores sent directly to the UGA Graduate School . For additional information please refer to the Graduate School’s website .
The University of Georgia does NOT require GRE scores for M.S. in Athletic Training program admission.
Step Two: Submit Supplementary Application to the UGA Graduate School
Applicants will submit a supplementary application and reduced application fee ($51.50 for domestic students/$77.25 for international students) directly to the UGA Graduate School. Documentation such as statements of purpose, resumes, and letters of recommendation do not need to be included in your UGA Graduate School application.
Note: Applicants should select MSAT, Athletic Training (Kinesiology){MSAT_ATHL} as their intended program within the UGA Graduate School application. Summer of 2024, please choose the AY2024 - 2025 academic year with an intended term of Summer 2024.
You are required to upload your unofficial transcripts to Slate as part of your application. You do not need to upload a Resume, Statement of Purpose, writing sample, any program-specific supplemental materials, official transcripts, or letters of recommendation to the UGA application - as long as they have been uploaded in ATCAS.~
Start A Graduate School Application
Candidate Selection
The Athletic Training Program Admissions Committee will review all applications that meet the minimum criteria for admissions on an ongoing and rolling basis. Once program application materials have been reviewed, recommended applicants will be invited for a virtual interview. Formal admission will be offered to the top candidates, based upon overall and pre-requisite GPA, observation experiences, essays, recommendations, and interviews.
UGA Non-Discrimination and Anti-Harassment Policy
For information on the UGA Non-Discrimination and Anti-Harassment Policy, please visit the Equal Opportunity Office website .
Transfer of Credit Policy
The Master of Science in Athletic Training Program will typically not accept a transfer of credits. Students wishing to be considered for transfer credit should contact the Program Director.
Adjunct Opportunities
Although not guaranteed, students in the athletic training program at the University of Georgia have had many opportunities to complete internships with several professional organizations, including:
Clinical Education
Students will complete clinical education experiences during each semester. Clinical education experiences will be tailored to the goals of the student. Students have opportunities to complete clinical education experiences across the country and internationally.
View the proposed clinical education plan (PDF) .
All students will gain experience working with:
- College / University Athletics
- Secondary schools
- Physician offices
- Orthopedics (clinic and surgery)
- Emergency departments
- EMS
- Rehabilitation
- Neurological conditions/concussion
- Behavioral health
- Radiology
Students must be able to provide their own transportation to and from clinical sites. Clinical Education Experiences and Supplemental Clinical Experiences may occur up to approximately 75 miles away from Athens. During the Spring of the 1st year and the Fall of the 2nd year, students may choose to complete their immersion experiences at a great distance from Athens. During these experiences, students may choose to live near their clinical sites. Identifying housing options, and the cost of this relocation is the responsibility of the student.
2023 – 2024 Academic and Clinical Schedule
- August 14 – September 17, 2023
1st Year Clinical (HS or UGA Football) - September 18 – November 12, 2023
1st Year Classes and Supplemental Clinical Experiences - November 13 – December 17, 2023
1st Year Clinical (HS or UGA Football) - January 8 – March 3, 2024
1st Year Classes and Supplemental Clinical Experiences
2nd Year Clinical Experiences - March 4 – March 10, 2024
Spring Break - March 11 – May 12, 2024
1st Year Clinicals (College / University - UGA or other)
2nd Year Classes and Supplemental Clinical Experiences - May 9 – 10, 2024
Class of 2024 Graduation
Program Expenses
Information regarding tuition, fees, and cost of attendance can be found on the Bursar and Treasury Services website . Students will pay the Standard rate for Master’s Students based upon residency.
Based on the tuition and fees for the 2023 – 2024 academic year, the cost of attendance (excluding personal expenses) are:
In-state Students
- Year 1 UGA Tuition & Fees: $15,135
- Year 2 UGA Tuition & Fees: $13,657
- Total: $28,792
Out-of-state Students
- Year 1 UGA Tuition & Fees: $39,597
- Year 2 UGA Tuition & Fees: $35,031
- Total: $74,628
Additional Costs
- Background Check, Year 1: $37.50
- Background Check, Year 2: $18.00
- Liability insurance: ~$25.00 / year
- Personal AT equipment: ~$100.00
- NATA Membership $68.00
- BOC Examination, Year 2: $365 (if NATA Member), $390 (non-NATA Member)
- ACEMAPP: $50 per year
- Drug Screens: Dependent upon clinical sites
- Clothing: Variable
- Clinical Transportation: Variable
- Books: Variable per year / course
- Immunizations: Varies based on health insurance and medical history
- Parking
Graduate Assistantships are not offered through the Master of Science in Athletic Training Program. Students seeking financial assistance should refer to the College of Education Financial Assistance page for information.
Study Abroad
Students have the opportunity to complete a study abroad experience in Taiwan during the Maymester.
This program will allow students to learn athletic training techniques, traditional Chinese therapeutic techniques, and Eastern medicine practices.
Additional Resources
If you have any questions about the Athletic Training Program, please email Dr. Jill Manners (Program Director) or use our online form .
The College’s programs are taught by dedicated faculty who are experts in a range of areas and are passionate about helping students succeed both in their programs and professionally.
A close working relationship with your advisor is key as you progress through your program of study. Please note that most graduate students at UGA are not assigned to a faculty advisor until after admittance.
Almost all in-state students begin their studies at UGA paying limited tuition or fees. Please note that these amounts are subject to change and are meant to give prospective students an idea of the costs associated with a degree at the University of Georgia College of Education.
Students may qualify for a variety of assistantships, scholarships, and other financial awards to help offset the cost of tuition, housing, and other expenses.
Work with UGA Athletic Association strength and conditioning coaches in football and Olympic sports, and gain experience from other professionals in the field through internships and practicums.
Take classes from faculty members who are respected as leaders in their field. Our faculty members believe in team science, which allows you to participate in research projects across many labs and disciplines. Also, you may participate in research funded by grants from organizations such as the National Institutes of Health, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
See for yourself how much UGA College of Education has to offer! Schedule a tour of campus to learn more about the UGA student experience.