Master of Science in Athletic Training (MSAT)

The University of Lynchburg’s Master of Science in Athletic Training program is an excellent choice for those who are passionate about health care and helping athletes and individuals who are physically active to perform at the highest levels. The MSAT provides you with the skills, knowledge, and experience you need to become a successful professional in the athletic training field.

Lynchburg’s MSAT program combines classes, hands-on experiences, and clinical rotations, enabling you to apply both theoretical and practical athletic training skills. You’ll work with Lynchburg’s NCAA Division III athletes and also athletes at high schools, colleges, professional sports, and non-traditional settings, giving you valuable, real-world experience in keeping people healthy and injury free. The program also gives you a foundation in evidence-based medicine, helping you develop your skills to be an athletic trainer.

Upon completion of the program, you’ll be well-prepared for the Board of Certification examination, which is a requirement for practicing as an athletic trainer. Lynchburg’s program has an outstanding track record on the BOC exam, with a 100% overall pass rate for graduates. This high pass rate speaks to the quality of education and training you’ll receive in the program, as well as the dedication and expertise of the program faculty.

The University of Lynchburg provides you with a comprehensive education, hands-on clinical experience, and a strong focus on evidence-based medicine and research methods, equipping you with the skills and knowledge you need to succeed in your career as an athletic trainer.

The MSAT program features:

• 66-67 credit hours, completed in two years.
• Small, year-round cohorts of 20 students for personalized attention from program faculty.
• Hands-on clinical experience in a variety of settings, including intercollegiate athletics, intramural and club sports, high schools, industrial settings, physical therapy clinics, and physician’s offices.
• Study with nationally recognized faculty and staff.
• Opportunities to publish and present original research at professional conferences.
• Access to education and research facilities, including a human cadaver lab, to help you provide the best health care.

Why choose the University of Lynchburg athletic training graduate degree program?

You’ll have access to excellent clinical placements in intercollegiate athletics, intramural and club sports, high schools, industrial settings, physical therapy clinics, professional sports, and physician’s offices. The program also emphasizes research, providing students with opportunities to publish and present original research at professional conferences.

Our athletic training master’s degree:

• Graduates have a 100% Board of Certification overall pass rate.
• Has a 94% employment rate as athletic trainers.
• Fantastic original research opportunities.
• Is taught by faculty who have won awards from or been recognized by these and other prestigious organizations:
  • Virginia Athletic Trainers’ Association
  • Mid-Athletic Trainers’ Association
  • National Athletic Trainers’ Association

Learn more about our outcomes and successes.

What makes Lynchburg’s master’s degree in athletic training unique?

Preparation and Development for All Levels

Our curriculum prepares you for careers in a variety of settings. Students gain hands-on clinical experience in a range of settings, including intercollegiate athletics, intramural and club sports, professional sports, high schools, physical therapy clinics, and physician’s offices. Our program also emphasizes the importance of evidence-based medicine and research, ensuring that graduates are equipped with the latest knowledge and techniques in the field.

Nationally Recognized Faculty

The MSAT’s rigorous curriculum is delivered by faculty members who have received nationwide acclaim from the most prestigious organizations in the athletic training field. Students benefit from the expertise of these renowned faculty, along with practical experiences and an immersion in evidence-based medicine. Graduates leave the program with profound competence and the tools needed to excel as top-tier athletic trainers.

Here are just a few of our award-winning faculty:

• Dr. Debbie Bradney – Program Director
  • Most Distinguished Athletic Trainer, Mid-Atlantic Trainers’ Association, 2022
• Dr. Patricia Aronson – Professor
  • Educator of the Year, Virginia Athletic Trainers’ Association, 2022
• Dr. Thomas Bowman – Professor
  • NATA Fellow, National Athletic Trainers’ Association, 2022

Athletic Training Facilities

As an MSAT student, you’ll have access to a wide range of athletic training facilities, including our human cadaver lab. This lab provides students with a deep understanding of human anatomy and physiology. Additionally, our athletic training lab is equipped with tools that help students develop their skills in injury prevention, evaluation, and treatment. We also have a hydrotherapy facility, which offers opportunities for hands-on experience in aquatic therapy techniques. Our facilities — an essential component of our program — are regularly updated to ensure students have access to the latest technologies and techniques in the field.

Clinical Rotations and Experience

Lynchburg’s MSAT program offers a diverse range of clinical experiences in intercollegiate athletics, high schools, industrial contexts, physical therapy clinics, professional sports, physician’s offices, intramural/club sports, and other settings. These placements equip students with comprehensive, real-world skills necessary for any athletic training career.

Research Emphasis

Athletic training research offers students a unique opportunity to delve into cutting-edge studies and contribute to the field’s advancement. Research by Lynchburg faculty and students has garnered national awards and recognition and has been featured in reputed biomechanics journals, impacting areas like concussion management, hydration health, and impact analysis in various sports.

Highlights:

• National award-winning student research
• Faculty excellence recognized by National Athletic Trainers’ Association (NATA) for athletic training research
• Pioneering head-impact research in lacrosse published in national biomechanics journal
• Groundbreaking hydration research for soccer players
• Concussion research receives national accolades

Small By Design

By design, small classes provide a personalized and supportive learning environment. With a low student-to-faculty ratio, students receive individualized attention and guidance from experienced faculty members, facilitating an engaging, interactive learning experience. This approach helps students to develop meaningful connections with faculty and peers and fosters a sense of community within the program.

DPT and MSAT Dual Certification

At the end of their Master of Science in Athletic Training program, students can opt to continue study and pursue a Doctor of Physical Therapy at Lynchburg. The DPT program provides additional expertise in the fields of sports injury management, rehabilitation, and performance enhancement. This specialized, dual-degree program prepares AT/PTs to be clinicians with sports medicine clinics, universities, or professional teams. With this doctoral degree, AT/PTs are well equipped to prevent and treat injured athletes, as well as provide care for those suffering from disabilities or chronic diseases.