Master of Science in Athletic Training
The Master of Science in Athletic Training (MSAT) is an entry-level professional degree program for students who have already earned a bachelor’s degree, typically in a related field.
The MSAT degree program allows students to apply knowledge and expertise to improve healthcare for the physically active and serve as healthcare leaders in their communities. The program includes a combination of coursework and clinical experiences to prepare students to sit for the Board of Certification (BOC) exam.
The MSAT is a two-year program, beginning in the summer semester, that prepares students for a career as an athletic trainer. Students will commence clinical experiences in the fall of their admission year. Students will gain approximately 300 clinical experiential hours per semester in clinical sites located throughout San Antonio and the surrounding area. Along with traditional athletic training clinical opportunities, this program offers unique opportunities in the military setting, with up to 75 percent of clinical experiences conducted with the armed forces. In the last semester of the program, students will have the unique opportunity to engage in an immersive clinical experience of the student’s intended practice setting, which may lead to settings located across the United States or internationally.
In cooperation with physicians and other healthcare professionals, the athletic trainer functions as a member of the athletic healthcare team in secondary schools, colleges and universities, professional sports programs, sports medicine clinics and other athletic healthcare settings.
The MSAT program launched in Summer 2020. The original undergraduate program was established in 2001 to meet the guidelines and standards established by the Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education, the National Athletic Trainers Association Education Council, and the Texas Advisory Board of Athletic Training.
"I found a family within the UIW Athletic Training program. The faculty pushed me to be the best version of myself personally and the best Athletic Trainer I could be. They were by my side every step of the way from the moment I joined the program and are still supportive of me in the professional world. I wouldn’t trade my education here with any other. I am proud to be a graduate of the UIW Athletic Training program, and I am proud to be a Cardinal!"
-Rae Martin MSE, LAT, ATC
CAATE Accredited Program
Serving the athletic community since 2003, the program is accredited from the CAATE through the 2029-2030 academic year.
Graduate Outcomes
| Cohort | UIW 3-Year Aggregate | National Average | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 | 2026 |
| Initial Class Size | 9 | 4 | 8 | 8 | 9 | 11 | |
| Graduating/Retention | 97% (18/19) | 100% (4) | 88% (7) | 100% (8) | |||
| Grads who took exam | 94% (17/18) | 100% (4) | 88% (7) | 100% (8) | |||
| First Time Pass Rate | 72% (13/18) | 70% (2021-2023) | 25% (1) | 83% (5) | 88% (7) | ||
| Retake Pass Rate | 60% (3/5) | 35% (2021-2023) | 33% (1/3) | 100% (1/1) | 100% (1/1) | ||
| All Attempts Pass Rate | 89% (16/18) | 50% (2) | 100% (6) | 100% (8) | |||
| Employed as AT | 100% (4) | 86% (6) | 100% (8) | ||||
| Employed as Other | 14% (1) |
*Class of 2023 had one student leave the program. Of the remaining, 100% graduated.
+ Of the 7 graduates in 2023, one elected to pursue other opportunities.
CAATE Program Information and Outcomes
Financial Assistance
Office of Financial Assistance
Students attending the University of the Incarnate Word School of Rehabilitation Sciences are encouraged to visit the Office of Financial Assistance webpage to find various types of financial assistance. This site also contains information about submitting the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
Scholarships
Various scholarship opportunities exist. The School of Rehabilitation Science offers several competitive scholarships on an annual basis. Our students have also been successful in attaining local, regional, and national scholarships. Please feel free to inquire directly about opportunities. Early application is necessary for consideration.
Projected costs for 2025 - 2026:
Tuition
- 2025-2026 Tuition Rates:
- Graduate Tuition 2025-2026: $1,050 per credit hour
- Graduate Tuition with Military Tuition Assistance (TA) authorization: $250 per credit hour
- MSAT program is a total of 50 credit hours.
Fees and other costs
The MSAT faculty seek to be very mindful of student costs and avoid charging students extra for programmatic requirements. No courses carry extra fees beyond the cost of tuition.
- Annual immunization cost: Varies per insurance coverage, but estimated costs are:
- Flu shot $35
- Textbooks: Estimated at $1000 for all course textbooks combined, the prospective textbook list is shared at the start of the program.
- Travel costs associated with clinical travel (some sites require parking passes)
Included in tuition
- NATA membership for both years of the program
- UIW attire for practice and game coverage during clinicals
- Sling bag for clinicals
- Trinity Sports Medicine Conference Attendance
- American Red Cross BLS Certification
- American Red Cross FA/CPR/AED Instructor Certification
- Dry Needling 1 Certification
Athletic training is a dynamic and rewarding profession that offers diverse career opportunities. As healthcare professionals who specialize in preventing, diagnosing, and treating musculoskeletal injuries, athletic trainers (ATs) are essential members of the healthcare team. Beyond the traditional roles in sports, ATs are increasingly finding opportunities in various settings such as the military, public safety, and industrial medicine.
Average Salaries for Athletic Trainers
In Texas, the demand for athletic trainers is robust, particularly at the high school level where ATs play a crucial role in the health and safety of student-athletes. The average salary package for a high school athletic trainer in Texas is approximately $75,000 per year, although this can vary depending on the school district, years of experience, and specific responsibilities.
Job Growth in Athletic Training
The field of athletic training is experiencing significant growth. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of athletic trainers is projected to grow 17% from 2021 to 2031, which is much faster than the average for all occupations. This growth is driven by an increasing awareness of sports-related injuries and the critical role of athletic trainers in preventing and managing these injuries. Our students have 100% placement within three months of graduation.
Expanding Opportunities Beyond Sports
While athletic trainers are commonly associated with sports teams and schools, their expertise is also highly valued in other environments:
- Military: Athletic trainers are being increasingly employed by the military to help service members maintain peak physical condition and recover from injuries. Their role in injury prevention, rehabilitation, and performance optimization is crucial in ensuring military personnel are mission-ready. The US Army has committed to hiring as many as 600 athletic trainers to support its H2F initiative. UIW works closely with the US Air Force and has helped to create 49 athletic training positions across 13 clinics at JBSA-Lackland.
- Public Safety: AT's are also making strides in public safety, working with firefighters, police officers and other first responders. These professionals face physically demanding situations, and athletic trainers help them stay healthy, recover from injuries, and return to duty as quickly as possible. UIW is currently working with two fire departments to develop injury prevention programs through embedded athletic trainers.
- Industrial Medicine: Toyota, Boeing, Amazon and ATS Construction are all local entities in San Antonio actively employing UIW alum to mitigate their risk of injury and lost production. In industrial settings, athletic trainers contribute to occupational health by preventing workplace injuries, conducting ergonomic assessments, and developing rehabilitation programs for employees. Their presence in manufacturing plants, warehouses and corporate environments is helping to reduce injury rates and improve overall worker health.
The U.S. military has a growing need to hire athletic trainers to boost readiness of service members in our growing armed forces. Most branches of the Department of Defense have hired athletic trainers to provide interprofessional services in performance optimization, injury prevention, and accelerated return to duty. The outcomes demonstrated in these collaborative patient care teams have led to hundreds of new positions nationwide. UIW is as at the forefront of demonstrating professional impact and preparing students to excel in unique situations.