Athletic Training (M.S.)

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Total Required Credits: 57 (Thesis), 54 (Non-Thesis)

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 August of the year preceding the start of the next cohort.  Applications are accepted until April 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 apply directly to the M.S. in Athletic Training Program can do so by contacting Dr. Roiger at trevor.roiger@sdstate.edu and requesting the necessary application forms. When complete, these materials can be submitted directly to:

Dr. Trevor Roiger, AT, EMT
Box 2275A, Wagner 135
School of Health and Human Sciences
Brookings, SD  57007

** Pre-Selection to the Athletic Training Program: Students who are of Junior-level standing at SDSU, or sophomores who are enrolled in the early assurance/accelerated track, can apply for pre-selection to the MSAT program by beginning the Secondary Selective Admissions process up to 1 year in advance of their first eligible cohort.  Applying for pre-selection requires completion of a sub-set of the total application requirements for program admission. The program will pre-select up to 12 students into the athletic training program.  If the number of qualified pre-selection applications exceeds 12, the top 12 will be selected based on weighted criteria.  Pre-selection does not guarantee unconditional admission into the MSAT program; only students who have successfully completed ALL application requirements for the Graduate School, and those required of the Secondary Selective Admissions application, will be officially admitted.

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 national certifying examination offered by the BOC.

Secondary Selective Admissions Minimum Selection Criteria

The criteria listed below represent additional prerequisite requirements.

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