Athletic Training (MS)
Degree: Master of Science
Major: Athletic Training
Program Code: 8155
About This Program . . .
The Master of Science in Athletic Training program has proposed credit hour changes that have not yet been approved by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC). For the currently approved credit hours, please refer to the 2023-2024 catalog.
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 six semester clinical 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 in the BS Exercise Science program and may qualify to pursue the MSAT as part of a Bachelor degree 3+2 MSAT concurrent enrollment program.
Important information for the Traditional MSAT applicant
Applicants must meet the following criteria for the MSAT program:
- Earned bachelor’s degree or higher from a regionally accredited institution of higher learning
- Minimum overall GPA of 3.0 (on 4.0 scale)
- Minimum science GPA of 3.0 (on 4.0 scale)
- Science GPA includes all courses with subject codes of Biology/Zoology, Chemistry, and Physics
Prerequisite Course Requirements
- The candidate must have completed the following prerequisites with a grade of C or higher
- All prerequisite coursework must be earned from a regionally accredited institution and be verifiable through official transcripts, or accepted by a U.S. equivalency reporting agency
- A single course cannot be used to meet multiple requirements
- All applicants must complete the required prerequisites
- All transcripts for outstanding prerequisite coursework must be received by CMU before classes begin
- Prerequisite coursework (CMU equivalent)
- Biology2 (BIOL 101/101L)
- General Chemistry2 (CHEM 131/131L)
- Physics (PHYS 100)
- Psychology (PSYC 150 or PSYC 233)
- Human Anatomy1,2 (BIOL 209/209L & BIOL 210/210L)
- Human Physiology1,2 (BIOL 209/209L and 210/210L)
- Nutrition (KINE 203)
- Exercise Physiology2 (KINE 303/303L)
- 1
Anatomy & Physiology prerequisites may be met by completing either a two semester (or 3 quarters) combined courses of Anatomy & Physiology, or one course in Human Anatomy and a separate course in Human Physiology.
- 2
Associated lab course preferred but not required.
Other Requirements
- 40 hours of post-secondary shadowing/observation with an Athletic Trainer.
- Official transcripts from all college and university work
- Statement of intent
- Resume
- 2 letters of recommendation
- Note: Slight preferences are given to those applicants with ties to the western slope of Colorado
- Pay CMU Application fee of $50 if admitted
Other Information
- The Graduate Record Examination (GRE) is not required for admission to the Master of Science in Athletic Training Program.
- To be considered for an interview, all applicants for whom English is a second language must achieve a minimum score of 550 paper-based on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL; 213 on the computer-based tests or 79-80 on the internet-based test), within the past two years.
- Advanced placement will not be granted under any circumstance.
- All students who enter the program must fulfill all program requirements.
Important information for the 3+2 MSAT applicant
Applicants must meet the following criteria in addition to all of the criteria for the MSAT program:
- Classified as a senior (i.e., at least 90 credit hours including hours in which student is currently enrolled and for which the student is registered for a future semester).
- At least a 3.0 overall GPA and must have at least a 3.0 GPA in courses in the student’s declared major.
- A 3+2 Concurrent Enrollment application form to the MSAT Program Director.
- Submit to the MSAT Program Director how all remaining bachelor degree requirements and all MSAT requirements will be met in two years.
- Complete the MSAT program admission process.
After admission into the Bachelor Degree 3+2 MSAT Concurrent Enrollment Program, the student must:
- Follow the two-year recommended course sequence (see below) for the MSAT course component.
- Notify the MSAT Program Director immediately if justifiable life circumstances do not allow the student to complete both undergraduate and graduate programs within two years of admission into the program.
- Complete ALL bachelor degree graduation requirements in the same semester or prior to completing all MSAT graduation requirements.
- Submit the necessary paperwork to graduate with the bachelor degree to the Department of Kinesiology with a copy to the MSAT Program Director AND must submit the necessary paperwork to graduate with the MSAT to the MSAT Program Director. This requirement must be met before the published deadline in the semester prior to intended graduation.
Important information for this program:
- All courses and course sequencing are required and must be completed at CMU.
- Students must successfully pass all didactic and clinical course work as well as a summative exit exam.
- Students will complete a culminating project.
All CMU masters-level graduates are expected to demonstrate proficiency in specialized knowledge/applied learning, quantitative fluency, communication fluency, critical thinking, information literacy, and ethical reasoning. In addition to these campus-wide student learning outcomes, a graduate of this program will be able to:
- Develop appropriate prevention and health promotion strategies. (Critical Thinking, Information Literacy, Ethical Reasoning)
- Evaluate pathologies common to a physically active population in a correct and efficient manner. (Specialized Knowledge, Critical Thinking, Information Literacy)
- Design therapeutic interventions to maximize a patient’s participation and health related quality of life. (Specialized Knowledge, Critical Thinking, Information Literacy, Ethical Reasoning)
- Propose and integrate appropriate psychosocial techniques into a patient’s treatment program, recognizing when and how to refer if necessary. (Information Literacy, Ethical Reasoning)
- Demonstrate the ability to clearly communicate specialized knowledge. (Communication Fluency)
- Evaluate research to provide an evidence-based approach to patient care (Quantitative Fluency)
Each section below contains details about the requirements for this program. Select a header to expand the information/requirements for that particular section of the program's requirements.
To print or save an overview of this program's information, including the program description, learning outcomes, requirements, suggested course sequencing (if applicable), and advising and graduation information, scroll to the bottom of the left-hand navigation menu and select "Print Options." This will give you the options to either "Send Page to Printer" or "Download PDF of This Page." The "Download PDF of This Page" option prepares a much more concise presentation of all program information. The PDF is also printable and may be preferable due to its brevity.
Institutional Degree Requirements
The following institutional requirements apply to all CMU graduate-level degrees. Specific programs may have different requirements that must be met in addition to institutional requirements.
- Graduate certificates consist of a minimum of 5 credit hours. Master’s degrees consist of a minimum of 30 credit hours. Doctoral degrees consist of a minimum of 60 credit hours.
- All credits in a graduate program must be minimally at the 500-level.
- At least fifty percent of the credit hours must be taken at CMU.
- Students must achieve a 3.00 cumulative GPA or higher in all CMU coursework.
- Students may not apply coursework with a grade lower than a “B” toward graduation requirements.
- A course may only be used to fulfill one requirement for each degree/certificate.
- Capstone exit assessment/projects (e.g., Major Field Achievement Test) requirements are identified under Program-Specific Requirements.
- The Catalog Year determines which program sheet and certificate requirements a student must fulfill in order to graduate. Visit with your advisor or academic department to determine which catalog year and program requirements you should follow.
- See “Graduate Degree Requirements” in this catalog for a complete list of graduation requirements.
- All policies for graduate degrees are outlined in the Graduate Policies and Procedures Manual, Capstone Guidelines Manual, and Thesis and Dissertation Guidelines Manual, all of which are provided on the Graduate Studies website.
Program Specific Requirements
(53 semester hours)
| Code | Title | Semester Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| ATRN 506 | Clinical Skills in Athletic Training | 1 |
| ATRN 507 | Acute Care in Athletic Training | 3 |
| ATRN 508 | Therapeutic Modalities | 2 |
| ATRN 513 | Administration in Athletic Training | 3 |
| ATRN 515 | Seminar in Evidence-Based Practice Research I | 1 |
| ATRN 516 | Seminar in Evidence-Based Practice Research II | 1 |
| ATRN 517 | Seminar in Evidence-Based Practice Research III | 1 |
| ATRN 531 | Clinical Education in Athletic Training I | 2 |
| ATRN 532 | Clinical Education in Athletic Training II | 2 |
| ATRN 536 | Clinical Education in Athletic Training III | 4 |
| ATRN 537 | Clinical Education in Athletic Training IV | 4 |
| ATRN 540 | Clinical Anatomy | 3 |
| ATRN 541 | Clinical Evaluation of Lower Extremity Injuries | 3 |
| ATRN 542 | Clinical Evaluation of Head and Spine Injuries | 3 |
| ATRN 543 | Clinical Evaluation of Upper Extremity Injuries | 3 |
| ATRN 544 | General Health Conditions and Pharmacology | 3 |
| ATRN 551 | Principles of Rehabilitation | 3 |
| ATRN 552 | Advanced Rehabilitation and Manual Therapy | 3 |
| ATRN 553 | Psychosocial Interventions in Athletic Training | 1 |
| ATRN 554 | Functional Performance in Athletic Training | 3 |
| ATRN 580 | Transition to Practice in Athletic Training | 2 |
| ATRN 593 | Capstone Research Project in Athletic Training | 2 |
| Total Semester Credit Hours | 53 | |
The Master of Science in Athletic Training program has proposed credit hour changes that have not yet been approved by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC). For the currently approved credit hours, please refer to the 2023-2024 catalog.
3+2 Option Sequence
| First Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Summer Semester | Semester Credit Hours | |
| Electives for BS Exercise Science | 3 | |
| ATRN 506 | Clinical Skills in Athletic Training | 1 |
| ATRN 507 | Acute Care in Athletic Training | 3 |
| ATRN 508 | Therapeutic Modalities | 2 |
| ATRN 540 | Clinical Anatomy | 3 |
| Semester Credit Hours | 12 | |
| Fall Semester | ||
| ATRN 515 | Seminar in Evidence-Based Practice Research I | 1 |
| ATRN 531 | Clinical Education in Athletic Training I | 2 |
| ATRN 541 | Clinical Evaluation of Lower Extremity Injuries | 3 |
| ATRN 542 | Clinical Evaluation of Head and Spine Injuries | 3 |
| ATRN 551 | Principles of Rehabilitation | 3 |
| KINE 403 | Advanced Strength and Conditioning (Counts towards BS - Exercise Science) | 3 |
| Semester Credit Hours | 15 | |
| Spring Semester | ||
| ATRN 516 | Seminar in Evidence-Based Practice Research II | 1 |
| ATRN 532 | Clinical Education in Athletic Training II (May fulfill KINE 499 requirement for BS - Exercise Science) 1 | 2 |
| ATRN 543 | Clinical Evaluation of Upper Extremity Injuries | 3 |
| ATRN 544 | General Health Conditions and Pharmacology | 3 |
| ATRN 552 | Advanced Rehabilitation and Manual Therapy | 3 |
| KINE 405 | Sports Nutrition | 3 |
| KINE 494 | Kinesiology Senior Seminar (Counts towards BS - Exercise Science) | 1 |
| Semester Credit Hours | 16 | |
| Second Year | ||
| Summer Semester | ||
| Electives for BS Exercise Science | 3 | |
| ATRN 553 | Psychosocial Interventions in Athletic Training | 1 |
| ATRN 554 | Functional Performance in Athletic Training | 3 |
| Semester Credit Hours | 7 | |
| Fall Semester | ||
| ATRN 513 | Administration in Athletic Training | 3 |
| ATRN 517 | Seminar in Evidence-Based Practice Research III | 1 |
| ATRN 536 | Clinical Education in Athletic Training III | 4 |
| Semester Credit Hours | 8 | |
| Spring Semester | ||
| ATRN 537 | Clinical Education in Athletic Training IV | 4 |
| ATRN 580 | Transition to Practice in Athletic Training | 2 |
| ATRN 593 | Capstone Research Project in Athletic Training | 2 |
| Semester Credit Hours | 8 | |
| Total Semester Credit Hours | 66 | |
- 1
Course substitution form and department approval required to apply toward Bachelor's Degree.
Traditional MSAT Sequence
| First Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Summer Semester | Semester Credit Hours | |
| ATRN 506 | Clinical Skills in Athletic Training | 1 |
| ATRN 507 | Acute Care in Athletic Training | 3 |
| ATRN 508 | Therapeutic Modalities | 2 |
| ATRN 540 | Clinical Anatomy | 3 |
| Semester Credit Hours | 9 | |
| Fall Semester | ||
| ATRN 515 | Seminar in Evidence-Based Practice Research I | 1 |
| ATRN 531 | Clinical Education in Athletic Training I | 2 |
| ATRN 541 | Clinical Evaluation of Lower Extremity Injuries | 3 |
| ATRN 542 | Clinical Evaluation of Head and Spine Injuries | 3 |
| ATRN 551 | Principles of Rehabilitation | 3 |
| Semester Credit Hours | 12 | |
| Spring Semester | ||
| ATRN 516 | Seminar in Evidence-Based Practice Research II | 1 |
| ATRN 532 | Clinical Education in Athletic Training II | 2 |
| ATRN 543 | Clinical Evaluation of Upper Extremity Injuries | 3 |
| ATRN 544 | General Health Conditions and Pharmacology | 3 |
| ATRN 552 | Advanced Rehabilitation and Manual Therapy | 3 |
| Semester Credit Hours | 12 | |
| Second Year | ||
| Summer Semester | ||
| ATRN 553 | Psychosocial Interventions in Athletic Training | 1 |
| ATRN 554 | Functional Performance in Athletic Training | 3 |
| Semester Credit Hours | 4 | |
| Fall Semester | ||
| ATRN 513 | Administration in Athletic Training | 3 |
| ATRN 517 | Seminar in Evidence-Based Practice Research III | 1 |
| ATRN 536 | Clinical Education in Athletic Training III | 4 |
| Semester Credit Hours | 8 | |
| Spring Semester | ||
| ATRN 537 | Clinical Education in Athletic Training IV | 4 |
| ATRN 580 | Transition to Practice in Athletic Training | 2 |
| ATRN 593 | Capstone Research Project in Athletic Training | 2 |
| Semester Credit Hours | 8 | |
| Total Semester Credit Hours | 53 | |
The Master of Science in Athletic Training program has proposed credit hour changes that have not yet been approved by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC). For the currently approved credit hours, please refer to the 2023-2024 catalog.
Advising Process and DegreeWorks
Documentation on the pages related to this program is intended for informational purposes to help determine what courses and associated requirements are needed to earn a degree. Some courses are critical to complete in specific semesters while others may be moved around. Meeting with an academic advisor is essential in planning courses and discussing the suggested course sequencing. It is ultimately the student’s responsibility to understand and fulfill the requirements for their intended degree.
DegreeWorks is an online degree audit tool available in MAVzone. It is the official record used by the Registrar’s Office to evaluate progress towards a certificate and determine eligibility for graduation. Students are responsible for reviewing their DegreeWorks audit on a regular basis and should discuss questions or concerns with their advisor or academic department head. Discrepancies in requirements should be reported to the Registrar’s Office.
Graduation Process
Students must complete the following in the first two months of the semester prior to completing their degree requirements:
- Review their DegreeWorks audit and create a plan that outlines how unmet requirements will be met in the final semester.
- Meet with their advisor and modify their plan as needed. The advisor must approve the final plan.
- Submit the “Intent to Graduate” form to the Registrar’s Office to officially declare the intended graduation date and commencement ceremony plans.
- Register for all needed courses and complete all requirements for each degree sought.
Submission deadlines and commencement details can be found on the Graduation web page.
If a student's petition for graduation is denied, it will be their responsibility to apply for graduation in a subsequent semester. A student's “Intent to Graduate” does not automatically move to a later graduation date.