Master of Science in Athletic Training (MSAT)

ASU Sports Medicine professionals tending to an injured football player.

Application Period

Applications Accepted Program Begins
January 1 - March 1 (Annually) Summer Semester (May)

 Program Information

The Masters of Science in Athletic Training (MSAT) is a two-year hybrid program for students interested in a career as a Certified Athletic Trainer. Students in our program will participate in inclusive clinical experiences, including an immersive experience in a variety of medical settings providing students with interprofessional opportunities.

The curriculum is comprehensive, preparing students to sit for the Board of Certification (BOC) Exam.

*Albany State is currently seeking accreditation for the new Athletic Training program (and is not accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education (CAATE). ASU will be submitting the application for accreditation on July 1, 2024. Submission of the self-study and completion of an onsite review does not guarantee that the program will become accredited. Students who graduate from the program prior to accreditation WILL NOT be eligible to sit for the credentialing examination for athletic trainers and will not be eligible for licensure in most states.

MSAT Quick Facts

Topic Description
Highlights Starts summer semester each year
Hybrid classes
55 credit hours
6 Semesters (Summer, Fall, Spring)
Prerequisites Required:
Anatomy I, II
Physics
Psychology
Biology
Chemistry
Statistics
Recommended:
Exercise Physiology
Kinesiology
Medical Terminology
Biomechanics
Degree Reqs. Bachelor’s Degree
2.8 GPA
Contact Dr. Rebecca Borer, MSAT Program Director
Rebecca.Borer@asurams.edu
229-500-2858

 Accreditation Status

Albany State University is currently seeking accreditation for their new athletic training program and is not accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education (CAATE). The institution will be submitting a self-study to begin the accreditation process on July 1, 2024. Submission of the self-study and completion of an onsite review does not guarantee that the program will become accredited. Students who graduate from the program prior to accreditation WILL NOT be eligible to sit for the credentialing examination for athletic trainers and will not be eligible for licensure in most states.

Mission

The mission of the Master of Athletic Training Program at Albany State University is an all-inclusive approach to preparing students for a successful career in athletic training providing students equal opportunity to develop their skills in both the classroom and clinical settings while promoting professional and ethical standards.

Vision

The vision of the Master of Athletic Training Program at Albany State University is to become an advocate for the profession of athletic training by challenging its students to become highly affected allied healthcare professionals and leaders in the community and workforce who are dedicated to a lifetime of learning and professional engagement and advancement.

Program Goals & Objectives

Albany State University’s Master of Athletic Training Program will:

  • Goal 1: Provide educational experiences tailored to developing the cognitive, behavioral, and psychomotor skills necessary for successful athletic training practice.
    • Objective 1.1: Demonstrate entry-level athletic training knowledge and skills consistent with the domains within the profession of athletic training including injury prevention, clinical evaluation and diagnosis, immediate care, treatment, rehabilitation, organization and administration, and professional development.
    • Objective 1.2: Integrate the educational competencies and clinical proficiencies into patient care that is necessary for success as an entry-level athletic trainer
  • Goal 2: Support the development of evidence-based Athletic Training practice and application of evidence-based practice within the delivery of patient care in order to advance the profession through scholarship and leadership.
    • Objective 2.1: Demonstrate proficiency in locating and critiquing peer-reviewed medical research.
    • Objective 2.2: Develop and answer focused clinical questions using principles of evidence-based practice.
  • Goal 3: Instill critical thinking and interpersonal skills needed to provide culturally competent, intelligent, and comprehensive healthcare to a diverse patient population through collaborative interdisciplinary engagement.
    • Objective 3.1: Display culturally sensitive and competent professional behavior toward individuals and groups of patients by recognizing the impact cultural competence has on the behavior of healthcare providers and how it affects patient outcomes.
    • Objective 3.2: Adhere to ethical and legal practice from the NATA Code of Ethics, BOC Standards of Practice, national, state, and institutional policies
  • Goal 4: Promote effective oral and written communication necessary for patient and caregiver education, inter-professional practice and medical record documentation with a variety of constituents including patients, caregivers, peers, supervisors, third-party payers, and other relevant healthcare professionals.
    • Objective 4.1: Demonstrate effective oral and written communication with patients, caregivers and support personnel.
    • Objective 4.2: Demonstrate effective oral and written communication with preceptors, supervisors and other healthcare professionals
  • Goal 5: Prepare students for the transition from individualized skill execution to encompassing autonomous practice through clinical education that provides a variety of patient exposures in differing settings.
    • Objective 5.1: Demonstrate proficiency in the necessary integrated clinical education competencies.
    • Objective 5.2: Execute proficiencies in authentic patient interactions.

Admission Criteria

  1. All applicants must possess a Bachelor’s Degree with the completion of the following courses with a grade of “C” or better:
    • Human Anatomy and Physiology I
    • Human Anatomy and Physiology II
    • Chemistry
    • Biology
    • Physics
    • Psychology
    • Statistics
    • Exercise Physiology - Strongly recommended
    • Kinesiology - Strongly recommended
  2. Submit an application to Albany State University's Graduate School and be admitted in good standing. To enter the program leading to the Master of Science in Athletic Training, the student must meet the requirements established for all graduate degree programs at Albany State University, as established by its Graduate School.
    • Albany State University College of Graduate Studies Requirements:
      • Official undergraduate transcripts
      • Two letters of recommendation
      • Essay
      • Program Interview
    • Athletic Training Program Requirements:
      • Cumulative GPA of 2.8 or above
      • Minimum of 40 hours of observation with a certified athletic trainer
      • Current certification in First Aid and CPR/AED (BLS, Healthcare provider, or Professional Rescuer)
      • Required courses
        • Human Anatomy – 4 credits
        • Human Physiology – 4 credits
          • (or 8 credits total in Human Anatomy & Physiology I&II)
        • Biology – 3-4 credits
        • Physics (Biomechanics may be substituted in some cases) – 3-4 credits
        • Chemistry – 3-4 credits
        • Statistics – 3 credits
        • Psychology – 3 credits
    • Note: All prerequisite coursework is reviewed by the program director during the admissions process.  If a course is not a direct pre-requisite match, the course description and/or course syllabus is reviewed to determine if the course contains the appropriate foundational knowledge required for admissions.
  3. Submit an MSAT program application.
  4. All applicants that meet the minimum program criteria will complete a candidate interview with the program faculty to determine final program admission. 

Program Requirements

Personal Health Insurance Requirements

Health insurance coverage must be maintained by the student throughout the entire time that he/she remains enrolled and is actively progressing through his/her respective Health Sciences or Athletic Training Program. If a student fails to maintain Health Insurance coverage, then he/she will be immediately dismissed from his/her respective Health Sciences or Athletic Training Program for failure to maintain the mandatory coverage as required by the Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia. If you have any questions regarding this requirement, please contact your respective Program Director.

Program Progression Requirements

Students enrolled in the Master of Science in Athletic Training program must maintain rigorous academic standards to prepare themselves for the BOC examination.  In order to maintain successful progression towards graduation, students must earn a C (75+).  Since courses must be taken in the prescribed order outlined in the program’s course sequence sheet, unsuccessful completion of a course may result in program dismissal. Additionally, students must successfully pass a cumulative examination at the conclusion of each clinical course in order to progress to the next semester and next level of clinical education.

Comprehensive Exam (ATTR 6400)

During the second fall semester of the program, students will enroll in ATTR 6400.  This is a zero (0) credit course to prepare students for the comprehensive examination which is administered near the end of the fall semester.  The comprehensive examination incorporates three sections: written knowledge, practical skills, and written simulation.  Students complete all three sections of the examination on the assigned test date.  A score of 70% or higher on each section of the examination is considered passing and indicates that a student is eligible to progress to the final clinical experience of the program. If a student does not achieve a passing score, they may petition the program director to retake that section of the examination.  Students do not need to retake sections in which they have successfully passed.  If the student does not pass after the second attempt, recommendations for remediation are made by the program director.  Students must pass the cumulative comprehensive examination before the following spring semester begins in order to continue on in the MSAT program clinical progression. Students will have a max of three attempts to pass the comprehensive exam. Students that are unable to pass the examination by the beginning of the following spring semester, will be removed from the program. Students will be able to reapply for the program the following summer semester and will be reinstated pending a passing grade on the comprehensive exam.

Transportation Requirements

Students are required to obtain their own transportation to and from assigned clinical sites.  Students will not be reimbursed for mileage or gas.  Attempts will be made to keep clinical sites within the local region, but due to the availability of locations and the number of athletic training students some students will be expected to travel a distance to their clinical site.  In addition, some of the more “prestigious” assignments may be located outside of the local region.  If you believe that transportation will be a concern for you, please discuss these concerns with the clinical education coordinator prior to the assignment of the clinical experience.  Sites might be available via public transportation.  For the ideal clinical experience, the student must provide his or her own personal means of transportation.  

Students assume full responsibility for incidents that may occur while traveling to and from the clinical experience or while participating in the clinical experience provided by the university.  The student should not hold Albany State University and/or related agencies liable if an accident/incident is to occur.  Student will be required to travel up to 90 miles from the ASU east campus for clinical rotations.

Clinical Requirements

  • Traveling out of town will be necessary. Students are responsible for their own transportation, food, and lodging during clinical rotations unless other arrangements are made by the clinical site or student.
  • Students must provide evidence of the following prior to the first clinical practicum:
  • Personal Health insurance, or signed decline of insurance form.
    • Completed health form, including evidence of initiation of the hepatitis B vaccine series, a recent PPD, influenza, proof of varicella vaccination and of requirements as listed on the MSAT Program Immunization Record form.
    • Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) certification – American Heart Association Basic Life Support.
    • Malpractice insurance (available through Albany State University).
    • Drug screen
    • Background check
  • Clinical Practicums must be passed in order to graduate. In the event of unsatisfactory performance, a practicum may be repeated one time at the discretion of the program director.
  • Regarding the locations of placements for fieldwork rotations, input from the student will be taken into consideration. However, it is at the discretion of the Clinical Coordinator of the MSAT Program to determine final placements of all fieldwork rotations. Students will be required to drive up to 90 miles each way for one of the clinical placements.
  • Once clinical placements have been decided upon and the facilities have been contacted, changes to the locations of the clinical sites cannot be made.

Additional Program Costs

In addition to the cost of tuition and course-related fees students must be aware that there are other fees associated with enrollment in the Athletic Training Program at Albany State University.  Some of these fees may include the following items:

  • Background checks (child abuse, FBI and state criminal background checks (from national provider not local sheriff’s department)
  • Drug screening
  • Copy of current physical examination and immunization records (may be additional costs if you need to see your physician and update immunizations)
  • Bloodborne pathogen, HIPPA and OSHA training
  • Annual certification in CPR/AED for the Health Care Provider & Standard First Aid
  • Athletic Training Program clothing/attire/gear
  • Travel to clinical sites (gas, parking, etc.)
  • A-Track Membership - $45 annual fee or $90 lifetime fee
  • Clinical medical documentation tracking system – ACEMAPP
  • Course fees – included for course lab supplies

Program of Study

Course Prefix/Number Title Credits Prerequisites Delivery Mode
ATTR 5100 Emergency Medicine 3 Admission to the ATTR Program Hybrid
ATTR 5120 Functional Anatomy 3 Admission to the ATTR Program Hybrid
ATTR 5200 Introduction to Athletic Training 3 Admission to the ATTR Program Hybrid
ATTR 5310 Lower Extremity Evaluation 3 ATTR 5100, 5120, 5200 Hybrid
ATTR 5320 Upper Extremity Evaluation 3 ATTR 5310, 5330, 5410, 5610 Hybrid
ATTR 5330 Injury Prevention and Risk Management 2 ATTR 5100, 5120, 5200 Online
ATTR 5410 Therapeutic Exercise 3 ATTR 5100, 5120, 5200 Hybrid
ATTR 5420 Therapeutic Modalities 3 ATTR 5310, 5330, 5410, 5610 Hybrid
ATTR 5500 Nutrition 2 ATTR 5310, 5330, 5410, 5610 Online
ATTR 5610 Athletic Training Clinical I 3 ATTR 5100, 5120, 5200 Hybrid
ATTR 5620 Athletic Training Clinical II 3 ATTR 5310, 5330, 5410, 5610 Hybrid
ATTR 5630 Athletic Training Clinical III 2 ATTR 5320, 5420, 5500, 5620 Hybrid
ATTR 5700 Clinical Professionalism 1 ATTR 5630, 6120, 6130 Online
ATTR 6120 Psychological Aspects of Health 2 ATTR 5320, 5420, 5500, 5620 Online
ATTR 6130 General Medical 3 ATTR 5320, 5420, 5500, 5620 Online
ATTR 6200 Organization and Administration 3 ATTR 5630, 6120, 6130 Online
ATTR 6300 Athletic Training Seminar 3 ATTR 5700, 6200, 6400, 6610 Online
ATTR 6400 Comprehensive Examination 0 ATTR 5630, 6120, 6130 Hybrid
ATTR 6500 Professional Preparation 2 ATTR 5700, 6200, 6400, 6610 Hybrid
ATTR 6610 Athletic Training Clinical IV 4 ATTR 5630, 6120, 6130 Hybrid
ATTR 6620 Athletic Training Clinical V 4 ATTR 5700, 6200, 6400, 6610 Hybrid

Curriculum Pattern

Masters of Science in Athletic Training Curriculum Pathway MAP
SEMESTER 1
Course Credit Hours
ATTR 5100 – Emergency Medicine 3
ATTR 5120 – Functional Anatomy 3
ATTR 5200 – Introduction to Athletic Training 3
Total 9
SEMESTER 2
Course Credit Hours
ATTR 5310 – Lower Extremity Evaluation 3
ATTR 5410 – Therapeutic Exercise 3
ATTR 5500 – Nutrition 2
ATTR 5610 – Athletic Training Clinical I 3
Total 11
SEMESTER 3
Course Credit Hours
ATTR 5320 – Upper Extremity Evaluation 3
ATTR 5420 – Therapeutic Modalities 3
ATTR 5620 – Athletic Training Clinical II 3
ATTR 6130 – General Medical 3
Total 12
SEMESTER 4
Course Credit Hours
ATTR 5330 – Injury Prevention and Risk Management 2
ATTR 5630 – Athletic Training Clinical III 2
ATTR 6120 – Psychological Aspects of Health 2
Total 6
SEMESTER 5
Course Credit Hours
ATTR 5700 – Clinical Professionalism 1
ATTR 6200 – Organization and Administration 3
ATTR 6400 – Comprehensive Examination (pass / fail) 0
ATTR 6610 – Athletic Training Clinical IV 4
Total 8
SEMESTER 6
Course Credit Hours
ATTR 6300 – Athletic Training Seminar 3
ATTR 6500 – Professional Preparation 2
ATTR 6620 – Athletic Training Clinical V 4
Total 9
Total Program Credit Hours 55

 

Program Outcome Data

NOTE: 2023-2024 is the first MSAT cohort at ASU and is still in progress; therefore, there is no data available concerning retention, programmatic graduation rates, or placement rates at this time.

Metric 2023-2024 Cohort
# of Graduates TBD
Retention Rate TBD
Certification Pass Rate TBD
Job Placement Rate TBD

Albany State University's MSAT program is currently seeking accreditation from the
Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education (CAATE)

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

All applicants must complete a minimum of 40 hours of clinical observation by March 1 in any type of athletic setting such as a hospital, out-patient facility, high school, industrial, etc. This requirement is designed to give the applicant a better understanding of the role of the Athletic Trainer. 

This is not a service performed by the college; the applicant must independently seek out an athletic setting and speak with the appropriate staff/personnel regarding observational hours. 
It is rarely possible for a student to work part-time while in the program and it is definitely not advised due to the intense nature of the program. Each semester, the student will have a full load of coursework and a grade of 75 or higher must be achieved in order to pass each class. This along with the clinical work that is off-campus (possibly out of town) will not be changed to accommodate a work schedule and a work excuse will not be acceptable for any absence.
The MSAT program classes are offered in a hybrid format and vary in days and times each semester. During the first semester of the program, students will be required to complete a one-week boot camp at the end of the semester. Students will be required to be on campus from 8 am – 5 pm, Monday – Friday during this week. During the second and third semesters of the program, students will be required to attend labs two days per week from 8 am – 12 pm. The last three semesters of the program will be fully online and will include invasive clinical experiences of campus.
Unfortunately, the answer is no. Each student will have 5 clinical rotations. The first clinical experience will occur during the Fall Semester. The last two clinical rotations are immersible experiences and will be completed during the last fall and spring semester of the program prior to graduation. Student will be required to travel for clinical rotation experiences. 
Again, the answer is no. Each student is obligated to cover the expenses out of pocket. However, the clinical coordinator will work with each student on an individual basis to try to place the student in an area that will require the least expense.
The degree is designed to be completed in 2 years in a hybrid format. This is the equivalent of 6-semesters (summer, fall, spring, summer, and fall, spring) with the student graduating at the end of the Spring semester, of the second year. A new co-hort of student will begin the MSAT program each summer semester.
Yes, all of the prerequisites must be completed. Chances are that you may have already completed most of the prerequisites when completing your degree and those classes may be transferred into Albany State University. You may transfer credits from other institutions, but suitability for transfer will only be decided by the Registrar of Albany State University. In order to determine if your previous college coursework is eligible for transfer, it is recommended that you complete an application to become a student at Albany State University and have all of your previous coursework in the form of a transcript/s sent from the other institution/s to the Albany State University Registrar. The registrar will evaluate your transcripts and send you a letter indicating what is eligible and what is not.
March 1st of every year with a new class beginning each Summer Semester.
Albany State University will be seeking accreditation for their new Athletic Training program and is not accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education (CAATE).  The institution will be submitting a self-study to begin the accreditation process by July 1, 2024. Submission of the self-study and completion of a site visit does not guarantee that the program will become accredited. Students who graduate from the program prior to accreditation Will not be eligible to sit for the credentialing examination for athletic trainers and will not be eligible for licensure in most states. 
Legally, a state AT practice act, typically licensure, dictates what an AT can & cannot do while practicing working in that state. Passing the BOC exam & becoming BOC-certified provides you the opportunity to obtain licensure in the 49 states (California does not) that regulate athletic training.
Albany State is currently seeking accreditation for the new Athletic Training program (and is not accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education (CAATE). ASU will be submitting the application for accreditation on July 1, 2024. Submission of the self-study and completion of an onsite review does not guarantee that the program will become accredited. Students who graduate from the program prior to accreditation WILL NOT be eligible to sit for the credentialing examination for athletic trainers and will not be eligible for licensure in most states.
National Athletic Trainers Association (NATA) : https://www.nata.org

The Department of Health and Human Performance is responsible for the content on this page.
For more information about this program, please email MSATProgram@asurams.edu