Athletic Training (MS)
The Athletic Training Program at Montclair State University provides a high quality, state-of-the-art educational program consistent with the professional and ethical requirements of the profession of Athletic Training. Students will have the opportunity to learn in a dynamic and challenging professional preparation program geared toward preparing them for certification and practice as certified athletic trainers. The faculty and staff are committed to provide the highest quality professional education in a nurturing environment for a diverse student population.
Athletic Trainers work in collaboration with other healthcare professionals to help physically active people to perform, feel, and move better. They both prevent and treat injuries and are usually work in schools and with professional teams but are also employed in other settings such as physical therapy clinics, and physician offices. The demand for Athletic Trainers is projected to grow 23 percent between 2016 and 2026. Pay varies, but the average annual athletic trainer salary for those with a master’s degree is $54,212. Students can expect to gain hands -on experiences with patients in a variety of settings during every semester of the program including some emerging practice areas such as the performing arts and the AT in physician practice.
The program is a rigorous, challenging educational program which is designed to prepare students for the profession of Athletic Training in accordance with the accreditation requirements of the Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education Programs (CAATE). Upon successful completion of the program students are prepared to successfully meet the Board of Certification Examination requirements.
We are pleased to share that our new Master’s in Athletic Training program is the best value in New Jersey, as the cost of our program is the most affordable when compared to other New Jersey institutions.
Hear from current students on their experiences in the Athletic Training (MS) program at Montclair:
“The program is preparing me to work in the Athletic Training field through its interactive classes, practical exams, and clinical experience. Clinicals are the best part because you’re working alongside Athletic Trainers seeing their daily duties, learning from their experiences and putting to practice the skills you’ve learned through coursework.”
Jenyce Lane, Current Student
Please refer to our programs of study page for a comprehensive list of all of the graduate programs offered within the university.
*F1/J1 visa seeking students are not eligible for this program.
The Office of Graduate Admissions requires a U.S. bachelor’s degree, or the equivalent, in order to be eligible to apply for the MS in Athletic Training graduate program. Applicants with non-U.S. degrees, please visit the International Applicants page to review the U.S. degree equivalency information.
Prerequisite courses for the program are listed below:
- Anatomy and Physiology 1 & 2 for 8 credits – this must be taken before arriving
- Basic Chemistry for 3 credits this can be the non-lab version
- Basic Physics for 3 credits this can be the non-lab and non-calculus version
- Intro to Psychology for 3 credits
- Statistics for 3 credits
- Nutrition for 3 credits
- Basic motor learning for 3 credits
- Kinesiology or Biomechanics for 3 credits
- Exercise Physiology for 3 credits
Students may still be admitted if some prerequisites are missing but would have to complete them by the start of the second year in the program.
In order to make applying for graduate school as seamless as possible for you, we have
created an application checklist. This checklist can be a reference point for you during the
application process to ensure that you have a comprehensive understanding of the steps
needed to apply, as well as all corresponding supplemental materials for your specific
program of interest.
- Application Deadline: March 15th for early review and a final deadline of May 15th for the Summer term. Please be aware that applications completed before the deadline will be reviewed as they are completed. Classes will begin in July.
- Please note: Upon offer of admission, you will be required to submit an enrollment deposit which will be used towards your first semester’s tuition. To review the amount of the required enrollment deposit, please review our Graduate Student Enrollment Deposit webpage.
- Submit Online Application: Please create your online account and submit your application by following the general application instructions and pay (or waive) the non-refundable $60 application fee. Once this step has been completed, the online portal will allow you to upload your supplemental materials.
The following is a list of the supplemental materials that will accompany your application for the Athletic Training (MS) program:
- Transcript: One from each college attended.
- Write one essay of no more than three double-spaced pages in response to the prompt below. Your essay can include some description, but it should also demonstrate that you have critically reflected on the profession and your potential place within it. Please write in a concise, formal, professional style. If you generalize or make assertions, be sure to provide support for them. In one integrated essay, thoughtfully discuss each of the areas identified below:
- What is/are your primary career goal(s)?
- What in your life has most directly influenced your choice of becoming an Athletic Trainer?
- Describe your attributes and personal experiences that you feel are clearly and directly related to the profession of Athletic Training.
- What is your knowledge of issues and trends in the profession?
- What areas and topics do you hope to study?
- Letters of Recommendation: Letters of Recommendation: Two (2) letters of recommendation, it is preferred if one of the letters of recommendation is from an Athletic Trainer, but not required
- Resume: A current resume is not required, but applicants are encouraged to include one.
- Applicants with non-U.S. degrees, please visit the International Applicants page to review the US degree equivalency information.
If you have any general questions regarding the application process and requirements, please email or call us:
Office of Graduate Admissions
Email: graduate@baoqiuyue.net
Telephone: 973-655-5147
Fax: 973-655-7869
If you have specific inquiries regarding your program of interest, please contact the Athletic Training (MS) Program Coordinator:
*During the summer months, there will be a rotating department chair available to answer your inquiry. Click to find the updated summer chair for this program.*
Program Coordinator: Dr. Fredrick Gardin
Office: University Hall
Email: gardinf@baoqiuyue.net
Telephone: 973-655-7156
