Master of Athletic Training

At a Glance

The Master of Arts in Athletic Training program at Carthage is designed to develop academic competence, evidence-based practice, and clinical reasoning skills through a sequence of didactic, laboratory, and clinical experiences.

There are two tracks: The 3+2 accelerated track is for students who major in allied health science as an undergraduate at Carthage. The two-year track is for students who already have a bachelor’s degree in a related field.

Degree Earned:

Master of Arts in Athletic Training

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CAATE logo The Master of Arts in Athletic Training Program at Carthage is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training (CAATE). All students must enter the program with foundational knowledge in biology, human anatomy and physiology, kinesiology, exercise physiology, chemistry, physics, psychology, and statistics. The program is open to current Carthage allied health science majors as well as students with a bachelor’s degree in a related field.

There are two options for students to earn their Master of Arts in Athletic Training at Carthage. The 3+2 accelerated track is for students who major in allied health science as an undergraduate at Carthage. The two-year track is for students who already have a bachelor’s degree in a related field.

3+2 Accelerated Track

This track provides a streamlined, five-year pathway to earn a master’s degree in athletic training, reducing the traditional timeline by one full year. Students begin as undergraduate majors in allied health science, completing a three-year pre-professional phase designed to build a strong academic and professional foundation.

This interdisciplinary, liberal arts-based curriculum combines science concepts with healthcare knowledge, with an emphasis on health, wellness, and pathophysiology to prepare students for entry into the professional phase. Students build a strong foundation in the basic sciences and scientific reasoning, develop a comprehensive understanding of anatomy and physiology, and demonstrate effective oral and written communication skills essential for success in graduate-level study.

See 3+2 Accelerated Track requirements

Two-Year Track

Students with an earned bachelor’s degree in a related field can complete a Master of Arts in Athletic Training at Carthage. Following admission to the program, students will complete two years of graduate-level coursework.

See two-Year Track requirements

Athletic training students develop hands-on evaluation and clinical decision-making skills through simulation-based learning, preparing them to assess, treat, and manage injuries with confidence in real-world settings.

Athletic training students gain hands-on experience in injury assessment, corrective exercise, and movement analysis, building the skills needed to evaluate and optimize performance while reducing risk of injury.

Athletic training students develop clinical skills in vital sign assessment, learning to measure blood pressure and monitor cardiovascular status to support safe and effective patient care.

Athletic training students practice hands-on evaluation techniques, developing the skills to assess head and cervical spine injuries with precision and confidence in a controlled learning environment.

Athletic training students develop hands-on skills in ocular assessment, learning to evaluate eye function and recognize potential neurological concerns in a controlled lab setting.

Athletic training students collaborate in small groups to study anatomy and apply foundational knowledge, strengthening their understanding of musculoskeletal structure and function.

Athletic training students practice essential clinical skills such as injection techniques and medication administration, building confidence in safe, precise patient care.

Athletic training students engage in hands-on anatomy study, using models and resources to build a strong understanding of lower extremity structure and function.

Athletic training students refine their skills in instrument-assisted soft tissue techniques, learning to assess tissue quality and apply targeted treatment to support recovery and performance.

Athletic training students work closely with faculty to explore musculoskeletal anatomy, applying foundational knowledge to understand injury, movement, and clinical decision-making.

Athletic training students practice injury management and stabilization techniques, learning to apply braces and immobilizers to support safe recovery and return to activity.

Athletic training students implement rehabilitation techniques to improve mobility and tissue quality, using tools like foam rolling to support recovery and enhance performance.

Athletic training students develop hands-on skills in joint assessment, learning to evaluate range of motion and identify musculoskeletal limitations to guide effective treatment.

Athletic training students collaborate in hands-on learning environments, using anatomical models to deepen their understanding of muscle structure and function.

Athletic training students analyze movement and performance, applying functional assessments to identify limitations and develop strategies to improve strength, stability, and injury prevention.

Athletic training students integrate anatomy with clinical application, working collaboratively to connect foundational knowledge to injury evaluation and treatment decisions.

Athletic training students gain hands-on experience with ultrasound, learning to assess soft tissue structures and enhance clinical decision-making.

Athletic training students practice lower extremity splinting techniques, developing skills in stabilization, patient safety, and emergency injury management.

Athletic training students practice cranial nerve and visual assessment techniques, developing skills in neurological screening and patient evaluation.

Athletic training students practice otoscopic ear examinations, developing skills in cranial nerve assessment, observation, and clinical decision-making.

Athletic training students practice upper extremity range of motion (ROM) assessment, developing skills in joint evaluation, symmetry comparison, and functional movement analysis.

Athletic training students guide functional stretching and mobility exercises, focusing on flexibility, movement quality, and injury prevention.

Athletic training students practice electrocardiogram (ECG) lead placement, building skills in cardiac monitoring, anatomical landmark identification, and clinical assessment.

Athletic training students perform lower extremity stress testing, developing skills in joint stability assessment, injury evaluation, and clinical decision-making.

Athletic training students engage in hands-on anatomy learning, reinforcing musculoskeletal concepts through interactive demonstration while enjoying a fun, supportive learning environment with faculty.

Courses You’ll Take

Students pursuing a Master of Arts in Athletic Training at Carthage take classes in such topics as Administration in Athletic Training, Therapeutic Interventions, Emergency Medical Response, Health and Fitness Principles, and Psychological Aspects in Athletic Training.

See Course Descriptions

Clinical Experiences

Interact with patients from NCAA (Division I, II, and III) and high school sports programs, plus others in industrial and performing arts settings, physicians’ offices, physical therapy clinics, and orthopedic surgery units. Carthage’s Master of Athletic Training program has diverse local, regional, and national clinical education opportunities available.

During the tradition semesters, students will experience seven-week blocks of clinical placements. During summer and J-Term, placements will allow students to experience an immersive opportunity in the traditional collegiate setting, along with an additional student-preferred location.

Faculty and Preceptors

Besides their combined decades of work with Carthage’s own teams, athletic training faculty members draw from experience in a variety of clinical and industrial settings, including physician’s offices, high schools, and NCAA/NAIA institutions. Faculty and preceptors alike mentor athletic training students in their areas of expertise.

Meet our faculty

Opportunities for Athletic Training Students

Original Research: For more than a decade, Carthage has been at the forefront of concussion research in collegiate sports. In collaboration with renowned doctors at the Medical College of Wisconsin, students use leading-edge technology to study head trauma.

Facilities and Equipment: The Master of AT Program (MAT) has a dedicated classroom and laboratory with the latest technology and supplies. MAT students have unlimited, after-hour access to study groups and review sessions. Additional athletic training facilities include a rehabilitation lab and the Jon Swift Sports Medicine Center.

Study Abroad: Understand patients’ cultures by visiting other countries on J-Term study tours such as the medical mission to Nicaragua. Carthage ranks in the Top 5 nationally for student participation in short-term study abroad.

Career Outlook

Through at least 2028, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts job growth for athletic trainers to far exceed the average for all occupations, “as people become more aware of the effects of sports-related injuries, and as the middle-aged and older population remains active.” Alumni of Carthage’s former bachelor’s degree program in athletic training found positions in a variety of settings:

Collegiate athletics — NCAA Division I, II, and III levels
Clinics — Comprehensive Orthopaedics, Froedert South, Ascension, Illinois Bone & Joint Institute
Industrial — Quad/Graphics
Performing arts — Cirque du Soleil
Tactical — Warrior Research Center

See Program Handbook

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