Three athletic training students performing a procedure on a classmate.

Master of Science in Athletic Training

Introduction

The Master of Science in Athletic Training (MSAT) degree is designed for students interested in injury/illness prevention, wellness promotion/education, and treatment/rehabilitation of injuries or medical conditions related to physically active populations. The program consists of intense coursework and clinical experiences completed over three consecutive semesters (summer, fall, spring) for two years.

Students who complete the master of science in athletic training degree will graduate from an accredited program by the Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education (CAATE). Upon graduation, students will be eligible to take the National Board of Certification examination to become a Certified Athletic Trainer.

Five Reasons to Get a Master of Science in Athletic Training Degree at UNLV

  1. Skills in Diverse Clinical Internship Sites: Our students receive access to unparalleled clinical experience opportunities that are individually tailored to provide comprehensive hands-on experience in unique settings.
  2. Receive Mentorship from Engaged Faculty: Our dedicated educators have a collective 25+ years of clinical practice and extensive teaching experience. They are deeply committed to teaching, service, and advancing scholarship.
  3. Pursue Your Master’s Degree With Less Financial Stressors: Our master’s program offers high quality education at an affordable cost in comparison to peer institutions.
  4. Attend One of the Nation’s Most Diverse Universities: As one of the nation’s most diverse universities, UNLV provides a welcoming campus community representing and supporting students from various backgrounds.
  5. Study at a Uniquely Accredited Program: The Athletic Training Program at UNLV is the only athletic training curriculum program in Nevada accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education (CAATE).
A woman wrapping bandage around a man's arm

Our Curriculum

The MSAT degree requires 61 units of coursework to be delivered full-time over two academic years. Each academic year begins in the summer and students are required to be continuously enrolled for the summer, fall, and spring semesters over two years. 

Our curriculum is designed to best prepare students for the Board of Certification (BOC) exam. For data regarding the BOC pass rates, graduation rates, retention rate, and employment/placement rate of our undergraduate students, visit our program’s CAATE Program Outcomes Data page. Graduate data will be available after we graduate our first class of students.

Student Experience

Learn In Dynamic Facilities

The MSAT program utilizes a dedicated classroom that is modeled after an athletic training facility. In this classroom, students have access to the hands-on tools and equipment that are utilized in the practice of athletic training.

Hands-On Work Through Clinical Rotations

The MSAT program offers extensive hands-on experience through a diverse range of clinical rotations. Students have the opportunity to intern in various settings, including college and university athletics, community college, club sports, high schools, specialized clinics, and professional sports settings. Situated in Las Vegas, one of the world's premier sports and entertainment capitals, our program provides unique and valuable experiences that prepare students for successful careers in athletic training.

A man holding a person's foot to dip into water
Clinical Sites

  • Baseball
  • Basketball (men's and women's)
  • Football
  • Soccer (men's and women's)
  • Softball
  • Spirit squads
  • Swim and dive
  • Tennis (men's and women's)
  • Track and field
  • Volleyball

Community College: College of Southern Nevada (CSN)
  • Baseball
  • Basketball (women’s)
  • Soccer (men’s and women’s)
  • Softball
  • Volleyball (women’s)

Club Sports
  • Henderson Force

Clark County School District (CCSD)
  • Basic High School
  • Clark High School
  • Desert Oasis High School
  • Durango High School
  • Western High School
Private High Schools
  • Bishop Gorman
  • Faith Lutheran

 

Physical Therapy Clinics
  • Limitless Sports Medicine and Physical Therapy
  • Tim Soder Physical Therapy
Orthopedic Clinic
  • Desert Orthopedic Center
Specialty Center/Clinic
  • Titan Athletes 
  • UFC Performance Institute

Professional Sports
  • Henderson Silver Knights
  • Las Vegas Desert Dogs
  • Vegas Nighthawks

Funding Your Education

Visit the Tuition and College Costs page for more information about graduate program tuition.

The Athletic Training Department also offers scholarship opportunities to help support qualifying students. Visit the Athletic Training Program Scholarships page and Scholarships for School of Integrated Health Sciences Students page for more information.

Additional Fees

Note that the following fees are subject to change. For more information, email athletic.gradcoord@unlv.edu.

  • ATrack subscription: $90 lifetime fee
  • Background checks/fingerprinting: $60
  • BOC exam application fee: $35-$65
  • BOC exam registration: $330
  • Clinical internship travel cost: $750-$1,500
  • Extracurricular conference registration: $20-$400*
  • National Athletic Trainers Association (NATA) fee: $117 per year*
  • Professional attire: $200-$400
  • Student membership in professional organizations: $105*

*Optional Fees

Logo for Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education

Accreditation

The Athletic Training Program at UNLV is the only athletic training curriculum program in Nevada accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education (CAATE):

6850 Austin Center Blvd., Suite 100
Austin, TX 78731-3184
Telephone: 512-733-9700

The CAATE accredited athletic training program at UNLV has completed an accreditation review and is compliant with the nationally established standards through 2033. The program tracks graduation rates, retention rates, graduate placement, and first-time pass rates on the Board of Certification exams for the past three years.

For program specific information regarding accreditation at UNLV, please head over to Academic Program Accreditations.

  • Students completing the degree requirements are eligible to sit for the Board of Certification (BOC) examination for athletic trainers. Graduating students must take and pass the BOC exam to become a licensed athletic trainer.
  • In addition to taking and passing the BOC exam, graduating students must apply for licensure to practice as an athletic trainer in each U.S. state or territory where they will work.
  •  The UNLV Athletic Training Program encourages all prospective and current students to fully explore the licensure requirements in each state(s) where they wish to practice in the future. For more details regarding state licensure, visit National Athletic Trainers' Association (NATA) webpage. The NATA provides students and current licensees with contact information for the respective Athletic Training Licensing Boards for all U.S. states and U.S. territories, as well as useful tools to determine state by state licensing requirements.

  • The UNLV Athletic Training Department has determined that the UNLV Athletic Training program meets the educational requirements for state licensure in Nevada as outlined in NRS 640b and NAC 640b.

  • Non-Educational requirements, as outlined in NRS 640b and NAC 640b (as of May 2020), include the following: Must pass national exam; must submit fingerprints and background check; must submit an application and pay a fee; must be of good moral character.
  • Those planning to apply for a license to practice Athletic Training in Nevada are encouraged to review the relevant Nevada statutes and regulations regarding the practice of Athletic Training. Learn more at the Nevada Athletic Training Board website.

Our Faculty

Tedd Girouard, M.S., ATC, LAT

Program Director, Athletic Training Program, Senior Lecturer
Tedd Girouard
Mail Code: 3034
Phone: 702-895-5828

Kara Radzak, Ph.D., ATC

Associate Professor
Kara Radzak
Mail Code: 3034
Phone: 702-895-4421

Michelle Samuel, Ph.D., ATC, LAT

Coordinator of Clinical Education, Athletic Training Program; Senior Lecturer
Michelle Samuel
Mail Code: 3034
Phone: 702-895-1015

Contact

Contact the Athletic Training Program

Mailing Address
Athletic Training Program
Department of Kinesiology and Nutrition Sciences
University of Nevada, Las Vegas
Mail Stop: 3034
4505 S. Maryland Pkwy
Las Vegas, NV 89154

Main Office Phone: 702-895-0996

Email: athletic.gradcoord@unlv.edu

Main Office Campus Location:
Rod Lee Bigelow Health Sciences (BHS), Room 323

Office Hours:
Monday-Friday: 8 a.m.-5 p.m.