Kinesiology

Athletic Trainers (ATs) are healthcare professionals who collaborate with physicians and other allied health professionals to optimize activity and participation of patients and clients across age and care continuums. The practice of Athletic Training encompasses prevention, emergency care, clinical diagnosis, therapeutic intervention and rehabilitation of emergency, acute and chronic medical conditions involving impairment, functional limitations and disabilities. ATs work under the direction of physicians, as prescribed by state licensure statutes.

The Master of Science in Athletic Training is a 6-semester, 64-unit, professional program dedicated to the development of high-quality healthcare professionals. The Athletic Training program features a comprehensive curriculum that emphasizes critical thinking and clinical decision-making skills through case-based learning. Students are required to complete a diversity of clinical experiences, which include high schools, community colleges, 4-year colleges, rehabilitation clinics and physician practice settings.

The 2-year program begins in the summer and requires full-time enrollment, including the summers. All students must maintain a GPA of 3.0 or higher throughout the program. To be eligible for the national BOC examination, both the didactic and clinical components of the degree must be successfully completed.

Students who want to become certified Athletic Trainers must earn a degree from an accredited athletic training program. The Athletic Training program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education (CAATE).

A. Requirements for Admission to the Program

Effective Summer 2024, admission requirements to the MSAT have been updated as follows:

1. Completion of a bachelor’s degree with a minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA (on the 4.0 GPA scale) prior to commencing the program.
2. Completion of all prerequisite courses with a grade of “C” or better and a minimum 3.0 cumulative prerequisite GPA prior to commencing the program.

B. Prerequisite Coursework

Effective Summer 2024, prerequisite courses for the MSAT have been updated as follows:

Applicants are required to complete each of the following prerequisite courses (or equivalent, as approved by AT faculty) prior to submitting an application:

1. Biology (General Biology)
2. Chemistry (General Chemistry)
3. Human Anatomy with Lab (If students have a combined course, the series of all “Anatomy and Physiology” courses must be completed).
4. Human Physiology with Lab (If students have a combined course, the series of all “Anatomy and Physiology” courses must be completed).
5. Nutrition (General Nutrition)
6. Physics (General Physics)
7. Psychology (General Psychology)
8. Statistics (General Statistics)
9. Biomechanics
10. Exercise Physiology

C. Requirements for the Degree

1. Required Courses (61 units)

AT 500 Evidence-Based Practice in Athletic Training (3)
AT 501/L Foundations in Athletic Training and Laboratory (3/1)
AT 502 Pain Neuroscience in Athletic Training (2)
AT 510/L Clinical Anatomy and Biomechanics and Laboratory (2/1)
AT 520/L Lower Extremity Injury Evaluation and Laboratory (3/1)
AT 521/L Upper Extremity Injury Evaluation and Laboratory (3/1)
AT 530/L Therapeutic Interventions for Lower Extremity Injuries and Laboratory (3/1)
AT 531/L Therapeutic Interventions for Upper Extremity Injuries and Laboratory (3/1)
AT 540 Clinical Experiences in Athletic Training I (1)
AT 541 Clinical Experiences in Athletic Training II (1)
AT 542 Clinical Experiences in Athletic Training III (1)
AT 550/L Primary Care I and Laboratory (3/1)
AT 560 Seminar in Athletic Training I (1)
AT 561 Seminar in Athletic Training II (1)
AT 562 Seminar in Athletic Training III (1)
AT 610/L Reconditioning and Human Performance and Laboratory (2/1)
AT 620 Organization and Administration of Athletic Training (3)
AT 630/L Advanced Manual Therapy and Laboratory (3/1)
AT 640 Clinical Experiences in Athletic Training IV, Primary Care (1)
AT 641 Clinical Experiences in Athletic Training V (1)
AT 642 Clinical Experiences in Athletic Training VI, Immersive (1)
AT 642A Clinical Experiences in Athletic Training VI, Immersive A (1)
AT 650/L Primary Care II and Lab (2/1)
AT 660 Emerging Trends in Athletic Training (2)
AT 670 Diversity and Inclusion in Athletic Training (2)
AT 680 Practical Applications of Injury Prevention (2)

2. Culminating Experience (3 units)

AT 698 Graduate Project (3)

Total Units Required for the M.S. Degree: 64