Athletic Training (MSAT)

Students from any undergraduate major or undergraduate institution may apply for admission to this graduate program. In order to be considered for admission, the following are required:

Chatham Graduate Application or online application through ATCAS

1. A baccalaureate degree (or pending degree) from a regionally accredited four-year institution
   • Official transcripts from all institutions where the student has taken courses. Preference is given to students with an overall GPA of 3.00 or higher (Any student with a GPA below 3.0 may be considered for conditional admission.)
     
2. Short writing sample or essay highlighting the following; why you want to be an athletic trainer, what does an athletic trainer do, lastly, where do athletic trainers work—please address traditional jobs/settings and the evolution of the profession into non-athletic settings (300-word limit). or submit documentation of 40 hours of clinical observation under the supervision of a certified athletic trainer. 
   
   
3. Two letters of recommendation:
   • One letter from a certified/licensed athletic trainer
   • One letter from an academic advisor or instructor or any health science professional (may be another certified/licensed athletic trainer)
4. Completion of the following courses (or their equivalents) with grades of C or better:
   • Human Anatomy with lab*
   • Physiology*
   • Statistics or Biostatistics (other courses may satisfy if the syllabus shows a foundational knowledge of statistics)
   • Biology I with lab
   • Chemistry I with lab
   • Physics I with lab (courses that satisfy this requirement include Biomechanics and Kinesiology)
   • General Psychology (any 100 level or higher psychology course will suffice)

*Anatomy and Physiology I and II with labs can substitute for Human Anatomy with lab and Physiology

6. Successful completion of an interview
   • Applicants will be invited to complete an on-campus or virtual interview 

Admission is determined based on the following criteria:

• Overall Grade Point Average
• Pre-Requisite Grade Point Average
• Observation Hours – must be completed with a certified/licensed athletic trainer
• Recommendations 
• Essay
• Interview

International Applicants

Program Design

The Master of Science in Athletic Training is a five semester, 67 credit, fulltime degree program with clinical experiences imbedded within each of the five semesters. Course content is delivered through a variety of methods predicated on student centered and engaged learning.

Methodologies include but not limited to: 

• problem-based learning, 
• case-based scenarios,
• and laboratory sessions delivered face to face and via distance learning. 

Clinical experiences, including a 10 week fully immersive placement, are individually tailored to each students interests as well as to provide depth and breadth of experiences to develop highly skilled, critically minded entry level professionals. 

Program Goals & Objectives

• Goal 1: Provide educational experiences tailored to developing the cognitive, behavioral and psychomotor skills necessary for successful Athletic Training practice.  
  • Objective 1.1: Demonstrate evidence-based clinical decision making in the areas of prevention/screening, evaluation and diagnosis, immediate and emergency care, treatment and rehabilitation.
  • Objective 1.2: Integrate the educational competencies and clinical proficiencies into patient care necessary for success as an entry level athletic trainer.
  • Objective 1.3: Display appropriate positive personal behaviors and professional attributes to meet the expectations of successful practice and future employment.
  • Objective 1.4: Demonstrate proficiency in the simulated and actual acute and emergency care of patients.
  • Objective 1.5: Apply concepts of prevention and health promotion in the care of patients.
• Goal 2: Provide students a professional atmosphere promoting the ethnical, legal, safe, culturally competent and effective delivery of healthcare services in interdisciplinary teams that meet and respect the rights and well-being of the patients. 
  • Objective 2.1: Demonstrate proficiency in the interdisciplinary approach to effective professional practice.
  • Objective 2.2: Display culturally sensitive and competent professional behavior toward individual and groups of patients.
  • Objective 2.3: Adhere to ethical and legal practice from the NATA Code of Ethics, BOC Standards of Practice, national, state, and institutional policies.
  • Objective 2.4: Display effective inter-personal and inter-professional communication skills with patients, members of the healthcare team and relevant stakeholders.
  • Objective 2.5: Engage in advocating for the profession, patient/clients and relevant communities in the public and legislative domains.
• Goal 3: Provide educational experiences that support the development of administrative functions of healthcare practitioners and facilities. 
  • Objective 3.1: Develop and execute administrative plans for budgeting, finance, cost control, and long-term planning.
  • Objective 3.2: Develop plans for emergency preparedness, legal adherence, principles of supervision and professional liability.
  • Objective 3.3: Apply principles of healthcare administration and delivery that complies with the legal, ethical and regulatory systems
  • Objective 3.4: Develop self-assessment skills and formulate an individualized career development plan.
• Goal 4: Support the development of evidence based Athletic Training practice and application of evidence-based practice within the delivery of patient care. 
  • Objective 4.1: Demonstrate proficiency in locating and critiquing peer reviewed medical research.
  • Objective 4.2: Develop and answer focused clinical questions using principles of evidence-based practice.
  • Objective 4.3: Understand principles of research including design, methodologies and statistical analysis and interpretation.
  • Objective 4.4: Demonstrate critical thinking and clinical decision-making skills based on the application of scientific evidence.
• Goal 5: Promote effective oral and written communication necessary for patient and caregiver education, inter-professional practice and medical record documentation with a variety of constituents including patients, caregivers, peers, supervisors, third party payers, and other relevant healthcare professionals.
  • Objective 5.1: Demonstrate effective oral and written communication with patients, caregivers and support personnel.
  • Objective 5.2: Demonstrate effective oral and written communication with preceptors, supervisors and other healthcare professionals.
  • Objective 5.3: Demonstrate proficiency in written and electronic medical record documentation.
  • Objective 5.4: Create effective home management or care instructions for specific patient injuries or conditions.

• Goal 6: Prepare students for the transition from individualized skill execution to encompassing autonomous practice through clinical education that provides a variety of patient exposures in differing settings.

  • Objective 6.1: Demonstrate proficiency in the necessary integrated clinical education competencies.
  • Objective 6.2: Execute proficiencies in authentic patient interactions.
  • Objective 6.3: Demonstrate the ability to alter treatment plans to a wide variety of patients based on the patient populations and employment settings.

Chatham University Master of Science in Athletic Training Vision Statement

The Chatham University Master of Science in Athletic Training Program will be nationally recognized for its evidence based didactic and  clinical education to prepare students to be critically reasoning, evidenced based practitioners, who serve to advance the profession by strongly advocating for the best patient care in interdisciplinary environments. 

Chatham University and MSAT Purpose 

The mission of Chatham University and the Master of Science in Athletic Training (MSAT) program align in many ways and create a seamless partnership in developing students, into engaged, respectful and culturally competent citizens. The MSAT program provides opportunities to work with culturally diverse patient populations across the lifespan in a variety of settings. Students will be exposed to the importance of interprofessional collaboration in the academic and clinical settings in order to better understand healthcare, respect the diversity of culture, identity and opinion.  Graduates will be engaged in advocating for the athletic training profession and for patient access, and comprehensive care. 

ATH518 Optimizing Athletic Performance

This hands-on course explores assessing, designing, and implementing specialized performance programs to address the health and performance goals of athletes. The primary focus is on movement instruction, nutrition, energy systems, program design, and concepts of strength and conditioning.

ATH 507 Therapeutic Interventions II

Students acquire scientific and physiological rationale, selection criteria, indications and contraindications of exercise, and return to activity guidelines. Techniques and skills provided in classroom and lab experiences address range of motion, strengthening, proprioception, cardiovascular fitness, and joint- and sport-specific protocols.

ATH519 Advanced Topics in Athletic Training

This course provides students with the opportunity to examine advanced issues that shape the profession through practical application and professional development. Emphasis is placed on surgical techniques, radiological concepts and interpretation, laboratory reports, interpreting imaging, and lifespan issues and advanced treatment procedures used in diverse settings.  

View Full Curriculum

Curriculum Sequence

Table 1.1 – MSAT Curriculum Sequence