Do you have a deep passion for learning about the human body as well as desire to aid in patient treatment and rehabilitation? Are sports and the field of competition somewhere you thrive and are passionate about? Does a career that combines healthcare and physical activity sound like the optimal environment for you?

At Point Loma Nazarene University, you can earn your Master of Science in Athletic Training (MS-AT) alongside your bachelor’s degree in San Diego’s only master's level professional program for athletic trainers. Athletic trainers play a critical role in the prevention, assessment, treatment, and rehabilitation of their patients.

With employment opportunities for athletic training professionals expected to grow by 21% through 2024* earning your MS-AT could be the right decision for you today.

*Based on data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2014-2024

This program will help you optimize your learning, career, and your impact on others as you develop skills in injury evaluation, functional rehabilitation, prescribing therapeutic modalities, and healthcare management. You’ll also gain the clinical proficiency necessary to pass the Board of Certification (BOC) exam to become a certified athletic trainer at the end of your studies.

"Our program consists of extensive clinical experiences designed to provide a multifaceted learning experience that will shape the student into sound clinicians who are service-oriented and focused on providing quality patient care." 

Nicole Cosby, Ph.D., ATC
MS–AT Program Director

From current undergraduate students to those already with bachelor’s degree who are looking for a career change, our new MS-AT program is designed to prepare individuals for the dynamic and growing field of athletic training and meet the growing demand for master's level professionals. Program options are available for students at any stage of their career journey.

The MS-AT program is offered in 2 different formats:

• M.S. in 5 (3 + 2)  program for students without a bachelor's degree. We offer an accelerated program in which you earn both a bachelor's and master's degree. The program takes five years to complete.

  • For more information on the 3+2 route and the application process please click here to visit our undergraduate web page which provides information on the Health and Human Performance major and your route to transition into the MS-AT. 

• Two-year professional program for students who have already earned a bachelor’s degree. Please continue to explore this website.

Relevant Experience

Gain clinical skills through diverse internship opportunities, take courses that pair a functional, applied learning approach with the latest industry research and trends, giving you the real-world experience today to fulfill your potential tomorrow.

Professional Preparedness

Gain exposure to valuable clinical experiences designed to prepare you for your vocation while learning from faculty with diverse skill sets in athletic training, physical therapy, and medicine.

Please Click Here to See a List of Clinical Sites Associated with PLNU's MS-AT Program.

Pursue Your Purpose

Become challenged and fully equipped to become highly effective allied healthcare professionals who incorporate a Christian perspective, academic excellence, and professional/relational proficiency into clinical practice.  

State Authorization

State authorization is a formal determination that PLNU is approved to conduct educational activities regulated by that state or U.S. Territory. PLNU is not required to obtain state authorization in every state or U.S. Territory, and the university has opted at this time not to seek authorization in certain states and U.S. Territories. Additionally, PLNU meets the criteria for exemption from authorization in certain states.

At this time, PLNU does not have authorization in Arkansas, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Georgia, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, New Mexico, New York, Rhode Island, Wisconsin, and the U.S. Territories. 

Authorizations in specific states may change periodically. PLNU recommends contacting PLNU admissions at (800) 733-7770 for the latest information.

Professional Licensure or Certification

This program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education (CAATE) and meets the requirements to sit for the board of certification examination in the state of California, where Point Loma Nazarene University is physically located. PLNU cannot confirm whether or not specific programs meet out-of-state requirements for Professional Licensure. Information about out-of-state requirements in Athletic Training can be found within each state's licensing act. Please consult the CAATE website for other questions regarding the field of Athletic Training. 

For more information on State Authorization and Program Licensure, please refer to our disclosures page.

Program Start Date(s):

• Summer 2023 Quad II – July 3, 2023

Application Deadline(s):

• Summer 2023 Quad II – June 14, 2023

Start Application

The Master of Science in Athletic Training program has two routes for admission, with each route requiring the prospective student to complete the required course prerequisites. These routes include:

1. A student who has obtained a bachelor’s degree and the essential prerequisites from a regionally accredited college or university. Applicants will apply through the university’s application process.
   
   OR
    
2. The 3+2 accelerated program in coordination with the Bachelor of Arts in Health and Human Performance (Pre-Allied Health Concentration) and prerequisites at Point Loma Nazarene University. Advising for this route of admission is critical and applicants will apply directly through the department using an internal application.

Application Checklist For Students Already with an Undergraduate Degree

Note: The application is completed entirely online with the exception of transcripts, which can be submitted electronically or directly to PLNU, and test scores, which should be submitted electronically.

1. Submit online application for admissions (including $50 non-refundable application fee, which is waived for PLNU alums, current or former military and their dependents, and PLNU employees).
    
2. Submit official transcripts with proof of earned baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited institution* that reflects the following requirements:
   • Cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher in last 60 undergraduate credits.
   • Prerequisite course GPA of 3.0 or higher with no course grade below a "C".
     
     (If you are a PLNU alumnus, please notify your counselor to have your transcripts retrieved. You do not need to request transcripts from the PLNU Office of Records.)
      

     Official transcripts must be sent to:

     Point Loma Nazarene University
     Office of Graduate Admissions
     3900 Lomaland Dr.
     San Diego, CA 92106

     Official electronic transcripts must be emailed to:
     gradprocessing@pointloma.edu
     
     *Please note, official transcripts must be sent directly from the regionally accredited institution.

3. Submit a personal essay. Specifically, state how you would like to use your master’s degree from PLNU to further your career. Make sure you clearly touch on the two points below (one to two pages):
   • Clarify what job setting you see yourself pursuing upon completing the MS in Athletic Training and specify how this degree program will help you in that setting.
   • State how your previous education and work experiences have uniquely prepared you for success in this program.
4. Submit a resume/vita.
    
5. Submit two Letters of Recommendation which describe academic and clinical abilities (one must be from a certified athletic trainer that has observed your clinical skills and another must be from a professor/teacher who can describe your academic abilities).
    
6. Submit an hours verification form (50 hours volunteering under the direct supervision of a certified athletic trainer. Please have all hours of verification submitted by July 1st of the application year. If you need help finding volunteering opportunities, please contact Ryan Nokes, clinical education coordinator at rnokes@pointloma.edu.)
    
7. Ensure undergraduate course prerequisites are met.
    
8. Completes an interview with the athletic training program selection committee. All applicants will be scored by each selection committee member using a standardized interview rubric to reduce interviewer bias.
    

*Exceptions Policy: If you have below a 3.0 GPA in your baccalaureate degree you will need to speak with your enrollment counselor for more information on the exceptions materials needed for your particular program.

Post-Admission Documentation

After admission into the MS-AT program, the following documentation must be submitted to the MS-AT Program Director/Clinical Coordinator prior to the beginning of the first fall academic semester:

• Has read, signed, and meets the technical standards for admission.
• Has read the athletic training student handbook and understands the communicable disease policy. Students will sign a communicable disease policy and handbook verification form upon admittance into the program.
• Provides a valid, up-to-date CPR Certification. CPR Certifications must be Emergency Cardiac Care or CPR/AED for the Professional Rescuer (note: online CPR courses and Lay Responder Certification are not accepted).
• Provides Immunizations Records and completes the Immunization Record form.
• Completes a Student Health Assessment physical examination. Physical examination must be done by physician/physician assistant/nurse practitioner.
• Completes a federal background check and live scan fingerprinting service upon arrival to campus in the summer.

Prerequisite Courses

Prerequisite course syllabi are required at the time of application

• Anatomy and Physiology with a lab

• Physics (please contact program director for questions regarding this course)

• Biology

• Chemistry

• Psychology

Additional Course information

• If a combined Anatomy/Physiology course is taken, two semester or three quarter courses are required.
• Prerequisite courses may be repeated only once; the second grade will then be used to calculate GPA.
• Pass/Credit grades for prerequisite courses will be will be accepted if the granting institution has a C or better basis for a grade of Credit/Pass.
• Courses which have received advanced placement credit (AP or CLEP) may fulfill prerequisite requirements. The credit hours and grade points will not be computed in the GPA calculation.

• Students must satisfactorily complete all remaining prerequisite course requirements in accordance with the admission requirements before beginning MS-AT coursework.

• Accepted students are required to meet technical standards and specific health requirements (e.g., vaccinations).

• Persons who have been dismissed from another athletic training program are not eligible for consideration for admission to Point Loma Nazarene University.

• Applicants who decline or are denied admission may reapply in any subsequent year. Admission requirements are subject to change, and admission in one year does not guarantee admission in any subsequent year.

• Persons who cannot pass an FBI/Department of Justice Background Check are not eligible for clinical education rotations and are not admissible to the program.

• Point Loma Nazarene University considers all applicants without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, ancestry, gender, marital status, sexual orientation, special needs, veteran status or any other characteristic protected by applicable state or federal civil rights laws. Some information requested in the application is requested for federal or accreditation reporting and will not be used in a discriminatory manner.

The educational context at PLNU will challenge you to live a full life that integrates the pursuit of knowledge with beliefs, values, and actions. While honoring diverse perspectives and beliefs, Christian values and principles are woven into the educational experience. We understand your application is not only a reflection of you as a student; it reflects you as a person. At PLNU, we holistically evaluate your academic history, work and life experience, background, and circumstances to determine admission into a graduate program. Your undergraduate GPA is an important piece of your application, but if you do not meet the minimum GPA requirement of a 3.0, you may still be eligible for admission based on your application package as well as the exceptions policy per your particular program. Therefore, we strongly encourage you to contact your enrollment counselor, who will advise you regarding your qualifications and provide specific information about the admission under exceptions process.

Start Application

PLNU’s Master of Science in Athletic Training (MS-AT) will prepare you for careers in education, healthcare, sports administration, business, and many other specialized fields. PLNU even has its own Athletic Training Clinic, which provides students and future athletic trainers a state-of-the-art sports treatment, recovery, and training facility to hone their craft.

Upon completion of the MS-AT, the successful student will be able to:

• Demonstrate competency in interpreting evidence-based research and improving clinical standards and practice through clinical question development and research methodology.
• Develop expertise in the athletic training domains through an integrative experiential clinical model.
• Obtain the appropriate knowledge and educational foundation required for an entry-level certified athletic trainer.
• Establish and understand the importance of interprofessional relationships while collaborating with other healthcare professionals to become effective communicators.
• Prove preparation, knowledge, and skill in the delivery of comprehensive health care to a diverse set of patients with musculoskeletal injuries and conditions and illnesses in a distinctly moral and ethical manner, integrating Christian faith with clinical practice.

Spotlight

Jeff Sullivan, Ph.D., ATC

When students ask PLNU professor and Dean of the College of Health Sciences Dr. Jeff Sullivan for career advice, he tells them to find what they’re passionate about and distinctly gifted in and use that to partner with God. For Sullivan, this is more than advice; these are the words he lives by.

Read More

Some MS-AT Career Routes Include:

• Athletic Trainer

• Physical Therapist

• Occupational Therapist

• Chiropractor

• Military Settings

• Research Positions

Job Outlook for Athletic Trainers

According to the U.S Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of athletic trainers is projected to grow 23% from 2020 to 2030, much faster than the average for all occupations. 

Athletic training will always be a valued skill that correlates with a high-demand degree and job outlook, especially as sports programs for any age and experience level continue to grow and flourish in today's society. Athletic trainers that can provide high-quality treatment, injury prevention, and injury detection are highly sought after by employers. As more and more people become aware of the long-term effects and detriments that injuries can cause, many employers and insurers strive to onboard athletic trainers can attend to employee injuries. These trainers also work to create programs meant to reduce injury rates in the first place. Furthermore, depending on the state, some insurance companies recognize athletic trainers as healthcare providers and reimburse the cost of an athletic trainer’s services.

Available Scholarships
 

The MS-AT program awards 3 incoming students a $1,000 one-time scholarship. Only students who complete their application for admission into the MS-AT before March 12th of each application year are eligible for consideration.

The program also offers scholarships for students once enrolled. Scholarship amount will vary and will be based on students meeting the minimum requirements below. Interested students should complete their admissions application by January 7th of the academic year.

Scholarship Criteria

1. Minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA in the MS-AT for the fall
2. Complete the scholarship application

The scholarship committee will review applications and collectively decide who has been awarded a scholarship. Students receiving a scholarship will be notified approximately 3 weeks after application submission via an email from the program director. Students who do not receive a scholarship will be notified as well and given feedback on their application.

Program Cost

Graduate Program and 5th year for traditional students 

$740/unit

Program Fee

Upon acceptance and enrollment in the MS-AT program, students will be required to pay an additional, one-time program fee of $1,400. Program fees are utilized to provide each student:

For information about the courses required for the Athletic Training, M.S. program, view the PLNU Catalog. 

Course Information