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/hns/graduate-programs

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, 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. Admittance 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

Core Requirements

AT 541 - Athletic Training Techniques I Credits: 3
AT 541L - Techniques I Lab Credits: 0
AT 542 - Athletic Training Techniques II Credits: 3
AT 543 - Athletic Training Techniques III Credits: 3
AT 543L - Techniques III Lab Credits: 0
AT 544 - Athletic Training Techniques IV Credits: 2
AT 554 - Athletic Injuries Assessment – Lower Extremity Credits: 2
AT 556 - Athletic Injuries Assessment – Upper Extremity Credits: 2
AT 562 - Interventions I Credits: 3
AT 564 - Interventions II Credits: 2
AT 574 - Interventions III Credits: 2
AT 790 - Seminar Credits: 2
AT 795 - Practicum Credits: 1-3 (9 credits required)
HNS 783 - Research Methods in Health and Nutritional Sciences Credits: 3
PE 745 - Applied Biomechanics Credits: 3
PE 750 - Advanced Exercise Physiology Credits: 3

Select one of the following options

Option A - Thesis

HNS 798 - Thesis Credits: 1-7 (5 credits required)

Option B - Research/Design Paper

HNS 788 - Master’s Research Problems/Projects Credits: 1-7 (3 credits required)
HNS 796 - Field Experience Credits: 1-9 (2 credits required)

Option C - Coursework Only

HNS 796 - Field Experience Credits: 1-9 (2 credits required)

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:

Complete the Graduate School Application and submit this to the South Dakota State University Graduate School
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

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

Social Sciences

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

General Health Science Courses

HLTH 120 - Community Health - OR - HLTH 212 - Contemporary Health Problems - OR - HSC 443 - Public Health Science
PE 354 - Prevention and Care of Athletic Injuries
NURS 201 - Medical Terminology

Nutrition

NUTR 315 - Human 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.

General Requirements

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

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