Program Overview
The Master of Science in Athletic Training at Clarion University is a full-time, professional practice program housed in the Department of Health Sciences and Human Services. The MSAT includes 58-credits across 24-months and emphasizes interdisciplinary/cross-curriculum opportunities to collaborate with professionals on campus and throughout the community.
Students are provided with the opportunities to obtain diverse perspectives in conjunction with personalized engaged learning through clinical and classroom/laboratory instruction. Foundational behaviors of professional practice are emphasized in a variety of settings that assist students in their evolution as advocates for competent health care. Following two years of classroom and clinical education, graduates will be able to sit for the Board of Certification examination to earn credentialing as a Certified Athletic Trainer.
Curriculum
2-Year Post Baccalaureate MSAT
This curricular track is for students who wish to become an athletic trainer and have completed a baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited four-year institution. Following two years of classroom and clinical education, graduates will be able to sit for the Board of Certification examination to earn credentialing as a Certified Athletic Trainer.
3+2 Accelerated MSAT
The accelerated 3+2 MSAT allows students to complete a Master of Science in Athletic Training and a Bachelor of Science in Nutrition and Fitness in five years. The degree path is designed for traditional students currently enrolled or planning to enroll in Clarion University Health Sciences Programs. Upon completion of the 3+2 Accelerated MSAT, graduates will be able to sit for the Board of Certification examination to earn credentialing as a Certified Athletic Trainer.
Program Highlights
- Two fully immersed clinical rotations at affiliate sites across the country. Academic coursework is in a hybrid format during the second year while students are performing immersed clinical rotations.
- Courses are broken down into seven-week blocks during the fall and spring of the 1st full year
- Two summer semesters (second seven-week sessions year 1 and year 2)
- Well established clinical athletic training faculty with extensive clinical experience
- A wide variety of clinical experiences
- State of the art simulation laboratory
- Classes that are team taught to emphasize expertise
- Accelerated 3+2 B.S. in Nutrition & Fitness and M.S. in Athletic Training (accelerated program only)
- Earn two degrees in five years (Accelerated Program only)
- Employment rate for athletic trainers is expected to grow 23 percent from 2016 to 2026 (Bureau of Labor Statistics)
Accreditation
PennWest Clarion is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education.
For more information
Rich Patterson, program director
Athletic Training Program
Mission statement and objectives
Mission Statement
The mission of the Clarion University Master of Science in Athletic Training Program is to provide a quality academic experience that includes innovative student-centered opportunities and authentic clinical education in order to prepare students as autonomous healthcare practitioners, scholars, and lifelong learners.
Program Objectives
1. Provide a rigorous educational program that ensures athletic training students
are properly trained and knowledgeable to function in a variety of settings and provide
continuum of care for a diverse population of patients engaged in a range of activities
with varying conditions.
1.1. Collaborate with health care professionals from multiple disciplines to provide
appropriate patient care.
1.2. Demonstrate preparedness to transition to autonomous clinical practice by providing
athletic training students with authentic real-time patient interactions.
1.3. Incorporate patient outcomes and best available evidence to develop clinical
care plans for a diverse population in a variety of employment settings.
2. To prepare students to successfully integrate evidence-based practice in their
ability to critically think and apply clinical skills and decision making in their
role as healthcare providers.
2.1. Demonstrate proficiency in developing and answering a focused clinical question
2.2. Demonstrate competency in searching, examining and critically assessing the efficacy
of current literature for relevant evidence associated with means of clinical diagnosis,
rehabilitation, therapeutic interventions and reconditioning programs.
2.3. Incorporate available evidence into the design and implementation of rehabilitation
programs to meet the client/patient needs and goals according to their level of performance
and function.
3. Understand and promote professional responsibilities and avenues of professional
development to support athletic training as a health care profession through professional
and community involvement
3.1. Engage in professional development and networking through interaction and attendance
at professional meetings and educational opportunities.
3.2. Participate in opportunities that promote lifelong learning, professional development
and serve to benefit the community at large without regard to personal gain.
4. To prepare students to function as patient advocates in an evolving healthcare
network which incorporates patient education, literacy and communication in a coordinated
shared decision-making model.
4.1 Describe the importance of respecting patient autonomy and the value of individualized
patient care plans.
4.2 Demonstrate characteristics and values that align with socio-cultural and global
resonance in clinical practice.
4.3 In collaboration with various healthcare professionals, incorporate a customized
and comprehensive care plan based on specific patient objectives to guide clinical
decision-making.
athletic training admission requirements
Students who intend to apply for the Master of Science in Athletic Training Program
should complete the Graduate Online Application through Clarion University. Applications are reviewed as they are received, and admission
decisions are made on a rolling basis until enrollment is full. Cohorts begin during
the second seven-week summer session (later June). To be considered for admission
to the MSAT, the applicant must meet the following criteria:
1. Graduate online application
2. Submit official transcripts for all previously attended institutions
3. Preferred minimum GPA of 3.0 (out of 4.0)
4. Completion of the following courses (or their equivalents) with grades of C or
better:
- Biology
- Two semesters of anatomy and physiology with labs
- Chemistry
- Physics
- Exercise physiology
- Nutrition
- Biomechanics or Kinesiology
- General psychology
- Statistics
6. Two electronic references (one must be from an athletic trainer or healthcare provider who provided clinical supervision within the past two years)
7. Resume
8. Evidence of 40 hours of clinical observation
9. Students who do not consider English to be their primary language are required to submit official TOEFL iBT scores or IELTS score completed in the last two years. Minimum scores (TOEFL internet: 79, IELTS 6.5 or higher).
program requirements
Program Requirements
Prior to enrollment, students must complete the following:
- FBI Federal Criminal History Record (Act 114)
- Pennsylvania State Police Criminal Records Check (Act 34)
- State of Residence Police Criminal Records Check (non-Pennsylvania residents only)
- Child Abuse Clearance (Act 33)
- Additional clearances may be required by affiliate sites.
- Immunization Records
- Hepatitis B series
- Varicella vaccine or titer
- MMR
- Technical Standards Form
- Communicable Disease Policy
Retention & Graduation Requirements
To be eligible for graduation, a student must:
- Maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0. Students that fall below this criterion will be granted one semester of probationary status in which to raise their GPA above the minimum standard. Failure to do so will result in dismissal from the MSAT Program.
- Earn a minimum grade of "C" in all MSAT courses.
- Retake no more than two MSAT courses.
- Complete a minimum of 50 continuing education points
- Maintain documentation of yearly PPD (TB skin test) and seasonal flu vaccine
- Maintain professional liability insurance
- Adhere to all policies and procedures as outlined in the MSAT Student Handbook.
two-year post baccalaureate msat
This degree path is for students who wish to become an athletic trainer and have completed a baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited four-year institution. Following two years of classroom and clinical education, graduates will be able to sit for the Board of Certification (BOC) examination to earn credentialing as a Certified Athletic Trainer (ATC). The MSAT requires 58-credits of graduate coursework completed over 24-months consecutive months.
Current Clinical Sites
- California University of Pennsylvania Athletics
- Clarion Area High School
- Clarion University Athletics
- Clarion Rehabilitation Services, INC
- Marianne Family Medicine
- Penn Highlands Healthcare – Dubois
- The Citadel Military College Athletics