Athletic Training Department
ATSU-ASHS’ Athletic Training Department is home to preeminent graduate athletic training degrees and certificates taught by expert faculty with national influence in the profession. Whether you are interested in becoming an athletic trainer or advancing your practice as a credentialed AT, the department offers a comprehensive athletic training education ecosystem designed to meet you where you’re AT in your professional journey.
Inclusive of a professional Master of Athletic Training (MAT) for those entering the profession, as well as post-professional Doctor of Athletic Training (DAT), Master of Science in Athletic Training (MSAT), and a variety of graduate athletic training certificates for practicing clinicians, the department houses industry-leading curriculum that supports the development of clinical knowledge, skills, and professional behaviors across the continuum of athletic training practice.
The Master of Science in Athletic Training (MSAT) program prepares students to become athletic trainers through a hybrid, competency-based curriculum that integrates clinical reasoning, hands-on skill development, and immersive clinical experiences. Students engage in a structured progression of online coursework and in-person Mentoring, Assessment, and Training (MAT) weekends, followed by a full-time clinical education experience designed to support the transition to professional practice.
Through advanced, evidence-based strategies, the post-professional Doctor of Athletic Training (DAT) curriculum provides practicing athletic trainers with the knowledge to enhance care, optimize outcomes, and improve overall health. Students develop an integrated understanding of clinical experience, patient values, and the best available evidence to support high-level decision-making. Students also learn to employ clinician-based and patient-based clinical outcome measures to clearly determine the effectiveness of athletic training services.
Additionally, the two-year, post-professional Master of Science in Athletic Training (MSAT) program allows credentialed athletic trainers the opportunity to pursue an advanced degree completely online. The curriculum includes a foundational clinical decision-making track, two research courses, and the choice of an elective track in orthopaedics, rehabilitation, or sport neurology and concussion.
Students also have the opportunity to earn digital badges at the completion of each post-professional course, track, certificate, and/or degree, enabling instant validation of their education and achievements. ATs working in the digital age now have a better way to validate their skills, achievements, advanced training, and competencies with digital badges from ATSU.
Learning experiences enhance the student’s professional growth as athletic training clinicians, educators, researchers, and administrators. As part of a connected professional community, students are prepared to contribute meaningfully to the profession and support one another’s development. Educators are prepared with the advanced graduate training they’ll need to effectively teach their own students to succeed as athletic trainers. These esteemed programs position graduates to lead the change in the athletic training profession.
Academic Institution Member of the World Federation of Athletic Training and Therapy
Online degree programs
Doctor of Athletic Training program
Among the first programs of its kind, this elite degree develops clinical and academic leaders who advance the athletic training profession. Doctors of athletic training serve as expert clinicians, educators, and administrators with advanced knowledge and skills for analyzing, developing, and implementing practical solutions to improve the delivery of athletic healthcare and the health outcomes of physically active individuals and their communities.
Master of Science in Athletic Training program (post-professional)
ATSU's online Master of Science in Athletic Training program is a post-professional athletic training degree. Students learn the most advanced, evidence-based strategies available for providing enhanced care, optimized outcomes, and improved overall health. The online two-year degree program is designed for state-licensed and/or athletic trainers certified by the Board of Certification (BOC) or individuals who have met eligibility requirements to sit for the BOC certification examination prior to matriculation.
Hybrid degree programs
Master of Athletic Training program (professional)
ATSU’s Master of Athletic Training (MAT) program is an entry-level professional degree that prepares students to become skilled, compassionate athletic trainers. Designed for both recent graduates and those entering a new phase of their professional careers, the program blends flexible online learning with immersive clinical experiences to develop expertise in evidence-based practice, patient care, and clinical decision-making. Graduates gain the knowledge and competencies needed to sit for the Board of Certification (BOC) exam and deliver high-quality healthcare to physically active individuals and their communities.
Online certificate programs
Graduate Certificate in Sports Neurology and Concussion
The Graduate Certificate in Sports Neurology and Concussion is an online program focused on the sub-specialty area of sports neurology and concussion. Students will learn how to recognize, assess, manage, treat, and refer patients with sport-related neurological conditions and injuries, as well as analyze and debate current concepts and issues. This certificate will give athletic trainers the advanced knowledge and skills needed to handle sports neurology and concussion.
Graduate Certificate in Orthopaedics
The Graduate Certificate in Orthopaedics is an online program focused on the sub-specialty of orthopaedics. Students will learn how to diagnose, evaluate, and manage orthopaedic conditions, as well as interpret common imaging and laboratory techniques. The program also provides advanced practice knowledge of special considerations for rehabilitation following common orthopaedic surgical procedures.
Graduate Certificate in Athletic Training Education
The Graduate Certificate in Athletic Training Education is an online program providing advanced instruction in contemporary knowledge and understanding of leading practices in curricular design, instructional delivery, and assessment in athletic training education.
Graduate Certificate in Rehabilitation
The Graduate Certificate in Rehabilitation is an online program focused on the sub-specialty of rehabilitation. Students will learn how to asses, diagnose, and rehabilitate movement dysfunction, manage musculoskeletal injuries, and transition from rehabilitation to sport performance. The program will provide athletic trainers with advanced skills that will enhance patient care quality and effectiveness.
Graduate Certificate in Clinical Decision-Making in Athletic Training
The Graduate Certificate in Clinical Decision-Making in Athletic Training is an online program providing advanced instruction in evidence-based practice, clinical outcomes assessments, clinical informatics, technology, and epidemiology. The purpose of the program is to prepare practicing athletic trainers and athletic training educators with the clinical practice and educational competencies in clinical decision-making skills that will enhance the quality and effectiveness of patient care.
Other programs
Athletic Training Practice-Based Research Network
Headquartered at A.T. Still University in Mesa, AZ, the Athletic Training Practice-Based Research Network (AT-PBRN) is an affiliate network of the Agency for Health Care Research and Quality (AHRQ) and is... the first and only practice-based research network in athletic training. The mission of the AT-PBRN is to improve the quality of care and patient outcomes for patients under the care of athletic trainers. Personnel consist of 8 athletic training researchers, a bio-statistician, a post-doctoral research fellow, and a research coordinator. In addition, the AT-PBRN houses an external advisory board, which consists of a panel of fellow athletic trainers from across the country.
ATSU Concussion Program
A.T. Still University's Concussion Program serves as a resource for sport-related concussion education, research, and service for young athletes, parents, coaches, and administrators. Outreach services... provided to athletes in Arizona include education, baseline (pre-season) testing and post-injury concussion evaluation. The program also provides training and education about concussions to athletes, coaches, parents, athletic trainers, athletic training students and other healthcare providers. Additionally, ATSU's Concussion Program is engaged in numerous research projects focusing on concussion awareness, assessment tools and interventions to enhance recovery.
CORE-AT Electronic Medical Record (EMR)
Students in A.T. Still University’s athletic training programs utilize the industry-leading CORE-AT electronic medical record (EMR) system, a web-based injury surveillance and EMR system for use by... athletic trainers. The CORE-AT EMR was designed and developed by athletic trainers in partnership with ESSENTIALTALK, an international technology communication company, and is compliant with the data acquisition, storage, and transmission standards set forth by the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). Health information obtained using the CORE-AT system is not stored locally on computers. Instead, data is uploaded in real time and transmitted to secure, redundant servers.
Athletic Training Continuing Education
A.T. Still University is recognized by the Board of Certification, Inc. to offer continuing education for certified athletic trainers. The Athletic Training Practiced Based Research Network (AT-PBRN) is an ongoing source for clinical outcomes and evidence-base practice (EBP) education to educate and train post professional athletic training students. Free evidence-base practice category CEUs include:
- Incorporating EBP into Athletic Training: Overview of Practice-Based Partnerships (.75 - EBP CEU)
- Health Information Technology in Athletic Training (1.25 EBP CEUs)
- Coming Soon... Evidence-Based Practice in Athletic Training (3 EBP CEUs)
