Athletic Training, MS

Program Co-Directors:

Sharon Rogers Moore (130 Scales Field House; 252-737-2982; rogerssh@ecu.edu)
Katie Flanagan (130-C Scales Field House; 252-737-4561; flanagank@ecu.edu)

The master of science in athletic training degree is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education (CAATE). Students matriculate, progress, and complete the 57 s.h. curriculum as part of a cohort following a prescribed sequence of courses spanning two consecutive years. Any deviation from the sequence of courses will delay time to degree completion. Upon completion of the requirements for this degree, students will be eligible to sit for the Board of Certification (BOC) exam and be eligible to work as a health care provider.

Admission Requirements

Admission to the Graduate School and the master of science in athletic training program is competitive. Minimum requirements for admission to the program include the following:

1. Applicants must qualify for admission to the Graduate School.

2. Applicants must submit satisfactory GRE scores. Applicants who achieve at least the 40th percentile are more likely to be admitted than those who fall below the level.

3. Applicants must have completed all of the following prerequisite coursework totaling 35 s.h. and have earned a grade of C or better in each of the following courses:

a. general biology with lab (4 s.h.)
b. general chemistry with lab (4 s.h.)
c. general physics with lab (4 s.h.)
d. human anatomy and physiology with labs (8 s.h.)
e. psychology (3 s.h.)
f. nutrition (3 s.h.)
g. biomechanics (3 s.h.)
h. exercise physiology (3 s.h.)
i. statistics (3 s.h.)

4. Applicants must have earned an overall 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale on all undergraduate work from institutions accredited by regional associations.

5. In addition to application to the Graduate School, applicants to the master of science in athletic training program must also apply to the ATCAS portal (https://atcas.liaisoncas.org/). Applicants should be prepared to provide the following documentation:

a. requests for transcript verification from each institution of higher education
b. GRE scores
c. written statement of purpose and summary of professional goals
d. full name and contact information for two references from persons who can attest to the applicant’s character and academic competence or ability to do graduate work (one letter of recommendation must come from the certified athletic trainer who supervised the applicant’s observational hours and one recommendation must be from an academic faculty member)
e. documentation of emergency cardiac care and first aid certification
f. log of 75 hours in a scholastic and/or collegiate athletic training completed within 24 months prior to the application date, signed by a supervising nationally certified and state licensed athletic trainer
g. signed Technical Standards (items F&G are available for download at https://hhp.ecu.edu/hep/msat/)

Degree Requirements

Graduate athletic training students must remain in good standing in accordance with the Graduate School’s academic eligibility standards and the university’s student conduct policies. All students in the program are required to maintain current tuberculosis (TB) status, varicella immunization, and hepatitis B immunization (or waiver) for the duration of involvement in the curriculum.

The master of science in athletic training degree requires 57 s.h. as follows:

Licensure/Certification Requirements in North Carolina

The curriculum for all ECU Certificates, Degrees, and other Graduate Programs have been designed to meet the licensure/certification requirements in North Carolina and prepare students to sit for licensure/certification exams in North Carolina. The various licensure boards in each state are responsible for setting requirements for licensure/certification in their state. Other states have their own requirements, and you’ll want to make sure your program meets criteria in your home state (or state where you intend to work) before you apply. Search our state Licensure Dashboard to see if the program you’re interested in meets the educational requirements for licensing/certification in your home state (or state where you intend to work).