University of Southern Maine

Programme overview

This Accelerated Graduate Pathway leads to a Master of Science in Athletic Training and is designed to shorten the time to complete both a bachelor’s and a master’s degree. Eligible students declare a major in Health Sciences and, if they meet progress standards and the graduate admission requirements, start taking graduate Athletic Training courses during their last year as undergraduates. The graduate courses count toward both the undergraduate Health Sciences major and the first year of the master’s program.

What you'll study

Graduate-level Athletic Training courses are integrated into the final year of undergraduate study for pathway students; those courses satisfy credit requirements for the Health Sciences bachelor’s and the first year of the MS. The programme prepares students for practice as Certified Athletic Trainers through graduate Athletic Training coursework. Specific course listings and sequence are available in the university course catalog and the Athletic Training programme pages.

Entry requirements

• Declare a major in Health Sciences to be eligible for the pathway.
• Complete required undergraduate coursework and the prerequisite courses for the Athletic Training graduate program by the end of your third year of undergraduate study (see the course catalog for details).
• During undergraduate study, submit the graduate program application and all required admission materials; your Academic Advisor will guide the application process.

Career prospects

The MS in Athletic Training is structured to prepare graduates for careers as Certified Athletic Trainers (ATC) in the healthcare and sports settings. The pathway is intended to let students begin their athletic training career sooner by finishing both degrees in a reduced timeframe.

Scholarships & funding angle

The pathway can reduce time and cost by allowing students to save up to 30 credits worth of tuition, fees, and expenses. Prospective applicants should consult the university's financial aid office and programme admissions counselors for additional funding, scholarship and cost details.