Master of Science in Athletic Training

Athletic trainers are health care professionals who collaborate with physicians and other allied health care professionals to provide care to a variety of patient populations. Athletic trainers specialize in prevention, emergency care, clinical diagnosis and therapeutic intervention. If you are passionate about helping others to maintain or return to peak activity and life participation, check out our Master of Science in Athletic Training program.

Learn how to apply.

The MSAT Program embeds diverse, real-world learning opportunities.

  • You will practice in high schools, universities, hospitals and clinics, and with amateur and professional sports teams, such as the Chicago Bears, Chicago Cubs, Chicago Fire, Chicago Sky and Chicago Bandits.
  • Additional special opportunities include local, large-scale events, such as the Chicago Marathon, Shamrock Shuffle and Special Olympics.
  • Additional student experiences include the ESPN Wide World of Sports inside Walt Disney World, and with several top NCAA teams, including Northern Illinois University, University of Tennessee and University of Louisville.

  • According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the number of jobs for athletic trainers is expected to grow by 19% over the next 10 years.
  • Traditional athletic training settings include colleges, universities and secondary schools Our graduates hold positions in some of the most prestigious sports programs, universities and hospitals throughout the country, including the National Athletic Trainers' Association, Midwest Orthopaedic Institute, the Ann and Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital and the U.S. Naval Academy.
  • Beyond athletics, other job opportunities for athletic trainers are available within physician practices, performing arts, health care administration, occupational settings, armed forces, public safety, rehabilitation clinics and private and emerging settings.

Through our innovative curriculum, you will learn clinical evaluation and diagnosis, therapeutic interventions, health care administration and more. In our state-of-the-art labs, you will hone clinical skills through mock evaluations and integrated simulations using standardized patients.

Year one didactic and clinical curriculum has a focus on practical skills and experiences at a variety of clinical sites, including small and large high schools, small and large college/universities, rehabilitation clinics, orthopedic clinics and emergency services.

The year two didactic curriculum is delivered 100% online and are designed to be fully immersive in an athletic training setting that aligns with career goals. This experience can be obtained worldwide.

Learn more about our curriculum.

Nicholas Grahovec, Ph.D., LAT, ATC, CSCS, Assistant Professor, Program Director

William Pitney, Ed.D., ATC, FNATA Professor

Phil Voorhis, M.S.Ed., ATC, Associate Instructor, NIU Head Athletic Trainer

Tyler Wood, Ph.D., LAT, ATC, Assistant Professor, Coordinator of Clinical Education

Bethany Rohl, M.S.Ed., LAT, ATC, Graduate Assistant

Medical Directors

Michele Glasgow, M.D., Northwestern Medicine

Steven G. Glasgow, M.D., Northwestern Medicine

To satisfy the Commission on the Accreditation of Athletic Training Education (CAATE) requirement, this page offers access to the annual and three-year aggregate results of the Board of Certification (BOC) exam pass rates for students graduating from Northern Illinois University's athletic training program. In addition to exam pass rates, the CAATE also captures graduation rate, retention rate and employment/placement rate. The program accepted its first cohort summer 2021, thus will not have complete outcomes data presented.

Our program information and outcomes can be found on this CAATE webpage. Additionally, our assessment plan, student learning outcomes and athletic training program framework can be found in our Northern Illinois University Athletic Training Program Framework document (PDF).

Testimonial

Kari Myers

NIU's athletic training program taught me patient interaction and developed and polished my history-taking skills, something I use every day. Throughout our curriculum, we were given many clinical opportunities and hands-on experiences to help us grow as students and professionals. The professors and instructors truly care for their students' development and success after graduation.

Kari Myers, ATC, B.S.Ed. in Athletic Training, physician extender, Midwest Orthopaedic Institute

Related Links

Accreditation

CAATE Logo
The Athletic Training Program at Northern Illinois University is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education (CAATE), 2001 K Street, NW, Washington, DC, 20006.

Contact Us

Department of Kinesiology and Physical Education
Anderson Hall 221
DeKalb, IL 60115
P: 815-753-1407
F: 815-753-1413
knpe@niu.edu

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