Athletic Training, M.S.

The Master of Science in Athletic Training is a two-year program that provides hands-on clinical training and education in injury care, rehabilitation, and nutrition. The program is designed to prepare students for the Board of Certification Examination and a career as a certified athletic trainer.

Program Description

The program consists of 72 credit hours, including athletic training core courses, auxiliary courses, and elective courses. Students will participate in clinical experiences, working with athletic trainers in various settings, including high schools, colleges, and professional sports teams.

Admission Requirements

Admission to the program requires:

• An earned bachelor's degree from an accredited university or college
• An undergraduate cumulative grade point average of 3.0
• Completion of a formal application, which includes three letters of recommendation
• Successful completion of a minimum of 50 pre-program clinical observation hours under the supervision of a licensed and credentialed athletic trainer
• Interview with the Athletic Training program admission committee
• Documentation of current Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation and First Aid certification
• Successful completion of prerequisite courses, including:
  • Human Anatomy and Physiology with lab (2 semesters)
  • Physics with lab (1 semester)
  • General Chemistry with lab (1 semester)
  • General Psychology
  • General Nutrition or Sports Nutrition
  • Statistics
  • Prevention and Care of Athletic Injuries
  • Exercise Physiology with lab

Curriculum

The curriculum includes:

• Athletic Training Core Requirements (60 hours)
  • ATHT 5000 - Strength and Conditioning in Sport, Fitness, and Rehab
  • ATHT 5001 - Strength and Conditioning in Sport, Fitness, and Rehab Laboratory
  • ATHT 5100 - Athletic Training Immersion Experience I
  • ATHT 5200 - Acute Trauma and Emergency Care in Athletic Training
  • ATHT 5201 - Acute Trauma and Emergency Care in Athletic Training Laboratory
  • ATHT 5300 - Introduction to Evidence Based Medicine
  • ATHT 5350 - Athletic Training History, Documentation, Terminology, and Intro to Health Care Informatics
  • ATHT 5620 - Psychomotor Skills, Bracing/Casting, and Equipment in Athletic Training Laboratory
  • ATHT 6000 - Cultural Competence and Lifestyle Demands in Athletic Training
  • ATHT 6020 - Somatic Therapy Techniques for Health Care Providers
  • ATHT 6100 - Clinical A in Athletic Training
  • ATHT 6110 - Clinical B in Athletic Training
  • ATHT 6120 - Clinical C in Athletic Training
  • ATHT 6130 - Clinical D in Athletic Training
  • ATHT 6140 - Clinical E in Athletic Training
  • ATHT 6160 - Athletic Training Immersion Experience II
  • ATHT 6170 - Athletic Training Immersion Experience III
  • ATHT 6200 - Functional Anatomy and Biomechanics
  • ATHT 6201 - Functional Anatomy and Biomechanics Laboratory
  • ATHT 6300 - Advanced Evidence Based Medicine
  • ATHT 6400 - Evaluation/Assessment of Lower Extremity
  • ATHT 6401 - Evaluation/Assessment of Lower Extremity Lab
  • ATHT 6410 - Evaluation/Assessment of Upper Extremity
  • ATHT 6411 - Evaluation/Assessment of Upper Extremity Laboratory
  • ATHT 6420 - Evaluation/Assessment of Head, Spine, Thorax, Abdomen, and General Medical
  • ATHT 6421 - Evaluation/Assessment of Head, Spine, Thorax, Abdomen, and General Medical Laboratory
  • ATHT 6430 - Practicum in Athletic Training
  • ATHT 6500 - Pathophysiology and Pharmacology in Health Care
  • ATHT 6501 - Pathophysiology and Pharmacology in Health Care Laboratory
  • ATHT 6820 - Organization/Administration in Athletic Training: Health Care Delivery, Payor Systems, and Informatics
  • ATHT 6960 - Sports Medicine Rehabilitation Techniques
  • ATHT 6961 - Sports Medicine Rehabilitation Techniques Laboratory
  • ATHT 6970 - Therapeutic Modalities
  • ATHT 6971 - Therapeutic Modalities Laboratory
  • ATHT 6975 - Psycho-social Aspects of Sport, Health, and Rehabilitation
  • ATHT 6990 - Graduate Seminar in Athletic Training
• Athletic Training Auxiliary Course Requirements (6 hours)
  • HLTH 6510 - The Nation's Health
  • HLTH 6850 - Methods in Epidemiology
• Athletic Training Guided Electives (6 hours)
  • Select at least two of the following for a total of 6 credit hours:
    • ATHT 5965 - Aquatic Exercise and Therapeutic Techniques
    • ATHT 6310 - Independent Research in Athletic Training and Sports Medicine
    • ATHT 6430 - Practicum in Athletic Training
    • ATHT 6440 - Global Studies in Athletic Training and Sports Medicine
    • Public Health (HLTH) or Exercise Science (EXSC) course at the 6000 level with approval of the Athletic Training director

Faculty

The program is directed by Dr. Helen Binkley, with faculty members including Dr. Kristi Phillips, Dr. James Lee Farnsworth II, Dr. Ian Huff, and Dr. Russell McKissick.

Information

The Athletic Training Program at Middle Tennessee State University is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education (CAATE). The program has been accredited since 2002.

Mission Statement

The mission of the Athletic Training Program is to produce exceptional professionals who will be contributing members to the profession of athletic training, and who possess the knowledge, skills, and abilities to become proficient in the prevention, diagnosis, treatment, rehabilitation, and administration of injuries and illnesses for the physically active.

Program Goals and Objectives

The program prepares students to become well-rounded educated individuals through program goals and objectives, including:

1. Acquiring the knowledge, skills, abilities, and competencies included in the 2020 standards and guidelines established by The CAATE.
2. Promoting students to think logically, critically, and creatively, and to make sound judgments and decisions in a supervised environment.
3. Ensuring quality clinical experiences that allow students to appreciate the role of an athletic trainer in a variety of practice settings.
4. Promoting effective communication techniques and strategies to build positive professional relationships.
5. Preparing students to acquire and integrate research into daily clinical practice through the practice of evidence-based medicine.
6. Promoting professionalism and the importance of ethical practice.
7. Encouraging active engagement in university, community, and professional activities that develop leadership and role-modeling skills.
8. Preparing qualified healthcare professionals to successfully gain employment or continue on to post-professional education.

Program Student Learning Outcomes

The program has specific student learning outcomes, including:

1. Demonstrating effective communication, both orally and in writing.
2. Demonstrating discipline-specific content knowledge.
3. Analyzing and thinking logically, critically, and creatively to make sound judgments in problem-solving situations.
4. Demonstrating knowledge of diverse cultural needs and abilities.
5. Applying professional skills and research in discipline-specific situations.
6. Valuing lifelong learning through professional advocacy and participation.
7. Demonstrating knowledge of ethical practice.

Costs

Athletic training students pay the same fee schedules as do all other undergraduate students at the University. Additional expenses incurred by athletic training students include:

• The cost of a uniform package approximately $100-150
• Liability insurance - approximately $35 (yearly)
• Membership into the National Athletic Trainer's Association approximately $80-100 (yearly)
• Maintenance of professional rescuer CPR- approximately $30-50 (yearly)
• Verification of immunization (cost depends on where immunization is received)
• Their own transportation to and from clinical sites, including vehicle and fuel costs
• The cost of a background check, if required by the clinical site approximately $40 (when required by clinical site)

Outline:

• The Master of Science in Athletic Training requires completion of a minimum of 72 semester hours.
• The curriculum consists of the following core courses:
• Strength and Conditioning in Sport, Fitness, and Rehab
• Strength and Conditioning in Sport, Fitness, and Rehab Laboratory
• Athletic Training Immersion Experience I
• Acute Trauma and Emergency Care in Athletic Training
• Acute Trauma and Emergency Care in Athletic Training Laboratory
• Introduction to Evidence Based Medicine
• Athletic Training History, Documentation, Terminology, and Intro to Health Care Informatics
• Psychomotor Skills, Bracing/Casting, and Equipment in Athletic Training Laboratory
• Cultural Competence and Lifestyle Demands in Athletic Training
• Somatic Therapy Techniques for Health Care Providers
• Clinical A in Athletic Training
• Clinical B in Athletic Training
• Clinical C in Athletic Training
• Clinical D in Athletic Training
• Clinical E in Athletic Training
• Athletic Training Immersion Experience II
• Athletic Training Immersion Experience III
• Functional Anatomy and Biomechanics
• Functional Anatomy and Biomechanics Laboratory
• Advanced Evidence Based Medicine
• Evaluation/Assessment of Lower Extremity
• Evaluation/Assessment of Lower Extremity Lab
• Evaluation/Assessment of Upper Extremity
• Evaluation/Assessment of Upper Extremity Laboratory
• Evaluation/Assessment of Head, Spine, Thorax, Abdomen, and General Medical
• Evaluation/Assessment of Head, Spine, Thorax, Abdomen, and General Medical Laboratory
• Practicum in Athletic Training
• Pathophysiology and Pharmacology in Health Care
• Pathophysiology and Pharmacology in Health Care Laboratory
• Organization/Administration in Athletic Training: Health Care Delivery, Payor Systems, and Informatics
• Sports Medicine Rehabilitation Techniques
• Sports Medicine Rehabilitation Techniques Laboratory
• Therapeutic Modalities
• Therapeutic Modalities Laboratory
• Psycho-social Aspects of Sport, Health, and Rehabilitation
• Graduate Seminar in Athletic Training
• The curriculum also includes the following auxiliary courses:
• The Nation's Health
• Methods in Epidemiology
• Students may select from the following guided electives to complete the remaining 6 credit hours required for the program:
• Aquatic Exercise and Therapeutic Techniques
• Independent Research in Athletic Training and Sports Medicine
• Practicum in Athletic Training
• Global Studies in Athletic Training and Sports Medicine
• Public Health (HLTH) or Exercise Science (EXSC) course at the 5000-6000 level with approval of the Athletic Training director

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Careers:

• Athletic trainers can find careers within a variety of organizations, from professional sports organizations to corporations interested in employee wellness to hospitals and rehabilitation clinics.
Examples include:
• Administrator
• Athletic trainer (high school, college, or professional settings)
• Corporate fitness and wellness
• College/University educators and preceptors
• Emergency room sports medicine liaison
• Industrial safety, injury prevention and ergonomics specialist
• Military and tactical prevention, training and rehabilitation specialist
• Performing arts athletic trainer
• Physician extender
• Surgical and casting technologist

Middle Tennessee State University

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Overview:

Middle Tennessee State University (MTSU) is a large university with a small-town feel, located in Murfreesboro, Tennessee. It is known for its affordability, strong academic programs, and vibrant campus life. MTSU is a public university with a diverse student body, including a significant number of first-generation students.

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Services Offered:

MTSU offers a wide range of services to its students, including:

Financial Aid:

83% of students receive financial aid, with over $230 million in assistance available.

Campus Improvements:

The university has invested $1.5 billion in recent campus improvements and renovations.

Academic Support:

MTSU provides academic advising, tutoring, and other support services to help students succeed.

Student Life:

The university offers a variety of student organizations, clubs, and activities to enhance the campus experience.

Career Services:

MTSU provides career counseling, job placement assistance, and internship opportunities.

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Student Life and Campus Experience:

MTSU boasts a vibrant campus life with a strong sense of community. Students can enjoy:

Large Campus with Small-Town Feel:

MTSU's 515-acre campus offers a scenic, park-like setting while maintaining a close-knit atmosphere.

Active Student Organizations:

Students can join over 200 student organizations and clubs, catering to diverse interests.

Athletics:

MTSU has 17 Division I sports teams, providing opportunities for both participation and spectator enjoyment.

Campus Events:

The university hosts a variety of events throughout the year, including concerts, lectures, and sporting events.

Student Union:

The Student Union serves as a central hub for students, offering dining, a bookstore, a game room, a theater, and more.

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Key Reasons to Study There:

Affordability:

MTSU offers the lowest tuition among Tennessee's three largest universities, making it a highly affordable option.

Strong Academic Programs:

MTSU offers over 300 undergraduate and graduate majors and concentrations, including highly ranked programs in areas like Industrial and Organizational Psychology and Audio Engineering.

Diverse Student Body:

MTSU is home to a diverse student population, including a significant number of first-generation students.

Vibrant Campus Life:

The university offers a wide range of student organizations, clubs, and activities, fostering a strong sense of community.

Career Opportunities:

MTSU provides career counseling, job placement assistance, and internship opportunities to help students prepare for their future careers.

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Academic Programs:

MTSU offers a wide range of academic programs across eight colleges, including:

Arts and Sciences:

Offers majors in fields like biology, chemistry, English, history, and mathematics.

Business:

Offers majors in accounting, finance, marketing, and management.

Education:

Offers majors in elementary education, secondary education, and special education.

Engineering and Technology:

Offers majors in computer science, electrical engineering, and mechanical engineering.

Fine Arts:

Offers majors in music, theater, and art.

Health and Human Sciences:

Offers majors in nursing, health sciences, and human development.

Liberal Arts:

Offers majors in communication, journalism, and political science.

University College:

Offers a variety of general studies programs and interdisciplinary majors.

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Other:

• MTSU is the number 1 producer of college graduates in the greater Nashville area.
• MTSU is home to the first public Honors College in Tennessee.
• MTSU has more than two dozen Fulbright scholars.
• MTSU students, alumni, faculty, and staff have won 47 Grammy Awards since 2001.
• MTSU is known for its flexible programs that emphasize real-world projects and soft skills development.