M.S. in Athletic Training

Program Overview

The M.S. in Athletic Training at UB is a two-year, 60-credit hour program. It is designed to promote a comprehensive education that integrates both didactic coursework and hands-on clinical experiences. Students engage in 47 credits of classroom learning and 13 credits of practical clinical rotations. This full immersion in clinical settings, spanning approximately 69 weeks over two years, ensures students gain significant practical experience. Upon successful completion of the program, graduates are eligible to sit for the Board of Certification (BOC) examination, which is required to become a Certified Athletic Trainer and for state licensure in most states.

CAATE Accredited: Yes, the M.S. in Athletic Training program at the University at Buffalo is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education (CAATE). In fact, UB's program recently achieved full reaccreditation for 10 years, the longest period possible, affirming its high standards in curriculum, faculty expertise, and student training. CAATE is the sole accreditor of athletic training programs in the U.S., ensuring that programs adhere to the rigorous educational requirements necessary for professional practice in the field. This accreditation is crucial as students must graduate from a CAATE-accredited program to be eligible to take the BOC certification examination.

Curriculum: The 60-credit curriculum for the M.S. in Athletic Training is structured to provide a thorough educational foundation in athletic training principles and practices. Key areas of study include prevention, examination, diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation of injuries and medical conditions. The program integrates advanced clinical competencies, such as injections and suturing, which are now considered entry-level skills for athletic trainers. The curriculum combines didactic coursework with extensive clinical experiences in various settings, including on-campus athletic training clinics, university athletics programs, hospitals, urgent care clinics, high schools, and sports medicine clinics in the greater Buffalo area. This ensures students develop strong clinical proficiency, foundational knowledge, and essential communication and collaboration skills.

Research Focus: While the M.S. in Athletic Training is a professional master's degree with a strong clinical emphasis, it is offered within a research-intensive university (UB is an R1 research institution). The program's mission explicitly states its aim to prepare students to function as evidence-based clinicians and to integrate research and standards of evidence-based practice and quality improvement in clinical decision-making. Faculty within the School of Public Health and Health Professions and affiliated departments (such as Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine) are engaged in musculoskeletal research, including areas like sports medicine and concussion. Students are trained to utilize and contribute to evidence-based practices, ensuring they are informed by the latest research in the field.

Industry Engagement: The M.S. in Athletic Training program at UB is highly focused on preparing graduates for direct entry into the workforce as certified athletic trainers. The program emphasizes extensive hands-on clinical experiences across a wide range of settings, including collegiate athletics, high schools, hospitals, urgent care centers, and sports medicine clinics. These practical experiences are vital for building the clinical proficiency and professional networks necessary for successful employment. UB aims to create the next generation of leaders in athletic training who are well-versed in contributing to evidence-based practice and collaborating with other healthcare professionals, which are critical skills in the modern healthcare landscape.

Global Perspective: The M.S. in Athletic Training at UB, while rooted in U.S. healthcare standards, inherently fosters a global perspective through its emphasis on patient-centered care for diverse populations and collaboration within interprofessional healthcare teams. Injuries and health conditions associated with physical activity are universal, and the principles of prevention, diagnosis, and rehabilitation are applicable across different healthcare systems and cultures. As a major public research university, UB attracts a diverse international student body, enriching the learning environment with varied cultural viewpoints and approaches to healthcare. This exposure prepares graduates to provide culturally competent care and potentially contribute to sports medicine and athletic training initiatives in a global context.