Athletic Training (MS)

Graduate
Graduate
Overview
Jump-start your career as a certified athletic trainer by earning your Master of Science in Athletic Training (MSAT) at Xavier University.

Our on-campus MSAT program empowers you to serve others through competent and compassionate healthcare. With rigorous coursework and hands-on clinical experiences, you strengthen your professional skills and expertise to provide exceptional care to athletes of all ages. Become a certified athletic trainer by earning your Master of Science in Athletic Training from Xavier.

Admission
Applying to Xavier University's MSAT program is a straightforward process. For optimal consideration, it's advisable to submit your application by early November.

Application Materials

For both the 2-Year or 5-Year MSAT degree options, applicants must submit:

  • An online application.
  • One official transcript of all previous undergraduate and graduate coursework sent directly from the college/university to the Office of the Graduate School. Transcripts must demonstrate that the GPA and prerequisite course requirements have been met.
  • Documentation of 40 hours of observations in an athletic training practice setting.
  • Answers to five short questions about your observation experiences, career goals and personality.
  • Two letters from professional and/or academic references who can assess your potential for success in this program.
  • Technical Standards

Applicants interested in the 2-Year Master of Science in Athletic Training degree program must meet the following prerequisites:

  • Hold a bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited college or university.
  • Maintain a cumulative 3.0 GPA.
  • Complete the following courses with a minimum grade of "C" (C- is not acceptable).
  • A minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 in all prerequisite courses:
    • Eight (8) credits in Human Anatomy and Physiology + Lab(s) OR Four (4) credits in Human Anatomy + Lab and Four (4) credits in Human Physiology + Lab (total of 8 credits)
    • Exercise Physiology
    • Chemistry + Lab
    • Physics + Lab
    • Nutrition
    • Psychology
    • Statistics
    • English Composition (Writing course)
    • Biology (if any of the other prerequisite courses were taken in a biology department, they may fulfill this requirement)
  • Completion of 40 hours of observations in an athletic training practice setting.

*Please note: If all prerequisite course requirements are met, including GPA, the GRE is not required for admission.

Deadlines

Xavier’s admission committee begins reviewing applications for the master’s in athletic training in November. Since we accept applications on a rolling basis as space permits, you may apply after November.

For priority review, we suggest you submit your complete application early in November.

If you have incomplete prerequisites, you may apply to the program; however, you must outline your plan to fulfill the prerequisites before the start of the program.

If you have deficiencies, the admission committee may still consider you for conditional admission; however, all requirements must be met before the start of the program.

Prospective students majoring in exercise science at Xavier may apply to the 5-Year M.S. in Athletic Training program if they meet the conditional prerequisites outlined below:

  • Completion of Xavier University's core and Exercise Science degree requirements.
  • Completion of a minimum of 97 credits.
  • Overall 3.0 GPA.
  • A minimum grade of "C" in each prerequisite course (C- is not acceptable).
  • Minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 in all prerequisite courses:
    • Anatomy and Physiology (BIOL 140-143) *Students changing their major from Biology can petition to use BIOL 160-161.
    • Exercise Physiology (EXSC 225)
    • Chemistry + Lab (CHEM 150 and 151 or CHEM 160 and 161)
    • Physics + Lab (PHYS 140 and 142)
    • Nutrition (EXSC 330)
    • Psychology (PSYC 101)
    • Statistics (MATH 116 or 156)
    • English Composition (ENGL 101) or Rhetoric (ENGL 115)
  • Completion of 40 hours of observations in an athletic training practice setting.

*Please note: If all prerequisite course requirements are met, including GPA, the GRE is not required for admission.

Curriculum
Our athletic training program, consisting of 54 credit hours, blends didactic courses and hands-on clinical experience, equipping students to diagnose injuries, offer therapeutic and preventative treatment and provide holistic care to athletes.

Summer

  • ATTR 500: Care and Prevention............ 3cr.
  • ATTR 501: Athletic Training Skills............ 3cr.
  • ATTR 510: Anatomical Kinesiology............ 3cr.

Fall

  • ATTR 521: Lower Extremity Injuries............ 3cr.
  • ATTR 531: Therapeutic Intervention I............ 3cr.
  • ATTR 540: Evidence-Based Practice............ 3cr.
  • ATTR 561: Clinical Experience I............ 2cr.

Spring

  • ATTR 522: Upper Extremity Injuries............ 3cr.
  • ATTR 523: Head, Spine & Thorax Injuries............ 3cr.
  • ATTR 532: Therapeutic Intervention II............ 3cr.
  • ATTR 541: Research I............ 1cr.
  • ATTR 550: Interprofessional Collaboration............ 1cr.
  • ATTR 562: Clinical Experience II............ 2cr.

Fall

  • ATTR 600: Medical Issues in AT............ 3cr.
  • ATTR 610: Administrative Concepts in AT............ 3cr.
  • ATTR 633: Therapeutic Intervention III............ 3cr.
  • ATTR 642: Research II............ 1cr.
  • ATTR 663: Clinical Experience III............ 2cr.

Spring

  • ATTR 650: Contemporary Issues in AT............ 3cr.
  • ATTR 664: Clinical Experience IV............ 6cr.
Outcomes
Designed to provide real-world preparation, our athletic training master’s program equips students to receive comprehensive instruction that qualifies them to sit for and pass the BOC exam, which then permits them to enter the field as certified athletic trainers.

Xavier graduates are working as Certified Athletic Trainers for the following organizations:

  • FC Cincinnati
  • Boston Red Sox
  • Xavier University
  • Michigan State University (East Lansing, MI)
  • Marine Corp Base Camp Pendleton
  • Walnut Hills High School (Cincinnati, OH)
  • Connor High School (Hebron, KY)
  • Muir Orthopaedic Specialists (Walnut Creek, CA)
  • Lipscomb University (Nashville, TN)
  • Memphis Grizzles
  • Marshall University (Huntington, WV)

Read more about Xavier's Program Outcomes from the The Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education (CAATE).

 

Tuition and Fees
With a full range of financial aid resources from Xavier University, your MSAT is not far from reach. Our dedicated staff supports you through funding your graduate degree and is eager to answer any questions.

Tuition

  • MS..............$722

Fees

  • Student ID Fee..............$12.50
  • Graduate Student Association Fee, degree-seeking full-time..............$15 (per semester)
  • Graduate Student Association Fee, degree-seeking part-time..............$10 (per semester)
The amounts listed are for the 2025-2026 academic year, and include classes from Summer 2025 through Spring 2026. Tuition cost is per credit hour unless otherwise stated.
For the full, official listing, please visit xavier.edu/costs.
Xavier University reserves the right to correct any computational or clerical errors.
54
Credit Hours
2
Year Program

Why Xavier's Master's in Athletic Training?

Flexible degree pathways

The 2-Year MSAT paves the way if you already have a bachelor’s degree, while the 5-Year MSAT accelerates the degree journey if you’re a Xavier student and have met core and exercise science degree requirements.

Obtain professional certifications

Our MSAT program includes professional certifications in Emergency Medical Response, HawkGrips and Level-I IASTM Fundamentals, equipping you to excel in your career as an athletic trainer.

Gain valuable clinical experience

With four semesters of hands-on experience, our graduate students spend time learning from certified athletic trainers to fine-tune their techniques and build their expertise.

Top-tier labs and facilities

As one of the nation's top schools for athletic training, we ensure students have access to leading-edge athletic training technology and equipment.

Alumni Making an Impact

Dalton Davis (2020)
Athletic Trainer with FC Cincinnati

“The full-time athletic trainers that provided me with experience and mentorship were absolutely amazing and I would not be where I am today if it weren’t for Xavier and its Masters in athletic training.”

Madeleine Johnson (2017)
Athletic Trainer with Emory Healthcare

“At XU, I was able to build and maintain great relationships with my preceptors, professors and fellow classmates that I still have to this day. I can easily say that going to XU was the best choice for my career as an ATC.”

Emily Martz (2016)
Athletic Trainer with Premier Health

“From the individualized attention and support I received from the professors, clinical preceptors and older students in the program, to all of the knowledge and resources available, this program gave me all the tools I needed to be the clinician I am today.”

Alumni Feature
From Student to Trainer

Connor Barnes, a Xavier University alumnus, is currently living his dream as the athletic trainer for the Xavier men's basketball team. He credits his time at Xavier for shaping his career, particularly the athletic training program and the mentorship he received from faculty.

Faculty Spotlight
Crista Rosborough, DAT, AT, ATC

Learn more about Crista’s journey, from earning her master’s to her clinical experience and her return to serving as the clinical education coordinator of Xavier’s MSAT program.

FAQ

Xavier's MS in Athletic Training program offers a comprehensive pathway to a rewarding career as an athletic trainer. Learn more.

As the athletics field continues to grow, certified athletic trainers can expect a stable and secure career outlook. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects athletic trainers’ employment to grow 14 percent annually — four times faster than the rate of employment growth for all occupations.

Additionally, athletic trainers earn a median annual wage of $53,840; however, their earnings can range up to $78,000 based on their place of employment, level of experience and the state in which they live.

Xavier’s athletic training graduate program equips students with the expertise and versatile skills required to work in employment settings, such as universities, high schools, hospitals, sports medicine clinics, and collegiate and professional sports. Our MSAT alumni work as certified athletic trainers for distinguished organizations, including :

  • FC Cincinnati
  • Clark Atlanta University (Atlanta, GA)
  • Michigan State University
  • Walnut Hills High School (Cincinnati, OH)
  • Boston Red Sox
  • Bradford High School (Starke, FL)
  • Cairn University (Langhorne, PA)
  • University of Florida (Gainesville, FL)
  • Wichita State University (Wichita, KS)
  • Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton
  • Wyoming High School (Cincinnati, OH)
  • Muir Orthopaedic Specialists (Walnut Creek, CA)

Yes. Xavier’s MSAT degree program fulfills the curricular guidelines established by the Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education (CAATE) and the National Athletic Trainers' Association (NATA). Additionally, completing the Master of Science in Athletic Training program fulfills the eligibility requirements of the Board of Certification for the Athletic Trainer (BOC) certification exam, equipping students to earn their certification.

View more information on our Professional Licensure Disclosure webpage.

The MS in Athletic Training at Xavier University is an in-person program. Classes will be held at Xavier's campus in Cincinnati, Ohio.

Xavier University's MSAT program is a 2-year program for students who have already completed their bachelor's degree.

There is also a 5-year program option for students who do not yet have a bachelor's degree. This option combines undergraduate coursework with graduate-level athletic training courses.

Due to its rigorous nature and experiential learning requirements, Xavier only offers the MS in Athletic Training as a full-time and in-person option.

Athletic Training (MS) Program at Xavier University

Xavier University‘s MSAT program empowers you to serve others through competent and compassionate healthcare. With rigorous coursework and hands-on clinical experiences, you strengthen your professional skills and expertise to provide exceptional care to athletes of all ages. Become a certified athletic trainer by earning your Master of Science in Athletic Training from Xavier.

The Xavier University Athletic Training Program fulfills the curricular guidelines established by the Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education (CAATE) and the National Athletic Trainers' Association (NATA). Completing a degree in our Master of Science in Athletic Training program fulfills the eligibility requirements of the BOC certification exam. Graduates of Xavier University's Athletic Training Program receive a Master of Science (M.S.) degree in Athletic Training and are eligible to sit for the BOC exam.

Xavier University's College of Professional Sciences prepares undergraduate and graduate students intellectually, morally and spiritually for careers and professions of service. CPS challenges students to strive for academic excellence and life-long learning through promoting collaboration and community partnerships, and incorporating research, scholarship and innovation.

Xavier University is a private university located in Cincinnati, Ohio, providing a liberal arts education in the Jesuit Catholic tradition. Founded in 1831, the University is the sixth-oldest Catholic university in the nation. It has been ranked among the top 10 master's-level universities in the Midwest by U.S. News & World Report for the past two decades. The Princeton Review names it one of the "Best 385 Colleges in America."