Program Overview

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Master of Science in Athletic Training

Overview of the Athletic Training Program

The Master of Science in Athletic Training (MSAT) program at Bridgewater College is designed to prepare students for a career in athletic training. The program is fully accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education (CAATE) and is the first school in Virginia to successfully secure CAATE accreditation at the master's level via the substantive change process.

Program Objectives

As an MSAT graduate, you will:

• Be prepared to lead an ethical and purposeful career and life.
• Develop clinical decision-making skills based on current research and various in-depth clinical placements.
• Understand the role of the athletic trainer as a member of an interprofessional healthcare team.
• Achieve remarkable outcomes in athletic training credentialing and job placement.
• Become a confident and proficient athletic trainer.
• Benefit from the BC liberal arts tradition and embracing the MSAT program core principles of excellence, caring, adaptability, and impact.

Clinical Immersion

The last two semesters of the Bridgewater College MSAT program are devoted to clinical immersion. You'll work with real patients and practice healthcare every day at places like college athletic programs, high school athletic programs, physical rehabilitation centers, or medical clinics. You'll have close working relationships with your professors and clinical educators as you work with patients from the beginning of your journey to becoming an athletic trainer.

Clinical Sites

• Colleges and Universities:
  • Alabama: Birmingham Southern College
  • Florida: Edward Waters University, University of Central Florida
  • Maryland: University of Maryland Baltimore County (UMBC)
  • Michigan: University of Michigan
  • New Mexico: University of New Mexico
  • New York: Syracuse University
  • North Carolina: Duke University, Queen's University of Charlotte
  • South Carolina: Coastal Carolina University, College of Charleston
  • Tennessee: University of Tennessee, Tennessee Wesleyan University
  • Virginia: Christopher Newport University, College of William & Mary, Ferrum College, James Madison University, Mary Baldwin University, Old Dominion University, University of Richmond, Virginia Military Institute, Virginia Tech
• Physical Rehabilitation Centers and Medical Clinics:
  • Alabama: Champion Sports Medicine
  • Delaware: Forever Fit Foundation, Premier PT & Sports Performance
  • North Carolina: Epic Physical Therapy
  • Virginia: Harrisonburg ENT Associates, Lakewood Pediatrics, Forever Fit Foundation, McCain Whole Health Care, Premier PT & Sports Performance, Sentara RMH, The Center for Hand and Physical Therapy, Valley Urgent Care & Occupational Medicine
• High Schools:
  • Delaware: Appoquinimink High School, Indian River School District
  • Maryland: St. Johns College High School
  • North Carolina: Clayton High School
  • South Carolina: Myrtle Beach High School, Wando High School
  • Virginia: Broadway High School, Buffalo Gap High School, East Rockingham High School, Fairfax County Public Schools, Fishburne Military School, Harrisonburg High School, Mountain View High School, Spotswood High School, Staunton High School, Turner Ashby High School, Warren County High School

Advantages to our Program

• 92% first-time athletic training board exam (BOC) pass rate for the class of 2023 and 2024
• 100% job placement rate within 3 months of graduation for the class of 2023
• Learn from certified athletic trainers on staff at the Bridgewater College campus that covers NCAA Division III intercollegiate sports teams
• Prepares you for athletic training careers at a variety of practice settings including (but not limited to) colleges, high schools, professional sports, physical rehabilitation centers, medical offices, and industrial sites.
• Fully accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education (CAATE)
• In-person, full-time, 2-year program
• Easy application process with applicants admitted on a rolling basis until the cohort is full (18 students per year)

In-person

Bridgewater's MSAT program is in-person because hands-on experience is essential. Students learn by doing, working side by side with certified athletic trainers, engaging in real clinical settings, and building the skills needed for success in the field.

At a Glance

• Start date: June 2026
• 63 credit hours
• 23-month program
• 3+2 program available
• $640 per credit hour
• Total Tuition (Year 1): $25,980
• Total Tuition (Year 2): $18,600

Curriculum and Courses

MSAT YEAR ONE

• SUMMER 1 (9 Credits)
  • AT-501: Anatomy for Healthcare Professionals I (3)
  • AT-502: Anatomy for Healthcare Professionals II (3)
  • AT-510: Athletic Training Foundations (1)
  • AT-511: Athletic Training Applications I (1)
  • AT-550: Clinical Experience I (1)
• FALL (16 Credits)
  • AT-520: Patient Examination & Care I (3.5)
  • AT-530: Therapeutic Interventions I (3.5)
  • AT-540: Professional Knowledge Assessment I (1)
  • AT-551: Clinical Experience II (2)
  • AT-556: Management Concepts in Healthcare (3)
  • AT-567: Psychology of Sport Performance & Injury (3)
• SPRING (12 Credits)
  • AT-560: Athletic Training Seminar I (3)
  • AT-521: Patient Examination & Care II (3.5)
  • AT-531: Therapeutic Interventions II (3.5)
  • AT-541: Professional Knowledge Assessment II (1)
  • AT-552: Clinical Experience III (1)

MSAT YEAR TWO

• SUMMER II (8 Credits)
  • AT-601: Emergency Care (3)
  • AT-610: Athletic Training Applications II (1)
  • AT-620: General Medical Conditions (2)
  • AT-640: Professional Knowledge Assessment III (1)
  • AT-650: Clinical Experience IV (1)
• FALL (9 Credits)
  • AT-630: Health Promotion (3)
  • AT-641: Professional Knowledge Assessment IV (1)
  • AT-651: Clinical Immersion I (5)
• SPRING (9 Credits)
  • AT-642: Professional Knowledge Assessment V (1)
  • AT-652: Clinical Immersion II (5)
  • AT-660: Athletic Training Seminar II (3)

Accreditation

The MSAT program is fully accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education (CAATE) and the first school in Virginia to successfully secure CAATE accreditation at the master's level via the substantive change process.

Athletic Training Facilities

You'll study and work in facilities designed to give you hands-on experiences with patients. Athletic training program facilities are equipped with classrooms, a laboratory, and an athletic training clinic with a variety of modern equipment and technologies. Bridgewater College is a proud participant in the NCAA Division III Old Dominion Athletic Conference. Bridgewater has teams in 23 different sports offering a variety of clinical experiences.

Accelerated Program

3+2 Undergraduate and Graduate Degrees in 5 Years

Bridgewater College is committed to providing opportunities for students to complete their undergraduate and graduate degrees in five years. Students wishing to complete the Master of Science in Athletic Training (MSAT) program and their undergraduate degree in five years must enroll at BC as an undergraduate student and major in health and exercise science. It is important that you contact Dr. Chase Hale in the fall semester of your first year to review your academic plan.

Affordability

The Master of Science in Athletic Training (MSAT) at Bridgewater College is a practical and affordable pathway to a career in sports medicine and injury care. The 63-credit, two-year program is designed for immersive, hands-on learning in a full-time, in-person format. At $640 per credit hour, MSAT offers strong value for aspiring athletic trainers.

Tuition Breakdown

• Per Credit Hour: $640
• Total Tuition (Year 1): $25,980
• Total Tuition (Year 2): $18,600

Careers Outcomes in Athletic Training

The employment outlook for athletic trainers is excellent—higher than the national average at 17 percent job growth over the next 10 years, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

FAQs

• What are the requirements for MSAT admissions?
  • Submit the Athletic Training Student Application through ATCAS (application fees are paid directly to ATCAS).
  • Applicants must hold a Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university.
  • Successful academic performance resulting in a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.7.
  • Official transcript(s) of all college coursework (submit to ATCAS).
  • Complete 50 observation hours under the supervision of a certified/licensed athletic trainer. Evidence of observation hours completion should be submitted to ATCAS in the form of an hour's log signed by the supervising athletic trainer, or a letter of confirmation written by the supervising athletic trainer.
  • Application personal statement should address your professional goals and desire for pursuing athletic training as a career (submit to ATCAS).
  • Two letters of recommendation (submit to ATCAS). The makeup of the recommendations should be: one from a certified/licensed athletic trainer and one from a college faculty member.
  • Interview with the MSAT Admissions Committee (if selected for the interview process).
  • Completion of the following prerequisite courses with a grade of "C" or higher (students may be enrolled in prerequisite courses at the time of application):
    • 8 Credits in Anatomy/Physiology with Lab
    • 4 Credits in General or Inorganic Chemistry with Lab
    • 3 Credits in English Composition (not literature)
    • 3 Credits in Nutrition
    • 3 Credits in Exercise Physiology
    • 3 Credits in Statistics or Research Methods
    • 4 Credits in Physics with Lab
    • 3 Credits in General Psychology
• What are the admission deadlines?
  • The MSAT program only accepts full-time students. Applicants will be admitted to the program on a rolling basis until the cohort is full (18 students per year). Students are encouraged to apply as early as possible to allow sufficient time for application completion and admissions consideration. Review of submitted applications will begin on September 1. After November 1, applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis as space allows until May 1.
• What courses will I be taking?
  • Refer to the curriculum and courses section above.