Athletic Training, MS

Professional Athletic Training education programs use a competency-based approach in both the classroom and clinical settings. Using a medical-based education model, Athletic Training students are educated to provide comprehensive client/patient care in five domains of clinical practice: prevention; clinical evaluation and diagnosis; immediate and emergency care; treatment and rehabilitation; and organization and professional health and well-being. The educational requirements for CAATE-accredited Athletic Training education programs include acquisition of knowledge, skills, and clinical abilities along with a broad scope of foundational behaviors of professional practice. Students complete an extensive clinical learning requirement that is embodied in the clinical integration proficiencies (professional, practice-oriented outcomes) as identified in the Standards for Accreditation of Professional Athletic Training Programs. Students will receive formal instruction in the following specific subject matter areas identified in the Standards: Core Competencies; Patient/Client Care; Prevention, Health Promotion and Wellness and Health Care Administration.

The Masters of Science in Athletic Training program prepares students in a cohort-based model to serve as health care professionals who collaborate with physicians to provide preventative services, emergency care, clinical
diagnosis, therapeutic intervention and rehabilitation of injuries and medical conditions. The program has both an academic and a clinical education component. The clinical education component entails a series of sequential laboratory courses and a minimum of four semesters of practicum coursework that includes supervised field experiences with the IUP Department of Athletics and affiliated clinical sites (sports medicine clinics, physicians’ offices/hospitals, high schools, and additional collegiate settings).

Additionally, program retention, completion, and Board of Certification examination endorsement are contingent upon students passing comprehensive examinations including a mock/practice certification exam. Students must
obtain the Athletic Training Program Overview document from the department website for full details regarding program progression, mediation, retention, and Board of Certification examination endorsement.

First Masters of Science in Athletic Training Cohort begins in June 2020.

Proposed Requirements:

In addition to meeting IUP’s School of Graduate Studies and Research’s admission requirements, students must meet the following entrance criteria:

• Undergraduate GPA of 3.0 and completion of the following prerequisite coursework with a C or better:
  • Biology (with lab)
  • Chemistry (with lab)
  • Human Anatomy (with lab)
  • Human Physiology (with lab)
  • Exercise Physiology
  • Kinesiology/Biomechanics
  • Nutrition
  • Physics (with lab)
  • Psychology
  • Statistics
  • Minimum of 40 hours of direct clinical observation under the guidance of a Certified Athletic Trainer in a minimum of two different settings. A letter of verification is required from each supervising Certified Athletic Trainer.
  • Current Emergency Cardiac Care (ECC) certification. Acceptable ECC providers are those adhering to the most current International Guidelines for Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation and Emergency Cardiac Care.
  • Completion of an interview with the program director and faculty (as needed).
  • Additional details and required documentation (clearances, Tuberculin (TB) skin test, liability insurance) are outlined in the Athletic Training Program Overview which is available on the department website.

Additionally, students enrolled in an IUP undergraduate program who take all of the  aforementioned prerequisite coursework may be eligible for early admission into the Masters of Science in Athletic Training program. Please refer to IUP’s School of Graduate Studies and Research’s guidelines for Early Admission to Graduate Program Policy .