The University of Idaho’s athletic training programs combine evidence-based practice with patient-centered care while integrating advanced clinical experience, research, and didactic education into a hybrid format. 

On the job, athletic trainers collaborate with physicians and other health professionals to optimize patient care, client activity, and participation in athletics, work and life. The practice includes the prevention, examination, diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation of chronic and acute medical conditions.

The University of Idaho strives to produce innovators in care, research and education with our graduate athletic training programs. Our Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education (CAATE)–accredited degrees produce graduates who pass the Board of Certification (BOC) examination. Our curriculums stress the importance of addressing relevant practice and professional issues with the purpose of transforming future clinical care and education. Graduates gain advanced manual therapy, rehabilitation, clinical reasoning and practical research skills that they can take into the workforce or apply in their existing positions.

Athletic Training Degree Programs

University of Idaho offers two graduate programs in athletic training: the Master of Science in Athletic Training (M.S.A.T.) and Doctor of Athletic Training (D.A.T.), both blending face-to-face and online instruction with clinical experience and research.

Students spend part of the year gaining hands-on experience and the rest in hybrid learning environments. Along with U of I’s clinical affiliations across multiple states, our on-campus applied learning spaces allow students to work alongside faculty members in a collaborative setting.

The M.S.A.T. is a non-thesis, entry-to-professional graduate degree that prepares candidates to take the BOC exam and become certified athletic trainers. Over a period of 24 months, a rigorous six-semester structure combines didactic and clinical experiences at U of I’s partnering sites:

• Summer Semesters: Two required summer semesters place M.S.A.T. students at an affiliated location to complete a total of 900 clinical education hours under the direct supervision of a preceptor. In the process, students earn at least 175 hours of manual therapy coursework and get certified in the Mulligan Concept, MyoKinesthetic System, Positional Release Therapy, RockTape, and more techniques.
• Fall and Spring Semesters: During the remaining four semesters, students work toward their 84 total credit hours covering topics in clinical anatomy, injury care and prevention strategies, diagnostic methods, rehabilitation principles, neuroscience, health promotion strategies, pharmacology, and therapeutic modalities. Courses will be scheduled in a physical classroom, through synchronous learning via Adobe Connect, or fully asynchronously.

Attesting to the success of U of I’s approach, M.S.A.T. students have an average BOC exam pass rate of 95%. Individuals interested in this program are required to have previously taken courses in human anatomy and physiology, regardless of undergraduate degree, and have current first aid and CPR knowledge. To earn your M.S.A.T. degree, the University of Idaho has laid out two possible pathways:

• Traditional Graduate Student: Students apply as a master’s degree–seeking candidate and, along with fulfilling all prerequisites, must meet all existing admission requirements.
• 3+2 M.S.A.T. Program: Students apply as a traditional undergraduate student with the intention of beginning the M.S.A.T. program after finishing their junior year. To start this process, candidates select a relevant bachelor’s degree major, ideally in exercise science, health science, or a similar field, to cover all prerequisites and take courses in biology, chemistry, physics, and psychology. After finishing 90 semester hours of their undergraduate requirements, students transition into the M.S.A.T. program and follow the 24-month, six-semester structure. After five years, all 3+2 candidates receive both a bachelor’s in their undergraduate major and a master’s degree in athletic training.

Whether you’re applying as a traditional graduate student or are interested in the 3+2 athletic training program, learn more about the M.S.A.T. degree.

Mission

Redefine excellence in patient care through the purposeful integration of advanced clinical practice, research and education to solve relevant practice/professional issues.

Vision

Our vision is to be the premier athletic training program for preparing advanced practitioners who transform clinical practice and education. Our graduates will be trailblazers in the profession using cutting-edge skills in manual therapy and rehabilitation, expert clinical reasoning and practical research skills to solve complex problems in health care and lead the athletic training profession into the next century.