Master of Science in Athletic Training (CUAA)

The Athletic Training Program at Concordia University Ann Arbor prepares professional students for the National Athletic Training Association Board of Certification Examination.  Upon graduation and passing the board examination, students will be qualified to work in medical clinics, physician extenders, hospitals, industrial/occupational settings, corporate settings, colleges or universities, secondary schools, school districts, professional sports, performing arts, military and law enforcement, and health/fitness clubs.  Concordia University Ann Arbor is currently seeking accreditation through the Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education.

Students will gain experience under the direct supervision of a certified athletic trainer in the areas of injury/illness prevention and wellness protection, clinical evaluation and diagnosis, immediate and emergency care, treatment and rehabilitation and organizational professional health and well-being.

Program Learning Outcomes

  1.  Students will understand the anatomical and pathological concepts in athletic injuries.
  2. Students will be able to evaluate the scientific literature in the discipline, understand and synthesize relevant information from it, and be able to convey this information both orally and in writing.

  3. Students will be able to apply knowledge of athletic training in a real world setting.

  4. Students will demonstrate a responsible sense of citizenship, professional attitude, ethical behavior, and embrace their obligations as an athletic trainer in the world. 

  5. Acquire knowledge and demonstrate the skills/abilities to qualitatively and quantitatively analyze athletic injuries and medical conditions of an entry level athletic trainer.

  6. The students will use effective communication (oral and written) and pedagogical skills and strategies to enhance student engagement and learning

  7. The student will demonstrate knowledge of scientific and theoretical basis of athletic injuries so that they can apply appropriate problem solving techniques plan, implement, and evaluate health care clinical strategies.

  8. The student will demonstrate and articulate the core social science foundations for collaboration, reflection, and technology.

  9. The student will demonstrate and articulate the legal implications of professional practice.

  10. The student will demonstrate and articulate the primacy of their patients and team approach to professional practice.

Curriculum

Core Requirements 145
Major Requirements94
Electives (Upper Level Approved Electives)12
Total Hours151
1

 For transfer students, please see the Advanced Transfer Core.

Required Core Courses
Human Anatomy and Physiology I
Introduction to Writing
Stewardship of the Body
Weight Training
Statistics I
General Psychology
Required Major Courses
HHP 116Health Profession Medical Terminology1
HHP 192Basic Taping & Wrapping Techniques1
HHP 210Health Care Delivery2
HHP 212First Aid and Emergency Procedures w/Lab3
HHP 342Nutrition for Wellness and Performance3
HHP 202Introduction to Kinesiology3
BIO 192Human Anatomy and Physiology II4
HHP 274Care and Prevention of Athletic Injuries3
HHP 371Exercise Physiology3
HHP 375Biomechanics3
MSAT 551Orth Assess/Mgmt of LE3
MSAT 553Therapeutic Mod for Ath Inj3
MSAT 554Palp & Func Anatomy for ATs3
MSAT 542Clinical Education I2
MSAT 552Orth As/Mgmt-UE/Head/Neck/Spn3
MSAT 555Therapeutic Exercise3
MSAT 532Psychosocial Principles of Athletic Training3
MSAT 556Acute Emerg Care of Ath Inj3
MSAT 543Clinical Eduction II2
MSAT 544Clinical Education III3
MSAT 512General Medical Conditions Assessment & Diagnosis3
MSAT 557Advanced Injury Managment3
NURS 520Basic Statistics for the Health Care Professions3
MSAT 545Clinical Education IV3
MSAT 541Athletic Training Seminar (Students take the course 4 different semesters.)4
MSAT 578Pharmacology for Athletic Trainers3
MSAT 559Admin & Organization of AT3
MSAT 568Research Methods in Sports Medicine3
HHP 265Healthy Lifestyles3
MSAT 546Clinical Education V3
MSAT 599Thesis in Athletic Training (Students will take this course 2 semesters)6
or MSAT 573 Athletic Training Capstone
MSAT 547Clinical Education VI3
Electives12
Upper Level Approved Elective (>300)
Total Hours106

Athletic Training Program Application Process

The ATP is a selective program. Students applying for the ATP must meet the following requirements to be considered for admission into the ATP:

  1. Earn a Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) of 3.00 in all major course work.  
  2. Earn a Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) of 3.00 in all course work.
  3. Complete the Athletic Training Application by the specified date.
  4. Interview with the Athletic Training Program Admissions Committee.
  5. Submit two CUAA AT Program student evaluation forms from two personal references.
  6. Submit an essay answering each of the following questions in no more than 100 words per question.
    1. Describe your understanding of the role of an athletic trainer in healthcare.
    2. Why do you want to become a certified athletic trainer?
    3. Describe your personal attributes that you feel are directly related to being successful in the profession of athletic training.
    4. How would you evaluate your time management, organizational skills, and work ethic?
    5. What are your primary career goals upon graduation from Concordia University Ann Arbor?
    6. Any other information that you feel will enhance your application and is pertinent to athletic training or your academic studies.
  7. Complete and pass the following courses:
    1. MSAT 116 with a grade of a B (3.0) or higher
    2. MSAT 167 with a grade of a B (3.0) or higher
    3. MSAT 205 with a grade of a B (3.0) or higher
    4. MSAT 210 with a grade of a B (3.0) or higher
    5. MSAT 274 with a grade of a B (3.0) or higher
    6. BIO 191 & 192 Human Anatomy I & II with a grade of a C (2.0) or higher
  8. Submit a copy of a recent physical examination (see Program Director for details).
  9. Submit a copy of health insurance information.

Any possible transfer credits must be discussed and approved by the Program Director.

Technical Standards for Admission

Students in the Athletic Training Program at Concordia University Ann Arbor should have the stamina and strength to endure the rigors of athletic training.  The technical standards in the ATP are part of the admittance into the program and meet the expectations of the program’s accreditation agency (Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education [CAATE]).  The following abilities and expectations must be met by all students admitted to the ATP, with reasonable accommodation.  In the event a student is unable to fulfill these technical standards, with reasonable accommodation, the student will not be admitted into the program.

Applicants for selection to the ATP must demonstrate:

  1. Maintain BLS CPR/AED certification.
  2. Show proof of a negative test for tuberculosis annually while enrolled in the program.
  3. Receive a physical prior to acceptance into the program; should include in the health history immunizations received i.e. hepatitis B, measles, mumps, rubella, tetanus, and diphtheria.
  4. Possess the physical capability to handle the day-to-day rigors of athletic training; e.g. physical examinations, evaluations, therapeutic exercise, weather extremes, and clinical rotations.
  5. The ability to critically think and problem solve as it relates to the assessment of the injured and ill.
  6. The ability to communicate effectively in both the verbal and in written form; i.e. awareness of and sensitivity to various cultures and social backgrounds, and documentation in medical records and forms.
  7. Maintain professional behavior while representing the ATP; e.g. dress code, attitude, communication, and collegiality.
  8. The ability to act and react appropriately to various stressful and changing situations in athletic training.
  9. A commitment to progress as sequenced and completion of the ATP.
  10. A genuine concern for others associated with the ATP and the patients served.
  11. The mental capacity to assimilate, analyze, synthesize, integrate concepts and problem solve to formulate assessment and therapeutic judgments and to be able to distinguish deviations from the norm.
  12. Sufficient postural and neuromuscular control, sensory function and coordination to perform appropriate physical examinations using accepted techniques; and accurately, safely and efficiently use equipment and materials during the assessment and treatment of patients.
  13. The ability to record the physical examination results and treatment plan clearly and accurately.
  14. The ability to adjust to changing situations and uncertainty in clinical situations.
  15. Effective skills and appropriate demeanor and rapport that relate to professional education and quality patient care.
  16. A respect for the LCMS doctrine and other religious beliefs.
  17. Athletic training can be an inherently dangerous when around athletic practices and events. Therefore, each athletic training student must carry health insurance in the case of any injuries that may occur.

Applicants to the ATP will be required to verify they understand and meet these technical standards or that they believe that, with certain accommodations, they can meet the standards.

Appeals Policy

Students who are denied admission into the ATP may appeal.

  1. Each student has the opportunity to appeal once denied admission into the Athletic Training Program.
  2. If the student would like to appeal, they first contact the ATP Director and state the desired intention to appeal.
  3. The student and the ATP Director will then set up a meeting to discuss the student’s concerns about admission denial.
  4. The student and the ATP Director will discuss the reasons for admission denial into the ATP.
  5. If the student is not satisfied with the initial meeting and discussion, the student may set a meeting with the ATP Director and Dean of Arts and Science. This meeting will address the reasons for admission denial into the ATP.
  6. A final decision will be made regarding admission denial into the ATP after meeting with the Athletic Training Program Director and Dean of Arts and Science.

Reapplication Policy

Any student who was not accepted into the ATP during the first attempt may reapply the following year.  All students will be given equal opportunity to be admitted into the ATP.  Each denied student will have to formally apply the following year and compete for any available openings in the ATP, with all of the students who are applying that academic year.  Each student will have to resubmit all application materials for consideration into the ATP.  If a student is denied admission, he/she will be notified of the reasons why they were denied into the ATP.

Retention Standards

Once admitted to the MSAT program, all athletic training students must meet the following Retention Standards:

  1. Maintain a Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) of 3.00 in major course work.
  2. Must pass all Clinical Education courses (MSAT 542, MSAT 543, MSAT 544, MSAT 545, MSAT 546, MSAT 547) with a grade of B (3.0) or higher.
  3. Must pass all required athletic training courses, in sequence, in order to progress in the Athletic Training Program.  If a student does not pass a course during a particular semester, that student cannot progress in the program until the course has been re-taken and the student has passed the course. Students who do not pass an athletic training course during the first attempt may re-take that course one additional time in an effort to pass the class.  Students will not be allowed to take any athletic training course more than two times.
  4. Student’s skills sheets list passing of a competency.  If a student does not pass, they will be remediated prior to performing these skills on patients at their clinical rotation.
  5. Maintain required and scheduled clinical experience hours.
  6. Must follow all Athletic Training Program Policies and Procedures in the Athletic Training Program Handbook.

Probation Policy

  1. Any current student who fails to meet the retention standards will be put on a probationary status.
  2. If a current student is on probationary status and fails to improve towards the deficient retention standard(s) within the following semester or does not pass a course during a particular semester, that student will then be terminated from the ATP. 
  3. If a student on probation fails to meet the retention standard within two consecutive semesters, he/she will be terminated from the ATP without the opportunity to reapply.
  4. If a student has been on probation and then meets the retention requirements, he/she will be removed from probation.  If that same student then fails to maintain the retention requirements a second time, such student will then be terminated from the ATP without the opportunity to reapply.
  5. If a student is terminated from the ATP, the student will have one year to acquire the required retention policy level(s) while terminated. If the student meets the required retention policy during their year of termination, the student will have the opportunity to join the class level he/she was terminated from.

Degree Completion Requirements

All ATS must meet the following requirements in order to be eligible for graduation:

NOTE:  Students will be considered Undergraduate students for the first four semesters and Graduate students for the final six semesters.

  1. Maintain a Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) of 3.00 in major course work.
  2. Maintain a Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) of 3.00 in all course work.
  3. Meet all Retention Standards.
  4. Must pass all required athletic training courses, in sequence, in order to progress in the Athletic Training Program.  If a student does not pass a course during a particular semester, that student cannot progress in the program until the course has been re-taken and the student has passed the course. Students who do not pass an athletic training course during the first attempt may re-take that course one additional time in an effort to pass the class.  Students will not be allowed to take any athletic training course more than two times.
  5. Must pass all required core curriculum courses during the first four semesters.
  6. Meet all CUAA undergraduate and graduate graduation requirements.