Athletic Training Specialization

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The Athletic Training Education Program (ATEP) at South Dakota State University has developed a 44 credit Entry-Level Graduate Program in Athletic Training. The fundamental philosophy of this program is to allow students to complete the coursework and clinical experience necessary for both BOC certification eligibility and initial entry into the profession of Athletic Training. The program achieved initial accreditation through the Commisson on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education (CAATE) in the fall of 2007. This program is not designed for individuals who already have a degree in Athletic Training and/or are eligible for certification in Athletic Training.

Admission Requirements

STEP 1: Acceptance into the SDSU Graduate School.
STEP 2: Acceptance into the Athletic Training Specialization. (These documents can be obtained through the department website or by contacting Bernadette Olson.) The number of students in the Athletic Training Specialization is limited due to availability of clinical placements. Therefore, an application process in addition to the Graduate School has been instituted in an effort to select candidates. Students are accepted into the fall semester of each year. Candidates are encouraged to obtain materials no later than January of the year they would like to be accepted. All application materials are due April 15. Candidates will be notified as to whether they are granted an interview shortly after the deadline. Interviews are held the last week of the semester and include both a personal and psychomotor skill portion. Students are informed of acceptance no later than May 31.

M.S. HPER Athletic Training Specialization – Plan of Study

The following materials and criteria are required for review and acceptance into the program:

Completion of a PRE and FINAL application for the specialization.
Demonstrate an interest and desire to become a practicing Athletic Trainer.
Demonstrate successful completion (C or better) of the following courses or their equivalents:
- (8) Credits Chemistry
- AT 164 Intro to Athletic Training (2 credits)
- PE 354 Prevention and Care of Athletic Injuries (2 credits), including a taping skills lab
- HLTH 120, 212 or HSC 443 (2-3 credit) Health Course
- NURS 201 Medical Terminology (1 credit)
- BIOL 221 Human Anatomy (4 credits)
- BIOL 325 Mammalian Physiology (4 credits)
- PE 350 Exercise Physiology (3 credits)
- PE 454 Biomechanics (3 credits)
- HLTH 250 First Aid + Current CPR/First Aid Cards (2 credits)
- PSYC 417 Health Psychology (3 credits)
- STAT 281 Statistics (3 credits)
- *NURS 323 Introduction to Pathophysiology (3 credits)
- NFSH 221 Survey of Nutrition (3 credits)
Verification and demonstration of technical standards
Completed health assessment
Cumulative GPA of 3.0 or better, with an undergraduate major in a HPER related area preferred
Completion of an athletic training observation record
Completed application process which culminates with a letter of interest, three letters of reference and personal interview.

*If students are unable to complete an undergraduate course in Pathophysiology, they will have the option of completing PE 550 Clinical Exercise Physiology in the spring of their first program year.

**NOTE: Students may be asked to submit syllabi from courses or demonstrate competence in specific discipline areas if they completed courses at an institution other than SDSU.