Admission Requirements

All prospective students, regardless of the track for admission, must meet the following minimum requirements for admission into the MSAT program:

• Submit ATCAS Application
• Earned bachelor’s degree or higher from a regionally accredited institution of higher learning (or 3+2 student from Colorado Mesa University)
• Minimum overall GPA of 3.0 (on 4.0 scale)
• Minimum science GPA of 3.0 (on 4.0 scale)
  • Science GPA includes all courses with subject codes of Biology/Zoology, Chemistry, and Physics
• Complete all required prerequisite courses with a grade of C or higher, prior to matriculation

Other Information

• The Graduate Record Examination (GRE) is NOT required for admission to the MSAT Program.
• To be considered for an interview, all applicants for whom English is a second language must achieve a minimum score of 550 paper-based on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL; 213 on the computer-based tests or 79-80 on the internet-based test), within the past two years.
• All students who enter the program must fulfill all program requirements.

Post-Admission Requirements
Once the student has been accepted into the ATP, they have additional requirements that must be completed prior to starting any of their clinical rotations. The following documentation/ certification must be current, required and on file with the AT PD.

• A $50 application fee is also due to Colorado Mesa, which can be paid HERE
• TB test- 2 step
• Immunization records (Students must be current on all immunizations, including HepB)
• Criminal Background Check and Drug Screen (Must be completed the summer prior to your matriculation into the program. Only one is needed for the program, but various clinical sites may require updated Criminal Background Checks and Drug Screens)
• NATA Student Membership (Cost varies by state/address)
• Student Liability Insurance (Recommend HPSO for about $25/year)
• Meet AT Program’s Technical Standards and complete a physical examination with a qualified physician
  1. The mental capacity to assimilate, analyze, synthesize, and integrate athletic training concepts into clinical practice,
  2. Sufficient postural and neuromuscular control, sensory function, and coordination to perform appropriate physical examinations,
  3. The ability to communicate effectively and sensitively with patients and colleagues, and
  4. The capacity to maintain composure and continue to function well during periods of high stress

PREREQUISITE COURSE REQUIREMENTS

1. Human Anatomy*#
2. Human Physiology*#
3. General Biology#
4. General Chemistry#
5. Physics#
6. Psychology
7. Exercise Physiology#
8. Nutrition

 * Anatomy & Physiology prerequisites may be met by completing either a two semester (or 3 quarters) combined courses of Anatomy & Physiology, or one course in Human Anatomy and a separate course in Human Physiology.
# Associated lab course preferred but not required

• All prerequisite course work must be earned from a regionally accredited institution and be verifiable through official transcripts, or accepted by a U.S. equivalency reporting agency
• A single course cannot be used to meet multiple prerequisite requirements
• All applicants must have completed the prerequisites courses with a grade of C or higher
• At least five of the eight (5/8) required prerequisites must be completed at time of application submission
  • A plan to complete any uncompleted prerequisite coursework must be documented in the application
• All transcripts for outstanding prerequisite coursework must be received by CMU no later than the start of the MSAT program in the summer 

For Human Anatomy & Physiology, the MSAT will accept:

• Anatomy & Physiology prerequisites may be met by completing either a two semester (or 3 quarters) combined courses of Anatomy & Physiology, or
• One (1) course in Human Anatomy and a separate course (1) in Human Physiology

For General Biology, the MSAT will accept:

• General I or General II Biology
• Cell Biology
• Embryology Biology
• Microbiology
• Other Advanced Biology

For General Chemistry, the MSAT will accept:

• General Chemistry I or II
• Biochemistry
• Inorganic Chemistry
• Organic Chemistry
• Other Advanced Chemistry

For General Physics, the MSAT will accept:

• General Physics
• Other Advanced Physics

For Psychology, the MSAT will accept:

• General Psychology
• Sports Psychology
• Social Psychology
• Abnormal Psychology
• Adolescent or Child Psychology
• Developmental Psychology
• Life Span Development

For Nutrition, the MSAT will accept:

• General Nutrition
• Human Nutrition
• Sport Nutrition
• Health & Human Performance
• Other Advanced Nutrition 

For Exercise Physiology, the MSAT will accept:

• Exercise Physiology
• Applied Exercise Physiology
• Pathophysiology of Exercise
• Other Advanced Exercise Physiology

For questions related to prerequisite course requirements, please email us at [email protected]

ADMISSIONS PROCEDURES

Step 1

• Submit a verified ATCAS Application by the appropriate application deadline(s), this includes submitting the following to ATCAS:
  • Official transcripts to ATCAS from all colleges and universities attended
  • Personal statement
    • “Describe your professional goals including why you have chosen Athletic Training as a career”
  • Statement of intent (submit in the “Writing Sample” document type)
    • “Describe the aspects of the Colorado Mesa MS in Athletic Training program that appeal to you and how these aspects will help you towards your career goals in athletic training”
  • Resume
  • Answer program-specific questions
  • Must have completed 40 hours of post-secondary shadowing/observation with an Athletic Trainer by the time of application
  • 2 letters of recommendation
    • One (1) letter from a Certified Athletic Trainer
    • One (1) letter from a Professor/Advisor who can speak about the applicant’s academic abilities
  • The MSAT Admissions Committee will review each application and invite those qualified to move onto Step 2 of our application process. Applicants will be evaluated on:
    • Verified ATCAS application
    • Overall GPA
    • Science GPA
    • GPA in the last 60 credits
    • Prerequisite GPA
    • Letters of recommendation
    • Personal statement
    • Writing sample

 Step 2

• Applicants selected by the MSAT Admissions committee will be invited to an online (e.g., zoom) interview with the committee
• The MSAT Admissions Committee will then review each applicant’s ATCAS application and online interview and decide on admissions decisions

Step 3

• Applicants will be notified of the MSAT Admissions Committee decision
  • To accept an offer of admission, applicants must notify the Program Director of their decision to accept and pay the required CMU Application Fee of $50
• The Program Director, Coordinator of Clinical Education, or the Graduate Admissions Coordinator will follow up with each student who has accepted the offer of admission and paid the CMU Application Fee to begin working on post-admission documentation that is required by various dates prior to the first clinical education rotation, these include:
  • Vaccination records
  • Criminal Background Check and Drug Screen
  • NATA Student Membership
  • Student Liability Insurance
  • Technical Standards
  • Current BLS CPR certification
    • The MSAT will provide and pay for an Emergency Cardiac Care Workshop (Adult/Pediatric CPR, AED, Barrier devices) that must be attended by each MSAT student as part of the program prior to the student’s first clinical education rotation

APPLICATION DEADLINES

• Priority Review Deadline- November 1st each year
  • Applications received by the priority review deadline will be prioritized in determining admission into the CMU Program
  • Admissions decisions for priority review deadline applicants will be made around December 1^st each year
•  Final Review Deadline- January 15th each year
  • 3+2 students at Colorado Mesa should apply by the Final Review deadline
  • Admissions decisions for final review deadline applicants will be made by February 15th

3+2 APPLICANTS

In addition to the admission minimum requirements and procedures above, 3+2 applicants from Colorado Mesa University must meet the following criteria:

• 3.50 GPA or higher
• Students must have more than 90 earned credit hours (recommended minimum of 114 credits completed prior to start of MSAT program)
• Students may take up to 6 total credits of graduate credit and apply those credits to both the graduate and undergraduate degree
• Submission of a 3+2 Concurrent Enrollment application form outlining how all remaining bachelor's degree requirements and all MSAT requirements will be met within the two years of the MSAT program.

 After admission into the 3+2 MSAT Concurrent Enrollment Program, the student:

• Must follow the two-year recommended course sequence for the MSAT course component
• Must notify the MSAT Program Director immediately if justifiable life circumstances do not allow the student to complete both undergraduate and graduate programs within two years of admission into the program
• Must complete ALL bachelor's degree graduation requirements in the same semester or prior to completing all MSAT graduation requirements
• Must submit the necessary paperwork to graduate with the bachelor's degree to the Department of Kinesiology with a copy to the MSAT Program Director AND must submit the necessary paperwork to graduate with the MSAT to the MSAT Program Director. This requirement must be met before the published deadline in the semester prior to intended graduation.

INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS

Students who are not United States citizens or permanent residents are considered international students and, as such, should be issued certificates of eligibility from the CMU Admissions Office to enroll in graduate studies at CMU. The Director of International Admissions and Programs assists students in maintaining non-immigrant status and provides support for them in acclimating to the campus environment. International applicants should satisfy all requirements for admission that apply to U.S. citizens as set forth above. Additionally, in order to establish eligibility to enroll in graduate studies at CMU, international applicants are required to:

1. Provide a Professional Transcript Evaluation (such as ECE, WES or NACES) of courses taken at a college/university outside the United States on which the application for admission is being based.
2. Furnish evidence of proficiency in English. This is accomplished by taking the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or a comparable test (as determined by the CMU Registrar). The test should have been completed in the past two years and the score with the communication subsection score should be sent directly to the CMU Director of Graduate Studies by the testing service.
   1. The MSAT program requires a minimum score of 550 on the TOEFL or 80 on the internet-based test
3. Complete the Certification of Financial Responsibility Form and provide evidence of sufficient financial resources and the exact amount expected from each source of income (this is required for applicants who need a Student Visa).
4. Submit an International Student Health Form to the Director of International Admissions and Programs attesting to the good health and current immunizations of the applicant. The submission should also include proof of major medical insurance coverage.

 International students on F-1 or J-1 visas are not eligible to enroll as non-degree seeking students. Students on F-1 visas must register for a full-time course load of at least 6 credit hours per semester.

TRANSFER STUDENTS

The MSAT program does not accept transfer credit from another university as part of the graduation requirements for the MSAT degree. Transfer credit is only allowed to meet undergraduate degree requirements as part of the 3+2 program.

All MSAT students must verify that they do not have conditions that endanger the health and well-being of other students and patients. Colorado state regulations require that all university students have two (2) valid doses of Measles, Mumps, and Rubella vaccine, unless the student was born before July 1, 1957, or the student can provide acceptable laboratory evidence (blood test) showing immunity to Measles, Mumps, and Rubella. 6 CCR § 1009-2:IX. If the student completes an exemption form and an outbreak occurs, the student will be subject to exclusion from the school.

Students must show documentation of receiving these immunizations or a titer showing immunity. Due to the requirements of our program clinical partners, students may also be required to receive the annual flu shot in the fall. Students who have medical contraindications or qualify for an exemption to receiving these vaccinations must provide documentation from a medical provider. Any athletic training student that chooses not to meet the immunization and health screening requirements or does not complete an exemption, may be unable to complete their required clinical experiences and risk delay in graduation.

Screening requirements are subject to change as mandated by clinical sites or changes in the laws regulating occupational exposure.

The MSAT program requires the following immunizations and screenings:

1. 2-step TB Test
   • Note- this is a 2-step test! Meaning you must do the test two times about 1 month apart.
2. Measles, Mumps, Rubella (MMR)
3. Tetanus-Diphtheria-Pertussis (Tdap)
4. Varicella (Chickenpox) immunity (either (+) chickenpox proof or Varicella immunization)
5. Influenza (will be required annually around Oct.1 of each year)
6. Hepatitis B (optional but recommended)

Estimated MSAT Total Cost for Entire 2-Year Program (PDF)

Information about financial aid and/or student loans can be found at the Financial Aid website. The MSAT Program currently waives out-of-state tuition, and all students admitted into the MSAT program pay in-state tuition.  The table below outlines the expected tuition, fees, and program-related expenses for the 2025-2026 academic year. This data is an estimate as tuition and fees may change based on funding to the University as allocated from the finalized budget of the state of Colorado. Our program is committed to limiting the amount of program fees and/or expected costs and the costs listed below are deemed appropriate to meet program requirements and to maximize student success.

The University Tuition refund policy and add/drop/withdrawal deadlines can be found online.

FAQs

1. Does my undergraduate degree have to be Exercise Science?
   • No, you can be any major - as long as you have completed your MSAT prerequisite courses and completed a degree (unless 3+2 student) by the start of the program
2. Should I have my 40 hours of observation completed by the time I apply?
   • Yes
3. Must I have all prerequisite courses completed by the time I apply?
   • No, it is normal for applicants to have 1-2 prerequisites pending at time of application. All prerequisites must be completed, and degree conferred (unless 3+2 student), by the time the program begins. At least five of the eight (5/8) required prerequisites must be completed at time of application submission.
4. How long is each clinical education experience?
   • During year 1, each rotation is 8 weeks long and students will have 4 clinical rotations by the end of the first year.
   • During year 2, rotations can be semester-long or for the entire year
5. Do I get to choose my clinical rotation placement?
   • Year 1 = No
   • Year 2 = We ask for your input and try to accommodate your choice but still must meet accreditation standards
6. How many students are accepted?
   • We prefer smaller cohorts of 10-15 to maximize personalized education. Max of 20 admits per year.
7. When does the program begin?
   • Mid to Late June each year. For the cohort starting in 2025, our academic orientation will be on June 21st and the first day of classes will be June 23rd, 2025. 
   • See our MSAT Academic Calendar within the Curriculum page 
8. Who can I contact if I have additional questions?
   • We welcome your questions and glad to assist. Please see our Contact Page to direct your question or to submit an online form