Roanoke College students guaranteed admission to Radford’s graduate athletic training program

Radford University’s Master of Science in Athletic Training (M.S.A.T.) degree program now offers Roanoke College students a smooth and efficient pathway into its curriculum.

Through a recent agreement between the schools, Radford will guarantee two graduate seats each year for Roanoke students interested in athletic training, an important field that offers abundant and expanding career positions with high schools and universities, athletic groups and fitness and rehabilitation centers, among other organizations.

“The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects a strong job outlook for athletic trainers, with employment expected to grow by 13% between 2023 and 2033 — well above the national average for most professions,” said Program Director Angela Mickle.

The BLS also estimates about 2,700 openings for athletic trainers annually over the next decade, with those positions paying a median income of $60,250.

Radford’s M.S.A.T. program was launched in 2022 and last year was fully accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Athletic Training Education (CAATE); students seeking to become certified athletic trainers must graduate from a program that has earned that distinction.

The two-year program, which follows a seven-week course format and is capped at 61 credit hours, offers Virginia’s most affordable M.S.A.T. program. Each cohort is limited to 16 students, who study alongside certified athletic trainers in a spacious laboratory with state-of-the-art equipment. Course textbooks and supplies are provided at no cost.

Guaranteed admission positions require a minimum of a 3.0 cumulative undergraduate grade point average and a 3.2 GPA in required coursework through this agreement. Prerequisite courses are listed on the M.S.A.T. web page.  

“Radford University is proud to be the only public university in Southwest Virginia offering a master’s in athletic training,” Mickle said.

“Our partnership with Roanoke College is especially exciting because it expands the pipeline of highly qualified athletic trainers who will serve schools, colleges, universities and businesses throughout the New River Valley and the Roanoke region,” she said.

“We are confident that the outstanding preparation Roanoke students receive will enable them to transition seamlessly into Radford’s M.S.A.T. program and continue their path toward professional excellence.”

Applications for the M.S.A.T. program are due by March 1 and can be submitted online through the Athletic Training Centralized Application System (ATCAS) link on Radford’s athletic training web page.