Program Overview

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Athletic Training MSAT

The University of Southern Mississippi offers a Master of Science in Athletic Training (MSAT) program, designed to prepare students for careers as certified athletic trainers.

Program Overview

On and off the field, athletic trainers are dedicated to the well-being of athletes in their care. Athletic Trainers (ATs) are health care professionals who collaborate with physicians to provide preventative services, emergency care, clinical diagnosis, therapeutic intervention, and rehabilitation of injuries and medical conditions.

What Will I Learn?

Students who want to become certified athletic trainers must earn a degree from a CAATE-accredited athletic training program. Accredited programs include formal instruction in areas such as:

• Injury/illness prevention
• First aid and emergency care
• Assessment of injury/illness
• Human anatomy and physiology
• Therapeutic modalities
• Nutrition Classroom learning is enhanced through clinical education experiences. USM MSAT students complete 5 semesters of clinical rotations.

Research Opportunities

With three core faculty and collaborations available throughout campus, USM offers a diverse array of research opportunities. The three core faculty in athletic training are currently working on projects in:

• Injury Prevention
• Burnout in ATs and other healthcare professions
• Concussions and Issues of Sport Culture The ability for graduate students to perform research helps provide a deeper understanding of how clinical care is impacted through evidence-based practice.

Scholarships

There are several scholarship opportunities available for athletic training students through the USM Foundation and Athletic Foundation. In addition to scholarships offered through the University, being a member of our national organization allows opportunity for scholarships from MATA, SEATA, and NATA.

Unique Program Requirements

Each student will take part in a full semester clinical immersion during their 2nd fall semester. The athletic training student will work side-by-side with a certified preceptor for 15+ weeks at a site that matches their future job goals. This will allow students to get a better understanding of the day-to-day workings of a job setting that they hope to pursue.

Athletic Training Clinical Experiences

Each student has the opportunity to practice clinical skills under the direction of our certified preceptors who are committed to teaching and learning while also serving as professional development role models. During the MSAT program, students will experience various settings (high school, Division I and/or NAIA college, junior college, clinic, etc...) and sports.

• Students will also complete a 15+ week immersive experience to further understand the demands of being a full-time athletic trainer.
• All students will be required to have a clinical experience at a minimum of 1 high school and may have additional off-campus experiences as requested or as called for based on program needs.
• All off-campus clinical experiences are within 25 miles of the USM campus and will require a reliable form of transportation, provided by the student. Additional clinical experiences will be provided during the students' 2nd summer semester. During this time, students will have the opportunity to work alongside physicians and physical therapists in several different settings and learn to interact with other healthcare professionals.

Specific Admission Requirements

Admission to the MSAT program depends upon sufficient enrollment, university resources, and qualifications of applicants. A select number of applicants will be admitted to the program based on the criteria of the Graduate School Admission Requirements and Procedures. In addition, the applicants must also adhere to the requirements of the School of Health Professions Athletic Training program:

1. Bachelors degree from an undergraduate degree-granting institution
2. Minimum TOEFL/IBT score of 79 for international applicants
3. Must have earned a 2.8 or higher-grade point average (GPA) (based on a 4.0 system) from all undergraduate courses.
4. Students must have completed the following courses with a grade of 'C' or better:
   • Anatomy and Physiology (8 credit hrs)
   • Biology (4 credit hrs)
   • Chemistry (4 credit hrs)
   • Physics (4 credit hrs)
   • General Psychology (3 credit hrs)
   • College Algebra or higher (3 credit hrs)
   • Exercise Physiology (3 credit hrs)
   • Biomechanics (3 credit hrs)
   • Nutrition (3 credit hrs)
5. An application for the program will need to be submitted, which will include:
   • Cover Letter and Resume/CV
   • 3 writing prompts
   • 3 letters of recommendation (professional and/or academic)
   • Minimum of 100 hours of clinical observation under the supervision of a certified athletic trainer.
   • Completion of the technical standards document

Following review of applications, select applicants may be contacted for an interview by College of Nursing and Health Professions faculty and staff from the Athletic Training MSAT Program Admissions Committee. The Athletic Training MSAT Program Admissions Committee will make a determination based on an applicant's application and interview process.

Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis. Notifications of acceptance will be made as applications are reviewed until the program is full. The priority deadline to guarantee review of applications is February 15th and the final deadline for applications is May 1st. The start of the program is in the summer semester, which typically begins around the end of May or the beginning of June.

Professional Licensure Disclosure

The University of Southern Mississippi MSAT is currently accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education (CAATE). This program is designed to prepare students to sit for the Board of Certification (BOC) exam. Upon graduating, passing the BOC exam, and having or obtaining an approved emergency cardiac care card, individuals can apply for certification through the BOC and become certified athletic trainers (ATC). Certified athletic trainers can then apply for licensure in 46 states and the District of Columbia.

Career Options

• Secondary Schools
• Professional Sports
• College/University
• Performing Arts
• Clinic and Hospital
• Physicians' Offices

Program Statistics

• Employment Rate: 73%
• Graduation Rate: 91%
• Different Clinical Experience Options: 20