Master of Science in Athletic Training

Athletic trainers (ATs) are highly qualified, multi-skilled health care professionals who collaborate with physicians to provide preventative services, emergency care, clinical diagnosis, therapeutic intervention and rehabilitation of injuries and medical conditions.  Athletic Training encompasses the prevention, examination, diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation of emergent, acute or chronic injuries and medical conditions. Athletic training is recognized by the American Medical Association (AMA), Health Resources Services Administration (HRSA), and the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) as an allied health care profession (National Athletic Training Association).

Mission

The mission of the Master of Science in Athletic Training (MSAT) degree program is to develop diverse contemporary clinicians who collaborate with healthcare professionals and community partners to deliver patient-centered culturally competent care. The program strives to instill the qualities of a life-long learner that will progress graduates to clinical expertise.

Objectives

The MS in  Athletic Training degree program strives to:

1. Equip athletic training students for contemporary practice in an evolving health care system through academic, clinical, and professional excellence;
2. Value professional development of faculty, staff, and students to inspire life-long learning that aligns with personal and professional goals;
3. Engage and promote inter-professional education and practice with other professions;
4. Prioritize diversity among faculty, staff, students, and clinical placement sites to foster cultural competence and collaboration in the delivery of healthcare;
5. Integrate community engagement and service-learning experiences for faculty, staff, and students; and
6. Conduct student-led research by allowing students to become creative in their discovery of new and ever advancing knowledge.

Applications to the Master of Science in Athletic Training (MSAT) program are reviewed on a rolling basis with one admission process annually.  The priority deadline for admissions is April 15^th and the final deadline is May 15^th to enter the program in summer 2021; and the priority deadline for admissions is November 15, 2021, and the final deadline is April 15, 2022, to enter the program in summer 2022. Applicants to the MSAT must meet the following requirements to be considered for regular admission.

Please submit the following documents to the Office of Graduate Admissions:

1. Graduate Admissions Application
2. Application Fee
3. Demonstrate completion of a bachelor’s degree with an official transcript from the awarding institution
4. Submit official transcripts and have a cumulative undergraduate GPA of 3.25 or higher
5. Submit official scores from the GRE obtained within the past 5 years
6. Earn a grade of C or higher in all program prerequisite coursework
7. Complete a minimum of 75 clinical observation hours under the supervision of a Certified and Licensed Athletic Trainer 
8. Submit proof of current Basic Life Support (BLS) Certification from the American Heart Association
9. Submit a completed program Immunization Review Form that is signed by a Primary Care Provider (MD, DO, PA, NP)
10. Provide a minimum of two completed evaluation forms. One of these must be from an Athletic Trainer who supervised the student’s observation hours.
11. Complete all program prerequisites prior to the start of the program

​Program Prerequisites

The following prerequisite coursework is designated as either required or recommended.  The required coursework must be satisfactorily completed (a grade of C or better) to be considered for regular admission to the MSAT program. The recommended coursework is optional but completed work in this area may benefit the student in their pursuit of admission to the MSAT program. Recommended prerequisite coursework that is completed at the time of program application will add additional points to the candidate acceptance rubric for the proposed degree.

MSAT Program Required Prerequisite Coursework

 The following bachelor’s level coursework must be completed prior to applying to the MSAT Program to be considered for full admission: 

• A minimum of three hours of General Biology
• A minimum of eight hours of Anatomy and Physiology
• A minimum of three hours of General Chemistry
• A minimum of three hours of Physics or Biomechanics
• A minimum of three hours of Statistics
• A minimum of three hours of General or Introductory Psychology
• A minimum of three hours of Functional Kinesiology
• A minimum of three hours of Exercise Physiology
• A minimum of three hours of Nutrition
• A minimum of three hours in Prevention & Care of Athletic Training
   

Please, note the corresponding SHSU course numbers and titles in the below listing.  

MSAT Program Recommended Prerequisite Coursework

The following bachelor’s level coursework is recommended to be completed prior to applying to the MSAT Program: 

• Introduction to Athletic Training
• Ethnic Studies
• Epidemiology
• Multicultural Health
• Biomechanics or Pathomechanics
• Psychology of Sport and Exercise
• Medical Terminology
• Public Health

 Please, note the corresponding SHSU course numbers and titles in the below listing. 

Retention Requirements

In alignment with the requirements of all graduate students at Sam Houston State University, students must meet the following requirements to remain in good academic standing:

• Maintain an overall graduate GPA of 3.0 or higher (A 3.0 is the absolute minimum required for graduation)
• Grades of “B” or better are required for all graduate level coursework. A student who earns a “C” in any course within the program will have his/her graduate status reviewed by a committee comprised of the department or college’s graduate faculty, and appropriate remediation will be implemented.  If a second grade of “C” is earned the student will be terminated from the program and from graduate studies at SHSU.
   

Additionally, each student must meet the following benchmarks at their respective level to progress in the program:

• Complete all assessed skills in the clinical setting at the level of ‘proficient’ or ‘exceeds proficient’
• Complete all lab practical assessments with a grade of 75 percent or higher

Notes

• Maintain an overall graduate GPA of 3.0 or higher (A 3.0 is the absolute minimum required for graduation).
• Grades of “B” or better are required for all graduate level coursework. A student who earns a “C” in any course within the program will have his/her graduate status reviewed by a committee comprised of the department or college’s graduate faculty, and appropriate remediation will be implemented.  If a second grade of “C” is earned the student will be terminated from the program and from graduate studies at SHSU.
• Complete all assessed skills in the clinical setting at the level of ‘proficient’ or ‘exceeds proficient.'
• Complete all lab practical assessments with a grade of 75 percent or higher.

The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB) marketable skills initiative is part of the state’s 60x30TX plan and was designed to help students articulate their skills to employers.  Marketable skills are those skills valued by employers and/or graduate programs that can be applied in a variety of work or education settings and may include interpersonal, cognitive, and applied skill areas.

The Master of Science in Athletic Training is designed to provide graduates with the following marketable skills:

• Communicate and collaborate with other healthcare professions.
• Promote healthy lifestyle behaviors to minimize the risk of injury and illness.
• Implement systematic, evidence-based examinations and assessments to determine best care for active patient populations.
• Utilize best practices in immediate and emergency care situations.
• Apply therapeutic interventions, including therapeutic modalities, manual therapies, and therapeutic exercise.
• Integrate best practices of policy development, documentation practices, and basic business practices to promote optimal patient care.