Athletic Training, MS
Why Pursue Athletic Training?
Athletic trainers offer a healing hand to athletes of all shapes and sizes. If you enjoy a fast paced environment, love to help others, and are interested in health care, Piedmont University’s Athletic Training Program may be an ideal fit for you. Exciting and ever-changing, athletic training is equally demanding and rewarding. There’s nothing so fulfilling as watching the patient you’ve helped get back in the game and excel.
Patients, clients, and athletes of all ages and abilities need help, and we can make sure that you are there to provide it. Whether it’s for a school, sports medicine clinic, professional team, governmental agency, or beyond – Piedmont University will prepare you for success and assist you in finding your place within this expansive role in health care. Piedmont University offers 2 paths to its Master of Science in Athletic Training Degree: a combined undergrad and graduate path (the 3+2 internal approach) or a more traditional 2-year graduate program.
Did you know that estimated growth in athletic training may surpass 20% over the next decade? With growth comes opportunity and Piedmont University blends classroom instruction with clinical opportunities to help you take advantage of this growth in the healthcare sector. We give our graduate students significant practical real-life experience with certified athletic trainers, physicians, physical therapists, and other allied health care professionals so they are ready when they enter the real world.
Piedmont University’s MSAT Program also prepares the student to pass three professional certification exams: The Board of Certification (BOC), Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES), and Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS).
How a Piedmont Athletic Training Master’s Degree Helps You
- Learn to provide immediate and vital assistance for injured and hurting athletes and patients of all ages and abilities.
- Discover what setting best suits your career path and goals – such as working with young athletes, collegiate, and/or professionals.
- Get the medical training you need to assess and treat any type of health condition that a patient may suffer from.
- Be prepared to pass all professional certification exams.
- Gain necessary and helpful experience that will prepare you for your career.
Career Opportunities
A Master of Science Degree in Athletic Training from Piedmont opens the doors for a wide range of professional pursuits. For instance, our master’s graduates have gone on to build successful careers in:
A Master’s Degree in Athletic Training provides the essential knowledge of anatomy, physiology, injury prevention, and rehabilitation needed to effectively care for athletes. It also offers hands-on clinical experience, preparing you to assess injuries, develop treatment plans, and support athletes’ recovery and performance safely.
A Master’s Degree in Athletic Training helps in the field of medicine by giving you a strong foundation in anatomy, injury assessment, and rehabilitation techniques that are crucial for patient care. It also prepares you to work alongside physicians and other healthcare professionals in diagnosing, treating, and preventing musculoskeletal injuries.
A Master’s Degree in Athletic Training translates nicely into a doctoral degree in physical therapy by providing a deep understanding of injury prevention, rehabilitation, and human movement, which are key components of physical therapy. This program also offers hands-on experience in assessing and treating musculoskeletal injuries, preparing you to collaborate effectively with physical therapists and support patient recovery.
A Master’s Degree in Athletic Training at Piedmont University prepares you to support military personnel by providing expertise in injury prevention, emergency care, and rehabilitation, helping maintain their physical readiness. Piedmonts MSAT program also equips you with skills to manage musculoskeletal injuries and provide immediate care in demanding and high-pressure environments common in the military.
Athletic Trainers employed in law enforcement assist civil servants in equipping patients with skills in injury prevention, emergency response, and rehabilitation to keep officers physically fit and ready for duty. Piedmont University’s MSAT program also prepares you to provide immediate care for injuries sustained on the job and support long-term recovery and physical fitness maintenance.
A Master’s Degree in Athletic Training provides essential knowledge of injury prevention, diagnosis, and rehabilitation, which are core components in the sports medicine field. The MSAT program also prepares you to work closely with physicians, coaches, and athletes managing and treating sports-related injuries, promoting safe and effective recovery.
A Master’s Degree in Athletic Training allows healthcare providers in the performing arts through teaching injury prevention and treatment for injuries common among dancers, actors, and musicians. This area of study also equips you to develop conditioning and rehabilitation programs that enhance performers’ strength, flexibility, and overall physical health.
More About a Master’s in Athletic Training
Learn more about pursuing a Master’s in Athletic Training and the variety of options available to you as a Piedmont student.
Piedmont University’s athletic training pathway offers an innovative “3+2” program that gives our students a tremendous advantage. That is because 3+2 allows our students to earn an undergraduate degree in exercise and sports science or applied health sciences while simultaneously working towards a master’s degree in athletic training – and all within five years. The fast-track program features 166-167 hours of course work (either for an exercise and sports science major or an applied health science major).
Piedmont University’s MSAT program provides hands-on learning through supervised patient care at local high schools, colleges, and medical centers. In addition, students will participate in two semesters of immersive clinical experiences. Accelerated 3+2 students will complete 3 years as undergraduate students and 2 years in the professional graduate program—they will graduate at the end of the 5th year with BS in Exercise and Sport Science or Applied Health Sciences and an MS in Athletic Training degrees.
Student-athletes are welcome to participate in their sport every year. Traditional entry into the Piedmont University MSAT program is also accepted and encouraged. Our MSAT programs boasts well rounded small cohorts of both internal and external students.
Piedmont University’s Athletic Training program ensures that students are ready for three crucial exams: the BOC (Board of Certification), CHES (certified health education specialist), and CSCS (certified strength and conditioning specialist). Students enjoy and excel with our small cohort sizes, faculty mentorship, individualized attention, and interprofessional disciplinary opportunities, students will feel confident in their abilities to pass these important professional exams.
1. Apply
Choose the application that fits you:
- Piedmont Seniors & Alumni: Includes graduates of Brenau University and the University of Montevallo. Apply through the Piedmont Graduate Application.
- Accelerated 3+2 Students: Piedmont Exercise/Health Science majors apply during the summer or fall of their junior year. Graduate coursework begins the following summer. Apply at this link.
2. Meet the Requirements
- GPA: 3.0 or higher (lower GPAs reviewed individually)
- Prerequisite Courses: Grade of C or better in all required courses:
- Anatomy & Physiology I and II (with labs)
- Biology, Chemistry, and Physics (with labs)
- Exercise Physiology, Nutrition, General Psychology, and Statistics
- Observation: 35+ hours with an active Athletic Trainer (signed log and BOC number required)
- References: Two, preferably one faculty member and one Athletic Trainer
- Documents: Resume, personal statement, official transcripts, and immunization records, including Hepatitis B
- Technical Standards: Must be signed by an MD, DO, NP, or PA
3. Interview & Enroll
Qualified applicants will be invited to interview. Drug screening and background checks are completed during the first semester.
Need Help?
Admissions & Enrollment: Cat Mote cmote@piedmont.edu | 706-778-8500, ext. 1389
Program Director: Dr. Kristin Whitlock, LAT, ATC | kwhitlock@piedmont.edu | ext. 1243
Curriculum & Leveling: Dr. Lindsay Dilbeck, LAT, ATC | ldilbeck@piedmont.edu | ext. 1322
Related Programs
Intrigued by Athletic Training? You might also be interested in one of these programs:
Meet our Faculty
Meet our talented faculty with both academic and professional experience in Athletic Training.
Where do I start?
Ready to begin your journey toward becoming an Athletic Training Student at Piedmont University? Apply today! You can also schedule a campus visit to meet with admissions, financial aid advisors, and faculty from the Health Sciences Department.