Athletic Training (M.S.)

MSAT Clinical Overview

The Master of Science in Athletic Training program contains 53 weeks of diverse clinical experiences with varied patient populations. During the program, students will complete over 1,200 progressively intensive clinical contact hours. All clinical rotations and hours are supervised by an experienced preceptor who will foster critical thinking and facilitate skill development through guided and autonomous learning opportunities. Over the course of two years, students can engage in experiences within the private, public, or preparatory pediatric setting, Division I, II, or III collegiate setting, orthopedic medicine, general medicine, and other areas specific to each student’s career goals. Each clinical experience is specifically structured to provide students with immense opportunity to practically apply the foundational knowledge and theoretical underpinnings learned while in the classroom to concrete encounters for the purpose of creating new knowledge.

Clinical Education Requirements

To ensure the health and safety of each student and patient, once accepted or matriculated into the MSAT program, students are required to demonstrate that all immunizations have been completed and are current. Other clinical education requirements may include background checks, fingerprints, and possibly drug testing.

Throughout the program, students will experience athletic training in a variety of settings. All students must have or arrange transportation to any off campus clinical sites. Site locations and distances vary. Students are responsible for all associated travel costs and are encouraged to carpool when clinical schedules are alike.

Clinical Education Plan

Fall I

Clinical Education I (MSAT 533) - This clinical education experience includes a combination of clinical contact hours (14 week, 225 hour minimum) and classroom lab experience.  This course will focus on the development and integration of student emergency care, clinical assessment, decision making and rehabilitation with an emphasis on orthopedic evaluation, documentation, and communication skills.  (3 cr.)

Prerequisites

MSAT 510–Regional Anatomy

MSAT 505–Medical Terminology

MSAT 540–Functional Anatomy 

MSAT 504–Advanced Emergency Management

Concurrent Coursework

MSAT 520–Assessment & Diagnosis I (4 cr.)

MSAT 525–Therapeutic Interventions I (4 cr.)

MSAT 514–Evidenced Based Practice I (3 cr.)

MSAT 533– Clinical Education I (3 cr.)

MSAT 522–Mechanical Agents (3 cr.)

Spring I

Clinical Education II (MSAT 534) – This clinical education experience includes a combination of clinical contact hours (14 week, 225 hour minimum) and classroom lab experience.  This experience continues to foster the development and integration of each student in the areas of professional communication, injury prevention, clinical assessment, decision making, and rehabilitation.  Students will also be introduced to various general medical conditions, diagnostic testing, and postural assessment.   (3 cr.)

Prerequisites

MSAT 520–Assessment & Diagnosis I (4 cr.)

MSAT 525–Therapeutic Interventions I (4 cr.)

MSAT 514–Evidenced Based Practice I (3 cr.)

MSAT 533– Clinical Education I (3 cr.)

MSAT 522–Mechanical Agents (3 cr.)

Concurrent Coursework

MSAT 521–Assessment & Diagnosis II (4 cr.)

MSAT 526–Therapeutic Interventions II (4 cr.)

MSAT 541–Behavioral Health (3 cr.)

MSAT 524–Gen Med Conditions (3 cr.)

MSAT 534–Clinical Education II (3 cr.)

Summer II 

Clinical Education III (MSAT 532)— Students will complete a five week (150 hour) immersive clinical experience within a non-traditional athletic training setting.  This rotation will build upon and emphasize student evaluative and assessment techniques and skills on orthopedic and non-orthopedic injuries and illnesses. Students will further develop communication skills while treating diverse patients throughout the lifespan who participate in sport and non-sport activities at varying levels and are of different sexes and socioeconomic status.  (2 cr.)

Prerequisites

MSAT 521–Assessment & Diagnosis II (4 cr.)

MSAT 526–Therapeutic Interventions II (4 cr.)

MSAT 541–Behavioral Health (3 cr.)

MSAT 524–Gen Med Conditions (3 cr.)

MSAT 534–Clinical Education II (3 cr.)

Concurrent Coursework

MSAT 615 Diagnostics (1 cr.)

Fall II

Clinical Education Immersion (MSAT 640)— Students will complete an 8 week (400 hour minimum) immersive clinical experience within athletic training. During this rotation students will utilize their knowledge and skills in each domain of athletic training, displaying competence as they progress towards mastery. Participating as part of the interprofessional healthcare team, students will refine and demonstrate with a high level of expertise the qualities, characteristics, and skills of an athletic trainer. (4 cr.)

Prerequisites:

MSAT 533–Clinical Education I
MSAT 534–Clinical Education II
MSAT 532–Clinical Education III

Concurrent Coursework

MSAT 602—Prof Preparation I (1 cr.)
MSAT 513—Evidenced-Based Practice II (1 cr.)

Spring II

Clinical Externship (MSAT 670) – This six week  immersive experience is designed to provide students with the latitude to gain athletic training experience in their specific interest of clinical practice and where athletic trainers commonly practice. These settings include, but are not limited to: professional, collegiate, high school, hospital, physician offices, military, performing arts, industrial etc. This experience will challenge students to integrate each of the domains and principles of athletic training in real patient care settings.  (2 cr.)

Prerequisites

MSAT 533–Clinical Education I (3 cr.)
MSAT 534–Clinical Education II (3 cr.)
MSAT 532–Clinical Education III (2 cr.)
MSAT 640–Clinical Education IV (4 cr.)

Concurrent Coursework

MSAT 603–Prof. Preparation II (1 cr.)