Nov 04, 2024  
2022-2023 Graduate Studies Bulletin 
    
2022-2023 Graduate Studies Bulletin [ARCHIVED BULLETIN]

Athletic Training, MS


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Associate Professor Ellinger, Graduate Program Director, 516-463-6952

This graduate program is designed to prepare students for employment in the profession of athletic training. Athletic Trainers 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. The curriculum is designed to meet the current entry-level athletic training standards established by the Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education (CAATE) and qualify graduates for national certification with the Board of Certification for the Athletic Trainer and state licensure as an athletic trainer.

The mission of the Master of Science in Athletic Training (MSAT) program is to educate future Athletic Training professionals through competency-based didactic and clinical instruction. The program strives for academic excellence and aims to provide quality education to its students in an environment that encourages nurtures, and supports learning. Students will develop the knowledge, skills, and attitudes needed to become reflective healthcare practitioners, researchers, educators, advocates, and leaders in an evolving healthcare environment. Graduates will be able to apply athletic training theory, ethics, and evidence-based patient-centered clinical practice to diverse individuals throughout their lifespan.  Graduates will be dedicated to improving the health of their patients and advocating for their patients and the profession.

The program requires the successful completion of 53 credits, including five clinical-education experiences, over two years, including summer sessions. Courses include didactic, laboratory, and clinical instruction.  The program requires the completion of five clinical education experiences over two years, including a summer session. This campus-based program offers classes on weekdays and evenings. Clinical experiences take place during the week and weekends.

Admission Requirements


Application for admission to the Master of Science in Athletic Training is made to the Graduate Admission Office. Admission is based on a comprehensive review of multiple criteria, including the following:

  • A bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution of higher education (official transcripts from all higher education institutions attended required).
  • Minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 from the baccalaureate degree-granting institution, and cumulative pre-requisite coursework GPA of 2.75.
  • Completion of all prerequisite coursework (see below) within the last 10 years.
  • Personal statement of purpose that summarizes the candidate’s background and rationale for applying to the program.
  • Documentation of 50 hours of prior healthcare experience. Fifty percent or more hours must be under the supervision of an Athletic Trainer.
  • Two letters of recommendation [one from a licensed health care practitioner (e.g., Athletic Trainer, Physician, Physical Therapist, Occupational Therapist, Nurse Practitioner, Physician Assistant, or Chiropractor preferred), and one from an Athletic Trainer who supervised student in health care experience hours].
  • Current resume.
  • An interview with the program director or other Athletic Training faculty is required.
  • Current Certificate of CPR, AED, and First Aid Certification.
  • International students for whom English is not their first language must submit TOEFL exam scores;

The program administration and faculty understand that any single criterion may not reliably predict a student’s potential for success. Applicants who want to be considered even though they do not meet all the admissions criteria are encouraged to offer a rationale for an exception to the requirements in their written personal statement.

Application Procedures

Students begin the Master of Science in Athletic Training program in an immersive cohort-model EMT experience in the summer; upon successful completion, students continue on in the fall semester with didactic and clinical course work. As such, students cannot begin the program in the spring. Applications received by April 15 will be given priority; applications received after April 15 will be reviewed only if space becomes available. 

Once accepted to the MS in Athletic Training Program, students will be required to submit the following documents prior to enrollment:

  • Successful completion of a certified background check.
  • Athletic Training Student liability insurance.
  • Student Health Requirements:
    • Physical examination form, signed by a physician, within 3 months of enrollment;
    • Technical Standards form, signed by a physician, within 3 months of enrollment;
    • Proof of health insurance;
    • Immunization record with proof of current immunizations as required by the University for admission and Clinical Experience placements.

Prerequisite Requirements


Completion of the following prerequisite courses with a cumulative minimum GPA of 2.75 is required. All prerequisite course work must be completed within 10 years of application to the program.

  • Anatomy & Physiology 1 with lab (or Human Anatomy with lab) - 3 semester hours (minimum)
  • Anatomy & Physiology 2 with lab (or Human Physiology with lab) - 3 semester hours (minimum)
  • Biology - 3 semester hours (minimum)
  • Physics (with lab preferred) - 3 semester hours (minimum)
  • Chemistry (with lab preferred) - 3 semester hours (minimum)
  • Psychology - 3 semester hours (minimum)
  • Exercise Physiology - 3 semester hours (minimum)
  • Kinesiology or Biomechanics - 3 semester hours (minimum)
  • Statistics - 3 semester hours (minimum)

Program Requirements - Total Semester Hours: 53


The following major and additional requirements must be fulfilled with a minimum overall GPA of 3.0, with no more than two course grades below B-.

Year One


Year Two


Graduation Requirements


  1. Completion of all program requirements within five years.
  2. A minimum grade point average of 3.0 in overall graduate course work, with no more than two-course grades below B-.

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