Athletic Training (M.S.)

Program Coordinator/Contact

Trevor Roiger, Assistant Professor
Department of Health and Nutritional Sciences
Wagner Hall 135, Box 2275A
605-688-5824

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 a blend of coursework and clinical experiences completed 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 summer term. 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 clinical experience 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	60 Credit Hours
	Option B - Research/Design Paper	57 Credit Hours

Core Requirements

AT 600 - Introduction to Patient Management Credits: 2
AT 610 - Interventions I Credits: 3
AT 611 - Prophylactic Interventions Credits: 1
AT 651 - Clinical Experience I Credits: 1
AT 652 - Clinical Experience II Credits: 1
AT 722 - Patient Examination and Treatment I Credits: 6
AT 725 - Principles of Acute Care in Athletic Training Credits: 3
AT 725L - Principles of Acute Care Lab Credits: 0
AT 732 - Patient Examination and Treatment II Credits: 6
AT 735 - Health Care Administration for Athletic Training Credits: 2
AT 740 - Functional Movement Credits: 3
AT 740L - Functional Movement Lab Credits: 0
AT 742 - General Medical Examination Credits: 3
AT 753 - Clinical Experience III Credits: 2
AT 754 - Clinical Experience IV Credits: 2
AT 755 - Clinical Experience V Credits: 5
AT 756 - Clinical Experience VI Credits: 5
BIOL 721 - Advanced Human Anatomy Credits: 4
BIOL 721L - Advanced Human Cadaver Dissection Credits: 0
NUTR 715 - Public Health Nutrition Credits: 3
NUTR 782 - Epidemiology Credits: 3

Select one of the following options

Option A - Thesis

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

Option B - Research/Design Paper

AT 788 - Master’s Research Problems/Projects (COM) Credits: 1 (2 credits required)

Total Required Credits: 60 (Option A), 57 (Option B)

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 Summer term. The AT program begins reviewing applications on a rolling basis beginning in July of the year preceding the start of the next cohort. Applications are excepted until March 15th.

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 through ATCAS (Athletic Training Centralized Application Service) or directly to Dr. Trevor Roiger, Athletic Training program director. Students wishing to bypass ATCAS and apply directly to the MS in Athletic Training Program can find the program-specific application materials on the program webpage. These materials can be submitted directly to:

Dr. Trevor Roiger, AT, ATC
Box 2275A, Wagner 135
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 prerequisite 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
or
BIOL 101-101L Biology Survey I 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
EXS 350 Exercise Physiology
EXS 454 Biomechanics
PHYS 111-111L Introduction to Physics I and Lab

Social Sciences

PSYC 101 General Psychology

Nutrition

NUTR 315 Human Nutrition

Statistics

STAT 281 Statistics

Optional

AT 164 Introduction to Athletic Training
EXS 354 Prevention and Care of Athletic Injuries
HLTH/HSC 443 Public Health Sciences

Accelerated Master’s Program

The accelerated Master’s program will be available to eligible SDSU students. Up to 8 credits of graduate-level coursework in the M.S. in Athletic Training may be used to satisfy requirements for an undergraduate degree. Students must follow SDSU Policy 2:22 Use of Graduate Credit for Undergraduate Degree Requirements.

General Requirements

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

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