Athletic Training
Program Description
The Athletic Training program is a professional program offered in the Department of Kinesiology, leading to a Master of Science in Athletic Training degree (MSAT).
Athletic trainers (ATs) are highly qualified, multi-skilled health care professionals who collaborate with physicians to provide preventative services, emergency care, clinical diagnosis, therapeutic intervention and rehabilitation of injuries and medical conditions. Athletic trainers work under the direction of a physician as prescribed by state licensure statutes.
The MSAT program is a two-year (six-semesters), year-round program that is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education (CAATE). Admission into the program is competitive. The MSAT program ensures the highest quality of education by offering collective learning experiences that enable the student to successfully challenge the Board of Certification examination and pursue numerous career paths as a certified athletic trainer. Certified athletic trainers gain employment in a variety of settings including but not limited to: high school/college athletic programs, professional sport programs, outpatient physical therapy/sports medicine clinics, industrial/corporate settings, and the US military.
There are two types of applicants for the MSAT program. The first type is the Traditional MSAT applicant who has earned an undergraduate degree. The second type of applicant has not yet earned their undergraduate degree and is currently enrolled at CMU and may qualify to pursue the MSAT as part of a Bachelors degree 3+2 MSAT concurrent enrollment program.
Colorado Mesa University Master of Science in Athletic Training is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education (CAATE). The program earned a 5-year initial accreditation in February 2021 and holds the accreditation status of Active-in good standing.
Contact Information
Master of Science in Athletic Training Program
Foster Field House 132
970.248.1194
ATRN 502 Research Methods II3 Credits
Examination of the methods of research in kinesiology. Topics include epidemiology, public health, and evidence based practice.
Prerequisites: KINE 501.
Terms Typically Offered: Spring.
ATRN 506 Clinical Skills in Athletic Training1 Credit
Introduction of skills for the selection and application of prophylactic interventions in athletic training. Focus will be on skills acquisition for orthopedic taping and wrapping, durable medical equipment fitting, and fit/removal of protective equipment to minimize the risk of injury or re-injury.
Prerequisites: Admission to the MS in Athletic Training program.
Terms Typically Offered: Summer.
Fees: Yes.
ATRN 507 Acute Care in Athletic Training3 Credits
Knowledge and application of skills related to the evaluation and management of patients with acute conditions, including triaging conditions that are life threatening or otherwise emergent. Hands-on patient-care skills will be emphasized.
Prerequisites: Admission to the MS in Athletic Training program.
Terms Typically Offered: Summer.
Fees: Yes.
ATRN 508 Therapeutic Modalities2 Credits
Theory and application of therapeutic interventions for musculoskeletal injuries. Focuses on the pathophysiology of human tissue in response to injury, the neuropathway of pain perception, and the influence of various interventions on the early phases of the rehabilitation process.
Prerequisites: Admission to the MS in Athletic Training program.
Terms Typically Offered: Summer.
ATRN 511 Professionalism in Athletic Training/Healthcare Ethics I1 Credit
Introduction to Athletic Training profession. Foundational athletic training skills and programmatic and professional policies, procedures, and standards of practice.
Prerequisites: Admission to the MS Athletic Training program.
Terms Typically Offered: Summer.
ATRN 512 Professionalism in Athletic Training/Healthcare Ethics II3 Credits
Survey of experience and knowledge gained in Athletic Training Program. Certification examination preparation, employment preparation, and capstone experience.
Prerequisites: ATRN 511.
Terms Typically Offered: Spring.
ATRN 513 Administration in Athletic Training3 Credits
Exploration of athletic training administration. Concentration on human resources, healthcare delivery models, payor systems, facility design and function, and budgets.
Prerequisites: ATRN 553 and ATRN 554.
Corequisites: ATRN 517 and ATRN 536.
Terms Typically Offered: Fall.
ATRN 515 Seminar in Evidence-Based Practice Research I1 Credit
Examination of the methods of research in athletic training, with a focus on intervention effectiveness.
Prerequisites: ATRN 506, ATRN 507, ATRN 508, and ATRN 540.
Corequisites: ATRN 531, ATRN 541, ATRN 542, ATRN 551.
Terms Typically Offered: Fall.
ATRN 516 Seminar in Evidence-Based Practice Research II1 Credit
Examination of the methods of research in athletic training, with a focus on epidemiology and health care disparities.
Prerequisites: ATRN 515, ATRN 531, ATRN 541, ATRN 542, and ATRN 551.
Corequisites: ATRN 532, ATRN 543, ATRN 544 and ATRN 552.
Terms Typically Offered: Spring.
ATRN 517 Seminar in Evidence-Based Practice Research III1 Credit
Examination of the methods of research in athletic training, with a focus on prevention of injuries.
Prerequisites: ATRN 553 and ATRN 554.
Corequisites: ATRN 513 and ATRN 536.
Terms Typically Offered: Fall.
ATRN 521 Injury and Illness Diagnosis and Management I4 Credits
Evaluation techniques and care of common injuries and illnesses. Integration of anatomical structures, physiology principles, and evaluation techniques to provide a basis for clinical decision making in an injury/illness management environment. Review of the theoretical and scientific basis for, and practical use of, traditional therapeutic interventions utilized in the treatment of acute and chronic injury and illness.
Prerequisites: Admission to the MS Athletic Training program.
Terms Typically Offered: Fall.
ATRN 522 Injury and Illness Diagnosis and Management II4 Credits
Evaluation techniques and care of less common injuries and illnesses. Integration of anatomical structures, physiology principles, and evaluation techniques to provide a basis for clinical decision making in an injury/illness management environment. Review of the theoretical and scientific basis for, and practical use of, traditional therapeutic interventions utilized in the treatment of acute and chronic injury and illness.
Prerequisites: ATRN 521.
Terms Typically Offered: Spring.
ATRN 523 Advanced Therapeutic Interventions1 Credit
Exploration of emerging and/or advanced therapeutic interventions. Review of the theoretical and scientific basis for, and practical use of, emerging and/or advanced therapeutic interventions utilized in the treatment of acute and chronic injury and illness.
Prerequisites: ATRN 522.
Terms Typically Offered: Summer.
ATRN 524 Pharmacology and Sport Performance3 Credits
Exploration of pharmacology and sport performance in an athletic patient population. Review of the basics of pharmacology, supplements, and wellness/healthy nutrition, as well as the components of a comprehensive program to maximize sport performance.
Prerequisites: ATRN 523.
Terms Typically Offered: Spring.
ATRN 531 Clinical Education in Athletic Training I2 Credits
Exploration of athletic training clinical experiences. Concentration on development of clinical skills as a novice clinician, with focus on patient-centered care, evidence-based practice, and critical thinking.
Prerequisites: ATRN 506, ATRN 507, ATRN 508, and ATRN 540.
Corequisites: ATRN 515, ATRN 541, ATRN 542, and ATRN 551.
Terms Typically Offered: Fall.
Fees: Yes.
ATRN 532 Clinical Education in Athletic Training II2 Credits
Exploration of athletic training clinical experiences. Concentration on development of clinical skills as an advanced beginner clinician, with focus on patient-centered care, evidence-based practice, and critical thinking.
Prerequisites: ATRN 515, ATRN 531, ATRN 541, ATRN 542, and ATRN 551.
Corequisites: ATRN 516, ATRN 543, ATRN 544, and ATRN 552.
Terms Typically Offered: Spring.
ATRN 533 Clinical Education in Athletic Training III3 Credits
Exploration of athletic training clinical experiences. Concentration on application of clinical skills as a competent clinician with focus on patient-centered care, evidence-based practice, and critical thinking.
Prerequisites: ATRN 532.
Terms Typically Offered: Fall.
ATRN 534 Clinical Education in Athletic Training IV3 Credits
Exploration of athletic training clinical experiences. Concentration on application of clinical skills as an experienced clinician with focus on patient-centered care, evidence-based practice, and critical thinking.
Prerequisites: ATRN 533.
Terms Typically Offered: Spring.
ATRN 536 Clinical Education in Athletic Training III4 Credits
Exploration of athletic training clinical experiences. Concentration on application of clinical skills as a competent clinician, with focus on patient-centered care, evidence-based practice, and critical thinking.
Prerequisites: ATRN 553 and ATRN 554.
Corequisites: ATRN 513 and ATRN 517.
Terms Typically Offered: Fall.
ATRN 537 Clinical Education in Athletic Training IV4 Credits
Exploration of athletic training clinical experiences. Concentration on application of clinical skills as an experienced clinician, with focus on patient-centered care, evidence-based practice, and critical thinking.
Prerequisites: ATRN 513, ATRN 517 and ATRN 536.
Corequisites: ATRN 580 and ATRN 593.
Terms Typically Offered: Spring.
ATRN 540 Clinical Anatomy3 Credits
Application of anatomy as it relates to injury pathologies for future healthcare practitioners. Skill acquisition of clinical palpation, range-of-motion assessment, and manual muscle testing.
Prerequisites: Admission to the MS in Athletic Training Program.
Terms Typically Offered: Summer.
ATRN 541 Clinical Evaluation of Lower Extremity Injuries3 Credits
Recognition, evaluation, and clinical diagnosis of musculoskeletal and neurological pathologies of the lower extremity. Emphasis is placed on using an evidence-based approach to performing a comprehensive, systematic clinical examination in athletic training settings.
Prerequisites: ATRN 506, ATRN 507, ATRN 508 and ATRN 540.
Corequisites: ATRN 515, ATRN 531, ATRN 542 and ATRN 551.
Terms Typically Offered: Fall.
ATRN 542 Clinical Evaluation of Head and Spine Injuries3 Credits
Recognition, evaluation, and clinical diagnosis of musculoskeletal and neurological pathologies of the head, neck, and spine. Emphasis is placed on using an evidence-based approach to performing a comprehensive, systematic clinical examination in athletic training settings.
Prerequisites: ATRN 506, ATRN 507, ATRN 508 and ATRN 540.
Corequisites: ATRN 515, ATRN 531, ATRN 541 and ATRN 551.
Terms Typically Offered: Fall.
ATRN 543 Clinical Evaluation of Upper Extremity Injuries3 Credits
Recognition, evaluation, and clinical diagnosis of musculoskeletal and neurological pathologies of the upper extremity. Emphasis is placed on using an evidence-based approach to performing a comprehensive, systematic clinical examination in athletic training settings.
Prerequisites: ATRN 515, ATRN 531, ATRN 541, ATRN 542 and ATRN 551.
Corequisites: ATRN 516, ATRN 532, ATRN 544 and ATRN 552.
Terms Typically Offered: Spring.
ATRN 544 General Health Conditions and Pharmacology3 Credits
Exploration of general health conditions and pharmacology in an athletic patient population. Emphasizes the basics of pharmacology and application of this knowledge to health conditions common in an athletic population using a systems approach.
Prerequisites: ATRN 515, ATRN 531, ATRN 541, ATRN 542 and ATRN 551.
Corequisites: ATRN 516, ATRN 532, ATRN 543 and ATRN 552.
Terms Typically Offered: Spring.
ATRN 551 Principles of Rehabilitation3 Credits
Theory, application, and practical use of traditional therapeutic interventions utilized in the treatment of musculoskeletal injuries from initial injury to return to activity.
Prerequisites: ATRN 506, ATRN 507, ATRN 508 and ATRN 540.
Corequisites: ATRN 515, ATRN 531, ATRN 541 and ATRN 542.
Terms Typically Offered: Fall.
ATRN 552 Advanced Rehabilitation and Manual Therapy3 Credits
Theory, application, and practical use of advanced therapeutic interventions utilized in the treatment of musculoskeletal injuries from initial injury to return to activity. Topics include: various manual therapies, advanced screening techniques, functional movement analysis and intervention, and non-traditional modalities.
Prerequisites: ATRN 515, ATRN 531, ATRN 541, ATRN 542 and ATRN 551.
Corequisites: ATRN 516, ATRN 532, ATRN 543 and ATRN 544.
Terms Typically Offered: Spring.
ATRN 553 Psychosocial Interventions in Athletic Training1 Credit
Preparation to educate patients about their overall health and mental wellness strategies across the lifespan. A focus on the role of mental health both before and after injury, along with psychosocial strategies needed to assist patients who may exhibit a variety of mental health disorders.
Prerequisites: ATRN 516, ATRN 532, ATRN 543, ATRN 544 and ATRN 552.
Corequisites: ATRN 554.
Terms Typically Offered: Summer.
ATRN 554 Functional Performance in Athletic Training3 Credits
Exploration of functional performance in an athletic patient population. Review of the basics of wellness/healthy nutrition and the components of a comprehensive program to maximize functional performance.
Prerequisites: ATRN 516, ATRN 532, ATRN 543, ATRN 544 and ATRN 552.
Corequisites: ATRN 553.
Terms Typically Offered: Summer.
ATRN 580 Transition to Practice in Athletic Training2 Credits
Preparation for the national certification examination for athletic trainers. Focus on the soft-skills necessary for transition to a successful career in athletic training. Topics include: verbal and non-verbal communication, emotional intelligence, conflict management, interviewing skills, and leadership development.
Prerequisites: ATRN 513, ATRN 517 and ATRN 536.
Corequisites: ATRN 537 and ATRN 593.
Terms Typically Offered: Spring.
ATRN 587 Research3 Credits
ATRN 593 Capstone Research Project in Athletic Training2 Credits
Application of evidence-based principles to develop a clinical question dealing with diagnosis or intervention. Once identified, students will initiate a literature review to gather evidence to answer the clinical question using the format of a Critically Appraised Topic (CAT).
Prerequisites: ATRN 513, ATRN 517 and ATRN 536.
Corequisites: ATRN 537 and ATRN 580.
Terms Typically Offered: Spring.