2017-2018 Graduate Catalog 
    
    Mar 28, 2024  
2017-2018 Graduate Catalog [Archived Catalog]

Athletic Training (M.S.)


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Program Coordinator/Contact

Trevor Roiger, Assistant Professor
Department of Health and Nutritional Sciences
Intramural Building 116, Box 2203
605-688-5824
E-mail: trevor.roiger@sdstate.edu
www.sdstate.edu/health-and-nutritional-sciences/ms-athletic-training

Program Information

The South Dakota State University Master of Science in Athletic Training (AT) Program aspires to prepare engaged practitioners and contemporary leaders of athletic training. Through the cultivation of a learning environment implementing innovative and best practice pedagogies, the program exists to challenge students to become reflective, professional, and ethical practitioners dedicated to improving patients’ quality of life. The overall goals of the program are to provide students with knowledge and experiences which improve the depth and breadth of professional competency in athletic training, enhance written and oral communication abilities, and promote an appreciation for the ways research can inform practice, and/or prepare students for advanced study in the field.

The Master of Science in Athletic Training prepares students for entry into clinical practice as licensed athletic trainers. The program is two years in length and includes coursework in the summer between the first and second professional years. In addition to completing the courses required for the curriculum, students must successfully complete clinical experiences under the supervision of preceptors who are appropriately credentialed health care professionals. Clinical experiences will include working with a variety of patients in high schools, colleges/universities, sports medicine clinics, and medical and rehabilitation clinics. Upon successful completion of the curriculum, students will be eligible to challenge the national certifying examination for athletic trainers through the Board of Certification (BOC).

Each year the Master of Science in AT program admits (1) new cohort of students who begin their plan of study during the Fall semester. Admission to the program is on a competitive basis. For initial consideration, students must be admitted into Graduate School at SDSU. To complete their eligibility for admission, candidates must also complete a secondary selective admissions application specifically for the AT program.

Academic Requirements

Students enrolled in the Athletic Training program must pay for a background check before they can be placed at any of the clinical sites.  Approximate cost of the background check is $75.00.

Accreditation, Certification, and Licensure

Upon completion of the program, students are eligible to challenge the national certifying examination for athletic trainers through the Board of Certification.  The Master of Science in Athletic Training at South Dakota State University was awarded initial accreditation by the Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education (CAATE) in August, 2008.  As a professional degree program, it is not designed for individuals who already have a degree in Athletic Training or are eligible for certification in Athletic Training.

Course Delivery Format

The program consists of lecture, laboratory, and experiential learning opportunities.

Student Support and Engagement Opportunities

The Department of Health and Nutritional Sciences aims to provide premier academic programs and high-quality services to students. A limited number of research and teaching assistantships and scholarships may be available to qualified graduate students.

Available Options for Graduate Degrees


Master of Science Option A - Thesis 47 Credit Hours
  Option B - Research/Design Paper 47 Credit Hours
  Option C - Coursework Only 44 Credit Hours

Select one of the following options


Option A - Thesis


Option B - Research/Design Paper


Option C - Coursework Only


Total Required Credits: 47 (Option A & B), 44 (Option C)


Additional Admission Requirements


GRE: Not required
TOEFL:  Score of 550 paper-based, 79-80 Internet-based
IELTS: 6.0

Program Application

Admission into the MSAT program is on a competitive basis. Each year the AT program uses a Primary (Graduate School Application) and Secondary (Program Application) Selective Admission Process to admit (1) new cohort of students who will begin their program of study during the Fall semester. In order to establish this cohort, the AT program reviews applications during (2) time periods during the application year:

  • Fall Application Review (for next Fall admittance): Candidates who wish to get an early start on the application process in order to receive early notification of acceptance/denial into the Master of Science in AT program can complete their full application during the Fall semester. Graduate School applications are due by November 1st and secondary Program Application materials are due by December 1st.
  • Spring Application Review (for next Fall admittance): Candidates who wish to have more time to complete the requirements for admittance into the Master of Science in AT program have until the Spring semester to complete the application process. Graduate School applications are due by February 1st and secondary Program Application materials are due by March 1st.

In order to complete all application requirements, students must:

  1. Complete the Graduate School Application and submit this to the South Dakota State University Graduate School
  2. Complete the Secondary Selective Admission Process/Program Application and submit application materials directly to the MS in Athletic Training Program

Students should begin the application process by submitting their Graduate School Application to the SDSU Graduate School and downloading Program Application materials for the MS in Athletic Training Program from the program website.

  • GRADUATE SCHOOL APPLICATIONS MUST BE SUBMITTED TO THE GRADUATE SCHOOL BY EITHER NOVEMBER 1 or FEBRUARY 1 (See Fall and Spring Application Review.) This allows time for graduate school personnel to review applications and forward them to the program. An applicant must be accepted by the Graduate School before a final decision on the secondary selective admission process will be made.
  • SECONDARY SELECTIVE ADMISSION/PROGRAM APPLICATION MATERIALS MUST BE SUBMITTED BY DECEMBER 1 or MARCH 1 (See Fall and Spring Application Review.) These materials can be submitted directly to:

Trevor Roiger, EdD, ATC
Box 2203, Intramural Building 116
Department of Health and Nutrition Sciences
Brookings, SD  57007

Verification and Demonstration of Technical Standards

Students will receive a copy of the program’s technical standards as part of the application process.  They will be asked to verify that they have received a copy, understand the concepts and work with the program if accommodations are necessary.  Technical standards set the guidelines for the application process and progress in the major by describing the essential skills considered necessary for admitted students to possess in order to complete the responsibilities associated with being an athletic training student and subsequently, a practicing athletic trainer.  Technical Standards are requirements of the Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education (CAATE).  Technical standards are assessed at the time of application, during progress and for completion of the program.  Skills are described in five areas: cognitive ability/skills, psychomotor skill, affective behaviors, interpersonal skills, and knowledge or/interest in the profession of athletic training.  The technical standards also describe policy statements regarding accommodations, standards of English as a second language, and eligibility requirements for the BOC national certifying examination and state licensing examinations.

Secondary Selective Admissions Minimum Selection Criteria 

The criteria listed below represents additional pre-requisite requirements.

  • Completed Health Assessment
  • Verification of Technical Standards
  • Cumulative (or Junior-Senior) GPA of 3.0 or better
  • Completion of the Athletic Training Observation Record
  • Completed Program application, letter of interest, three letters of reference and a personal interview
  • Successful completion (C or better) of the following courses or their equivalents.*

Basic and Applied Sciences

  • BIOL 151-151L General Biology I and Lab
    and BIOL 153-153L General Biology II and Lab
    or
    BIOL 101-101L Biology Survey I and Lab 
    and BIOL 103-203L Biology Survey II and Lab
  • BIOL 221- 221L Human Anatomy and Lab
  • BIOL 325- 325L Physiology and Lab
  • CHEM 112-112L General Chemistry I and Lab
    and CHEM 114-114L General Chemistry II and Lab
    or
    CHEM 106-106 Chemistry Survey and Lab
    and CHEM 108-108L Organic and Biochemistry and Lab
  • PE 350 Exercise Physiology 
  • PE 454 Biomechanics 
  • PHYS 111-111L Introduction to Physics I and Lab
  • PHYS 113-113L Introduction to Physics II and Lab

Social Sciences

  • PSYC 101 General Psychology
  • PSYC 417 Health Psychology
    or PSYC 451 Psychology of Abnormal Behavior 

Nutrition

  • NUTR 315 Human Nutrition

Statistics

  • STAT 281 Statistics

Optional

  • AT 164 Introduction to Athletic Training
  • HLTH/HSC 443 Public Health Sciences
  • PE354 Prevention and Care of Athletic Injuries

General Requirements


Graduate students should consult with their advisor before registering for graduate work.

For additional information refer to the Master’s Degree Requirements .

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