2015–2016 Bulletin Addendum MS in Athletic Training

This entry-level professional program prepares students to become athletic trainers. This program features a blend of classroom and clinical learning as students acquire an evidence-based approach to the prevention, diagnosis, immediate management, and rehabilitation of orthopedic and general health conditions in patients/clients who have an active lifestyle. This curriculum is designed for full-time study; part-time enrollment is not an option.

Admission Requirements & Deadlines

Applicants must gather and submit all required materials to the Athletic Training Centralized Application Service (ATCAS).

Application

• GRE scores (institution code 7608) [Applicants must have a quantitative score above 140 (400 on the old scoring system) and a verbal score above 146 (400 on the old scoring system) to be considered.]
• 3 letters of recommendation (one must be from a faculty member or academic advisor)
• TOEFL scores TBD (international students)
• Transcript verification of completion of a baccalaureate degree
• Transcript verification of completion of the following prerequisite courses:
  • Human Anatomy (3–4 cr; one course with lab. When anatomy and physiology are taken as a combined course, two semesters are necessary to meet the requirements.)
  • Human Physiology (3–4 cr; one course with lab. When anatomy and physiology are taken as a combined course, two semesters are necessary to meet the requirements.)
  • Chemistry (3–4 cr; one course with lab)
  • Physics (3–4 cr; one course with lab required; recommended: two-semester sequence with lab.) The physics requirement can also be fulfilled with these two Boston University courses: CGS NS 111 Physics for Health Professions and HP 565 Biomechanics from Boston University (8 cr).
  • Statistics (3–4 cr; must include descriptive statistics, correlation, introduction to interferential statistics.)
  • Exercise Physiology (3–4 cr)

Prerequisite Courses

You may have prerequisite courses still in progress by the application deadline, but all prerequisites must be completed by the start of the program. Questions regarding whether a course fulfills one of the above requirements should be directed to the Senior Program Coordinator, Department of Physical Therapy & Athletic Training, 635 Commonwealth Avenue, Boston, MA  02215. Please include a course description with your inquiry. Additional information, such as a course syllabus, may be requested.

Candidates who have completed the prerequisite courses with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher will be considered for unconditional acceptance. Candidates who have completed the prerequisite courses with a cumulative GPA between 2.8 and 2.99 will be considered for conditional acceptance. Those with a conditional acceptance must complete the first 12 credits of the program with a GPA of 3.0 or better to continue matriculation in the program.

Degree Requirements

Candidates must complete a minimum of 68 credits (over two years) in the classes designated below to fulfill degree requirements. All requirements must be completed within two years of initial acceptance. An overall grade point average of 3.0 is required for graduation, and all classes must be completed with a grade of C or better. For further details, please see the MSAT Policy & Procedure Manual.

Curriculum

Year 1—Summer

• HS 581 Gross Human Anatomy (4 cr, summer session 1)
• PT 520 Functional Anatomy (4 cr, summer session 2)
• AT 5XX Examination & Treatment I (4 cr, summer session 2)

Year 1—Fall

• AT 572 Principles of Evidence-Based Practice (3 cr, lecture)
• AT 5XX Examination & Treatment II (6 cr, lecture/lab)
• HP 531 Clinical Medicine I (4 cr, lecture/lab)
• AT 5XX Connecting Policy to Practice (3 cr)
• AT 5XX Clinical Experience I (2 cr, lecture/experience)

Year 1—Spring

• AT 5XX Examination & Treatment III (6 cr, lecture/lab)
• HP 532 Clinical Medicine II (4/5 cr, lecture; addition of lab component for AT, re-credit to 5)
• AT 5XX Behavioral Health (3 cr, lecture)
• AT 5XX Clinical Experience II (4 cr, lecture/experience)

Year 2—Summer

• HP 560 Clinical Experience III: Primary Care (2 cr, change to AT designator)
• PT 634 Diagnostics Procedures for Rehab Professionals (4 cr, current online course; AT designator)
• AT 6XX EMT for the Athletic Trainer (4 cr, elective)
• AT 6XX Clinical Experience IV (1 cr, 8-week full-time experience; beginning early- to mid-August to late October)

Year 2—Fall

• AT 672 Patient-Oriented Evidence for Athletic Trainers (3 cr)*

Short Academic Semester (early November to end of semester)**

• AT 6XX Pharmacology (2 cr)
• AT 6XX Nutrition for Health & Activity (2 cr)
• AT 6XX Health Care Management [Informatics] (2 cr)
• AT 6XX Performance Enhancement in Sport (2 cr)

Year 2—Spring

• AT 6XX Clinical Experience V (1 cr, 12 weeks of experience; possibly two 6-week experiences)
• AT 6XX Clinical Reasoning Capstone (2 cr, two-week class; on-campus; comprehensive)

*Class to begin concurrently with Clinical Education III and continue once back on campus.

**These courses would be taught in two intensive 2-week periods (2 units each period), more similar to a summer session model. Credits are allocated based on in-class time.