Kinesiology

Athletic Trainers (ATs) are healthcare professionals who collaborate with physicians and other allied health professionals to optimize activity and participation of patients and clients across age and care continuums. The practice of Athletic Training encompasses prevention, emergency care, clinical diagnosis, therapeutic intervention and rehabilitation of emergency, acute and chronic medical conditions involving impairment, functional limitations and disabilities. ATs work under the direction of physicians, as prescribed by state licensure statutes.

The Athletic Training program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education (CAATE). The program provides students with academic and clinical experiences designed to prepare them for the Board of Certification, Inc. (BOC) examination and a successful career in the field. Students who want to become certified Athletic Trainers must earn a degree from an accredited Athletic Training program.

Students committed to pursuing the Master of Science in Athletic Training (MSAT) degree must submit two separate applications: (1) CSUN via Cal State Apply and (2) CSUN MSAT Athletic Training program. More information can be accessed at Graduate Studies–Prospective Students and the Department of Kinesiology Athletic Training website.

Meeting eligibility requirements to apply to the MSAT does not guarantee acceptance. For students who are admitted to the MSAT, the professional program will provide Athletic Training Students (ATSs) with rigorous academic and clinical preparation. Full-time status, with concurrent clinical experiences, is required throughout the entire 6-semester, 2-year program. ATSs will advance in the program as cohorts.

A. Admission Requirements

Application Requirements

1. Completion of a bachelor’s degree prior to enrollment in the program.
2. Admission to graduate studies at CSUN.
3. Required prerequisites include a minimum of one semester of each of the following courses:
   1. Human Anatomy with lab
   2. Human Physiology
   3. Nutrition
   4. Psychology
   5. Chemistry: General Chemistry or similar
   6. Physics: Classical Mechanics, General Physics, College Physics or similar
4. Recommended prerequisite courses:
   1. Statistics
5. Minimum overall and prerequisite GPA of 2.75; 3.0 preferred (with no grade lower than “C-“).
6. Completion of the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) prior to filing the application.
7. Three letters of recommendation, with at least one from the supervising Athletic Trainer.
8. Validation of relevant observation experience (see the Athletic Training website for experience requirements).
9. Submission of separate Athletic Training program Application.
10. Interview with selection committee (by invitation only; applicants are not guaranteed an invitation to interview).

For further information, please see the Athletic Training website.

B. Requirements for the Degree

1. Required Courses (61 units)

AT 500 Evidence-Based Practice in Athletic Training (3)
AT 501/L Foundations in Athletic Training and Laboratory (3/1)
AT 502 Pain Neuroscience in Athletic Training (2)
AT 510/L Clinical Anatomy and Biomechanics and Laboratory (2/1)
AT 520/L Lower Extremity Injury Evaluation and Laboratory (3/1)
AT 521/L Upper Extremity Injury Evaluation and Laboratory (3/1)
AT 530/L Therapeutic Interventions for Lower Extremity Injuries and Laboratory (3/1)
AT 531/L Therapeutic Interventions for Upper Extremity Injuries and Laboratory (3/1)
AT 540 Clinical Experiences in Athletic Training I (1)
AT 541 Clinical Experiences in Athletic Training II (1)
AT 542 Clinical Experiences in Athletic Training III (1)
AT 550/L Primary Care I and Laboratory (3/1)
AT 560 Seminar in Athletic Training I (1)
AT 561 Seminar in Athletic Training II (1)
AT 562 Seminar in Athletic Training III (1)
AT 610/L Reconditioning and Human Performance and Laboratory (2/1)
AT 620 Organization and Administration of Athletic Training (3)
AT 630/L Advanced Manual Therapy and Laboratory (3/1)
AT 640 Clinical Experiences in Athletic Training IV, Primary Care (1)
AT 641 Clinical Experiences in Athletic Training V (1)
AT 642 Clinical Experiences in Athletic Training VI, Immersive (1)
AT 642A Clinical Experiences in Athletic Training VI, Immersive A (1)
AT 650/L Primary Care II and Lab (2/1)
AT 660 Emerging Trends in Athletic Training (2)
AT 670 Diversity and Inclusion in Athletic Training (2)
AT 680 Practical Applications of Injury Prevention (2)

2. Culminating Experience (3 units)

AT 698 Graduate Project (3)

Total Units Required for the M.S. Degree: 64