Athletic Training

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Program Description

The MS in Athletic Training is a two year program, which also includes course and clinical experiences in the summer between the first and second professional years. The overall goal(s) of the graduate 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 communications, promote an appreciation for the ways research can inform practice and/or prepare them for advanced study at the doctoral level. Upon completion of the program, students are eligible to challenge the national certifying examination for athletic trainers through the Board of Certification (BOC). The Entry Level Graduate Program in Athletic Training Education (ATEP) 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 and/or are eligible for certification in Athletic Training.

The program includes 44 credit hours and students may complete an option A, B, or C plan of study (these can be obtained from the program director). In addition to completing the courses required for the curriculum, students must successfully complete the proficiencies associated with clinical education as well as complete clinical experiences under the supervision of licensed/certified clinical instructors.

Students are accepted each spring into the following fall program. Currently, the program can accept a maximum of 20 students into the first professional year. There are more students who apply than can be accepted, therefore, students are asked to complete two steps in the application process.

Overview of the Application Process
Application for the MS in Athletic Training is a two part process.

1. Students must have their application for Graduate School submitted no later than February 1 of the application year and have been accepted into the Graduate School. Information for application to the Graduate School can be found under Admission Information.

2. Additional program application materials for the MS in Athletic Training can be obtained by contacting Dr. Trevor Roiger. Listed below are the key deadlines int he application process:
         1. February 1 - Application submitted to SDSU Graduate School
         2. March 1 - Application material submitted for Athletic Training Program
         3. Middle of March - Available for interviews

Information and paperwork related to the application process can be obtained from:

        Trevor Roiger, EdD, ATC
        Box 2203
        Brookings, SD 57007-0649
        605.688.5824
        E-mail: Trevor.roiger@sdstate.edu

Available Options for Graduate Degrees

Master of Science:	Option A
	Option B
	Option C

Core Requirements

AT 541 - Athletic Training Techniques I

AT 542 - Athletic Training Techniques II

AT 543 - Athletic Training Techniques III

AT 544 - Athletic Training Techniques IV

AT 554 - Athletic Injuries Assessment – Lower Extremity

AT 556 - Athletic Injuries Assessment – Upper Extremity

AT 564 - Therapeutic Modalities in Athletic Training

AT 574 - Rehabilitation of Athletic Injuries

AT 795 - Practicum

HPER 690 - Seminar

HPER 780 - Introduction to Graduate Study and Research

HPER 783 - Research Methods in HPER

HPER 788 - Individual Research and Study in HPER

HPER 796 - Field Experience

HPER 798 - Thesis

PE 750 - Advanced Exercise Physiology

PE 751L - Laboratory Techniques in Exercise Physiology Laboratory

PE 751 - Laboratory Techniques in Exercise Physiology

PE 755 - Applied Exercise Physiology

Additional Admission Requirements

GRE: Not required
TOEFL: Score of 525 paper-based, 197 computer-based, 71 Internet-based.

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.

Other 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 Athletic Training Program application, letter of interest, three letter of reference and a personal interview
   Successful completion (C or better) of the following courses or their equivalents.*

   Basic and Applied Sciences

Eight (8) credits Chemistry
BIOL 221 - Human Anatomy
BIOL 325 - Mammalian Physiology
PE 350 - Exercise Physiology
PE 454 - Biomechanics
NURS 323 - Introduction of Pathophysiology**

Social Sciences

PSYC 417 - Health Psychology - OR -
PSYC 451 - Abnormal Psychology
HDFS 210 - Lifespan Development

General Health Science Courses

HLTH 120 - Community Health - OR -
HLTH 212 - Contemporary Health - OR -
HSC 443 - Public Health Science
PE 354 - Prevention and Care of Athletic Injuries
NURS 201 - Medical Terminology
HLTH 250 - First Aid + Current CPR/First Aid Cards - OR -
Current Emergency Cardiac Care Certification

Nutrition

NFS 221 - Survey of Nutrition

Statistics

STAT 281 - Statistics

Optional

AT 164 - Introduction to Athletic Training

* Students may be asked to submit syllabi from courses or demonstrate competence in specific discipline areas if they completed courses to an institution other than SDSU.
**If a student is unable to complete an undergraduate course in Pathophysiology, they will have the option of completing NURS 323: Pathophysiology or PE 550: Clinical Exercise Physiology in the spring of their first program year.