Empower future athletic trainers through scholarships, clinical opportunities, and community partnerships that help students deliver exceptional, inclusive care across Arizona and beyond.
Athletic Training Program
Keep people moving and performing. At NAU, you’ll get the clinical skills and hands-on experience you need to lead as an athletic trainer on the field, in the clinic, and anywhere active people need expert care.
The athletic training program is within the Department of Physical Therapy and Athletic Training.
94% pass rate on national AT certification exam
Built for those who keep others moving
Champion human performance by restoring confidence and helping people get back to what they love with a Master of Science degree in Athletic Training. If you're energized by fast-paced environments and fascinated by the science of movement, this could be a great career path for you. As an athletic trainer, you'll prevent injuries, respond in critical moments, guide rehabilitation, and work alongside athletes, performers, military personnel, and active people of all ages.
Why study Athletic Training at NAU
You’ll join a dynamic training environment designed to help you grow your expertise and expand career possibilities. The Master of Science in Athletic Training (MSAT) at NAU blends classroom learning with robust clinical practice experiences. Offered at both Flagstaff and the Phoenix Bioscience Core campuses, you choose the learning environment that works best for you.
With an MSAT from NAU, you’ll unlock opportunities to work in a variety of settings, including professional sports, middle and high schools, performing arts, universities, clinics, hospitals, and even industries like Amazon.
Learning outcomes and core professional skills
While studying Athletic Training at NAU, you will gain foundational knowledge in:
- patient-centered care.
- interprofessional practice and education.
- evidence-based practice.
- clinical practice quality improvement.
- health care informatics.
- examination, diagnosis, and therapeutic intervention.
- prevention, health promotion, and wellness.
- health care administration.
Accelerated MSAT program
If you know athletic training is for you, NAU’s accelerated bachelor’s-to-master's program helps you cross the finish line faster. As you complete your undergraduate degree in either Exercise Science or Fitness Wellness, you can begin taking MSAT graduate courses in your fourth year, allowing you to transition seamlessly into advanced clinical training. This is a great option for gaining momentum early and entering the field sooner.
Dedicated support
Your success is the priority at NAU's Department of Athletic Training. With resources that help fun your education and faculty mentors who prepare you for your career, you'll be able to focus on what matters most: your goals.
Scholarships
Your commitment to patient care deserves a program that supports you in return. Scholarships and graduate assistantships are available to support your academic journey at NAU. You can explore scholarships specific to Athletic Training on the Scholarship Universe website.
Career readiness
From your first semester, you’ll be learning on your feet, blending coursework with in-person clinical experiences that will prepare you for certification and practice. You’ll gain hands-on experience with taping, evaluation, emergency care, therapeutic interventions, and rehabilitation by the time you’ve completed the program. After passing the Board of Certification (BOC) exam (NAU touts a 94% pass rate), you’ll be ready to work with high schools, universities, hospitals, specialty clinics, and performing arts groups.
Admissions information
NAU AT + ASU Partnership
The NAU MSAT Program will guarantee up to 5 spots in the program to eligible students enrolled in an ASU College of Health Solutions program. The NAU MSAT Program may accept more than 5 students, but only 5 guaranteed spots are available.
Admissions steps for students currently enrolled
Current NAU students and/or ASU College of Health Solutions students entering/completing their last 2 semesters (senior status) must complete the NAU Graduate Admissions Application no later than April 1 to be considered for admission into the MSAT Program. Priority admissions applications should be submitted by October 1. Submit:
- An unofficial transcript at time of application
- Two letters of recommendation (one letter must be from a certified athletic trainer)
- Provide responses to questions related to the desire to pursue a career in athletic training
Admissions steps for students not currently enrolled
Applicants not currently enrolled at NAU or ASU College of Health must complete two applications: the third-party application portal ATCAS and the NAU Graduate Admissions Application.
The ATCAS application will open on July 1st and applications are due by March 1. Priority admissions applications should be submitted by October 1. If students are admitted to the program and accept the offer, the students will then complete an NAU Graduate Admissions Application no later than April 1.
Application checklist
- You must have an undergraduate degree in order to be admitted into our MSAT program
- Completion and verification (transcript) of pre-requisite courses or their equivalents
- must be completed with a grade of “C” or better, or in progress at time of application to the program.
- Physics, Chemistry, Psychology, Biology (basic biology content), Human Anatomy, Human Physiology, Kinesiology (Biomechanics and/or Applied Human Movement also accepted), Exercise Physiology, Human Nutrition
- Minimum GPA for regular admission is 3.0 or above. GPA that fall between 2.5-2.99, may be considered for conditional admission
- Two letters of recommendation (one from a certified athletic trainer)
- An interview with one or more program faculty may be scheduled following application review
- If accepted into the program, you must be CPR certified prior to beginning the program
Upon admission, we require that you have a physical exam by a physician; show proof of immunization for hepatitis B, measles mumps, rubella, tetanus, and diphtheria; and attest that you meet the technical standards established by our program and Northern Arizona University’s Disability Support Services.
Questions? Contact us at glenn.edgerton@nau.edu or at 928-523-6837.
Take the next step
Department of Physical Therapy and Athletic Training degrees
Department of Physical Therapy and Athletic Training graduate degrees
"Once I started interning in the athletic training room, I realized being a college athletic trainer was my goal. A friend recommended NAU based on his knowledge of my hobbies – mountain biking and disc golf. The rest is history. Now, I love that I get to give back to the program by being a preceptor for second year NAU AT students. "
Ready to apply?
Turn your passion for movement and science into a meaningful profession by applying to NAU’s Master of Science in Athletic Training program.
Support the team behind every comeback
Northern Arizona University
Department of Athletic Training
928-523-6837 admissions@nau.edu Call 928-523-6837 Email admissions@nau.edu Request informationDepartment of Athletic Training
208 E Pine Knoll Dr, Flagstaff, AZ 86011
The Department of Physical Therapy and Athletic Training is accredited
NAU’s Athletic Training program is accredited with the The Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education (CAATE). Find CAATE program information and outcomes.