Master of Science in Athletic Training (MSAT)
The Graduate Athletic Training Program (ATP) at Concord University is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education (CAATE). The program utilizes a continuum of didactic and clinical experiences, as set forth in the CAATE Standards for the accreditation of entry level athletic training programs, to appropriately prepare students to work as Certified Athletic Trainers. Upon successful completion of the graduate program, students will have the knowledge base and clinical skills required to sit for and pass the Board of Certification (BOC) Examination.
Concord University has developed a 3+2 matriculation plan where students complete their first three (3) years as an undergraduate student and are then classified as a graduate student for the final 2 years. After the first four years, students who complete the requirements will be conferred a Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences (BSHS) degree, so the first year of graduate classification will contribute toward the completion of the undergraduate degree. Upon successful completion of the 5th year, students will be awarded a Master of Science in Athletic Training (MSAT).
Students who want to apply for admission into the graduate ATP may make formal application for admission after successful completion of all admission requirements. Traditional students following the 3+2 route may anticipate applying for admission into the graduate program during the spring semester of the third year, assuming they will have completed approximately 90 credit hours. Students who have already earned an undergraduate degree, at Concord or another institution, must complete all appropriate prerequisite courses and requirements before they can be accepted into the Graduate ATP. Once accepted such students would only need to complete the final 2 years of the Graduate ATP to earn the MSAT.
The number of candidates accepted into the ATP annually is limited and completion of all admission requirements does not automatically ensure acceptance into the ATP if an excess of students apply. Should the number of qualified applicants exceed the number of clinical spaces available, the procedure for determining which students are accepted is described in the Athletic Training Student Handbook and will be shared with all applicants.
The two years of the Graduate ATP consist of 6 semesters (summer/fall/spring) of academic course work, clinical practicums, and immersion experiences. Clinical practicum experiences will occur within the University's NCAA Division II athletics program, area high schools and colleges, sports medicine clinics, and other off-campus general medical and clinic rotation sites selected by the ATP. Transportation to all off campus clinical sites, as well as any specific requirements of the clinical site (e.g. immunizations, uniforms, criminal background check, etc.) is the responsibility of the student. All requirements are explained further in the Athletic Training Student Handbook, which is provided to all prospective students and reviewed during HS 221 Introduction to Athletic Training and HS 360 Observational Practicum in Athletic Training by the program faculty as part of the courses. This handbook is also available from the program director upon request. Curriculum requirements, including admissions and clinical education requirements, may change as needed to comply with evolving accreditation and/or university standards. Students seeking admission or those already admitted to the program are advised to keep themselves adequately informed of changes in order to complete requirements in a timely manner. Information on curricular changes will be announced in advance by the ATP and will be published in ATP documents and/or the ATP Handbook. Graduate ATP Admission Requirements and Procedures: Admission to the Graduate ATP at Concord University is competitive and should not be confused with admission to the University. Undergraduate students at the University can apply for admission into the graduate ATP during the spring semester of their third year, assuming all admission requirements have been or will have been met by the end of their third year. This means traditional students complete 5 semesters of coursework, and then apply to the Graduate ATP during their 6th semester or before the 90th hour is completed. If accepted into the graduate ATP, students will complete 66 credits hours over 6 semesters (summer/fall/spring). The quota of applicants accepted into the ATP is limited by faculty and preceptor to student ratios, the number of affiliated clinical sites utilized by the ATP, and the highly individualized nature of this program. Admission to the Graduate ATP is based on the following criteria:
Submit a completed Graduate ATP online application through ATCAS (https://atcas.liaisoncas.com – $85 to management system). Forms and information include:
- Graduate ATP application form
- Letter of Application
- Two (2) professional letters of application (one (1) from an educator and one (1) from a clinical health care professional)
- Technical Standards Form
- Must have earned approximately 90 semester hours (100 level or higher) or a bachelor's degree prior to acceptance.
- Must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.75 on a 4.0 scale.
- Successful completion (minimum grade of C) of the athletic training admission prerequisite courses (transfer students must submit transcripts with equivalent courses and credits):
- Interview with members of the ATP Interview Committee.
- All of the above criteria will be met within the scope of the Pre-Athletic Training track in BSHS. Transfer students must submit transcripts, complete all forms, and/or submit satisfactory evidence of completion for all of the above application requirements. Transfer students should contact the Graduate ATP Program Director for questions and guidance related to application and admission.
Admitted students will submit the following materials upon admission to the MSAT:
- Medical History/Physical Form signed by a Physician
- Communicable Disease Acknowledgement Form
- Immunization Records
- Hepatitis B Confirmation
- Informed Consent
- Proof of current ARC Professional Rescuer Certification (or equivalent) verification of any clinical observation hours completed with ATC or licensed healthcare professional.
*All Concord University Graduate ATP candidates will be ranked according to an assessment form rubric score. Available slots within the ATP major will be filled according to this prioritized listing of candidates starting with the top score downward. If there is a tie score and there are not enough slots to admit all the students with a tie into the Graduate ATP, then a tie breaker will be used. Applicants will be rank ordered from the highest to lowest based upon the documented evidence provided in their application file regarding their directed observation clinical experiences for the available slots. Graduate ATP Applicants who are not accepted may reapply for admission during the next available application period. Specific Graduate ATP application details and forms will be posted on-line through https://atcas.liaisoncas.com.
Progression and Retention in the Graduate ATP
After admission to the ATP students will be evaluated, both academically and clinically, each semester.
- Any candidate falling below a 3.0 will be placed on academic probation.
- Candidates who are placed on academic probation for two consecutive semesters will be dismissed from the Graduate ATP.
- Candidates must earn the minimum grade of C to successfully complete a course and continue matriculation through the program.
- Additionally, a separate requirement of earning a B or higher is required for all Athletic Training Practicums (AT 560, AT 561, AT 562, AT 665, AT 667, and AT 668), Immersions (AT 650, AT 651), and Inter-Professional Practicums (AT 663, AT 664) courses.
- All students accepted into the Graduate ATP must annually present proof of current professional rescuer CPR certification, blood borne pathogen training, and student membership of the National Athletic Trainers Association. The Graduate ATP will provide and pay for professional liability insurance for all students in the program.
- Students are required to be involved in professional athletic training organizations at the local, state, and national level.
MSAT Graduation and Exit Criteria
Criteria for MSAT completion includes:
- A minimum of 90 undergraduate credit hours (including the General Education Program).
- 66 graduate credit-hours (30 of which will be attributed for the awarding of the BSHS).
- An overall grade point average of 3.0
- Achieve a minimum letter grade of B or higher in all Athletic Training practicum, immersion, and inter-professional practicum courses.
- Achieve a minimum letter grade of C or higher in all other Athletic Training curricular requirements.
- Completion of a minimum of 600 clinical hours within the four primary practicum courses with satisfactory preceptor evaluation and proficiency completion.
- Completion of 2 four-week inter-professional practicums with satisfactory preceptor evaluation.
- Completion of 2 eight-week clinical immersions with satisfactory preceptor evaluation.
- Completion of Professional Education Requirements.
- Completion of MSAT Exit Interview
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