Athletics trainers are health care professionals who render service or treatment under the direction of, or in collaboration with, a physician in accordance with their education and training and the states' statutes, rules, and regulations. Services provided by athletic trainers include injury and illness prevention, wellness promotion and education, emergent care, examination and clinical diagnosis, therapeutic intervention, and rehabilitation of injuries and medical conditions.
Students who want to become certified athletic trainers may earn the MS or pursue the combined program as they earn the BS in exercise science and the MS in athletic training. See the BS in exercise science (College of Liberal Arts and Sciences) in the catalog.
The University of Iowa is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education (CAATE).
Learning Outcomes
Upon graduation, students will:
- communicate effectively among health care providers, patients, and all other stakeholders in their delivery of health care;
- practice with professionalism and integrity adhering to the Code of Ethics outlined by the National Athletic Trainers' Association (NATA) and the Code of Professional Responsibility by the Board of Certification (BOC);
- demonstrate cognitive and psychomotor competence and clinical proficiency based on clinically relevant research in the following BOC Practice Analysis content areas—injury and illness prevention and wellness promotion; examination, assessment, and diagnosis; immediate and emergency care; therapeutic intervention; and health care administration and professional responsibility;
- demonstrate critical thinking to effectively solve problems in a variety of dynamic athletic training environments;
- demonstrate growth in cultural competence among health care providers, patients, and all other stakeholders in their delivery of health care; and
- demonstrate a Kaizen philosophy in their learning and professional practice.
The Master of Science program in athletic training requires 62 s.h. of coursework. Students must maintain a cumulative grade-point average of at least 3.00 and must earn a grade of C-minus or higher in all major coursework.
The program involves two full years, including summer sessions, of concentrated didactic and clinical experiences that lead to eligibility for the Board of Certification examination.
The MS with a major in athletic training requires the following work.
Course List
| Course # |
Title |
Hours |
| AT:3060 | Advanced Anatomy for Athletic Training | 4 |
| AT:4000 | Foundations of Athletic Training Practice | 3 |
| AT:4075 | Medical Emergency Techniques | 2 |
| AT:4125 | Clinical Experience I | 3 |
| AT:4200 | Orthopedic Pathology and Clinical Examination I | 4 |
| AT:4250 | Orthopedic Pathology and Clinical Examination II | 4 |
| AT:4300 | Therapeutic Interventions | 3 |
| AT:4375 | Nutrition for Athletic Training | 2 |
| AT:4400 | Rehabilitation Techniques | 3 |
| AT:4450 | Applied Rehabilitation Concepts | 3 |
| AT:4525 | Clinical Experience II | 4 |
| AT:5000 | Pathology and Assessment of Non-Orthopedic Conditions | 3 |
| AT:5075 | Diagnostic Imaging and Lab Studies | 1 |
| AT:5200 | Pathophysiology and Pharmacology in Sports Medicine | 2 |
| AT:6100 | Research in Athletic Training | 2 |
| AT:6125 | Clinical Experience III | 6 |
| AT:6200 | Administration and Leadership | 2 |
| AT:6250 | Applied Research in Athletic Training | 1 |
| AT:6300 | Psychosocial Recognition and Referral | 2 |
| AT:6400 | Seminar in Athletic Training | 2 |
| AT:6450 | Advanced Topics in Athletic Training | 1 |
| AT:6525 | Clinical Experience IV | 5 |
| Total Hours | 62 |
Admission to the Master of Science program is competitive with a limited number of students admitted for each cohort. Applicants are expected to meet technical standards, pass a background check, and comply with health and safety standards, including vaccination requirements. Students are required to provide their own transportation to all clinical experiences and are responsible for all costs they incur during travel, including parking and gas.
To be considered for the Master of Science program in athletic training, applicants must:
- have completed a BA or BS degree at an accredited institution in the United States, or have completed a bachelor's degree from a Board of Certification for the Athletic Trainer International Arrangement (IA) country;
- have completed 30 s.h. at the University of Iowa if a transfer student;
- complete 80 s.h. of undergraduate coursework at the University of Iowa if an Undergraduate to Graduate (U2G) student;
- have a cumulative undergraduate grade-point average (GPA) of at least 3.00 or a cumulative GPA of at least 3.25 in the Undergraduate to Graduate (U2G) combined program; and
- complete or be in progress with required prerequisite coursework with a grade of C or higher in biology, chemistry, physics, human anatomy, human physiology, exercise physiology, general psychology, biomechanics or kinesiology, nutrition, and statistics or research methods (see the course list that follows).
To apply, submit the following to the Athletic Training Centralized Application Service (ATCAS):
- official and unofficial transcripts;
- contact information of two references, one from a medical professional and one from an academic professional;
- statement of purpose and career goals; and
- current CPR certification obtained within one year—must be Basic Life Support (BLS or professional rescuer level.
Recommended materials:
- Coursework in medical terminology, introductory coursework in athletic training, public health, motor learning, or additional psychology coursework.
- Observation hours under an athletic trainer.
Community college coursework is accepted as well as online coursework from accredited universities. AP and CLEP coursework may satisfy course requirements if listed on a college transcript.
Students must earn a grade of C or higher in these prerequisite courses.
Course List
| Course # |
Title |
Hours |
| 3 |
| 3 |
| 3 |
| 3 |
| 3 |
| 3 |
| 3 |
| 3 |
| 3 |
| 3 |
Applications will be forwarded to the Graduate College by the program director. Students will be notified to set up a University of Iowa account and pay the supplemental fee ($60 if offered an interview; $100 for international students).
Applications are reviewed immediately upon submission. Interested students should submit their application materials as soon as possible to ensure a spot is available. Priority admission deadline is Dec. 1 with a standard admission deadline of March 1. Following the March 1 deadline, applications will be accepted continuously until program capacity is met. A waitlist will be used once the cohort is full. A virtual interview is required. Coursework begins during the summer session.
Applicants must meet the admission requirements of the Graduate College; see the Manual of Rules and Regulations on the Graduate College website.
If formally admitted, students must:
- submit to a background check;
- complete HIPAA and BBP training;
- complete the program technical standards form;
- submit current vaccination records;
- submit current physical examination; and
- provide final course grades and GPA.
These additional forms will be sent directly to the program director upon acceptance.
Admission Deferral Policy
In rare cases, a student may need to defer their admission to the program. These requests will be approved on a case-by-case basis by the program director. The one-time option to defer is good for up to one year beyond the original matriculation date. A student does not have to pay the Graduate College application fee again if they opt to defer. An applicant’s data will be transferred to the new session through the graduate admissions office only at the request/approval of the program director. Depending on the situation, the student may need to submit additional/repeat application documents.
Athletic trainers have opportunities for employment in many areas. They include career options in:
- public and private secondary schools, colleges and universities, professional and Olympic sports;
- youth leagues, municipal and independently owned youth sports facilities;
- physician offices;
- rural and urban hospitals, hospital emergency rooms, urgent and ambulatory care centers;
- clinics with specialties in sports medicine, cardiac rehabilitation, medical fitness, wellness, and physical therapy;
- occupational health departments in commercial settings, which include manufacturing, distribution, and offices to assist with ergonomics;
- police and fire departments, academies, municipal departments, and branches of the military; and
- performing arts areas, including professional and collegiate-level dance and music settings.
