Master of Science in Athletic Training

The Master of Science in Athletic Training program at The University of Tampa aims to develop the student as a responsible, compassionate healthcare professional with a belief in clinical excellence and lifelong learning. By educating and challenging dedicated students through rigorous academic and diverse clinical experiences to develop excellence in healthcare, the athletic training program will exemplify the balance of learning by thinking and learning by doing throughout the curriculum, both in the classroom and in clinical education experiences. Using a medical-based education model, athletic training students are educated to provide comprehensive patient care in five domains of clinical practice: prevention and wellness promotion; clinical assessment and diagnosis; immediate and emergency care; therapeutic intervention; and health care administration and professional responsibility. Along with formal didactic education, the faculty will challenge the students to develop their skills in clinical reasoning, with the capability to integrate theoretic and practical educational components in clinical practice as they prepare to become skilled and confident entry-level athletic trainers who make a positive contribution to society in healthcare. Furthermore, our mission is to provide personalized education to diverse learners through a wide variety of individualized clinical opportunities.

Athletic trainers are highly qualified, multi-skilled healthcare professionals who work as part of a collaborative health care team. Athletic trainers provide their services in primary care, injury and illness prevention, wellness promotion and education, emergent care, clinical examination and diagnosis, therapeutic interventions for injuries and medical conditions, under the direction of or in collaboration with a physician, in accordance with their education, training and the state's statutes, rules and regulations.

The athletic training profession is evolving in conjunction with healthcare. Athletic training encompasses the prevention, diagnosis, and intervention of emergency, acute, and chronic health conditions affecting body structures, activity limitations, and restrictions in participation of societal roles. The entry-level athletic trainer is a multi-faceted, well-rounded healthcare practitioner who should recognize the diversity of practice settings and roles to respond to societal needs. Graduates are expected to demonstrate the highest ethical standards in practice, exhibit cultural sensitivity, participate in professional associations, and be active in advancing knowledge and providing service and education in their communities.

*Admissions Criteria:
• 3.0 prerequisite GPA, no less than a “C” in prerequisite courses, and must be completed at an institution recognized by The University of Tampa.
• If a pre-requisite course has been retaken, the highest grade will be utilized for prerequisite GPA calculation.
• Prerequisite courses greater than 10 years from the date of graduation (degree during which prerequisites were completed) will not be accepted.
• 3.0 in last 60 credit hours GPA

Procedures for Verification of Prerequisite Course Completion:

1.  All prerequisite courses must be completed prior to matriculation into the program which occurs in the summer semester of professional year 1 (PY1).

2.  Applicants must indicate in ATCAS which course(s) on their official transcript(s) fulfill the prerequisite requirement. Verification of course completion occurs via ATCAS review.

3.  Should the title of the course vary significantly from the course list provided in admissions material (e.g., Biomechanics instead of Kinesiology), the MSAT admissions committee will request a copy of the course description and/or course syllabi to verify the focus of the course.

4. If a student has a pre-requisite course “in progress” at the time of application, they may be admitted contingent upon completion of the course. Matriculation into the professional program will depend upon completion verification via an official transcript submitted to the Office of Graduate Admissions.

 

Admission Requirements

All prospective students must meet the same admission criteria for matriculation into the MSAT program.
1. 3.0 prerequisite GPA, no less than a “C” in prerequisite courses, and must be completed at an institution recognized by The University of Tampa.
a. If a pre-requisite course has been retaken, the highest grade will be utilized for the prerequisite GPA calculation.
2. Prerequisite courses greater than 10 years from the date of graduation (degree during which prerequisites were completed) will not be accepted.
3. 3.0 GPA in last 60 credit hours
4. A minimum grade of C or better in the following courses. No more than one (1) course may be in progress at the time of application and admission is contingent upon completion.
a. General Biology with lab
b. Human Anatomy with lab (can be combined anatomy & physiology 1 w/lab)

c. Human Physiology with lab (can be combined anatomy & physiology 2 w/lab)
d. General Chemistry with lab
e. General Physics with lab
5. A minimum grade of C or better in the following courses. No more than two (2) courses may be in progress at the time of application and admission is contingent upon completion.
a. Exercise Physiology
b. Nutrition
c. General Psychology
d. Kinesiology
e. Statistics
6. Two (2) recommendations from individuals who can attest to the applicant’s ability to succeed in a graduate health professions program (completed through ATCAS).
7. Successful completion of an interview with the MSAT Admissions Committee (invitation only).

Pre-requisites:
The CAATE accreditation standards require that programs will have admissions prerequisite coursework in biology, chemistry, physics, psychology, anatomy, and physiology. In addition, professional program content must incorporate foundational knowledge in statistics, research design, epidemiology, pathophysiology, biomechanics and pathomechanics, exercise physiology, nutrition, human anatomy, pharmacology, public health, and healthcare delivery and payor systems. This foundational knowledge can be required as prerequisite knowledge or as part of the professional program.

Required Pre-requisite Courses:
• One general biology course with lab (4 hrs)
• Two human anatomy and physiology courses with lab (can be one semester anatomy and one semester physiology, or combined anatomy and physiology courses) - (8 hrs)
• One general chemistry course with lab (4 hrs)
• One general physics course with lab (4 hrs)
• One exercise physiology course with lab (3 hrs minimum)
• One general psychology course (4 hrs)
• One general nutrition course (3 hrs minimum)
• One kinesiology (anatomical, structural, or human movement focused) course (3 hrs minimum)
• One statistics course (not a lab science); may be met by educational, psychological or biostatistics courses. (3 hrs minimum)

Degree Requirements

Required Courses:

ATT 501	Foundations of Practice in Athletic Training	3
ATT 502	Acute and Emergency Care in Athletic Training	3
ATT 503	Introduction to Clinical Interventions	2
ATT 515	Clinical Practicum I	2
ATT 520	Clinical Inquiry I	1
ATT 571	Clinical Examination & Diagnosis I	4
ATT 573	Therapeutic Interventions I	4
ATT 620	Clinical Inquiry II	1
ATT 621	Clinical Inquiry III	1
ATT 622	Clinical Inquiry IV	1
ATT 625	Clinical Practicum II	3
ATT 630	Enhancing Performance in Movement and Sport	3
ATT 635	Clinical Practicum III	3
ATT 640	Health Care Administration and Quality Improvement I	2
ATT 641	Health Care Administration and Quality Improvement II	3
ATT 645	Clinical Practicum IV	3
ATT 651	Seminar in Athletic Training I	1
ATT 652	Seminar in Athletic Training II	2
ATT 655	Supervised Clinical Education I	4
ATT 665	Supervised Clinical Education II	3
ATT 670	Medical & Surgical Conditions in Athletic Training	3
ATT 672	Clinical Examination & Diagnosis II	4
ATT 673	Clinical Diagnosis & Management of Non-Orthopedic Conditions	3
ATT 674	Therapeutic Interventions II	4
Total Credit Hours:		63