Program Overview
The Master of Science in Athletic Training is a full-time, two-year program designed to prepare students with minimal or no knowledge and experience in athletic training to become certified athletic trainers. This program is designed those students who have already completed a bachelor's degree (in any major other than athletic training) and have met the admission requirements for the professional phase of the MS in Athletic Training program. Our program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education (CAATE),and students who successfully complete the program will be eligible to sit for the Board of Certification, Inc. (BOC) examination to become BOC-certified athletic trainers (ATC).
Tracks
Post-Professional Concentration
The M.S. in Athletic Training Post-Professional Concentration is a post-certification degree program and is offered in the Department of Sports Medicine. This program is appropriate for students who have completed an undergraduate degree in athletic training or students with a strong science and/or exercise science background. The program is a 36 credit, two year degree program that mandates the completion of either a Master's Thesis or Research Project. This program is designed to enrich academic preparation for graduate work beyond the master's degree and to advance the students' abilities as an athletic trainer by providing course work that will enhance clinical practice.
Accelerated Program
The Department of Sports Medicine offers an accelerated five year program (3+2) in which students earn a Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences: Sports Medicine Studies concentration and a Master of Science in Athletic Training. The first three years of this program students complete courses to fulfill the B.S. degree in Health Sciences: Sports Medicine Sciences concentration major and prerequisites for the M.S. degree in Athletic Training. Upon acceptance into the M.S. degree, the "professional" phase will begin during the summer prior to the student's fourth year. At the end of the summer prior to the start of a student's fourth year, he/she will receive a Bachelor of Science degree in Health Science: Sports Medicine Studies concentration. At the end of the student's fifth year, he/she will receive his/her Master of Science (M.S.) in Athletic Training degree. This 3+2 program is intended for entering first-year students, transfer students or students who change majors early in their undergraduate education.
Program Highlights
West Chester University was the 5th accredited program in the entire United States, first in Pennsylvania (1970); there are currently over 370 accredited programs. This long standing history assists our students in their professional networking abilities to obtain employment following graduation. West Chester University currently ranks first out of 370 programs throughout the country in the average number of Athletic Training graduates on an annual basis. In addition to teaching academic coursework program faculty work as athletic trainers providing healthcare services to the inter-collegiate athletic teams and serve as preceptors for students during on-campus clinical rotations. The program has a cadaver laboratory for students to learn about human anatomy and an Athletic Training skills lab with video recording capabilities as well as high fidelity simulated mannequins to help demonstrate student learning outcomes. As part of a student's curriculum they will complete clinical experiences underneath the supervision of a preceptor in a variety of settings. Because of its' location and professional network WCU is able to offer students a wide variety of clinical placements across the life span from adolescence to the elderly including both amateur and professional athletes.
What can I do with this degree?
Certified athletic trainers can be found almost anywhere people are physically active. Here are some of the places you'll find them:
- Secondary schools
- Colleges and universities
- Professional sports
- Sports medicine clinics
- Hospitals
- The military
- Industrial and commercial
- Performing arts
Our graduates can be found in the Philadelphia area and beyond. Here are some of the organizations where you’ll find WCU Athletic Training alumni:
- High Schools (Downingtown, Ridley, West Chester Rustin)
- Colleges and Universities (Army, Ursinus, Villanova, Lehigh, Penn State, Dartmouth, North Carolina)
- Sports Medicine Clinics (Temple Sports Medicine; Sports PT, Inc.; Physiotherapy, Inc; Healthsouth; etc.)
- Amateur Sports (Olympic Games)
- Professional Sports (Philadelphia Eagles, Philadelphia Phillies, Philadelphia Flyers, Kansas City Chiefs, Minnesota Vikings, Baltimore Orioles)