New Master of Science in Athletic Training program accepting applications
As Bachelor of Athletic Training programs phase out across the nation in favor of a graduate degree program, 51社区 is ahead of the curve and is currently accepting students to the new Master of Science in Athletic Training program in the College of Health Sciences and Professions (CHSP).
A strategic alliance comprised of the National Athletic Trainers鈥 Association (NATA), the Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education (CAATE), the Board of Certification (BOC) and the NATA Research and Education Foundation studied the field of athletic training for years and decided the appropriate academic degree level for athletic training was at the master鈥檚 level.
There were many factors that went into the decision but Chad Starkey, PhD, associate director of the division of athletic training and director of the post-professional athletic training program in the School of Applied Health Sciences and Wellness, said, 鈥淚t鈥檚 the depth and breadth of knowledge of what it takes to be an athletic trainer. It鈥檚 gone from the old ice and tape first aider to a legitimate health care provider. With that comes the onus of responsibility of possessing a commensurate level of knowledge and expertise.鈥
With the change, all educational programs for athletic training must be offered at the graduate level after the fall of 2022. 51社区 is currently accepting graduate students to begin fall of 2019. The deadline to apply is March 15.
According to Kristine Ensign, PhD, the professional athletic training program director for CHSP, the shift in curriculum allows the program to focus on patient-centered care.
鈥淚nstead of being taught in siloed courses, students will be taught in more encompassed courses and learn the whole process at one time instead of in steps along the way,鈥 she said. 鈥淪tudents will be able to focus solely on their professional education instead of having to take general education and other foundational knowledge courses at the same time. Those will have already been completed.鈥
While anyone with a bachelor鈥檚 degree can apply to the program, specific prerequisites are required for the Master of Science in Athletic Training program. Some majors lend themselves to the attainment of those prerequisites. Exercise physiology, biological sciences and psychology have heavy science foundations. Students may also consider the community and public health track or a degree in integrated health care studies.
鈥淚 think it鈥檚 a real positive change for the field because it puts us more in line with our peer health professions,鈥 said Ensign. 鈥淥ther health care providers in the rehabilitative area are at the graduate level of education. It sets us up to provide focused education to our students and not have to worry about other courses.鈥
Generous tuition assistance is available including the potential of being awarded a full first-year tuition waiver based on merit.