Master of Science
Program Description
Athletic training is an allied health profession dedicated to the prevention, care, and rehabilitation of injuries to people who are physically active. Potential employment opportunities include working in high schools, colleges, universities, sports medicine clinics, hospital-based physical therapy clinics, fitness centers, industrial health care facilities, law enforcement, the military, and professional sports.
The Master of Science degree in Athletic Training program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education (CAATE). The graduate program prepares students to successfully pass the Board of Certification (BOC) examination, and become eligible for state licensure. Students will participate in a rigorous academic program and diverse clinical practicums that include rotations to physical therapy clinics, high schools, colleges, hospitals, and physician offices.
All students (3+2 and 2-year program) must satisfy university graduate degree requirements, including academic standards, to continue in and graduate from the degree program. Students must earn "B" grades in all courses taken. Please review those policies in the Graduate Regulations and Policies Catalog for details.
Master of Science in Athletic Training - 5 (3+2) years option Dual Degree
Program in Exercise Science and Athletic Training
Aurora University offers students the opportunity to earn a Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science and a Master of Science in Athletic Training in five years. Students majoring in Exercise Science – Athletic Training Emphasis will apply to the master’s degree program during their junior year (third year). If admitted, they will begin their master’s degree coursework during their fourth year while concurrently completing their Bachelor of Science Degree in Exercise Science.
The 3+2 Dual Degree students, that have met the admissions requirements, will be accepted into the program following the spring semester of their third year. Aurora University maintains the right to admit only the most highly qualified students from those who have met the admission requirements. Students are encouraged to review Aurora University’s Policy for Students with Disabilities found in the university catalog. Admission requirements and technical standards for athletic training students are found in the Athletic Training Program Policies and Procedures Handbook and on the program website.
Master of Science in Athletic Training - 2 year option
Aurora University also offers students the opportunity to earn a Master’s Degree in Athletic Training in two years if the candidate has a bachelor’s degree in a related field and has completed the following pre-requisite coursework:
- Biology
- Anatomy and Physiology
- Psychology
- Statistics
- Physics
- Chemistry
Once admitted, students will complete all of the necessary athletic training coursework in 2 years and will then become eligible to sit for the examination.
Admission Requirements
Masters of Science in Athletic Training 3+2 Program Admission Requirements
- Minimum undergraduate cumulative GPA of 3.0 prior to beginning the 5000-level athletic training classes
- Complete all pre-requisite course requirements with a "C" or better
Masters of Science in Athletic Training 2 Year Program Admission Requirements
- Minimum undergraduate cumulative GPA of 3.0 at the point of application
- Complete all pre-requisite course requirements with a "C" or better
Entrance Requirements
Master of Science in Athletic Training Entrance Requirements
After admission into the Athletic Training Program, and prior to students taking 5000-level athletic training classes, the following documents must be submitted:
- TB Test - within six months of entrance
- Proof of current Immunizations or waiver
- Technical Standards Form completed
- Criminal Background Check
- Drug Screen
Program Requirements
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses | ||
| ATR-5100 | Principles of Athletic Training 1 | 2 |
| ATR-5200 | Emergency Medical Response I 1 | 2 |
| ATR-5250 | Emergency Medical Response II 1 | 2 |
| ATR-5300 | Clinical Human Anatomy 1 | 2 |
| ATR-5400 | Diagnosis of the Lower Extremity 1 | 4 |
| ATR-5410 | Diagnosis of the Upper Extremity 1 | 4 |
| ATR-5420 | Diagnosis of the Head and Spine 1 | 2 |
| ATR-5550 | Therapeutic Interventions I 1 | 4 |
| ATR-5600 | Principles of Taping, Bracing and Protective Equipment 1 | 2 |
| ATR-5750 | Athletic Training Practicum I 1 | 3 |
| ATR-5760 | Athletic Training Practicum II 1 | 3 |
| ATR-5770 | Athletic Training Practicum III | 3 |
| ATR-6200 | Psychosocial and Behavioral Healthcare | 2 |
| ATR-6300 | Performance Enhancement for Activity and Sport | 2 |
| ATR-6400 | Administration of Athletic Training | 4 |
| ATR-6500 | Medical Aspects of Athletic Training | 4 |
| ATR-6550 | Therapeutic Interventions II | 4 |
| ATR-6750 | Athletic Training Practicum VI | 3 |
| ATR-6760 | Athletic Training Practicum IV | 3 |
| ATR-6800 | Clinical Application of Evidence Based Practice | 2 |
| ATR-6900 | Patient-Centered Care | 4 |
| Total Credits | 61 | |
- 1
These courses will be taken during the fourth year by students who are admitted to the Master of Science in Athletic Training Dual Degree 3 + 2 Program.
Graduate Degree Requirements
- Completion of all coursework specified by the graduate program.
- Cumulative GPA of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale, or higher if specified by the graduate program.
- Submission of all pre-graduation materials required by the graduate program.
- Acceptance of thesis or other required final project by the graduate program.
- Submission of two copies of approved thesis or project in a specified form together with payment of binding fee where applicable.
- Submission of Application for Graduation and payment of any graduation fees assessed by the university.
- In the case of certification programs, submission of all governmental forms.
- Residency Requirement: A minimum of 25% percent of the total credits required for the completion of the graduate degree or post-baccalaureate certificate or credential must be earned at Aurora University. Individual programs may establish more extensive residency requirements, including requirements that specific coursework be completed at Aurora University.
Retention Requirements
Students must earn a “B” or better in all didactic and practicum courses.
In addition, students taking didactic classes in the Athletic Training Program must demonstrate acceptable performance in two specific areas:
- Written Academic Performance: Students must earn a minimum of 70% average across all written exams within each course. If a student fails to earn a 70% average, the student will earn an automatic “F” in the course.
- Skills-based and Practical Performance: Students must earn a minimum of 80% average across the skills-based or practical exams within each course. If a student fails to earn an 80% average, the student will earn an automatic “F” in the course. For each individual skill-based or practical exam, if a student earns below a 70% the student will be required to retake the exam to show proficiency in the skills.
- However, the original exam score will be recorded in the student’s grade calculation. The only class where the retake will replace the original grade is in ATR 5400 Diagnosis of the Lower Extremity, for the first skills-based exam, which is the first exam within the entirety of the program. Only those students who fall below 70% will be allowed to complete a retake.
Should a student be readmitted into the program, courses in which a student received grades of C or F cannot be used to meet the graduation requirements of the graduate program and must be repeated. A required retake will extend the time to graduation for the student. Courses may only be retaken once.
Learning Outcomes
- Evidence-Based Practice: The student will develop an appreciation for the integration of best practices in athletic training. As a practitioner this includes incorporating into their practice the best available evidence, clinical skills, and the needs of the patient to maximize patient outcomes. An understanding of evidence-based practice concepts and their application is essential to sound clinical decision-making and the critical examination of athletic training practice.
- Prevention and Health Promotion: The student will develop proficiency in implementing strategies and programs to prevent the incidence and/or severity of injuries and illnesses and optimize their clients’/patients’ overall health and quality of life. These strategies and programs also incorporate the importance of nutrition and physical activity in maintaining a healthy lifestyle and in preventing chronic disease (e.g. diabetes, obesity, cardiovascular disease).
- Clinical Evaluation And Diagnosis: The student will develop proficiency in the areas of clinical examination skills in order to accurately diagnosis and effectively treat their patients. The clinical examination is an on-going process, repeated to some extent each time the patient is treated. The development of these skills requires a thorough understanding of anatomy, physiology, and biomechanics. Athletic trainers must also apply clinical-reasoning skills throughout the physical examination process in order to assimilate data, select the appropriate assessment tests, and formulate a differential diagnosis.
- Acute Care of Injuries And Illnesses: The student will develop proficiency and understanding in the areas of acute care and illnesses. Athletic trainers are often present when injuries or other acute conditions occur or are the first healthcare professionals to evaluate a patient. For this reason, athletic trainers must be knowledgeable and skilled in the evaluation and immediate management of acute injuries and illnesses.
- Therapeutic Interventions: The student will develop proficiency and understanding necessary to assess the patient’s status using clinician-and patient-oriented outcome measures. Based on this assessment and with consideration of the stage of healing and goals, a therapeutic intervention is designed to maximize the patient’s participation and health-related quality of life.
- Psychosocial Strategies and Referral: The student will develop proficiency and understanding to be able to recognize clients/patients exhibiting abnormal social, emotional, and mental behaviors. Coupled with recognition is the ability to intervene and refer these individuals as necessary. Additionally, athletic trainers appreciate the role of mental health in injury and recovery and use interventions to optimize the connection between mental health and restoration of participation.
- Healthcare Administration: The student will develop proficiency and understanding to function within the context of a complex healthcare system. Integral to this function is an understanding of risk management, healthcare delivery mechanisms, insurance, reimbursement, documentation, patient privacy, and facility management.
- Professional Development and Responsibility: The student will develop proficiency and appreciation for professional development and responsibility. The provision of high quality patient care requires that the athletic trainer maintain current competence in the constantly changing world of healthcare. Athletic trainers must also embrace the need to practice within the limits of state and national regulation using moral and ethical judgment. As members of a broader healthcare community, athletic trainers work collaboratively with other healthcare providers and refer clients/patients when such referral is warranted.