Master of Science in Athletic Training
Prepare to become a certified athletic trainer through USC’s CAATE-accredited Master of Science in Athletic Training. Gain hands-on clinical experience across athletics, health care, military, performing arts and other active patient settings.
Housed in the Department of Exercise Science within the Arnold School of Public Health, the program combines evidence-based coursework, hands-on clinical education and interdisciplinary training. USC’s athletic training program has been CAATE-accredited for more than 25 years and is regarded as one of the nation’s top programs. Graduates are eligible to sit for the Board of Certification examination and pursue careers in settings ranging from collegiate and professional athletics to hospitals, sports medicine clinics, performing arts, industrial health and the military.
Curriculum
The MS in Athletic Training is an intensive two-year, 67-credit-hour graduate program that includes coursework in cadaver anatomy, evaluation and therapeutic intervention, advanced clinical skills and evidence-based practice. Students complete a sequence of clinical education experiences and a final semester-long clinical immersion aligned with their professional goals.
View the Academic Bulletin for the full curriculum.
Admissions Requirements
Learn about the complete admission requirements and prerequisites for the MS in Athletic Training degree program.
Applicants apply through the Athletic Training Centralized Application Service, also known as ATCAS. Applicants must also complete required program materials, including the Technical Standards Formand documentation of 50 observation hours with a certified athletic trainer.
Where Our Grads Work
USC athletic training graduates work across the country and around the world, including:
- NFL
- MLB
- NBA
- Professional soccer
- NASCAR
- Cirque du Soleil
- High school & collegiate athletics
- U.S. Military
- Secondary schools in China and Europe
- Orthopedic offices
- Hospitals
- Performing arts
- Industrial settings
Athletic Training Fellowships
The Athletic Training Program at USC is excited to offer several AT Fellowships to attract and support outstanding graduate students to the MS program. Learn more about the Fellowships and the scoring rubric.
Tuition
Tuition and fees are subject to change and vary based on enrollment status. Students are encouraged to explore financial aid options, scholarships, and assistantships to help support their education. Learn more from the Office of Graduate Student Services.
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Faculty director of Galen Health Fellows
As faculty director, Mensch will work to expand experiential learning opportunities, strengthen partnerships and help students prepare for the future.
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Closing healthcare gaps in preforming arts
“My passion for working as an athletic trainer in this area is based on my desire to be the health care provider I wish I had when I was training as a pre-professional dancer.” - Kendall Doyle, MS ‘26
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Building expertise in emergency care
“My certificate has helped me grow confident in managing all kinds of emergency conditions and allowed me to expand on so many traumatic and environmental conditions that we don’t get to study in detail during school.” - Zdenka Horwath
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. The MS in Athletic Training is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education. The USC AT Program was re-accredited by CAATE in May 2019 for 10 years.
The program is designed as a two-year graduate degree.
The MS in Athletic Training consists of 67 credit hours of coursework and clinical education.
Students complete five clinical courses and a final semester-long clinical immersion. Clinical experiences may take place in collegiate athletics, high schools, sports medicine clinics, youth sports, hospitals, physician offices, physical therapy clinics and other health care or active patient settings.
Yes. Graduates are eligible to sit for the Board of Certification examination and practice as athletic trainers.
Graduates work in professional sports, collegiate athletics, secondary schools, hospitals, orthopedic offices, sports medicine clinics, the military, performing arts, NASCAR, industrial settings and other health care environments.
Please view answers to more frequently asked questions about our program.
Request Information
Learn more about the M.S. in Athletic Training.
Contact Us
If you have questions about the MS program in Athletic Training, please contact Jim Mensch, Ph.D., Program Director, at 803-777-3846 or jmensch@mailbox.sc.edu.