Master of Science of Athletic Training (MSAT)

Athletic Training provides a unique experience of professionalism and interaction with athletes, athletic injuries, and the interdisciplinary healthcare team.  Athletic Trainers specialize in the prevention, evaluation, treatment, and rehabilitation of athletic injuries.  Athletic Trainers may encounter a variety of scenarios throughout the workday.  Making decisions, devising treatment protocols, serving as a liaison to the physician, documentation of daily notes, and emergency first aid care are just a few of the scenarios one may encounter on a daily basis.  The responsibilities extend to management of an athletic training facility, patient education on health topics such as nutrition, exercise, injury prevention and rehabilitation, and communication with other colleagues in the healthcare team that may include other athletic trainers, coaches, physicians, nurses, insurance companies, physical therapists, etc.

As part of the requirements for the MsAT Program and national certification eligibility, students are required to complete two (2) terms of integrated clinical education experiences as well as an Immersive Athletic Training Practicum Experience under the supervision of a BOC Certified Athletic Trainer.  To fulfill this requirement, students will have the opportunity to work with Wheeling University student-athletes as well as a variety of other settings in the area or across the country including high schools, other colleges, clinics, and professional teams.  

Upon completion of the MsAT Program at Wheeling University, students will be able to take the national Board of Certification (BOC) Exam to become a nationally Certified Athletic Trainer.  Upon successful completion of the BOC Examination, individuals are able to enter the job force in a variety of settings including but not limited to high schools, colleges, professional athletics, clinics, hospitals, military services, Olympic training centers, and industry.  

Mission Statement

Wheeling University’s MsAT Program has a mission to reinforce the University’s mission of educating young men and women for life, leadership, and service with and among others.  In addition, the MsAT mission is to educate, disseminate, and apply knowledge in health and rehabilitation sciences.  The department strives to develop critically thinking, innovative, and evidence-based professionals who engage in practices of life-long learning and leadership in the areas of clinical practice, research, and community service.

Goals

The goals of the MsAT Program at Wheeling University are to:

1. Provide an educational Program for students desiring to obtain certification as an Athletic Trainer from the Board of Certification (BOC).
2. Provide students with the ability to practice their knowledge, skills, and abilities learned in the didactic education, in the clinical setting under direct supervision of qualified healthcare preceptors.
3. Incorporate leadership abilities through faith by fully engaging in their clinical sites and community services.
4. Provide opportunities for students to participate in the advancement of the Athletic Training profession.
5. Allow students to compete for scholarly awards.
6. Incorporate a desire to commit to and engage in life-long learning.
7. Develop competent and confident students entering the Athletic Training profession as healthcare providers.

Problem-Based Learning

Problem-Based learning (PBL) is a methodology that enhances learning through the use of clinical cases to develop problem-solving strategies.  This format utilizes small group study and is student centered in nature. Faculty act as facilitators to stimulate active learning.  Their primary role is to guide students toward pre-established curricular learning objectives.  This enables new information to be integrated by self-directed learning.

Small group interaction provides many benefits as opposed to the traditional lecture format.  The opportunity to verbalize and debate concepts provides a greater depth of understanding and improved retention.  This is especially true of tutorial groups which utilizes clinical problems as a basis for discussion.  Students are expected to perform independent study between tutorial sessions in order to address learning issues generated by the group.  Through the development of group skills and addressing the learning objectives, students are provided with a basis for evolving into lifelong learners with a scientific evidence-based approach to clinical practice.

Summer – Term I 

MAT-513 – Clinical Science I
1 credit
This curriculum in the Master of Science of Athletic Training Program is based on the Problem-Based Learning philosophy of learning which utilizes an integrated approach where objectives are driven patient/client cases.  This course is designed to introduce students to the Problem-Based Learning model and the tutorial process.  

MAT-514 – Professional Issues I  
1 credit
This online course will allow students to explore professionalism and expectations of an Athletic Trainer.  Professional resources from the Board of Certification (BOC) and the National Athletic Trainers’ Association (NATA) will be presented.  Students will also be introduced to the database used to manage Clinical Education experiences and tools to evaluate clinical performance.  

Fall – Term II

Spring – Term III

Summer – Term IV 

Fall – Term V

• Injury and Illness Prevention and Wellness Promotion
• Examination, Assessment, and Diagnosis
• Immediate and Emergency Care
• Therapeutic Intervention
• Healthcare Administration and Professional Responsibility

3+2 EXERCISE SCIENCE/PRE-PROFESSIONAL ATHLETIC TRAINING TO MASTER OF SCIENCE OF ATHLETIC TRAINING

The Athletic Training field requires a certain individual who possesses a love for working with the physically active.  Undergraduate students seeking a career in Athletic Training will be enrolled in the Exercise Science major with a focus on the Pre-Professional Athletic Training curriculum for the first three (3) years of study.  Courses in the Pre-Professional Athletic Training track will prepare students for the Professional phase of study in the Master of Science of Athletic Training (MSAT) Program.

Students enrolled in the Pre-Professional Athletic Training track are required to maintain a 3.0 cumulative GPA, 3.0 pre-requisite GPA, and earn a minimum grade of “C” in all of the pre-requisite courses listed below:

• One semester of Biology with lab
• One semester of Chemistry with lab
• One semester of Physics with lab
• One semester of Human Anatomy with lab*
• One semester of Human Physiology with lab*
• One semester of Statistics
• One semester of Introduction of Psychology
• One semester of Exercise Physiology

* Anatomy and Physiology 1 and 2 may substitute for these pre-requisites.

MsAT Admissions Requirements 

There are two options to apply to the MsAT program at Wheeling University.  Students will be selected upon evaluation of the following factors:

1. Acceptance into the Integrated Concurrent 5-year (3+2) degree program with completion of all general education requirements prior to acceptance into the MsAT Program

OR

Earned B.A. or B.S. degree from an accredited institution of higher education

2. 3.0 Cumulative GPA; 3.0 Prerequisite GPA

4. “C” or above in all pre-requisite courses: 

• One Semester of Biology with lab
• One Semester of Chemistry with lab
• One Semester of Physics with lab
• One Semester of Human Anatomy with lab*
• One Semester of Human Physiology with lab*
• One Semester of Statistics
• One Semester of Introduction of Psychology
• One Semester of Exercise Physiology
  * Anatomy and Physiology 1 and 2 may substitute for these pre-requisites.

5. Completion of the application, resume, and letters of recommendation in the Athletic Training Centralized Application System (ATCAS)

6. Completion of the Clinical Observation Experience Form

• Minimum of 50 hours
  • Completed on the Clinical Observation Experience Form and submitted in ATCAS
• Must be completed with a qualified Athletic Training Preceptor
  • Must be BOC credentialed
  • Must hold current state licensure or registration

7. Interview with Faculty of the MsAT program (at the discretion of the program Faculty)

***Exceptions to the admission requirements, including pre-requisite course requirements, will be made on an individual basis provided the student’s progression within the MsAT Program is obtainable.

Students admitted in the MsAT Program are expected to follow the rules, regulations, and standards detailed in the WU MsAT Student Handbook.

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The Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education (CAATE) is the accrediting agency for all Athletic Training Education Programs. 
Wheeling University is an official CAATE accredited program.

Program Information and Outcomes

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Contact

Melissa Bozovich PT, DPT, LAT, ATC
mbozovich@wheeling.edu
304.243.8713