Program Overview

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Master of Science - Athletic Training

About

The Department of Kinesiology & Nutrition Sciences offers an Athletic Training master's degree program that is an entry-level professional program designed to prepare students to enter the profession of Athletic Training.

The Master of Science in Athletic Training (MSAT) degree is designed for students interested in injury/illness prevention, wellness promotion/education, and treatment/rehabilitation of injuries or medical conditions related to physically active populations. The program consists of intense coursework and clinical experiences completed over three consecutive semesters (summer, fall, spring) for two years.

Students who complete the Master of Science in Athletic Training degree will graduate from an accredited program by the Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education (CAATE). Upon graduation, students will be eligible to take the National Board of Certification examination to become a Certified Athletic Trainer.

Available Options

• Exam Track
• Professional Project Track

Accreditation

For information regarding accreditation at UNLV, please head over to Academic Program Accreditations.

Learning Outcomes

Students will be able to:

• Use evidence-based practice concepts through critical thinking, scientific inquiry and clinical application.
• Utilize innovative didactic and clinical experiences in the core competency areas:
  • Patient-Centered Care
  • Interprofessional Practice and Interprofessional Education
  • Evidence-Based Practice
  • Quality Improvement
  • Health Care Informatics
  • Professionalism
• Develop and implement strategies and programs to prevent the incidence and reduce the severity of injuries and illnesses, optimizing overall patient wellness and quality of life.
• Demonstrate strong clinical examination, assessment, and diagnosis skills, based on an understanding of anatomy, physiology, and biomechanics allowing them to accurately formulate a differential diagnosis and develop an appropriate plan of care.
• Demonstrate the knowledge and skills necessary for immediate management of acute illnesses and injuries and emergency care.
• Develop and implement therapeutic interventions designed to maximize a patient’s participation and health-related quality of life.
• Describe and practice health care administration and professional responsibility including: medical classification systems, health care delivery mechanisms, insurance, electronic health records, patient data privacy and protection, and facility management.
• Recognize abnormal social, emotional, and mental behaviors in their patients and possess the ability to intervene and refer these individuals as necessary.
• Transition to practice within the limits of state and national regulation using moral and ethical judgment, while working collaboratively with other health care professionals, referring patients appropriately when such referral is warranted.

Career Possibilities

• Secondary schools: Public and private secondary schools present abundant job possibilities for athletic trainers.
• Colleges and universities: This setting is one of the largest in employing athletic trainers. It includes all NCAA divisions, intramural, club and junior college athletic programs.
• Professional sports: Athletic trainers provide preventative, emergency, and rehabilitative health care services to professional sports teams all over the world.
• Sports medicine clinics: This expanding setting allows athletic trainers to work with various healthcare professionals and a diverse patient population. This setting includes physical therapy clinics, orthopedic physician offices and performance training facilities.
• Military: Each branch of the U.S. military is increasing its use of athletic trainers.
• Performing Arts: Athletic trainers deliver specialized injury prevention and rehabilitative care to performers, dancers, musicians, and vocalists.
• Industrial/Occupational Health: In this setting, athletic trainers develop and manage programs designed to keep employees working at full capacity, improving company productivity and even help reduce health care and insurance costs.

Requirements

Plan Admission Requirements

• Applications available on the UNLV Graduate College website.
• All domestic and international applicants must review and follow the Graduate College Admission and Registration Requirements.

Graduate College Admission Requirements

• Completed application in the Application Portal and non-refundable application fee.
• Bachelor's Degree – You must hold a four-year baccalaureate from a regionally accredited institution or an approved equivalent.
• Grade Point Average – You must have a minimum overall grade point average of 2.75 (4.00=A) for the bachelor's degree or a minimum 3.00 (4.00=A) for the last two years (60 semester credits).
• All applicants are required to submit an unofficial transcript from each postsecondary institution attended, showing all degrees and coursework, the dates awarded, and grades received. Official transcripts required upon admission.
  • Credentials not in English must be accompanied by an English translation certified as true by a university official, an official representative of a United States embassy or consulate, the United States Information Service, the United States Education Foundation, or an approved professional translating service. Notarized copies of originals or translations are not considered official.

Department Admission Requirements

• The application period for each year will commence during the fall semester.
• Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the cohort reaches capacity. However, candidates who submit their applications by the end of November, will receive the strongest consideration for admission.
• Students interested in applying to the UNLV Master of Science in Athletic Training Program (MSAT) must complete a two-step application process. First, applicants must apply directly to the program through ATrack (link provided below). Upon approval from the program, candidates must then submit a second application to the UNLV Graduate College.
• STEP ONE: To begin the application process, applicants must first complete this survey for ATrack access.
  • After completing the survey, applicants will receive a confirmation email with login details for ATrack. The ATrack application will require the following:
    • Two letters of recommendation
    • A statement of intent
    • Unofficial transcripts
    • Clinical Observation Verification Form
• The Athletic Training Program Admissions Committee will review all applications that meet the minimum criteria for admissions. Once program application materials have been reviewed, qualified applicants will be invited for an interview with program faculty. In-person interviews will be offered to in-state applicants, and virtual options will be available for out-of-state applicants. Decision letters will be sent to selected applicants after the interview. Upon approval, selected applicants can move on to Step Two.
• STEP TWO: Submit second application to the UNLV Graduate College
  • All domestic and international applicants must review and follow the Graduate College Admission and Registration requirements as outlined in the Admissions section of the Graduate Catalog.
• The following requirements are considered for admission into the M.S. Athletic Training degree:
  • Prior to entering the program, applicants must complete all prerequisite courses and hold a bachelor's degree or recognized equivalent from a regionally accredited institution. There is no preference given to any particular baccalaureate degree.
  • Preference is given to applicants with a minimum overall undergraduate grade point average of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.
• Prerequisite Course Policies:
  • Earn a "C" letter grade or better for each prerequisite course.
  • All prerequisite courses must be taken at a regionally accredited or equivalent college or university.
  • All prerequisite courses must be completed within the last 10 years prior to the start of the program to ensure foundational knowledge is current.
    • Prerequisite Courses:
      • Biology - 1 course
      • Chemistry -1 course
      • Psychology - 1 course
      • Human Anatomy - 1 course
      • Human Physiology - 1 course
      • Statistics - 1 course
      • Biomechanics - 1 course
      • Exercise Physiology - 1 course
      • Nutrition - 1 course
      • Emergency Management of Injuries/Illnesses - 1 course (e.g., KIN 150) or comparable certifications to be approved by the Athletic Training Program Admissions Committee on a case by case basis.
      • Introduction to Healthcare/Athletic Training - 1 course (e.g., KIN 101)
      • Physics - 1 course
• Physics Course Substitution: Applicants may substitute a biomechanics or other related course for the physics requirement if the course includes the following content:
  • Basic principles of mechanics
  • Kinetics and motion (linear and angular)
  • Center of gravity
  • Forces (static and dynamic)
  • Kinematics and motion (position, acceleration, velocity)
  • Coordinate systems
  • Newton's Laws​​​​

Plan Requirements

Subplan 1: Exam

Total Credits Required: 61

Course Requirements

• Required Courses - Credits: 58
  • ATE 701 - Foundations in Athletic Training
  • ATE 702 - Acute Care in Athletic Training
  • ATE 703 - Evidence-Based Practice
  • ATE 710 - Orthopedic Assessment of Lower Extremity Injuries
  • ATE 710L - Orthopedic Assessment of Lower Extremity Injuries Lab
  • ATE 771 - Athletic Training Clinical Practice I
  • ATE 711 - Orthopedic Assessment of Upper Extremity Injuries
  • ATE 711L - Orthopedic Assessment of Upper Extremity Injuries Lab
  • ATE 712 - Advanced Orthopedic Assessment of Lower Extremity Injuries
  • ATE 772 - Athletic Training Clinical Practice II
  • ATE 720 - Therapeutic Rehabilitation
  • ATE 720L - Therapeutic Rehabilitation Lab
  • ATE 721 - Therapeutic Modalities
  • ATE 721L - Therapeutic Modalities Lab
  • ATE 722 - Advanced Orthopedic Assessment of Upper Extremity Injuries
  • ATE 773 - Athletic Training Clinical Practice III
  • ATE 730 - Risk Reduction and Pathomechanics of Orthopedic Injuries
  • KIN 750 - Research Methods in Kinesiology and Nutrition Sciences Research
  • ATE 774 - AT Clinical IV - Immersive Clinical Experience
  • ATE 740 - Pathophysiology and Intervention for General Medical Conditions
  • ATE 741 - Comprehensive Care of Concussions and Psychosocial Conditions
  • ATE 742 - Technology in Modalities and Rehabilitation
  • ATE 775 - Athletic Training Clinical Practice V
  • ATE 780 - Transition to Practice
  • ATE 760 - Principles of Healthcare Administration in Athletic Training
  • ATE 776 - Athletic Training Clinical Practice VI
• Exam Course - Credits: 3
  • ATE 781 - Culminating Experience - Comprehensive Exam

Degree Requirements

• Complete 61 credit hours of approved courses as described in the program plan, including completion of the required hours of clinical internship and completion of a comprehensive examination in the Culminating Experience class (3 credits).
• Students must maintain a cumulative grade point average of 3.00 or above for each semester enrolled. This requires receiving a grade of B- or above in all required athletic training courses.
• Students who do not maintain a 3.00 average or who receive any grade less than a B- in any course at the end of the semester will be notified in writing and placed on probation at that time. A second grade of C+ or lower received in any course in the ensuing semester or failure to restore the cumulative average to 3.00 or above during the ensuing semester will bring about separation from the program.

Graduation Requirements

• See Plan Graduation Requirements below.

Subplan 2: Professional Project

Total Credits Required: 61

Course Requirements

• Required Courses - Credits: 58
  • ATE 701 - Foundations in Athletic Training
  • ATE 702 - Acute Care in Athletic Training
  • ATE 703 - Evidence-Based Practice
  • ATE 710 - Orthopedic Assessment of Lower Extremity Injuries
  • ATE 710L - Orthopedic Assessment of Lower Extremity Injuries Lab
  • ATE 771 - Athletic Training Clinical Practice I
  • ATE 711 - Orthopedic Assessment of Upper Extremity Injuries
  • ATE 711L - Orthopedic Assessment of Upper Extremity Injuries Lab
  • ATE 712 - Advanced Orthopedic Assessment of Lower Extremity Injuries
  • ATE 772 - Athletic Training Clinical Practice II
  • ATE 720 - Therapeutic Rehabilitation
  • ATE 720L - Therapeutic Rehabilitation Lab
  • ATE 721 - Therapeutic Modalities
  • ATE 721L - Therapeutic Modalities Lab
  • ATE 722 - Advanced Orthopedic Assessment of Upper Extremity Injuries
  • ATE 773 - Athletic Training Clinical Practice III
  • ATE 730 - Risk Reduction and Pathomechanics of Orthopedic Injuries
  • KIN 750 - Research Methods in Kinesiology and Nutrition Sciences Research
  • ATE 774 - AT Clinical IV - Immersive Clinical Experience
  • ATE 740 - Pathophysiology and Intervention for General Medical Conditions
  • ATE 741 - Comprehensive Care of Concussions and Psychosocial Conditions
  • ATE 742 - Technology in Modalities and Rehabilitation
  • ATE 775 - Athletic Training Clinical Practice V
  • ATE 780 - Transition to Practice
  • ATE 760 - Principles of Healthcare Administration in Athletic Training
  • ATE 776 - Athletic Training Clinical Practice VI
• Professional Project - Credits: 3
  • ATE 782 - Culminating Experience - Clinical Research Writing

Degree Requirements

• Complete 61 credit hours of approved courses as described in the program plan, including completion of the required hours of clinical internship and completion of a culminating project in the Culminating Experience class (3 credits).
• Students must maintain a cumulative grade point average of 3.00 or above for each semester enrolled. This requires receiving a grade of B- or above in all required athletic training courses.
• Students who do not maintain a 3.00 average or who receive any grade less than a B- in any course at the end of the semester will be notified in writing and placed on probation at that time. A second grade of C+ or lower received in any course in the ensuing semester or failure to restore the cumulative average to 3.00 or above during the ensuing semester will bring about separation from the program.

Graduation Requirements

• See Plan Graduation Requirements below.

Plan Graduation Requirements

• Students may apply for graduation up to two semesters prior to completing their degree requirements. All required forms must be submitted to the graduate college via the Grad Rebel Gateway.

Documents/Downloads

Master of Science - Athletic Training

• Plans of Study: NA
• Syllabi: NA
• Degree Worksheets: NA
• Careers: NA
• Graduate Handbooks: Program Handbook372.84 KB
• Additional Downloads: NA
• Related Links: NA

Exam Track

• Plans of Study:
  • .8 KB
  • .62 KB
  • .38 KB
• Syllabi: NA
• Degree Worksheets: NA
• Careers: NA
• Graduate Handbooks: NA
• Additional Downloads: NA
• Related Links: NA

Professional Project Track

• Plans of Study:
  • .87 KB
  • .71 KB
  • .47 KB
• Syllabi: NA
• Degree Worksheets: NA
• Careers: NA
• Graduate Handbooks: NA
• Additional Downloads: NA
• Related Links: NA

Contacts

Graduate Coordinator

• Tedd Girouard, M.S., ATC, LAT
  • Program Director, Athletic Training Program, Senior Lecturer
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Graduate Coordinator

• Michelle Samuel, Ph.D., ATC, LAT
  • Senior Lecturer; Clinical Education Coordinator for Athletic Training
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Department of Kinesiology and Nutrition Sciences

• The department of kinesiology and nutrition sciences within the School of Integrated Health Sciences provides a high-quality educational experience in the areas of kinesiology, nutrition sciences, and athletic training. Students receive rigorous classroom instruction aided by computer and multimedia instruction, practical laboratory immersion, and clinical experiences.
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School of Integrated Health Sciences

• With many degree offerings that are accredited by national organizations, the School of Integrated Health Sciences offers dynamic classroom instruction, laboratory/clinical practice, research, and mentoring. Our students develop skills that help them break into health-related fields and further their graduate or professional studies.
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