The Marshall University Professional Masters of Science in Athletic Training (PMSAT) Early Assurance Program (EAP) allows incoming undergraduate Marshall University students (in-state or out-of-state) to apply for acceptance into the Masters in Athletic Training Early Assurance Program. Successful applicants will have a guaranteed seat in the Athletic Training program, pending the completion of all undergraduate requirements and program pre-requisites from Marshall University. The goal of the program is to:

Enroll and retain highly motivated and talented high school students to Marshall University, and then to the Professional Master of Science in Athletic Training to complete both undergraduate and graduate degrees in the 3+2 program.

Cumulative High School GPA of 3.5 on a 4.0 Scale.
Two letters of reference/recommendation from high school teachers in STEM, Health Science related courses, or a Certified Athletic Trainer.
One page personal statement/essay.
On-Campus Interview in February with the PMSAT EAP admissions committee.
Acceptance to Marshall University.

Apply Now

Students must declare athletic training as their undergraduate major.
Complete their undergraduate pre-requisite requirements within their first 3 years and have 90 credit hours completed by the start of the program (Summer 3).
Students must maintain an overall 3.5 GPA and must have a cumulative pre-requisite GPA of a 3.2 in the following courses: (BSC 227, BSC228, Biology (Any), Physics (Any), Chemistry (Any), Stats (Any), PSY 201, HS200, HS 215, HS 220, HS 222, DTS 210, ESS 345, and HS 365). Students must maintain a 3.0 GPA each semester (students may fall below a 3.0 GPA for a maximum of one semester during their first 3 years).
Students must successfully complete at least 45 hours of directed observation in athletic training prior to starting their senior semester.
Students will apply through ATCAS in the Spring of their Junior year to ensure that all criteria have been met or are in the process of being completed.

Students must apply and be accepted into Marshall University and be declared an athletic training major prior to applying to the PMSAT Early Assurance Program.
Students must complete the Early Assurance Program application and submit supporting materials to Zach Garrett, ATC, PMSAT Program Director (Gullickson Hall Room 204, One John Marshall Dr., Huntington, WV 25755) no later than the application submission deadline. An incomplete application package may negatively impact the applicant’s selection.
Applications must include:
- Application form including personal statement/essay
- Official high school transcripts
- ACT or SAT Scores
- Two letters of reference/recommendation from high school teachers in STEM, Health Science related courses, or a Certified Athletic Trainer.
Once applications are received and reviewed, the applicant will be notified in writing if they have been selected for an interview.
Finalists will be required to participate in on-campus interviews.
Upon completion of the interview, the PMSAT admissions committee will vote on the applicant’s admission to the EAP.

Open for Applications: August 1, 2025 (Applications accepted until March 1st, unless spots are still available.)
Application deadline: March 1, 2025
Letters of Recommendation/Transcripts/ACT or SAT scores reported by: March 1, 2025
Interviews for the PMSAT Early Assurance Program (required): Within 2-4 weeks of application submission

Apply to the Early Assurance Program

For more information, please contact Dr. Zach Garrett at garrett46@marshall.edu.

student wrapping an ankle in an athletic training lab

Athletic Training BS to MS Program

The Bachelor of Science in Athletic Training degree program is now an innovative 3+2 program structure where students complete both a Bachelor’s and a Master’s degree in a total of five years. Incoming freshmen declare the major Bachelor of Science in Athletic Training, and then apply to the Professional Master of Science in Athletic Training program in their third academic year. When accepted to the program, these students then complete both the Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in the last two years of the program, allowing students to earn graduate credits at a discounted undergraduate rate.

Students with a bachelor’s degree from another institution are also encouraged to apply to the Marshall University Athletic Training program. These students can complete the MS portion of the program in two years like most traditional master’s degree programs in Athletic Training.

Master of Science in Athletic Training

Continuing with the 2025-2026 academic year, the program is organized in a 3 + 2 and 4+2 structure. This means that during the student’s first three years at Marshall University he/she would be taking the required MU core courses in addition to those courses that are required to apply to the ATP including: Anatomy, Physiology, Biology, Physics, Chemistry, Kinesiology, Exercise Physiology, Nutrition, Personal Health/ Wellness, Medical Terminology, Statistics, First Aid & CPR, Sociology, and Introduction to Athletic Training. During these first three years, students could also elect to take pre-requisite courses that are needed to apply to Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Physician’s Assistant, or Medical School. At the end of this three year period and assuming that all the ATP admission requirements have been met, Athletic Training majors would then apply to the Professional Master of Science in Athletic Training Program. Once admitted, students will have two additional years to complete all the ATP class and clinical requirements and would graduate with the Master’s degree. So, in a 5-year period, students can finish the ATP with a Master’s degree. Students presently enrolled at Marshall and having completed the ATP application requirements by the spring 2026 semester should apply at this time. Information on the ATP application process, as well as the documents that need to be completed, can be found here.

The Professional Master of Science in Athletic Training Program (PMSATP) at Marshall University prepares students for entry into athletic training, medicine, physical therapy, and other allied health and professional fields. Near the completion of this program, the student has the opportunity to sit for the Board of Certification (BOC) Examination as a result of the program’s CAATE-accreditation status

The MS in Health and Movement Sciences is recognized as a STEM-designated degree program by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. As such, eligible F-1 international students who complete this program may qualify to apply for the 24-month STEM OPT extension, provided they meet all federal regulatory requirements.

The curricular plan for students beginning the professional master of science in athletic training program in summer 2025.
3 + 2 Plan of Study
Application Packet

The Professional Master of Science in Athletic Training Program (MSATP) at Marshall University prepares students for entry into athletic training, medicine, physical therapy, and other allied health and professional fields. Near the completion of this program, the student has the opportunity to sit for the Board of Certification (BOC) Examination as a result of the program’s CAATE-accreditation status.

The mission of the PMSATP at Marshall University is to meet the academic and clinical education needs of individuals desiring to become BOC-certified athletic trainers. This mission is accomplished through curricular planning, along with faculty and preceptor organization, in order to educate each student about the theoretical and clinical skills necessary to work effectively with the physiological, psychological and biomechanical aspects of injury, illness and performance regarding physically active patients. The MSATP provides education and services for a society that is open, complex, demanding, and evolving. To this end, the PMSATP seeks to achieve the following goals:

Prepare students to pass the Board of Certification Examination. Eighty percent or higher overall exam pass rate.
Prepare students for professional practice by demonstrating the Foundational Behaviors of Professional Practice as identified by the 5th edition of the Competencies in Athletic Training (i.e., Primacy of the Patient, Team Approach to Practice, Legal Practice, Ethical Practice, Advancing Knowledge, Cultural Competence, and Professionalism).
Prepare students for entry into the Athletic Training workforce in any chosen clinical setting, including entrance into professional schools and advanced graduate level education.
Present students with the didactic, psychomotor, and affective experiences that will lead them to being able to exercise sound ethical judgment, achieve satisfying careers, and make positive contributions to their communities.
Participate in the continuing development of practicing athletic trainers through the development and dissemination of new theories, concepts, and practices.
Increase the Athletic Training body of knowledge by providing opportunities to conduct original research and dissemination of results of this result related to athletic training.
Cooperate with individuals and clinicians, both on campus and off campus, to provide enhanced educational and clinical opportunities for students.
Provide educational and service resources to West Virginia, Tri-State Region, and nationally.

The PMSATP curriculum is designed to prepare the student to first meet and then become proficient in the Competencies in Athletic Training identified in the current version of this document. To this end, the PMSATP has identified the following eight program outcomes:

The student will apply clinical reasoning skills throughout the physical examination process, and will assimilate the acquired data in order to select the appropriate assessment tests, formulate a differential diagnosis, and determine an appropriate treatment plan or referral to other healthcare professionals.
The student will adapt therapeutic interventions using clinician- and patient-based outcome measures with the consideration to the stage of healing and treatment goals, thus maximizing the patient’s participation and health-related quality of life.
The student will adapt evidence-based and best practice standards when making clinical decisions and critically examining athletic training practice.
The student will integrate strategies and programs to reduce the incidence and/or severity of injuries and illnesses, as well as optimize their patients’ overall health and quality of life.
The student will be able to evaluate and construct management strategies for patients with acute injuries and illnesses.
The student will identify, adapt to, and abide by location, state, and national governmental regulations, as well as the regulation of the appropriate professional organizations; in order to display sound moral and ethical judgment in the practice of Athletic Training.
The student will be able to determine if a patient is exhibiting abnormal social, emotional, and mental behaviors, and then refer the patient to other healthcare providers as necessary.
The student will be able to perform within the context of a healthcare system. Integral to this function is an understanding of risk management, healthcare delivery mechanisms, insurance, reimbursement documentation, patient privacy, and facility management.
The student will gain experience working with diverse populations which includes but limited to: sex, race, age, disabilities/abnormalities, and socioeconomic status.

CAATE Program Assessment Measures

CAATE Program Information and Outcomes Page

The Master of Science in Athletic Training Program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education (CAATE), 2001 K Street NW, Third Floor North Washington, DC 20006.