Athletic Training M.S.
Degree: Master of Science
https://www.towson.edu/chp/departments/kinesiology/athletic-training/index.html
Program Director: Emily E. Hildebrand, PhD, LAT, ATC
Phone: 410-704-3174
Email: ehildebrand@towson.edu
The professional Master of Science degree in Athletic Training at Towson University is a competency-based program, comprised of classroom and clinical learning, designed to meet educational and healthcare workforce needs and opportunities for athletic trainers. Athletic trainers (ATs) are highly qualified, multi-skilled health care professionals who render service and treatment under the direction of, or in collaboration with, a physician. As part of the health care team, services provided by ATs include primary care, injury and illness prevention, wellness promotion and education, emergent care, examination and clinical diagnosis, therapeutic intervention and rehabilitation of injuries and medical conditions in the physically active population.
Professional Accreditation
The accrediting body for an athletic training program is the Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education (CAATE). The Towson University professional Master of Science in Athletic Training Program is currently accredited by the CAATE, 6850 Austin Center Blvd., Suite 100, Austin, TX 78731-3101. Program outcomes are maintained and posted annually on the website.
Students who successfully complete the MS in AT curriculum requirements and graduate are eligible to take the national Board of Certification Examination, Inc. for the athletic trainer. Upon successful completion of this examination, individuals are then considered certified athletic trainers (ATC) and should then complete state guidelines in order to enter the workforce. Most states require a license to work as an AT. More information regarding the athletic training profession may be found by visiting the National Athletic Trainers' Association.
Admission Requirements
Application deadlines and a full listing of materials required for admission can be found on the website. All applicants will need to complete: 1) application through the Athletic Training Centralized Application Service (ATCAS) and 2) a Towson University supplemental application form.
Prerequisites for Admission
Transcript evidence of completing the following prerequisite courses with a grade of "C" or better by May 31:
- Biology (100 level or higher) - 4 units minimum
- Human Anatomy and Physiology I (with lab) - 4 units minimum
- Human Anatomy and Physiology II (with lab) - 4 units minimum
- Chemistry (with a lab) - 4 units minimum
- Physics (with a lab; does not have to be calculus based) - 4 units minimum
- Basic Statistics - 3 units minimum
- General Psychology - 3 units minimum
- Nutrition - 3 units minimum
- Human Movement (Biomechanics) - 3 units minimum
- Exercise Physiology - 3 units minimum
- Emergency Cardiac Care certification
- All required immunizations and completed technical standards form
- Completion of at least 50 hours of observation under the direct supervision of a certified athletic trainer who is currently in good standing with the Board of Certification, Inc. and also holds the affiliated state certification. All 50 hours of observation must be completed within 3 years of the application deadline. All 50 hours must be completed in a minimum of 2 different settings (i.e. secondary school, college/university, industrial, clinic, military, performing arts) and show evidence of a variety of populations. The applicant must show evidence of being in each setting for at least 10 hours. All observation hours must be documented and signed by the overseeing athletic trainer.
Degree Requirements
The Master of Science in Athletic Training (MSAT) Program is a 57 unit graduate degree designed for students who are interested in becoming an athletic trainer and do not currently possess a degree in this field of study. The program is a combination of 29 units of didactic and theory coursework, 10 units of on-campus laboratory coursework, and 18 units of clinical coursework that are completed over 2 years. Students must maintain their emergency cardiac care certification, all health documentation, and proof of health insurance coverage in order to maintain good standing in the program and be eligible for fieldwork experiences. Students who do not maintain compliance with the full policy will not be in good standing with the program and will not be eligible to register for coursework including fieldwork experiences. The full policy is provided upon admission to the MSAT.
Academic Standards
- Students must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 to be eligible to apply for graduation.
- A maximum of two "C" grades are allowed in a program of study for graduation.
- Students may repeat a course a maximum of 1 time.
- If a cumulative GPA of 3.00 is not maintained, the student will be placed on academic warning.
- No student will be placed on academic warning twice; if the cumulative GPA is not raised during the warning period, the student will be dismissed from the program. Please see the university's Academic Standing page for more information.
The following graduate coursework must be completed in order to be eligible for graduation and to sit for the National Board of Certification, Inc. examination.
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| ATTR 560 | FUNDAMENTAL CONCEPTS AND COMPETENCIES IN ATHLETIC TRAINING | 3 |
| ATTR 565 | HEALTH INFORMATICS AND QUALITY IMPROVEMENT | 3 |
| ATTR 602 | PRACTICUM I: CLINICAL APPLICATION OF ATHLETIC TRAINING COMPETENCIES | 3 |
| ATTR 604 | PRACTICUM II: CLINICAL CARE OF THE LOWER EXTREMITY | 3 |
| ATTR 606 | PRACTICUM III: CLINICAL CARE OF THE UPPER EXTREMITY | 3 |
| ATTR 615 | ACUTE AND TRAUMATIC INJURY: ASSESSMENT AND MANAGEMENT | 3 |
| ATTR 622 | ACUTE AND REHABILITATIVE CARE: THERAPEUTIC MODALITIES | 3 |
| ATTR 623 | REHABILITATIVE CARE: THERAPEUTIC EXERCISE | 3 |
| ATTR 625 | EVIDENCE BASED ASSESSMENT OF THE LOWER EXTREMITY | 3 |
| ATTR 626 | EVIDENCE BASED ASSESSMENT OF THE UPPER EXTREMITY | 3 |
| ATTR 627 | EVIDENCE BASED ASSESSMENT OF THE HEAD AND SPINE | 3 |
| ATTR 650 | HUMAN PERFORMANCE OPTIMIZATION | 3 |
| ATTR 668 | ADVANCED DIAGNOSTIC IMAGING AND PHARMACOLOGY | 3 |
| ATTR 681 | EPIDEMIOLOGY AND RESEARCH METHODS IN ATHLETIC TRAINING | 3 |
| ATTR 701 | MAXIMIZING REHABILITATION INTERVENTIONS | 3 |
| ATTR 702 | PATHOPHYSIOLOGY OF MEDICAL CONDITIONS | 3 |
| ATTR 703 | PRACTICUM IV: COMPREHENSIVE PATIENT CENTERED CARE | 9 |
| Total Units | 57 | |
- Patient Centered Care: Demonstrate clinical competence in the areas of injury assessment, diagnosis, immediate management, and rehabilitation through knowledge, psychomotor skills, and clinical reasoning to effectively treat patients.
- Evidence-Based Practice: Implement evidence-based practice to connect didactic content with clinical decision making in the delivery of patient care to maximize patient outcomes.
- Professionalism: Demonstrate professional involvement in the field of athletic training through service, advocacy, and ethical practice.
- Health Care Informatics: Integrate principles and practices of health care informatics to the administration and delivery of patient care, including data to drive informed decisions; document, communicate, and manage health-related information; mitigate error; and support decision making.
- Interprofessional Practice: Promote the role of athletic trainers as members of a broader health care community and the importance of working collaboratively with other health care providers in optimizing patient care.
- Quality Improvement: Interpret patient outcomes measures to assess patient status, progress, and changes over time lending to quality care and improvement.