Master of Science
Athletic Training

Program Mission

The Athletic Training Education Program at California Baptist University prepares students to live their purpose as allied health professionals who give comprehensive care to the physically active person in need by developing clinical knowledge and skill through high academic standards and evidence based practice, and providing quality clinical experiences with professionals committed to furthering the profession through practice based evidence.

Program Distinctives

01 Whole Person Care

02 Mentorship

03 Diverse Clinical Experiences

04 Manual Therapy

05 inter-professional education

Athletic training students at CBU are trained to be healthcare professionals who give comprehensive care to the person in need, not just the injury or illness. An emphasis on whole-person care means CBU students are taught to treat patients’ physical, emotional and spiritual needs. Faith integration is threaded throughout all aspects of the program to ground students with meaning in a demanding field.

The faculty and preceptors in the Athletic Training program truly invest in the growth and development of our students. The classroom setting at CBU allows professors to get to know their students and help them succeed. They do everything in their power to put students in a position to thrive—whether that’s in the classroom or in the clinic. I am always encouraged to hear students share they have been impacted by their professors and feel equipped for professional practice due to the breadth of material incorporated in the program.

Invested preceptors, or clinical instructors, supervise and mentor students throughout the program at a wide variety of hands-on sites including professional teams, various collegiate levels, secondary schools and emerging settings like entertainment, industry and workplace. Fully immersive experiences are being continually added to provide students with new and unique opportunities to grow in the field.

Another significant focus is given to manual therapy and functional movement through treatment approaches and instruction. Faculty expertise and clinical exposure encourage the growth and development of CBU athletic trainers in areas beyond the minimum requirements of the Board of Certification examination. Continuing education and specialty certifications are offered in a variety of areas to students and alumni of the Athletic Training program and maintain cutting-edge practice in advanced Athletic Training techniques.

CBU also places an emphasis on interprofessional collaboration and educational experiences. Students will have an opportunity to work closely with other healthcare professionals in simulations, hear from guest lecturers from a variety of fields and plan events with six other healthcare professions. The need for effective communication between specialties in healthcare is essential for successful patient outcomes.

"I feel so blessed to have gone through this program. Anything else I would not feel as prepared as I go into the real world."

Alumni - Class of 2020

“As an athletic training staffing company who regularly needs qualified candidates for work, we often seek out Cal Baptist grads for their level of readiness and professionalism. Over the years we have learned that graduates of this program demonstrate themselves in such a manner that is conducive to immediate placement in independent work opportunities, have strong communication skills, and know how to advocate for their needs. This stands out from other programs we recruit from, where grads often need additional mentorship or advisement to successfully integrate themselves into the workforce.” \

Alisha M Pennington MS ATC / Owner

ATvantage Athletic Training