Master of Science in Athletic Training

Athletic trainers (ATs) are highly qualified, multi-skilled healthcare 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 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. Pursue academic excellence to equip students for contemporary jobs in an ever-changing healthcare system; 
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 interprofessional education and practice with other professions;
4. Seek out diverse faculty, staff, students, and clinical placement sites to grow cultural competence and collaboration in patient-centered clinical decisions;
5. Incorporate outreach opportunities for faculty, staff, and students to engage with community stakeholders through service; and
6. Provide a research experience for students to become creative in their discovery of new and ever advancing knowledge to help inform clinical decision-making. 

Accreditation

• Sam Houston State University is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education (CAATE).

Additional information: Reference the Program Landing Page for additional information, such as cost, delivery format, contact information, or to schedule a visit.

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 November 15 and the final deadline is April 15, annually. The MSAT program is a cohort model which starts each summer during the Summer 1 term. Applicants to the MSAT must meet the following requirements to be considered for regular admission.

Admission Requirements

Students must meet the following admission requirements to be considered for full regular admission to the MSAT program:

1. Demonstrate completion of a bachelor’s degree with an official transcript from the awarding institution or SHSU transcript for 3+2 students showing completion of prescribed coursework.
2. Have a cumulative undergraduate GPA of 3.25 or higher for full regular graduate admission.
3. Have earned a grade of C or higher in all program prerequisite coursework.
4. Completed a minimum of 50 clinical observation hours under the supervision of a Certified and Licensed Athletic Trainer.
5. Have proof of current Basic Life Support (BLS) Certification from the American Heart Association.
6. Have a completed program Immunization Review Form that is signed by a Primary Care Provider (MD, DO, PA, NP).
7. Have a minimum of two signed evaluation forms. One of the forms must be from a licensed and certified Athletic Trainer who supervised your observation hours.
8. Complete all program prerequisites prior to the start of the program.

Application Process

Applicants must complete the following two-step application process, which involves two separate application fees:

• The SHSU Graduate School application fee is $50.

•  ATCAS charges $90 for the first program you apply to and $55 for each additional program.

  • ​ATCAS offers a Fee Assistance Program

Step 1:  Apply to the Graduate School at SHSU by using the ApplyTexas Portal. 

Step 2: Apply to the MSAT Program at SHSU using the ATCAS Submission Portal. 

The following documents will need to be submitted to ATCAS: 

• Official Transcripts
  • Official transcripts from all institutions attended must be sent directly to ATCAS. 
• Clinical Observation Hours Log (minimum of 50 clinical observation hours signed by a certified and licensed athletic trainer)
• Proof of Basic Life Support (BLS Certification) from the American Heart Association
• Completed Immunization Review Form
• Two completed references. One of the forms must be from a Licensed and Certified Athletic Trainer who supervised your observation hours.
• Personal Statement

​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. Prerequisite coursework can be in progress when the application is submitted for Conditional Admission. All required coursework must be completed prior to starting the MSAT program and includes: 

¹

Or equivalent. 

MSAT Program Recommended Prerequisite Coursework

The recommended prerequisites for the MSAT are not required for admission to the program but can increase the admission score if completed with a grade of C or higher. Students seeking admission to the SHSU MSAT program are encouraged to enroll in these courses if electives are available on a student's undergraduate degree plan.

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

¹

Or equivalent. 

Retention Requirements

In alignment with the requirements of all graduate students at Sam Houston State University (Academic Policy Statement 910312), students must meet the following requirements to remain in good academic standing:

• Maintain an SHSU GPA of 3.0 or higher each semester.
•  Additionally, each MSAT student must meet the following program specific benchmarks at their respective level to progress to the next level in the MSAT program:
  •   Maintain a Cumulative MSAT GPA of 3.0 or higher,
  •  Complete specified didactic assessments (as outlined in the course syllabus) at a grade of 75 percent or higher,
  •   Complete all Lab Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE) assessments with a grade of 75 percent or higher, and
  •   Complete all assessed skills in the clinical setting at the level of ‘proficient’ or ‘exceeds proficient’.

• The MSAT program at SHSU has established 75% as the benchmark for competency and proficiency within the specific assessments listed here. Students who do not meet these benchmarks within the policies outlined in the course syllabi will be placed on probation within the MSAT program and will need to retake the course the next time it is offered. This will delay the student’s progression in the MSAT program. Students who do not meet programmatic benchmarks a second time will be terminated from the MSAT program. Students who fail to meet two or more programmatic retention criteria which are unrelated to one another (i.e., separate courses) in a single semester will be terminated from the MSAT program.

Academic Probation, Termination, or Dismissal for graduate students at SHSU can be found in Academic Policy Statement 910312 and includes the following:

•  A graduate student who falls below a 3.0 SHSU GPA at the close of any semester or summer semester will be placed on probation. Two summer sessions are equivalent to one long semester. If an enrolled student fails to achieve a minimum of a 3.0 SHSU GPA at the close of the next semester following the start of the probation, the student will be terminated from graduate studies.
•  A graduate student that earns an F in any graduate course at SHSU will be terminated from graduate studies.
•  A student who earns a grade of C or below in any course at SHSU (repeated or distinct course) within the academic program may have their graduate status reviewed by a committee of the department or college graduate faculty. The committee will recommend appropriate remediation for the student.
•  A student who fails to meet any approved program-specific standards for academic performance will be placed on programmatic probation with remediation or terminated from the program and not permitted to register for the subsequent cohort courses in the program.

Removal of Academic Probation for Graduate Students:

•  The student will be removed from probation at the close of the semester or summer semester in which the SHSU GPA achieves the required standard or
•  In the case of program specific benchmark requirements for the MSAT, the student will be removed from probation when the remediation requirements set forth by the program have been met.

Appeals

•  All graduate students in the MSAT program must use procedures outlined specifically in SHSU Policy 910312 for filing an appeal.

Degree Awards

•  MSAT degrees will be awarded at the completion of the degree plan only when a student is in good standing with a 3.0 GPA or higher and has met all program specific benchmarks within didactic, laboratory, and clinical courses.
•  For students in 3+2 MSAT degree options, both the undergraduate and graduate degree of MSAT will be awarded at the completion of the MSAT requirements only when a student is in good standing only when a student is in good standing with a 3.0 GPA or higher and has met all program specific benchmarks within didactic, laboratory, and clinical courses. 3+2 MSAT students who are not able to complete the MSAT degree are encouraged to revert back to their original BS degree plan and complete the undergraduate degree.
•  MSAT students are required to complete a research project to complete the degree.  The student’s research faculty mentor must verify that all components of the research project have been met in order for degrees to be awarded.

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.

Accreditation

• Sam Houston State University is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education (CAATE).

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.