Admission Requirements
Program Options
The MS in Athletic Training program offers you the opportunity to earn your graduate degree in two years if you hold a bachelor’s degree in a related field and have completed the following prerequisite course topics with a “C” or better and a minimum undergraduate cumulative GPA of 3.0:
- Anatomy and Physiology* with Lab
- Biology with Lab
- Chemistry with Lab
- Physics with Lab
- Psychology
- Statistics
*Anatomy and Physiology can be taken as two separate courses or as Anatomy and Physiology I and Anatomy and Physiology II.
Once admitted, students will complete all of the necessary athletic training coursework in 2 years and will then become eligible to sit for the Board of Certification (BOC) examination.
Guaranteed Admission for Partnering Institutions
Aurora University guarantees seats in our MS in Athletic Training Program for students from our partnering institutions. Students who earn a 3.0 undergraduate GPA and a B or better in their prerequisite courses are guaranteed a seat if they graduate from one of the following higher education institutions:
- Benedictine University
- Elmhurst University
- Lake Forest College
- University of St. Francis
Please work with your school advisor or contact Megan Beard, assistant professor of athletic training and director of the MS in Athletic Training program, at mbeard@aurora.edu or 630-844-7841 to determine how to qualify.
Aurora University offers an accelerated 3+2 program that allows you to earn both a Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science degree and a Master of Science in Athletic Training degree in just five years.
By majoring in Exercise Science, you can apply to the MS in Athletic Training program during your junior year. Once admitted, you will begin master’s-level coursework your senior year and graduate with a BS in Exercise Science after four years. You must then complete a summer practicum and a second year of master’s-level coursework before graduating with an MS in Athletic Training degree.
Admission Requirements
Candidates for the 3+2 and 2-year programs must:
- Apply via the online application service, ATCAS.
- Submit official transcripts* from all prior colleges and universities, indicating a minimum undergraduate cumulative GPA of 3.0 (for the 3+2 program, your GPA must meet this requirement at the time you apply).
- Complete all prerequisite courses with a “C” or better.
*Most institutions use Parchment or National Student Clearinghouse to send transcripts. If your college or university does not use either, please have your official transcripts sent to AU-Etranscripts@aurora.edu or the mailing address below.
Aurora University
Office of Admission
347 S. Gladstone Ave.
Aurora, IL 60506
Upon admission to the program, all students will also be required to complete and/or submit:
- Proof of Current Immunizations or Waiver
- Technical Standards Form
- Criminal Background Check
- Drug Screen
- TB Test – within six months of entrance
All students (3+2 and 2-year program) must satisfy university graduate degree requirements including academic standards, to continue in and graduate from the degree program. Please review those policies in the Graduate Regulations and Policies Catalog for details.
Students must also sign and return the Technical Standards Form, acknowledging that they can meet the standards without accommodations. The MS in Athletic Training program faculty will work with the Disability Resource Office to consider and implement accommodations when appropriate. The Technical Standards will be provided once students are accepted into the program as well as the Policies and Procedures Handbook. The documents are also available on the Athletic Training Program Brightspace page for accepted students.
Athletic Training Specific Fees
- CastleBranch Administrative Fee: $5 (First Year)
- CastleBranch Fee: $110 (Includes criminal background check, drug test, and TB test paperwork)
- TB Test: Cost of copay through health insurance or urgent care visit
- ATRACK: $90 (Lifetime Access)