Degree Title: Master of Science in Athletic Training

Program Name and Number: Athletic Training - MS8174 (Professional)

Department/Unit: School of Applied Health Sciences and Wellness

Delivery Mode: Athens Campus [MS8174], Lecture, Laboratory, online, elective online courses

Terms of Entry: [Fall]

Program Mission: The Ohio University Athletic Training Program centralizes our students’ intellectual, professional and personal development through mentored education and service to the campus and community. With research as its focus, the program instills evidence-based clinical practice with an emphasis on medically underserved populations and emerging practice settings.

Program Learning Objectives:

• Apply evidence-based medicine in the delivery of patient-centered care.
• Critically analyze the results of a medical history and physical exam in order to develop an accurate diagnosis and effective intervention plan.
• Accurately interpret the results of diagnostic tests in order to deliver an effective intervention plan.
• Accurately assess the challenges of providing AT services to a medically underserved population.
• Execute strategies to overcome the obstacles associated with delivering effective health care to a medically underserved population.
• Demonstrate professional standards that align with the NATA Code of Ethics and the foundational behaviors of professional practice.
• Effectively communicate with patients and other healthcare professionals.
• Foster healthcare team collaboration to provide patient-centered care.
• Demonstrate principles of lifelong learning and ongoing professional development as defined by the Professional Assessment Tool.
• Engage in interprofessional education and collaborative practice.

Program Overview:  Since 1972, Ohio University has been on the forefront of athletic training education. We are excited to continue this history with our new professional Master of Science in Athletic Training starting Fall 2019. Ohio University’s new professional athletic training program will provide students the ability to combine their knowledge and skills learned in the classroom with the experiences they gain at clinical sites.

During the first year, students will complete semester long clinical rotations where they will have the opportunity to take knowledge and skills learned in the classroom and apply them directly to patients. Working with preceptors, students help provide supervised healthcare services to athletes involved in Ohio University intercollegiate athletics, Ohio University club sports, local high schools sports, and a general population of clinic and hospital patients. During the second year, students will complete two immersive experiences that are at least 8 weeks long. The second year will also provide students to opportunity to have clinical experiences in emergent settings such as performing arts, physician practice, rodeo, etc. You may also have the opportunity to participate in collaborative research projects with faculty.

The athletic training program has seven athletic training faculty members and is supported by the intercollegiate athletics sports medicine staff. Several other medical and healthcare professionals contribute to the program’s academic and clinical components. Program graduates are eligible for national certification (ATC) by the Board of Certification (BOC) and state licensure. In Ohio, licensure is granted by the Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, and Athletic Trainers Board. The athletic training master’s program is a two-year, four semester program. This program is accredited by the CAATE. Upon graduation students receive a Master of Science in Athletic Training degree.

Link to Program: https://www.ohio.edu/chsp/ahsw/athletic-training/graduate/index.cfm

Link to Program Handbook: Further information can be obtained by emailing Kristine Ensign, PhD, AT at ensign@ohio.edu.

Graduation Requirements:

1. Minimum semester hours required: 63
2. Minimum GPA of 3.0

Culminating Experience: Students will complete an academic capstone project. This may be a Critically Appraised Topic (CAT) paper (a summary of published evidence pertaining to precisely defined patient-oriented question), an original research project such as a systematic review. During the second year, students will complete two clinical immersive experiences where, under the supervision of a licensed preceptor, the student demonstrates the ability to function as an independent clinician.

Admission Requirements:

Applicants for Ohio University’s professional Master of Science in Athletic Training program must meet the following requirements to be considered for conditional admission:

 

1. Bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution or equivalent.
2. Cumulative GPA of 3.0.
3. Prerequisite GPA of 3.0 based upon the program prerequisite courses.
4. Preferred GRE score of 300 with a preferred writing score of 4.0.
5. 50 hours of AT volunteer/observation
6. 3 Letters of Recommendation from 2 different Athletic Trainers and 1 college professor
7. Prerequisite courses are below. For specifics on acceptable courses, please see the program website.
   1. Required topics:
      1. Human Anatomy w/Lab: one course
      2. Human Physiology: one course
      3. Physics: one course
      4. Chemistry: one course
      5. Nutrition: one course
      6. Psychology: one course
      7. Statistics: one course
      8. Biomechanics: one course
      9. Medical terminology: one course
      10. Exercise physiology: one course
   2. Required preprofessional AT knowledge:
      1. Introduction to athletic training: one course
      2. Orthopedic clinical skills in athletic training: one course
      3. Emergency care in athletic training: one course
      4. Orthopedic Prophylactic and Bracing techniques: one course
      5. Students who are missing 1 or more of the required preprofessional AT knowledge courses have the option of taking AT 2900 for 5 credits at OHIO the summer before fall masters courses begin. This course will not count toward graduation requirements and must be successfully completed with a grade of a ‘B’ or higher in order to fulfill admissions criteria for the Professional MS in Athletic Training Program
8. Application to the Program is through a centralized application service found at www.ATCAS.org.