Master of Science in Athletic Training

The first step in the care and prevention of injuries

Athletic trainers play a vital role within the health care team as multi-skilled medical professionals and are often the first step in the care and prevention of injuries related to physical activity. They collaborate with other health care professionals to ensure the patients receive high-level care for the return to participation in physical activities.

Credits 152

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Athletic Trainer
Sports Med. Physician
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Flexbility

Full- and part-time options available.

Program Overview

The Concordia University Wisconsin (CUW) Master of Science in Athletic Training (MSAT) program will prepare students with the skills necessary to succeed as an entry-level athletic trainer. The program will provide students with an educational experience encompassing communication, problem solving, clinical skills, professional development, and service. As a result, the students graduating from the program will be prepared to pass the Board of Certification (BOC) Examination and will possess the knowledge, skills, and abilities of a successful clinician. The CUW MSAT program will accomplish its mission through a holistic approach to the development of the mind, body, and spirit.

The MSAT program at CUW is designed to meet all of the requirements set forth by the Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education (CAATE) for an accredited program, as well as the graduation requirements for CUW. Meeting the CAATE requirements will allow the Athletic Training Student (ATS) to take the BOC Computer Based Examination. The students who complete this program will be awarded a Bachelor of Science in Sports Medicine degree and a Master of Science in Athletic Training degree.

Mission Statement

The Concordia University Wisconsin athletic training program will prepare students with the skills necessary to succeed as an entry-level athletic trainer. The program will provide students with an educational experience encompassing communication, problem solving, clinical skills, professional development, and service. As a result, the students graduating from the program will be prepared to pass the Board of Certification Examination and will possess the knowledge, skills, and abilities of a successful clinician. The Concordia University Wisconsin athletic training program will accomplish its mission through a holistic approach to the development of the mind, body, and spirit.

What to Expect

There are two main components to the MSAT program:

Classroom education: The MSAT program consists of CUW undergraduate level core courses, athletic training undergraduate and graduate level core courses, and approved graduate level elective courses. This innovative curriculum is designed to combine a traditional Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Athletic Training into a streamlined five-year sequence.

Clinical Education: The MSAT program enhances the classroom education with extensive hands-on clinical experiences in a variety of settings. The students in the MSAT program will complete approximately four years of clinical rotations, concentrated during the second, third, fourth, and fifth years. The students will receive daily hands-on experience under the supervision of health care professionals in a variety of settings, including the on-campus, state-of-the-art athletic training facility.

Admission Requirements

Application Process

The Master of Science in Athletic Training program is a selective program that accepts approximately twenty students each year. This admission process and limited class size promotes quality education, provides the students with opportunities for hands-on learning, and maintains compliance with CAATE accreditation standards. Prospective athletic training students will formally apply to the MSAT program during the spring semester of their first year of coursework. Students with higher academic standing or transfer students may apply and will be given equal consideration; these students will need to formally apply and go through the MSAT program curriculum at Concordia University Wisconsin. Once admitted to the program, the Athletic Training Students will complete the remaining four years of core curriculum and athletic training coursework.

Admission To The Program

During the first year at Concordia University Wisconsin, applicants must meet the following minimum requirements to be considered for admission to the MSAT program:

Earn a Cumulative Grade Point Average of 2.75 in all course work (Overall CGPA).
Earn a Cumulative Grade Point Average of 3.00 in all major course work (AT CGPA). (BIO 191, BIO 192, EXPH 470, HHP 342, all MSAT courses, and Elective courses).
Complete the MSAT Program Application by the specified date, including a background check.
Submit two MSAT program evaluations, from two personal references.
Interview with the MSAT program Admissions Committee.
Complete and pass the following courses:
1. BIO 191 (Anatomy & Physiology I): with a grade of C (2.0) or higher
2. BIO 192 (Anatomy & Physiology II): with a grade of C (2.0) or higher
3. MSAT 115 (Medical Terminology): with a grade of B (3.0) or higher
4. MSAT 130 (Advanced Weight Training): with a grade of B (3.0) or higher
5. MSAT 172 (Athletic Training Foundations): with a grade of B (3.0) or higher
6. MSAT 205 (First Aid & Emergency Procedures): with a grade of B (3.0) or higher
7. MSAT 272/273 (Intro to Athletic Training): with a grade of B (3.0) or higher

Technical Standards for Admission

The students in the MSAT program at CUW should have the stamina and strength to endure the rigors of athletic training. The technical standards of the MSAT program are part of the program admission process and meet the expectations of CAATE. The following abilities and expectations must be met by all students admitted to the MSAT program, with or without reasonable accommodation(s). In the event a student is unable to fulfill these technical standards, with reasonable accommodation(s), the student will not be admitted into the program.

Applicants for the MSAT program must:

Maintain CPR certification at all times.
Complete annual tuberculosis testing.
Possess the physical capacity to handle the day-to-day rigors of athletic training. Must possess 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.
Demonstrate 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.
Demonstrate the ability to communicate effectively, clearly, and accurately in both the verbal and written form.
Maintain professional behavior while representing the MSAT Program.
Demonstrate the ability to act and react appropriately to various stressful and changing situations in athletic training.
Demonstrate a genuine concern for others associated with the MSAT Program and the patients served.
Demonstrate a respect for the LCMS doctrine and other religious beliefs.
Demonstrate a commitment to progress as sequenced and completion of the MSAT Program.

Athletic training can be inherently dangerous, when around athletic practices and events. Therefore, each Athletic Training Student must maintain personal health insurance; CUW will not be responsible for the costs incurred if an Athletic Training Student sustains and injury while performing duties for the MSAT program.

Applicants to the MSAT Program will be required to verify that they understand and meet these technical standards or that they believe that, with certain accommodations, they can meet the standards. If a student determines that he/she can meet the technical standards with accommodation(s), then the University will determine whether it agrees that the student can meet the technical standards with reasonable accommodation(s). This includes a review that the accommodation(s) are reasonable, taking into account whether the accommodation(s) would jeopardize: clinician and/or patient safety, the educational process of the student or the institution - including all coursework, clinical experiences, and internships deemed necessary for graduation.

Retention Standards

Once admitted to the MSAT program, all Athletic Training Students must maintain the following Retention Standards:

Maintain a Cumulative Grade Point Average of 2.75 in all course work (Overall CGPA).
Maintain a Cumulative Grade Point Average of 3.00 in all major course work (AT CGPA). (BIO 191, BIO 192, EXPH 470, HHP 342, all MSAT courses, and Elective courses).
Must pass all Practicum courses (MSAT 291, MSAT 292, MSAT 391, MSAT 392, MSAT 491, and MSAT 492) with a grade of B (3.0) or higher.
Must adhere to the MSAT Program Handbook.
Maintain required and scheduled clinical experience hours. Must make every attempt to schedule all classes prior to 2:00pm in order to complete clinical rotations.
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. This will likely cause a one year delay in the completion of the MSAT program. 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.

Degree Completion Requirements

All athletic training students must meet the following requirements in order to be eligible for graduation:

Maintain a Cumulative Grade Point Average of 2.75 in all course work (Overall CGPA).
Maintain a Cumulative Grade Point Average of 3.00 in all major course work (AT CGPA). (BIO 191, BIO 192, EXPH 470, HHP 342, all MSAT courses, and Elective courses).
Must adhere to the MSAT Program Handbook.
Complete all required and scheduled clinical experience hours.
Must pass all required core curriculum courses during the first seven semesters.
Must pass all required athletic training courses, in sequence.
Meet all CUW undergraduate and graduate graduation requirements.

Communicable Diseases

Students enrolled in the MSAT program must be aware of the possibility of being exposed to communicable diseases. If a student is exposed to a communicable disease in any setting (home, school, community, affiliated site) during the period in which they are enrolled in a clinical education experience, they must immediately report the exposure to their Preceptor and/or Program Director. The Preceptor and/or Program Director will consult with the appropriate health care professional(s) and determine what action should be taken. The student will be excused immediately from his/her clinical experience until the current state of the student’s health is determined.

Accreditation and Outcomes

Accreditation Status

The Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education (CAATE) certifies that the athletic training program at Concordia University Wisconsin has completed an accreditation review and is judged to be in compliance with the national established standards through 2020-2021.

BOC Status and Pass Rates

The Concordia University Wisconsin athletic training program prepares athletic training students for the Board of Certification (BOC) Computer Based Examination, which one must pass in order to practice professionally as an athletic trainer.

CUW BOC Pass Rate Data

Retention, Graduation, and Graduate Placement Rates

CUW Retention, Graduation, and Graduate Placement Rates

CUW MSAT Tuition & Fees

Student Classification and University Tuition and Fees

The students in the MSAT program will be considered Undergraduate students through the completion of the Year 4 Fall semester. At this time, the students will switch to Graduate student status for the remainder of the program. The students in the MSAT program must be aware that their student status (undergraduate vs. graduate) will significantly affect tuition and financial aid. Please see the CUW website or the Undergraduate and Graduate Academic Catalogs for detailed tuition and fee information.

Athletic Training Program Fees

Certain MSAT classes will require a laboratory fee. (MSAT 205 - $40.00, MSAT 273 - $30.00, and any other class as deemed appropriate).
The MSAT program application process requires that each applicant obtains and submits a specific background check, at the student’s expense. Additional background checks may be necessary, at the student’s expense. The approximate cost of the initial background check is $38.00.
Each student will be required to be tested for TB annually, at the student’s expense. The cost of this testing is dependent on the method and locatin. For certain students, this is covered by their personal health insurance. For those who wish to complete this testing on campus, the CUW Health Center offers TB testing for $10.00.
Following admission into the MSAT program, students may be responsible for obtaining and submitting additional background checks, flu shots, drug screens, and any other relevant requirements (at the student’s expense) in order to be eligible for certain specific clinical education sites.
All students admitted into the MSAT program will be required to purchase one CUW Athletic Training polo shirt. The approximate cost of the required polo is $32.00.

MSAT Scholarships

The CUW MSAT program has three $1,000 scholarships available to students completing Year 3, Year 4, or Year 5 of the MSAT program: The CUW ATP Highland House Scholarship, The CUW ATP Ken Weidt Scholarship, and the CUW ATP Russell De Lap Scholarship.

CUW Athletic Training Program Highland House Scholarship

CUW Athletic Training Program Ken Weidt Scholarship

CUW Athletic Training Program Russell De Lap Scholarship