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Master of Science in Athletic Training

Grand View’s Master of Science in Athletic Training degree offers a rigorous program to prepare students for a rewarding career as a certified athletic trainer. The program focuses on evidence-based practice using the latest technology and research. Students will gain hands-on experience with athletic trainers and other health care professionals working in multiple settings.

Grand View University is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education (CAATE) located at 2001 K Street NW, Third Floor North Washington, DC 20006. The program will have its next comprehensive review during the (2033-2034) academic year.

Application Deadlines:

The application deadline for fall 2024 has passed. The application deadline for the fall 2025 semester is May 31, 2025.

Why Grand View?

  • Grand View is located in the largest metro area in Iowa, giving you access to more sports medicine experiences.
  • Learning opportunities in multiple settings, including high schools, colleges, health care providers and clinics.
  • Experienced faculty devoted to students athletic training education and experiences.
  • Newly remodeled facility with a dedicated classroom, laboratory space, and a sports medicine clinic with the latest technology and equipment.  
  • A rigorous academic program focused on evidence-based practice and the latest research in athletic training.
  • Grand View offers the first entry-level master's program in Iowa.

View the MSAT Policy & Procedure Manual

Admission and Program Requirements

Admission Requirements 

  • You must have earned a baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited institution, evidenced by a transcript OR show you are on track for graduation before enrollment in the MSAT.
  • Transcript(s) that ensure completion of required prerequisites and/or sufficient academic performance.
  • Complete the application for admission.
  • Complete 25 hours of observation under the direct supervision of a BOC-certified athletic trainer (refer to * above)
  • Meet the technical standards
  • Current CPR/AED Certification

Submit the following:

  • Include a statement of purpose with application that addresses:
    1) the student’s interest in the program, including the identification of short-term and long-term career goals
    2) the skills and experiences the student will contribute to the program 
    3) expectations the student has of the program.
  • A professional resume.
  • Transcript from institution where bachelor's degree was earned
  • Two letters of recommendation (one of which must be from a faculty member who can attest to the student's ability to successfully engage in graduate study)

  • Documentation of required prerequisite courses:
    - Human Anatomy and Physiology
    - Nutrition or Sports Nutrition
    - Biomechanics, Kinesiology, or Physics
    - Exercise Physiology
    - Statistics
    - Chemistry
    - Biology
    - Psychology

Program Requirements

The following requirements will be met after acceptance but prior to the start of classes:

  • Background Check
  • Liability Insurance
  • Up-to-date vaccinations
  • Individual health insurance
  • Physical

Applications can be submitted through ATCAS, our online system or directly to: 

Dr.Jessica Edler Nye
Master of Science in Athletic Training
Grand View University
1200 Grandview Avenue
Des Moines, IA 50316

The MSAT reviews applications on a rolling admissions cycle that closes May 31st each year.

Course Requirements

Students must maintain a 3.0 GPA or higher throughout the athletic training curriculum. Course grades of 70% or lower will not be counted towards graduation in the MSAT program. Students must also receive and 80% or higher in each clinical rotation course or they will not be allowed to move on to the next clinical rotation. Courses may be repeated once. Failure to meet these standards will result in removal from the MSAT program.

Requirements (55 credits)

ATGR 500 Foundations in Athletic Training 1 credit
ATGR 501 Introduction to Emergency Care 3 credits
ATGR 509 Evaluation and Management I/Lab 4 credits
ATGR 510 Evaluation and Management II/Lab 4 credits
ATGR 513 Evaluation and Management III 3 credits
ATGR 520 Patient Centered Approach to Healthcare 1 credit
ATGR 522 Therapeutic Interventions I 3 credits
ATGR 523 Therapeutic Interventions II 3 credits
ATGR 531 General Medical Conditions 4 credits
ATGR 536 Organization and Administration in Athletic Training 3 credits
ATGR 541 Clinical I: Athletic Training Experience 3 credits
ATGR 542 Clinical II: Athletic Training Experience 3 credits
ATGR 551 Clinical III: Immersion Experience in Athletic Training 6 credits
ATGR 552 Clinical IV: Immersion Experience in Athletic Training 6 credits
ATGR 560 Psychosocial Interventions in Athletic Training 2 credits
ATGR 580 Research Methods & Evidence-Based Practice in Athletic Training 3 credits
ATGR 590 Seminar in Athletic Training 3 credits
Athletic Training (3 + 2)

Looking for fast-track toward becoming an athletic trainer? How does completion in five years at Grand View University sound?

Grand View University's Kinesiology and Athletic Training program have partnered to streamline the process of students graduating with both a Bachelor of Arts in Kinesiology and a Master of Science in Athletic Training. Following the Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education (CAATE) standards, our students will be in full alignment with accreditation and have the ability to sit for the national certification test needed to become an athletic trainer.

Students who participate in this program will be expected to fulfill a 155 credit-hour course load. The initial 100 credit hour will be completed in the undergraduate courses and the remaining 55 will be completed at the graduate level. Student will follow the same admissions criteria as the traditional program and can apply any time during their 3rd year of study. These students will graduate with their undergraduate degree after year 4 and with their master’s degree after year 5.

Requirements (66-68 credits)

Prerequisites (15 Credits)

BIOL 101 General Biology 1 4 credits
BIOL 160 Human Anatomy 4 credits
BIOL 165 Human Physiology  4 credits
PSYC 101 General Psychology 3 credits

KINH Core (20 credits)

KINH 155 Careers in KINH 1 credit
KINH 188 Personal and Community Health 3 credits
KINH 205 Lifetime Fitness and Wellness 3 credits
KINH 247 Leadership Skills for Conditioning / Strength Training 1 credit
BIOL 140 Intro to Nutrition 3 credits
ATGR 541 Clinical I: Athletic Training Experience 3 credits
ATGR 542 Clinical II: Athletic Training Experience 3 credits
KINH 450 Senior Seminar 3 credits

Pre-Athletic Training Concentration (31-33 credits)

ATGR 501 Introduction to Emergency Care 3 credits
KINH 351 Exercise Psychology 3 credits
KINH 361 Motor Control and Learning 3 credits
KINH 371 Kinesiology 3 credits
KINH 376 or
PHYS 131
 Biomechanics or
Intro to Physics
3 credits or
4 credits
KINH 391 Exercise Physiology 3 credits
ATGR 523 Therapeutic Interventions II 3 credits
KINH 447 Exercise Testing & Prescription 3 credits
STAT 239 or
STAT 241
Statistics for Social Sciences or Principles of Statistics 3 credits or
4 credits
CHEM 111 or
CHEM 103
General Chemistry or
Intro to Chemistry
4 credits
Clinical Sites

Grand View students gain first-hand experience while learn from athletic trainers working in sports medicine clinics, high schools, and colleges within the Des Moines metro. A list of clinical sites include:

  • Grand View University
  • Des Moines Public Schools (DMPS)
  • Carlisle High School
  • Bondurant-Farrar High School
  • Dallas Center Grimes High School
  • Southeast Polk High School
  • Unity Point Sports Medicine & Concussion Clinic

Some students may elect to complete immersion rotations outside of Iowa. We have students involved with universities from other states including in New York, Texas, Arizona, California, Pennsylvania, Illinois, and Wisconsin.

Scholarship Opportunity

McDaniel Academic Dynasty Scholarship for Athletic Training

The McDaniel Academic Dynasty Scholarship for Athletic Training Scholarship is for enrolled students in the Master of Science in Athletic Training from an underserved or marginalized student population.

Two $1,000 awards are available each year. For more information or to apply, please contact Dr. Jessica Edler Nye at jedlernye@grandview.edu.

Career Options

As an athletic trainer, your presence is needed in environments where sports and other rigorous physical activities are taught and practiced. This can include colleges and universities, secondary schools and performing arts companies. Certified athletic trainers are also employed by professional sports teams and amateur athletes, like those who compete in the Olympic Games. By pursuing this career, you may be employed in one of the following clinical, governmental or legal settings:

  • Hospital
  • Physician's or orthopedic surgeon's office
  • Sports medicine clinic
  • Military branch
  • Law enforcement organization

Did You Know?

  • Every educational experience in the Master of Science in Athletic Training (MSAT) is designed to give students opportunities in the many practice areas of athletic training.
  • As a part of the MSAT, you will see and learn from athletic trainers working in sports medicine clinics, high schools, and colleges within the Des Moines metro. You will also interact and learn from the multitude of other medical professionals working in sports medicine. You will increase your knowledge and confidence by practicing athletic training techniques on actual patients.
  • You will also have an athletic training immersion experience that will allow you to become part of the day-to-day practice of athletic training under the direction of a qualified preceptor. This hands-on experience will be one of the most challenging, rewarding, and important aspects of the program as you put your knowledge into action utilizing all of the domains of athletic training.
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