Master’s in Athletic Training
Prevent, Evaluate, and Rehabilitate Injuries with Our Degree in Athletic Training
Are you passionate about sports? Do you want to make a positive impact on patients’ lives as a healthcare professional? Liberty University’s Master of Science (MS) in Athletic Training degree can equip you to turn these desires into a reality. Develop the skills you need to become a certified athletic trainer by studying the prevention, examination, and rehabilitation of injuries and medical conditions.
We understand that you care about health. Through our degree in athletic training, you can get the classroom and practical experience you need to make a difference for your patients. Learn how to use your skills to keep others active and make a positive impact on the field of athletic training. You can learn in the classroom, then put that training to use in a clinical environment under the mentorship of our experienced faculty.
This degree program is an excellent next step for students who have a BS in Exercise Science – Therapeutic Science. Find out if you have met the prerequisites and apply today. We are here to support you as you pursue your dream/goal of becoming a professional in the health sciences through Liberty’s athletic training degree.
This program will be accepting enrollment through the Athletic Training Centralized Application System (ATCAS). To apply please use the link below:
Apply Here
Please note: Due to the requirements in this program, you may only start the M.S. in Athletic Training during the summer semester. Please see the Degree Completion Plan for more details.
Credit Hours
View CoursesNext start date: May 18, 2026
CAATE Accredited
Highlights
Highlights of Our MS in Athletic Training
Join a Respected Healthcare Profession
Athletic training is recognized as an Allied Health Profession by the American Medical Association, the Health Resources Services Administration, and the Department of Health and Human Services. When you choose this field, you’re stepping into a vital and respected role in the healthcare community.
Train in Real-World Clinical Settings
Put your knowledge into practice at one of more than 20 clinical education sites. You’ll work directly with patients under the guidance of licensed athletic trainers and other healthcare professionals. With a student-to-preceptor ratio of 2:1, and even opportunities for one-on-one mentorship, you can receive focused, personalized instruction in real-world settings.
An Accredited Program
You’ll be studying in a program that meets rigorous academic and professional standards. Liberty’s athletic training program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education (CAATE), giving you confidence in the quality and credibility of your education.
Build Skills in Advanced Training Facilities
As a student, you can gain hands-on experience in Liberty’s state-of-the-art Athletic Training Lab and Standardized Patient Center. These facilities allow you to simulate patient scenarios, refine your clinical techniques, and grow in your ability to deliver effective care.
Earn Your Degree in Just 2 Years
Liberty’s athletic training program is designed to be both thorough and efficient. You can complete your degree in as little as 2 years, helping equip you to enter the workforce quickly with strong clinical training and professional preparation.
Career Potential
What Can You Do with Our MS in Athletic Training?
Liberty University’s Master of Science in Athletic Training can help prepare you to work in some of the following locations:
- Clinics and hospitals
- Colleges and universities
- Professional sports
- Secondary schools
Here are some of the types of services an athletic trainers might provide:
- Wellness promotion and education
- Emergent care
- Examination and Clinical Diagnosis
- Therapeutic intervention
Some emerging settings where you may find work as an athletic trainer include performing arts, public safety, the military, and occupational health.
#4 Best College Campus in America
At Liberty, you’ll find an affordable, high-quality education designed to help equip students like you for the real world. Our commitment to excellence has earned us recognition as the #4 Best College Campus in America by Niche.com.
Earning your degree from a nonprofit university with state-of-the-art resources like ours can help set you apart from your peers.
Courses
What Will You Study in This MS in Athletic Training?
Liberty’s master’s of athletic training focuses on practical experience so you can graduate with the confidence you need to be a successful athletic trainer. Your first classes will focus on the basics of human anatomy, bracing, taping, and wrapping. You will then put your knowledge to use in a clinical setting as you integrate your new skills.
The culmination of your studies will be collaborating with a faculty mentor to collect, analyze, and synthesize data for your thesis or a needs assessment and collected patient outcomes project. Either of these options can give you scientific reading and writing experience. Your thesis will produce a manuscript that will be sent for peer-review publication. If you choose a clinical reasoning project, you will develop a publishable, critically appraised topic that will also be sent for publication.
Clinical Experience Opportunities
Clinical Experiences can give you the opportunity to apply the knowledge and skills you learn. You will complete 8 different clinical experience rotations over two years. The rotations will consist of 2 immersive and 6 non-immersive experiences. Liberty University’s Athletic Training Program has over 20 clinical education sites in the Lynchburg, Va. area.
- First-year experiences will be in the Lynchburg, Va. area.
- Second-year experiences will be local or across the United States or the world.
A licensed athletic trainer or another health-care professional (preceptor) will supervise/mentor you during the clinical experiences.
Featured MS in Athletic Training Courses
ATTR 503 – Emergency Care
ATTR 510 – Clinical Integrations
ATTR 620 – Manual Therapy Techniques
ATTR 625 – Musculoskeletal Diagnostic Imaging
Degree Information
- This program falls under the School of Health Sciences
- View the Degree Completion Plan
- Check out our course catalog
- Transfer in up to 50% of the degree total
BENEFITS
Why Choose Liberty for This Master’s Degree in Athletic Training?
Receive a High-Quality Education
At Liberty, we’re committed to giving you the best we have to offer. In the athletic training program, you’ll learn from experienced professors, practice in cutting-edge labs, and pursue an education that can prepare you for a meaningful career in the field. When you complete the program, you can be equipped to confidently pursue a position in athletic training.
Prepare for Certification and Career Success
The athletic training curriculum is designed with your future in mind. You’ll study the knowledge and techniques to succeed in the profession and prepare for the Board of Certification Exam. This exam is a key step in becoming a Certified Athletic Trainer, and your coursework and hands-on experience can help you approach it with confidence.
Study Under Experienced Faculty
Every course in the program is taught by faculty members who bring both clinical expertise and academic excellence to the classroom. With doctoral degrees and years of professional experience, your professors are well-prepared to guide you. They’re also deeply invested in your growth, offering mentorship in classroom discussions, clinical settings, and lab environments.
Train with Purpose and Practical Experience
Your studies don’t stay confined to the classroom. Through labs, clinical experiences, and one-on-one mentorship, you’ll put theory into practice and grow in your ability to serve others. Liberty’s commitment to excellence ensures that you’ll graduate with the practical skills and academic foundation to make a lasting impact in the field of athletic training.
Admissions
How Do You Become a Master’s in Athletic Training Student?
Every application is reviewed on a case-by-case basis, and all applicants must submit the following documents and meet the minimum requirements for admission:
- Completion of ATCAS application (see Admissions Process below for more info)
- Official transcripts showing a regionally or nationally accredited bachelor’s degree with at least a 2.75 GPA for admission in good standing
- Completion of an on-campus or virtual interview and campus tour
- Statement of purpose (Please submit a statement of 1,000 words or less answering the following questions)
- How did you hear about Liberty University’s Athletic Training Program?
- Why did you choose to apply to Liberty University’s Athletic Training Program?
- What personal and professional characteristics do you possess that would make you stand out compared to other applicants?
- Discuss your professional and personal goals during the program and after graduation.
- Describe your dream job.
- Self-certification form (for students who are in the final term of their bachelor’s degree)
Admissions Process
Additional Requirements
Have Questions?
We’ll make sure you have the information you need to take your next step.