Master of Science in Athletic Training

(MS)

Director: Valerie W. Herzog, EdD, LAT, ATC
Location: 102F Swenson Building
Telephone: 801-626-7656
 
Faculty: Valerie W. Herzog, EdD, LAT, ATC; Jordan Hamson-Utley, PhD, LAT, ATC

The WSU Master of Science in Athletic Training (MSAT) degree is designed to enable students with a bachelor's degree in an area other than athletic training to obtain eligibility for the Board of Certification (BOC) examination. This program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education (CAATE). Graduates of the MSAT are eligible for the Board of Certification (BOC) examination.

The program provides students with knowledge and skills in the prevention, evaluation, treatment, and rehabilitation of musculoskeletal injuries and general medical conditions. The Master of Science in Athletic Training program is specifically designed to prepare students for a career in allied health care as a certified athletic trainer. Athletic trainers are currently employed in colleges and universities, public and private high schools, corporations, physical therapy clinics, professional organizations, the military, factories, and hospitals (www.nata.org - National Athletic Trainers' Association).

Minimum Admissions Requirements

* Grade point averages between 2.75 and 2.99 will be considered if GRE scores are above average.

** Students who are deficient in one or more prerequisite courses may be admitted on a conditional basis if the courses can be added to the schedule while still meeting the prerequisites prior to each graduate course.

The application deadline is February 1 for the following summer semester. Applications received after the deadline will be considered on a rolling admissions basis if available slots still exist. Students are encouraged to apply by the February 1st deadline, as the program will likely reach capacity at that point. The online application may be accessed on-line at weber.edu/athletictraining/graduateadmissions.html.

Post-Admission Requirements

After formal admission to the Athletic Training Masters degree program, students are required to complete an FBI background check and drug test. The WSU Master of Science in Athletic Training Program enters into Affiliation Agreements with multiple healthcare facilities and schools throughout the state. These agreements provide WSU MSAT students and faculty authorized access to facility resources and patients. In response to stipulations contained within one or more of these Agreements, the WSU MSAT requires students admitted to the program to submit to an FBI level criminal background check as well as a urine drug test. This screening process has been mandated by the WSU MSAT in an effort to more effectively protect the safety and well-being of the patients, clients, and residents of those facilities, and is fully supported by the Department of Health Promotion and Human Performance and the MSAT faculty.

Both the background check and the drug test will be completed during the student's first semester. The expenses (approximately $75) will be paid for by the student.

Additional Admission Requirements for International Students

All international students and any applicants educated outside the U.S. must demonstrate proficiency in English. Those whose native language is not English, or whose language of instruction for their undergraduate degree was not English, will be required to submit a score from the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) which is not more than two years old and on which a minimum score of 550 (paper-based) or 213 (computer-based),  or 79-80 (internet-based) has been earned.  The MSAT also accept the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) - applicants may have an official score report sent to the MSAT Program Director which is not more than two years old and on which a minimum score of 6.5 has been earned.

Selection Process

  1. All applicants will be ranked using a numerical scale on the following criteria:
  1. Cumulative GPA/GRE Scores [0-4 weight in selection formula = 40%]
  2. Application Essay [0-4 weight in selection formula = 25%]
  3. References [0-4 weight in selection formula = 15%]
  4. Previous athletic training experience and strength of applicant's commitment as reflected in interview responses [0-4 weight in selection formula = 20%]
  1. Students receiving the highest scores in the rating process will be invited to enter the Master of Science in Athletic Training Program. The selection committee is comprised of the MSAT faculty. The number of students chosen to enter the program each year will vary, in compliance with accreditation guidelines concerning clinical instructor-to-student ratios. Selection into the MSAT is competitive and satisfaction of the minimum requirements does not guarantee admission.
     
  2. Applicants not invited to enter the MSAT may reapply the following year. All applicants who re-apply must meet all requirements in effect at the time of re-application. Students who choose to reapply must review the program website and/or catalog for current admission requirements at that time.
     
  3. All students selected for the MSAT must provide evidence of being able to meet the Technical Standards for Admission of the program. Only those students who verify that they can meet those technical standards, with or without reasonable accommodations, will be allowed to enter the program.

Retention Requirements

  1. After students are selected into the MSAT, retention in the program will be based on the following criteria :
  1. Grade "B-" or better in all required courses (includes Graduate Practicum courses).
  2. Maintain an overall Weber State University Graduate GPA of 3.0.
  3. Adhere to WSU Athletic Training Policies and Procedures.
  4. Adhere to MSAT Student Handbook Policies .
  1. Students who fail to meet the retention criteria will be placed on probation in the MSAT program for one semester. If standards are not met by the end of the probationary period, the student will be dismissed from the program. Students who receive a grade lower than a "B-" in any required course must repeat that course and receive a grade of "B-" or higher to remain in the program. Failure to repeat the course (when offered) will result in dismissal from the program. Athletic Training Policies and Procedures are available in the MS Athletic Training Student Handbook.  Students who receive a grade lower than a “B-“ in two or more MSAT courses will be dismissed from the program.

Advisement

Students enrolled in the MSAT program will be assigned a faculty advisor. Students will be required to meet with their faculty advisor at least once a semester but will be encouraged to engage in dialogue when necessary regarding academic success, clinical assignments, and/or personal or professional issues.

Transfer Credits

In compliance with the Higher Education Act, Weber State University only accepts transfer credit from regionally accredited colleges and universities.

Students who have completed graduate athletic training coursework at another CAATE-accredited entry-level masters program may apply for up to 9 transfer credits. The transfer of graduate credits from non-CAATE-accredited programs will be considered on a case-by-case basis. Approval of all transfer credits requires an official transcript, a copy of the course syllabus, and approval by the WSU MSAT Program Director.

Prerequisite Course Requirements for MS

Required Prerequisite Courses (31 credit hours)
(or equivalent courses - syllabi or catalog course description required)

Course Requirements for MS

Required Courses (52 credit hours)

Didactic Courses

Clinical Courses


 

Weber State University 2012-2013 Catalog