Master of Science of Athletic Training

Return to: Colleges, Schools and Departments

The Athletic Training Program at Carroll University is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education. (CAATE) 

The mission of Carroll University’s Master of Science of Athletic Training (MSAT) program is to prepare students to become ethical health care practitioners who incorporate evidence-based principles and interprofessional practice in the comprehensive management of health and wellness of physically active populations across the lifespan. 

The graduate possesses the knowledge and skills needed for injury and illness prevention and wellness protection, clinical evaluation and diagnosis, immediate and emergency care, and treatment and rehabilitation of injuries and illnesses of the physically active. The graduate is able to apply organizational and professional health and well-being concepts and strategies. The graduate applies knowledge and skills concerning pharmacology, therapeutic modalities, therapeutic exercise, general medical conditions and disabilities, and nutritional aspects of injury and illness for the physically active population. To ensure that the program is reflective of the development of athletic trainers at the master’s level in a changing health care environment, ongoing student, faculty, program, institutional, and professional assessments occur regularly. 

To meet the program’s educational outcomes, the program utilizes a variety of individuals including, but not limited to, academic and clinical athletic trainers; basic, behavioral, and social scientists; other health care professionals; athletes and coaches; and community members. The athletic training academic faculty is responsible for design, implementation, and evaluation of the professional curriculum. In addition to the academic training of future athletic trainers, the program is committed to intra-and interdisciplinary service and scholarly activity in the delivery of athletic training. 

The Program Student Learning Outcomes are as follows: 

1. Provide students with the knowledge and skills in the domains of practice for entry-level athletic training practice as delineated by the National Athletic Trainers’ Association (NATA) and Board of Certification for Athletic Trainers (BOC). 

2. Prepare students for athletic training practice in traditional and emerging health care settings. 

3.  Foster an understanding of interprofessional health care practice and its impact on the patient experience. 

4.  Develop students’ abilities to utilize sound evidence-based practice principles and clinical reasoning strategies within the International Classification of Functioning Disability and Health (ICF) model. 

5.  Prepare students with the situational skills necessary to practice successfully with diverse patient populations and professional environments. 

6.  Develop an appreciation for the impact and influence of the NATA code of ethics and regulatory considerations on the practice of athletic training.  

Master of Science of Athletic Training Program Admission 

The athletic training program admits qualified students regardless of race, color, gender, creed, age, sexual orientation, marital status, national or ethnic origin or disability that does not interfere with the performance of professional athletic training practice as provided by law. 

Applications and credentials for admission to the Master of Science of Athletic Training program must be submitted for processing to the Carroll University Office of Graduate Admission. Applicants must be in good standing at all institutions previously attended. Decisions on applications are made by a selection committee comprised of the athletic training faculty members. Applicants are notified of their status through the Office of Graduate Admission. 

Students can enter the MSAT program in one of the following ways: 

Path 1 - Prior Degree 

An individual who has completed an undergraduate or graduate degree at another institution or at Carroll. To be considered for admission, applicants must meet GPA requirements as well as successful completion of required MSAT prerequisite courses. 

Path 2: Direct Admission 

Incoming Carroll University first year students seeking a Carroll bachelor’s degree may apply for direct admission to the 3+2 graduate completion program through the Carroll Office of Admission. 

Path 3: Competitive Admission 

Current Carroll University undergraduate students seeking a Carroll bachelor’s degree in an approved discipline may apply for admission to the 3+2 completion program through the Carroll Office of Admission.  

Admission requirements for all applicants: 

• A cumulative and pre-professional GPA of 3.0 or higher is recommended for admission. 
• Students entering the MSAT program through the 3+2 Direct Admission process transition to the MSAT professional program if they earn both a 3.0 cumulative and a 3.0 prerequisite GPA 
  and complete all enrollment criteria noted below. 
• Students with a cumulative and pre-professional GPA of 2.75-2.99 will be considered for admission. 
• Statistics is not included in the pre-professional GPA calculation.

Prerequisite coursework - Grades of “C” or better are required in all prerequisite courses

• Anatomy and Physiology I and II with labs (Carroll ANP130/140)
• Chemistry I and labs (Carroll CHE101 or CHE109) 
• General Physics I and  labs (Carroll PHY101 or PHY203) 
• Introductory Psychology (Carroll PSY101) 
• Statistics (Carroll CMP112/114) - course grade is not included in the re-professional GPA calculation 
• All pre-professional coursework must have been completed within the past 7 years. 

Application requirements for all applicants:
Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis until the class is full.

• Graduate Studies Application
• Official undergraduate transcript(s) (other than Carroll transcripts) 
• Professional resume must include: 
  • Education 
  • Employment history 
  • College activities 
  • Community service 
  • Academic honors 
• Statement of purpose 
  • Why you are choosing to pursue a career in athletic training. 
• 25 hours of athletic training observation with a licensed/certified athletic trainer completed within two years of application submission. Appropriate documentation must be provided (see Clinical Experience Hours Documentation form). 
• 2 letters of recommendation (does not apply to Direct Admission applicants).

Matriculation Requirements:

• Final transcripts with grades for courses in progress at the time of application
• Final transcripts with degree conferral posted
• Technical standards
• Caregiver background and criminal history check    

As part of a comprehensive health science education curriculum, students participate in various clinical education or experiential learning experiences. Carroll-operated health and wellness clinics require standard vaccinations for students in training. These requirements are consistent with CDC recommendations for healthcare providers and are subject to an approved medical/religious exemption. Currently, the Covid-19 vaccine is not required in Carroll operated health and wellness clinics. Similarly, students placed in external healthcare sites will likely have these same or unique requirements. Students must comply with host site vaccination policies, most of which follow CDC Healthcare Provider recommendations, these may include the Covid-19 vaccine. Individual sites may have their own exemption processes for vaccination, defer exemption screening to the University, or may not include an exemption option. 

Master of Science of Athletic Training Academic Progression Standards:

Progression Standards  for progression policy.

Reapplication Policy for Dismissed or Withdrawn Students 

The policy on reapplication defines the process by which students may seek readmission to the program following a withdrawal or dismissal of the student from the program for failing to maintain good academic standing. Readmission candidates may apply for readmission to the program no sooner than one year and no later than three years from the date of the withdrawal or dismissal. Readmission candidates may exercise their reapplication option only once. Readmission candidates applying to the program must submit the materials required and shall be considered with all new applicants for admission. In addition, they must provide transcripts relating to any education experiences completed since leaving the program. A letter indicating why the readmission candidate believes they will succeed academically and technically in the program must accompany the application materials. Upon review of the materials, the program’s admission selection committee may render the following decisions: 1) Approval of the request for readmission to the beginning of the program, or 2) Denial of the request for readmission to the program. 

Technical Standards for the Master of Science of Athletic Training Program 

Successful participation in the Carroll University Master of Science of Athletic Training Program (MSAT) requires that a candidate possess the ability to meet the requirements of the program. Though the program may modify certain course requirements in order to provide a person with a handicap an equivalent opportunity to achieve results equal to those of a person without a handicap, there are no substitutes for the following essential skills. With or without accommodation, the applicant/candidate must initially meet the technical standards described below to gain admission to and to progress through the MSAT program. If a student has a change in ability to meet these standards while enrolled in the MSAT program, the student is required to inform their program advisor and update the technical standards form. Where applicable, the MSAT program may require submission of supporting documentation from appropriate providers. 

Requirements: 

1.  Completion of the technical standards form is required upon application to the MSAT program. 

2.  The form must be updated immediately if the student has a change in their ability to meet technical standards at any point in the program. 

Technical Standards for Carroll University Athletic Training Students 

In preparation for professional roles athletic training students are expected to demonstrate the ability to meet the demands encountered in an athletic training career. Certain functional abilities are essential for the delivery of safe and effective care. An applicant to the MSAT Program must meet and maintain the following technical standards for progression throughout the program. Students unable to meet these technical standards will not be able to complete the program. Students shall notify the program in a timely manner of any change in their ability to meet technical standards. 

The technical standards include but are not limited to the following: 

General Ability 

The student is expected to possess functional use of the senses of vision, touch, hearing and smell so that data received by the senses is integrated, analyzed and synthesized in a consistent and accurate manner. The student is expected to possess the ability to perceive pain, pressure, temperature, position, vibration and movement in order to effectively evaluate patients. A student must be able to respond promptly to urgent situations. 

Observational Ability 

The student must have the ability to make accurate visual observations and interpret them in the context of clinical/ laboratory activities and patient care experiences. The student must be able to document these observations accurately. 

Communication Ability 

The student must communicate effectively verbally and non-verbally to obtain information and explain that information to others. Each student must have the ability to read, write, hear, comprehend and speak the English language to facilitate communication with patients, family members and other members of the health care team. The student must be able to document and maintain accurate records, present information in a professional manner and provide patient instruction to effectively care for patients and their families. 

Psychomotor Ability 

The student must be able to perform gross and fine motor movements with sufficient coordination needed to provide complete safe effective care for patients. The student is expected to have psychomotor skills necessary to safely perform examination procedures and treatment interventions, including CPR if necessary. Examples of examination procedures include, but are not limited to, cognitive assessment, range of motion, manual muscle testing, sensation, balance, functional abilities, pain, cardiopulmonary status, percussion, palpation, and anthropometrics.  

Treatment interventions include, but are not limited to, patient education, manual therapy, functional training (transfers, bed mobility, activity of daily living training, etc.), application of therapeutic physical agents such as electrotherapy, radiation, heat, and cold, and wound care. 

The student must have sufficient levels of neuromuscular control and eye-to-hand coordination as well as possess the physical and mental stamina to meet the demands associated with extended periods of sitting, standing, moving and physical exertion required for safe patient care. Students must be able to bend, squat, reach, kneel and balance.  

The MSAT curriculum may require students to carry and lift loads from the floor, from 12 inches from the floor, to shoulder height and overhead. The student must be able to occasionally lift 50 pounds, frequently lift 25 pounds and constantly lift 10 pounds. The student is expected to be able to maintain consciousness and equilibrium and have the physical strength and stamina to perform satisfactorily in clinical settings.  

Intellectual/Cognitive Ability 

The student must have the ability to develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills essential to professional athletic training practice. Problem solving skills include the ability to measure, calculate, reason, analyze, synthesize, and judge objective and subjective data, and to make decisions in a timely manner that reflects thoughtful deliberation and sound clinical judgment. The student must demonstrate application of these skills and possess the ability to comprehend, retain, retrieve and incorporate prior knowledge with new information from multiple sources including, but not limited to self, peers, instructors and related literature to formulate sound judgment for competent patient/client management, practice management, and functions required for clinical scholarship. 

Behavioral and Social Attributes 

The student is expected to have the emotional stability required to exercise sound judgment, and complete assessment and intervention activities. Compassion, integrity, motivation and concern for others are personal attributes required of those in the MSAT program. The student must fully utilize intellectual capacities that facilitate prompt completion of all responsibilities in the classroom and clinical settings; and develop mature, sensitive and effective relationships with patients and other members of the healthcare team. The student must have the ability to establish rapport and maintain respectful interpersonal relationships with individuals, families and groups from a variety of social, emotional, cultural and intellectual backgrounds. Each student must be able to adapt to changing environments; display flexibility; accept and integrate constructive criticism given in the classroom and clinical settings; and effectively collaborate with others. Students must continuously self-assess to improve as a professional.   

Ability to Manage Stressful Situations 

The student must be able to adapt to and function effectively in relation to stressful situations encountered in both the classroom and clinical settings, including emergency situations. Students will encounter multiple stressors while in the MSAT program, and must effectively manage these stressors throughout entire workdays. These stressors may be (but are not limited to) personal, patient care/family, faculty/peer and/or program related. 

Background Check

Clinical facilities require that Carroll University perform background checks on all students before participation in clinical courses. The background check result is shared with the clinical facility. 

Tuition and Fees

Course fees and tuition are published in the Tuition, Fees, Payments, and Refund Policies  section of the Graduate catalog.

Graduate 

In coordination with academic coursework, learning over time occurs by interaction with clinical instructors through field experiences in traditional athletic training settings, other health care settings, and practice and athletic event coverage. Students can expect to travel to offsite clinical rotations/laboratory sessions or field experiences in the athletic training program. Throughout the program, students are evaluated on the attainment of knowledge to include psychomotor, cognitive, and affective competencies as outlined by the National Athletic Trainers’ Association Education Council. Outcomes are measured through ongoing self, peer, and clinical instructor assessments. 

Ongoing program assessments include student evaluations and feedback, curriculum evaluations, institutional self-study assessment and site visits by the Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education (CAATE). 

Return to: Colleges, Schools and Departments