Athletic Training, M.S.
The Master of Science in Athletic Training (MS-AT) is a 60-61unit program comprising two eight-week summer terms and four traditional 16-week terms.
The MS-AT is designed to prepare highly knowledgeable and career-focused professionals for the dynamic and rapidly growing field of athletic training. The MS-AT will challenge and fully equip students to become highly effective allied health care professionals and lifelong learners who incorporate a Christian perspective, academic excellence and professional/relational proficiency. The MS-AT will consist of extensive laboratory and clinical experiences designed to provide a multifaceted learning experience that incorporates current research and scholarly instruction. The desired outcome of the curriculum is to emphasize an evidence-based approach to healthcare with the integration of Christian faith to produce intellectually and spiritually sound clinicians who are service oriented and focused on providing patient-centered care. Graduates will achieve the entry-level competencies necessary to take and pass the certification examination offered by the Board of Certification (BOC).
Program Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of the Master of Science in Athletic Training (MS-AT), the successful student will be able:
- To prepare students to demonstrate competency in interpreting evidence-based research and improving clinical standards and practice through clinical question development and research methodology.
- To prepare students to develop expertise in the athletic training domains through an integrative experiential clinical model.
- To equip students with appropriate knowledge and educational foundation required for an entry-level Certified Athletic Trainer.
- To prepare students to establish and understand the importance of inter-professional relationships, while collaborating with other health care professionals to become effective communicators.
- To prepare students to demonstrate preparation, knowledge and skill in the delivery of comprehensive health care to a diverse set of patients with musculoskeletal injuries and conditions and illnesses in a distinctly moral and ethical manner, integrating Christian faith with clinical practice.
Program Eligibility
The Master of Science in Athletic Training program has two routes for admission, with each route requiring the prospective student to complete the required course prerequisites. These routes include:
- A student who has obtained a bachelor’s degree and the essential prerequisites from a regionally accredited college or university. Applicants will apply through the university’s application process.
or - The 3+2 accelerated program in coordination with the Bachelor of Arts in Exercise and Sport Science (Pre-Allied Health Concentration) and prerequisites at Point Loma Nazarene University. Advising for this route of admission is critical and applicants will apply directly through the department using an internal application.
To be reviewed for acceptance into this program, the following must be in place:
- It is highly recommended to submit completed admission application by December 1.
- To be considered for admission, applicants must submit the following:
- Completed application through the graduate website or completed internal application
- Official transcripts from all colleges/universities attended
- Cumulative GPA of 3.000 or higher in the undergraduate degree
- Prerequisite course GPA of 3.000 or higher with no course grade below a “C” and all prerequisites taken in the previous seven years
- Hours verification form (50 hours volunteering under the direct supervision of a certified athletic trainer)
- Three Letters of Recommendation which describe academic and clinical abilities (One must be from a certified athletic trainer that has observed your clinical skills and another must be from a professor/teacher who can describe your academic abilities)
- (International Students Only) - applicants who have completed their undergraduate degree outside of the United States are required to achieve an acceptable score on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), minimum 550 (paper-based), or 80 (internet-based).
Prerequisite Courses
(Prerequisite course syllabi are required at the time of application)
- Anatomy and Physiology with a lab
- Biology
- Chemistry
- Exercise Physiology
- Physics
- Psychology
Additional Information
- If a combined Anatomy/Physiology course is taken, two semester or three quarter courses are required.
- Prerequisite courses may be repeated only once; the second grade will then be used to calculate GPA.
- Pass/Credit grades for prerequisite courses will be will be accepted if the granting institution has a C or better basis for a grade of Credit/Pass.
- Courses which have received advanced placement credit (AP or CLEP) may fulfill prerequisite requirements. The credit hours and grade points will not be computed in the GPA calculation.
- Students who are offered admission are required to financially commit and enrollment deposit with the Office of Graduate Admission. Generally, the deposit must be received within two weeks of notification of admission.
- Students must satisfactorily complete all remaining prerequisite course requirements in accordance with the admission requirements before beginning MS AT coursework.
- Accepted students are required to meet technical standards and specific health requirements (e.g., vaccinations).
- Persons who have been dismissed from another athletic training program are not eligible for consideration for admission to Point Loma Nazarene University.
- Applicants who decline or are denied admission may reapply in any subsequent year. Admission requirements are subject to change, and admission in one year does not guarantee admission in any subsequent year.
- Persons who cannot pass an FBI/Department of Justice Background Check are not eligible for clinical education rotations and are not admissible to the program.
- Point Loma Nazarene University considers all applicants without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, ancestry, gender, marital status, sexual orientation, special needs, veteran status or any other characteristic protected by applicable state or federal civil rights laws. Some information requested in the application is requested for federal or accreditation reporting and will not be used in a discriminatory manner.
Post-Admission Documentation
- After admission into the MS in Athletic Training program, the following documentation must be submitted to the AT program director prior to the beginning of any coursework:
- CPR Certification. Emergency Cardiac Care or CPR/AED for the Professional Rescuer (note: online CPR courses and Lay Responder Certification are not accepted)
- Immunizations record (e.g., hepatitis B, TB-test within the past 6 months, etc.)
- Federal background check will be completed upon arrival to campus in the summer
Concentrations
Master of Science in Athletic Training (No Concentration)
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses | ||
| ANA 6002 | Gross Anatomy of the Musculoskeletal System | 3 |
| ATR 6000 | Seminar in Athletic Training | 1 |
| ATR 6005 | Research Methods and Statistical Techniques for Clinical Decision Making in Medicine | 3 |
| ATR 6007 | Research Project Seminar | 1 |
| ATR 6010 and ATR 6010L | Therapeutic Interventions and Therapeutic Interventions Lab | 4 |
| ATR 6011 | Advanced Functional Movement Interventions | 3 |
| ATR 6015 and ATR 6015L | Therapeutic Agents and Therapeutic Agents Lab | 3 |
| ATR 6020 | Pharmacology for Allied Health Care Professionals | 2 |
| ATR 6065 | Leadership and Management in Athletic Training | 3 |
| ATR 6085 | General Medical Conditions and Medical Terminology | 3 |
| ATR 6087 and ATR 6087L | Evidence-Based Orthopedic Assessment of the Lower Extremity and Evidence-Based Orthopedic Assessment of the Lower Extremity Lab | 4 |
| ATR 6088 and ATR 6088L | Evidence-Based Orthopedic Assessment of the Spine and Upper Extremities and Evidence-Based Orthopedic Assessment of the Spine and Upper Extremities Lab | 4 |
| ATR 6090 | Clinical Internship I | 3 |
| ATR 6091 | Clinical Internship II | 3 |
| ATR 6092 | Clinical Preceptorship | 3 |
| ATR 6093 | Clinical Practicum I | 3 |
| ATR 6094 | Clinical Practicum II | 3 |
| ATR 6099 | Athletic Training Capstone | 2 |
| KIN 6010 | Evidence-Based Practice and Decision Making in Kinesiology | 3 |
| OCC 6004 | Health and Equity Disparities | 1 |
| Choose a minimum of five (5) additional units from the following: | 5-6 | |
| Clinical Anatomy | ||
| Teaching and Learning Anatomy | ||
| Anatomy Clinical Practice | ||
| Biomechanical and Neurological Basis of Human Movement | ||
| Special Topics in Health, Well-Being, Exercise, and Sports Science | ||
| Sport and Tactical Strength and Conditioning | ||
| Internship or Practicum in Kinesiology | ||
| Total Units | 60-61 | |
Anatomy Education Concentration
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses | ||
| ANA 6002 | Gross Anatomy of the Musculoskeletal System | 3 |
| ATR 6000 | Seminar in Athletic Training | 1 |
| ATR 6005 | Research Methods and Statistical Techniques for Clinical Decision Making in Medicine | 3 |
| ATR 6007 | Research Project Seminar | 1 |
| ATR 6010 and ATR 6010L | Therapeutic Interventions and Therapeutic Interventions Lab | 4 |
| ATR 6011 | Advanced Functional Movement Interventions | 3 |
| ATR 6015 and ATR 6015L | Therapeutic Agents and Therapeutic Agents Lab | 3 |
| ATR 6020 | Pharmacology for Allied Health Care Professionals | 2 |
| ATR 6065 | Leadership and Management in Athletic Training | 3 |
| ATR 6085 | General Medical Conditions and Medical Terminology | 3 |
| ATR 6087 and ATR 6087L | Evidence-Based Orthopedic Assessment of the Lower Extremity and Evidence-Based Orthopedic Assessment of the Lower Extremity Lab | 4 |
| ATR 6088 and ATR 6088L | Evidence-Based Orthopedic Assessment of the Spine and Upper Extremities and Evidence-Based Orthopedic Assessment of the Spine and Upper Extremities Lab | 4 |
| ATR 6090 | Clinical Internship I | 3 |
| ATR 6091 | Clinical Internship II | 3 |
| ATR 6092 | Clinical Preceptorship | 3 |
| ATR 6093 | Clinical Practicum I | 3 |
| ATR 6094 | Clinical Practicum II | 3 |
| ATR 6099 | Athletic Training Capstone | 2 |
| KIN 6010 | Evidence-Based Practice and Decision Making in Kinesiology | 3 |
| OCC 6004 | Health and Equity Disparities | 1 |
| Concentration Courses | ||
| ANA 6000 | Clinical Anatomy | 3 |
| ANA 6003 | Teaching and Learning Anatomy | 1 |
| ANA 6004 | Anatomy Clinical Practice | 2 |
| Total Units | 61 | |
Biomechanics Concentration
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses | ||
| ANA 6002 | Gross Anatomy of the Musculoskeletal System | 3 |
| ATR 6000 | Seminar in Athletic Training | 1 |
| ATR 6005 | Research Methods and Statistical Techniques for Clinical Decision Making in Medicine | 3 |
| ATR 6007 | Research Project Seminar | 1 |
| ATR 6010 and ATR 6010L | Therapeutic Interventions and Therapeutic Interventions Lab | 4 |
| ATR 6011 | Advanced Functional Movement Interventions | 3 |
| ATR 6015 and ATR 6015L | Therapeutic Agents and Therapeutic Agents Lab | 3 |
| ATR 6020 | Pharmacology for Allied Health Care Professionals | 2 |
| ATR 6065 | Leadership and Management in Athletic Training | 3 |
| ATR 6085 | General Medical Conditions and Medical Terminology | 3 |
| ATR 6087 and ATR 6087L | Evidence-Based Orthopedic Assessment of the Lower Extremity and Evidence-Based Orthopedic Assessment of the Lower Extremity Lab | 4 |
| ATR 6088 and ATR 6088L | Evidence-Based Orthopedic Assessment of the Spine and Upper Extremities and Evidence-Based Orthopedic Assessment of the Spine and Upper Extremities Lab | 4 |
| ATR 6090 | Clinical Internship I | 3 |
| ATR 6091 | Clinical Internship II | 3 |
| ATR 6092 | Clinical Preceptorship | 3 |
| ATR 6093 | Clinical Practicum I | 3 |
| ATR 6094 | Clinical Practicum II | 3 |
| ATR 6099 | Athletic Training Capstone | 2 |
| KIN 6010 | Evidence-Based Practice and Decision Making in Kinesiology | 3 |
| OCC 6004 | Health and Equity Disparities | 1 |
| Concentration Courses | ||
| KIN 6015 | Biomechanical and Neurological Basis of Human Movement | 3 |
| KIN 6088 | Internship or Practicum in Kinesiology (3 units required) | 3 |
| Total Units | 61 | |
Sport Performance Concentration
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses | ||
| ANA 6002 | Gross Anatomy of the Musculoskeletal System | 3 |
| ATR 6000 | Seminar in Athletic Training | 1 |
| ATR 6005 | Research Methods and Statistical Techniques for Clinical Decision Making in Medicine | 3 |
| ATR 6007 | Research Project Seminar | 1 |
| ATR 6010 and ATR 6010L | Therapeutic Interventions and Therapeutic Interventions Lab | 4 |
| ATR 6011 | Advanced Functional Movement Interventions | 3 |
| ATR 6015 and ATR 6015L | Therapeutic Agents and Therapeutic Agents Lab | 3 |
| ATR 6020 | Pharmacology for Allied Health Care Professionals | 2 |
| ATR 6065 | Leadership and Management in Athletic Training | 3 |
| ATR 6085 | General Medical Conditions and Medical Terminology | 3 |
| ATR 6087 and ATR 6087L | Evidence-Based Orthopedic Assessment of the Lower Extremity and Evidence-Based Orthopedic Assessment of the Lower Extremity Lab | 4 |
| ATR 6088 and ATR 6088L | Evidence-Based Orthopedic Assessment of the Spine and Upper Extremities and Evidence-Based Orthopedic Assessment of the Spine and Upper Extremities Lab | 4 |
| ATR 6090 | Clinical Internship I | 3 |
| ATR 6091 | Clinical Internship II | 3 |
| ATR 6092 | Clinical Preceptorship | 3 |
| ATR 6093 | Clinical Practicum I | 3 |
| ATR 6094 | Clinical Practicum II | 3 |
| ATR 6099 | Athletic Training Capstone | 2 |
| KIN 6010 | Evidence-Based Practice and Decision Making in Kinesiology | 3 |
| OCC 6004 | Health and Equity Disparities | 1 |
| Concentration Courses | ||
| KIN 6025 | Special Topics in Health, Well-Being, Exercise, and Sports Science | 3 |
| KIN 6065 | Sport and Tactical Strength and Conditioning | 3 |
| Total Units | 61 | |
Graduation Requirements
- Successful completion of all didactic and clinical requirements with a minimum 3.000 grade point average
- A completed application for degree candidacy conveyed to the Office of Records,
- All student accounts paid in full, and
- All requirements completed within three years from the time of initial enrollment.