ATHLETIC TRAINING (ATHT)

COLLEGE OF NURSING AND HEALTH SCIENCES

LEADING TO THE DEGREE OF MASTER OF SCIENCE (M.S.)

 

Certified Athletic Trainers are healthcare professionals who collaborate with other medical professionals to optimize activity and participation of patients and athletes.  Athletic training encompasses the prevention, diagnosis, and intervention of emergency, acute, and chronic medical conditions involving impairment, functional limitations and disabilities.  Athletic training is recognized by the American Medical Association as a healthcare profession.  The mission of the MSAT is to provide a comprehensive and progressive educational and clinical foundation to prepare the graduate for a career in athletic training.  Through exposure to and participation in the didactic and clinical education program, the athletic training student becomes competent and proficient in the following areas of athletic training:  Prevention, Clinical Evaluation and Diagnosis, Immediate Care, Treatment, Rehabilitation, and Reconditioning; Organization and Administration, and Professional Responsibility.

 

Purposes

The purpose of the M.S. in Athletic Training are to:

  1. Provide the didactic educational foundation to prepare entry-level athletic training professionals.
  2. Engage student in clinical experiences allowing them to develop practical skills.
  3. Provide a foundation upon which students develop an understanding of research and evidence-based practice.

 

Admission Requirements

To be considered for admission to the graduate program in Athletic Training, an applicant must:

  1. Initially satisfy all Southeastern Louisiana University's graduate admission requirements (Consult the Southeastern General Catalog for admission requirements).
  2. Complete a Bachelor's degree with a minimum of a 2.50 GPA.
  3. Completion of prerequisite undergraduates in biology (lecture + lab, 4 hours), human anatomy & physiology (lecture + lab, 8 hours), biomechanics or physics (3 hours), chemistry (lecture + lab, 4 hours), exercise physiology (3 hours), motor learning/development (3 hours), nutrition (3 hours), and statistics (3 hours).  A grade of C or higher is required in all prerequisite courses.
  4. Achieve a minimum combined verbal and quantitative score on the Graduate Records Exam (GRE) of 286 for regular admission.  Individuals with a combined verbal quantitative GRE score of 281 to 285 may be considered for provisional admission status.
  5. Submission of an application packet including (a) application/letter of intent, (b) undergraduate transcripts, (c) documentation of CPR certification and appropriate vaccinations, and (d) letters of recommendation.
  6. Completion of a minimum of 100 hours of observation of athletic training under the direct supervision of a BOC credentialed athletic trainer (or international equivalent).

Notes: Meeting the above requirements does not guarantee program admission.  Applicants must submit application materials by a deadline designated by the program.  The program's Admission committee considers applicants' materials and informs applicants of the decision regarding program admission.  All students must submit information for criminal background check to an agency associated with the university prior to admission and pay for the background check.  Student must participate in a drug screening program upon entry and during each semester.  Lab fees are charged for some courses in the program. 

Requirements for Degree

To receive the M.S. in Athletic training, the student must:

  1. Complete 60 hours of required coursework as outlined below, earning the grade of "C" or higher in each course.
  2. Earn a cumulative graduate school GPA of 3.0 or higher, and a grade of "C" in no more than 2 courses.
  3. Complete a capstone research project, and earn a passing grade for both the written project and the presentation.

 

Retention and Progression Requirements

Cohort Progression: Students are admitted into the M.S. in Athletic training as a cohort member each summer.  Students must enroll in all required courses as indicated int he degree, and pass all courses with a grade of "C" or higher.  Students who do not meet this requirement will be dismissed from the program, and will be ineligible to register for further graduate athletic training courses.

Grade Retention Policy: Any graduate student, regardless of degree status, who makes a grade of "D" or "F" in any required course, or more than 2 "C" grades in required courses will be dismissed from the M.S. in Athletic Training graduate program, and will be ineligible to register for further graduate Athletic Training courses.  A student dismissed from the program because of extenuating, non-academic reasons may appeal for readmission.

Performance standards of the M>S> in Athletic Training program are listed below.  the program expects that all students possess and demonstrate the skills, attributes, and qualities set forth below, with or without reasonable dependence on technology or intermediaries.  Students failing to meet these standards are subject to dismissal.

  1. The ability to communicate effectively and sensitively with patients, athletes, faculty and staff including individuals from different cultures and social backgrounds.
  2. Sufficient neuromuscular control, sensory function, and coordination to accurately perform appropriate physical skills, as well as use equipment and materials during the evaluation and treatment of patients and athletes safely and efficiently.
  3. The mental capacity to assimilate, analyze, synthesize, and integrate concepts and problem solve to formulate assessment and therapeutic judgments, and to be able to distinguish deviations from the norm.
  4. Affective interpersonal skills, demeanor, and ethical behavior that relate to professional functions and quality patient care.
  5. Flexibility and the ability to adjust to changing situations and uncertainty in clinical situations.
  6. The capacity to maintain composure and continue to function well during periods of high stress.
  7. The perseverance, diligence, and commitment to complete the requirements of the athletic training, education program as outlined and sequenced.

 

Curriculum

Summer: Focus - Clinical Preparation

ATHT 611 Foundation of Athletic Training 3 hours
ATHT 612 Emergency Care in Athletic Training 3 hours
ATLB 613 Emergency Care in Athletic Training Lab 1 hour
ATHT 615 Clinical Experiences I 3 hours

 

Fall Semester 1: Focus - Anatomy and Assessment 

ATHT 621 Foundation Anatomy 3 hours
ATHT 622 Strength and Conditioning Programs 3 hours
ATHT 623 Lower Body Pathology and Assessment 3 hours
ATLB 624 Lower Body Pathology and Assessment Lab 1 hour
ATHT 625 Clinical Experiences II 3 hours

 

Spring Semester 1:  Focus - Prevention, Treatment, and Rehabilitation

ATHT 631 Therapeutic Modalities 3 hours
ATHT 632 Therapeutic Exercises 3 hours
ATHT 633 Upper Body Pathology and Assessment 3 hours
ATLB 634 Upper Body Pathology and Assessment Lab 1 hour
ATHT 635 Clinical Experience III 3 hours

 

Fall Semester 2: Focus - Medical and Scientific Basis of Athletic Training Practice

ATHT 641 Evidence-Based practice and Clinical Decision Making I 3 hours
ATHT 642 Pharmacological and Medical Aspects of Athletic Training 3 hours
ATHT 643 Organization and Administration of Athletic Training 3 hours
ATHT 645 Clinical experiences IV 3 hours

 

Spring Semester 2: Focus - Application of Clinical Practice

ATHT 651 Evidence-Based Practice Clinical Decision Making II 3 hours
ATHT 652 Integration of Athletic Training Knowledge and Skills 3 hours
ATHT 655 Clinical Experience V 6 hours