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Graduate Programs

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-511 – Basic Science I
2 credits
This online course is designed to develop an understanding of language used by medical professionals.

MAT-512 – Athletic Training Science I
2 credits
This online course is designed to bring forward previously learned anatomy knowledge and apply it to the practice of athletic training.  Students will appreciate the basics of anatomical surface palpation to identify landmarks, bony structures, and muscles, as well as muscular attachments, actions, and nerve innervations.

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

MAT-521 – Basic Science II 
3 credits
This course uses a Problem-Based Learning approach and is designed to allow students to explore structures and functions of the body in healthy and impaired states with primary focus on the lower extremity and trunk.  This course includes study of bones, joints, muscles, peripheral nerves, connective tissues, body composition, circulation and energy management, injuries, and pathologies related biomechanics of the body, posture during stance and ambulation, principles of exercise prescription, and pharmacological considerations.  Topics are integrated closely with client cases introduced in Clinical Science II.  Students will be encouraged to develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills, as well as begin to develop the ability to use scientific literature to discuss evidence-based approaches in the relevant topics.

MAT-522 – Athletic Training Science II        
3 credits
This course uses a Problem-Based Learning approach and is designed to allow students to explore the application of Athletic Training interventions for prevention, evaluation, management, and rehabilitation for a variety of pathologies, impairments, functional limitations, and participation restrictions.  Primary focus will be on the lower extremity and trunk.  Orientation to basic Athletic Training prevention, assessment, and rehabilitative procedures will be utilized in individual and small group activities, allowing students to develop skills necessary for competence in clinical practice.  The activities will be closely related to the patient/client cases presented in Clinical Science II.

MAT-523 – Clinical Science II
3 credits
This course is a Problem-Based tutorial designed to allow students to explore the application of Athletic Training interventions for prevention, evaluation, management, and rehabilitation for a variety of pathologies, impairments, functional limitations, and participation restrictions.  Primary focus will be on the lower extremities and trunk.  The instructor will guide students in the acquisition of professional behaviors and facilitate clinical reasoning and decision-making.  Students will also develop sound documentation practices.

MAT-524 – Professional Issues II
2 credits
This is the second course in the thread of Professional Issues.  This course will focus on Athletic Training Education Competencies, legal practice concerns (state practice acts, supervision and documentation guidelines in the clinic as an Athletic Training Student, billing considerations, fraud and abuse, and interprofessional collaboration for effective patient care), professionalism matters (technology, health care informatics, social media, professional responsibilities, ethics, professional relationships, verbal/nonverbal/written communication), and safety issues (CPR/First Aid/Emergency Action Plan training, HIPAA/standard precautions, FERPA).

MAT-525 – Research & Evidence-Based Practice I
2 credits
This course is designed to foster an understanding of research, development, and critical analysis of Athletic Training practice through evidence.  This course will also introduce overall organization and elements of a clinical research project, principles of hypothesis writing, basic statistical and epidemiological concepts, and the process of submission for Institutional Review Board (IRB) approval.  Students will be guided in the process of developing a systematic review of literature.  Students will be directed to work with a faculty member to develop their research topic and begin composition of their written research project.

MAT-526 – Clinical Education I
Fall/Winter Sport Rotation
3 credits
Students are assigned to a sport/clinical site and are supervised in the clinical practice of Athletic Training skills.

Spring – Term III

MAT-531 – Basic Science III
3 credits
This course uses a Problem-Based Learning approach and is designed to allow students to explore structures and functions of the body in healthy and impaired states with primary focus on the upper extremity, head, spine, and thorax.  This course includes study of bones, joints, muscles, peripheral nerves, connective tissues, body composition, circulation and energy management, injuries, and pathologies related biomechanics of the body, and pharmacological considerations.  Topics are integrated closely with client cases introduced in Clinical Science III.  Students will be encouraged to develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills, as well as begin to develop the ability to use scientific literature to discuss evidence-based approaches in the relevant topics.

MAT-532 – Athletic Training Science III
3 credits
This course uses a Problem-Based Learning approach and is designed to allow students to explore the application of Athletic Training interventions for prevention, evaluation, management, and rehabilitation for a variety of pathologies, impairments, functional limitations, and participation restrictions.  Primary focus will be on the upper extremity, head, spine, and thorax.  Further development of skills and techniques used in Athletic Training for prevention, assessment, and rehabilitative procedures will be encouraged in order to improve competency in clinical practice.  The activities will be closely related to the patient/client cases presented in Clinical Science III.

MAT-533 – Clinical Science III
3 credits
This course is a Problem-Based tutorial designed to allow students to explore the application of Athletic Training interventions for prevention, evaluation, management, and rehabilitation for a variety of pathologies, impairments, functional limitations, and participation restrictions.  Primary focus will be on the upper extremity, head, spine, and thorax.  The instructor will guide students in the acquisition of professional behaviors and facilitate clinical reasoning and decision-making.  Students will further develop sound documentation practices.

MAT-534 – Professional Issues III
2 credits
This is the third course in the thread of Professional Issues.  This course will focus on organization and administration in Athletic Training.  Interprofessional communication and collaboration will be reinforced and students will participate in activities for Interprofessional Education (IPE) as well as design, organize, and implement the of management of Athletic Training facilities, personnel, and resources.

MAT-535 – Research & Evidence-Based Practice II
2 credits
This is the second course in the thread of Research & Evidence-Based Practice.  This course will allow students to analyze literature and summarize findings to further develop their written research project and ultimately prepare the Athletic Training Capstone.

MAT-536 – Clinical Education II
Winter/Spring Sport Rotation
3 credits
Students are assigned to a sport/clinical site and are supervised in the clinical practice of Athletic Training skills.

Summer – Term IV 

MAT-541 – Basic Science IV
3 credits
This course uses a Problem-Based Learning approach and is designed to allow students to explore various systems and functions of the body in healthy and impaired states with primary focus on general medical conditions involving the cardiovascular, respiratory, neurological, endocrine, gastrointestinal, genitourinary/reproductive, and integumentary systems.  Concussions, behavioral health, and cancer will also be discussed.  Topics are integrated closely with client cases introduced in Clinical Science IV.  Students will be encouraged to further develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills, as well as the ability to use scientific literature to discuss evidence-based approaches in the relevant topics.

MAT-542 – Athletic Training Science IV
3 credits
This course uses a Problem-Based Learning approach and is designed to allow students to explore the application of Athletic Training interventions for prevention, evaluation, management, and rehabilitation for a variety of pathologies, impairments, functional limitations, and participation restrictions.  Primary focus will be on general medical conditions involving the cardiovascular, respiratory, neurological, endocrine, gastrointestinal, genitourinary/reproductive, and integumentary systems.  Concussions, behavioral health, and cancer will also be discussed.  Further development of skills and techniques used in Athletic Training for prevention, assessment, and rehabilitative procedures will be encouraged in order to improve competency in clinical practice.  The activities will be closely related to the patient/client cases presented in Clinical Science IV.

MAT-543 – Clinical Science IV
3 credits
This course is a Problem-Based tutorial designed to allow students to explore the application of Athletic Training interventions for prevention, evaluation, management, and rehabilitation for a variety of pathologies, impairments, functional limitations, and participation restrictions.  Primary focus will be on general medical conditions involving the cardiovascular, respiratory, neurological, endocrine, gastrointestinal, genitourinary/reproductive, and integumentary systems.  Concussions, behavioral health, and cancer will also be discussed.  The instructor will guide students in the acquisition of professional behaviors and facilitate clinical reasoning and decision-making.  Students will further develop sound documentation practices.

MAT-544 – Professional Issues IV
1 credit
This is the fourth course in the thread of Professional Issues.  This course will focus on current issues in Athletic Training, professional development (life-long learning and membership for professional advocacy), and professional writing tasks (resume, cover letter, etc).  Students will also prepare to begin the application process to sit for the Board of Certification (BOC) Exam.

Fall – Term V

MAT-555 – Athletic Training Capstone
1 credit
During this course, students will finalize and submit a written composition of the Athletic Training Capstone project to the research advisor.  Students will also develop a poster and platform presentation of their project.  Students will present their projects at the end of this term.

MAT-556 – Immersive Athletic Training Practicum Experience
6 credits
Students are assigned to a clinical education experience and are supervised in the clinical practice of Athletic Training skills.

MAT-557 –  BOC Exam Prep
2 credits
This online review course is designed to help students prepare for the Board of Certification (BOC) Exam.  This course will cover test strategies, as well as key topics related to the following Domains:

  • 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.


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


Contact

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