Degree Title and Name:  Master of Science in Athletic Training

Program Name and Number:  Athletic Training (Post-Professional) – MS8130

Department/Unit:  School of Applied Health Sciences and Wellness

Delivery Mode:  Hybrid

Term(s) of Entry: Fall, Summer

Program Overview:  The mission of the Graduate Athletic Training (AT) Program is to promote and advance the athletic training profession through academics, scholarship, and practice and to guide the student to advanced clinical practice. The program strives to provide advanced systematic study, innovative research opportunities, leadership development, teaching experiences, and professional service. An emphasis is placed on personal and professional development.

Since 1972, the Post-Professional Program has been educating graduate students to become contributing members and leaders within the athletic training profession. Through academics, research, clinical experience, and service, the Master of Science in AT program prepares credentialed athletic trainers for advanced clinical practice. The program integrates the core competencies of evidence-based practice, interprofessional education and collaborative practice, quality improvement, healthcare informatics, professionalism, and patient-centered care.

The post-professional program is designed for students who have earned a bachelor’s degree from an accredited Professional athletic training program, or for individuals who have been in professional practice. Graduate students have the opportunity to tailor their educational experience by completing a thesis or research project and through clinical experience options. Building on the expertise of our faculty and staff, research emphasizes evidence-based practice, care for underserved populations, and athletic training education.

The graduate program challenges students to become researchers, teachers, and advanced clinicians. Students may choose to serve as teaching assistants and are given the opportunity to act as preceptors in the clinical setting for the professional athletic training program. The program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education (CAATE).

This is a full-time program. Students can complete this program in five semesters.

Program Learning Outcomes:  Upon graduation the student will be able to:

1. Demonstrate the ability to develop and manage a research project from inception to completion.
2. Report quality research that contributes to advanced clinical practice.
3. Demonstrate professional values and behaviors that are consistent with the AT program’s expectations (e.g., respect, assertiveness, dependability, emotional maturity, ethical decisions etc.).
4. Demonstrate principles of lifelong learning and professional development.
5. Demonstrate professional and collaborative relationships with others.
6. Exhibit citizenship and professional engagement/service.
7. Function as a patient advocate through interprofessional collaboration and consideration of patient values.
8. Apply critically appraised research to clinical decision making.
9. Efficiently and consistently provide quality health care.
10. Prepare athletic trainers to provide health care in a medically underserved area.

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

Link to Program Handbook:  Further information can be obtained by emailing Chad Starkey, PhD, AT: starkeyc@ohio.edu.

Graduation Requirements:  

1. Minimum semester hours: A total of 47 semester hours is required.
2. Thesis requirement: Optional
3. Qualifying exam (BOC examination/state licensure)
4. Comprehensive exam

Complete the following courses with no grade below a “C”:

Core Courses: (26 hrs minimum)

• AT 5100 - Orthopedic Appliances (2) or elective (2)
• AT 5300 - Manual Therapy in Rehabilitation (3) or elective (3)
• AT 6100 - Orthopedic Diagnosis (3)
• AT 6110 - Athletic Training Administration and Clinical Instruction (3)
• AT 6200 - Advanced Theory in Therapeutic Modalities (3)
• AT 6210 - Human Anatomy for Athletic Trainers (3)
• AT 6310 - Neuromechanics of Sports Injury Rehabilitation (3)
• AT 6900 - Special Topics in Athletic Training (6 hrs total)

[Suggested Electives: AT 5100, ELIP 5140, EXPH 5160, NUTR 6600, PT 7150, PT 8650]

Research Courses (15 hrs minimum)

• AT 6220 - Athletic Training Research I (3)
• EXPH 6080 -Research Methods and Statistical Applications (4)
• Complete at least 8 hrs:
  • AT 6940 - Athletic Training Research Project (2) and/or
  • AT 6950 - Athletic Training Thesis (1-6)

Practicum (6 hrs minimum)

• AT 6920 - Athletic Training Practicum (1-4)

Culminating Experience

• Exam,
• Clinical practice, and
• Project or Thesis using original data collection, analysis, and presentation in professional manuscript format.

Admission Requirements:  To be considered for admission, applicants must be graduates of a CAATE-accredited professional AT program. A minimum GPA of 3.0 and GRE of 300 are recommended.

International Students:  This program permits full-time enrollment in residence at Ohio University, and an I-20 may be issued based on admission to this program.