Athletic Training, MATC

Tona Hetzler, Program Director
Kampeter Health Sciences Hall, room 160
Phone: 417-836-8553
TonaHetzler@MissouriState.edu

Program Description

The Master of Athletic Training program is a professional degree designed to prepare students to become certified athletic trainers and function as health care providers within an evolving health care delivery system. The program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Athletic Training Education (CAATE).

Admission Requirements

There are two admission options for the Master of Athletic Training program. Regardless of the admission pathway, to be considered for admission to program, a prospective student must apply to the program via the Athletic Training Centralized Application Services (ATCAS).

Sports Medicine pre-athletic training admission option:

1. Submission of an application to ATCAS that must include a personal statement not to exceed three pages; documented evidence of a minimum of 10 hours of observation of athletic trainers in at least two different areas of practice; two letters of recommendation (one letter from an academic source and one from an athletic trainer that supervised the observation hours);
2. A cumulative grade point average (GPA) of no less than 3.00 on a 4.00 scale;
3. International applicants whose native language is not English and do not have a U.S. degree are required to have a score on the TOEFL of 79 or higher (internet-based test) or an IELTS score of 6.0 or higher. The requirement for a TOEFL or IELTS score may be waived for applicants who meet one of the following: (i) are native English speakers or (ii) have completed a minimum of 60 semester credit hours from an accredited college or university in the United States.
4. Completion of the MSU Sports Medicine pre-athletic training pathway Pre-AT admission option requirements include successful completion of all program requirements and a minimum of 102 credit hours that include all MSU general education requirements and all MAT prerequisites as listed below:
   • Care and Prevention or Introduction to Sports Medicine
   • College Algebra or higher
   • Statistics
   • Physics with lab
   • Introductory Chemistry with lab
   • Introductory Psychology
   • General Biology/Biomedical Sciences with lab: 4-5 hrs. 
   • Human Anatomy with lab: 4 hrs. 
   • Human Physiology with lab: 4 hrs. 
   • Medical Terminology
   • Exercise Physiology: 3-4 hrs.
   • Biomechanics/Kinesiology
   • Nutrition
   • Provide evidence of current Emergency Cardiac Care (ECC) certification at the Basic Life Support/Professional Rescuer level or beyond.

Post-baccalaureate admission option:

1. Submission of an application to ATCAS that must include a personal statement not to exceed three pages; documented evidence of a minimum of 10 hours of observation of athletic trainers in at least two different areas of practice; two letters of recommendation (one letter from an academic source and one from an athletic trainer that supervised the observation hours);
2. A cumulative grade point average (GPA) of no less than 3.00 on a 4.00 scale;
3. International applicants whose native language is not English and do not have a U.S. degree are required to have a score on the TOEFL of 79 or higher (internet-based test) or an IELTS score of 6.0 or higher. The requirement for a TOEFL or IELTS score may be waived for applicants who meet one of the following: (i) are native English speakers or (ii) have completed a minimum of 60 semester credit hours from an accredited college or university in the United States.
4. Possession of a baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university prior to matriculation. The undergraduate major may be in any field, but students must complete the following prerequisites prior to entering the program in the summer:
   • Care and Prevention or Introduction to Sports Medicine
   • College Algebra or higher
   • Statistics
   • Physics with lab
   • Introductory Chemistry with lab
   • Introductory Psychology
   • General Biology/Biomedical Sciences with lab: 4-5 hrs. 
   • Human Anatomy with lab: 4 hrs
   • Human Physiology with lab: 4 hrs.
   • Medical Terminology
   • Exercise Physiology: 3-4 hrs. 
   • Biomechanics/Kinesiology
   • Nutrition
   • Provide evidence of current Emergency Cardiac Care (ECC) certification at the Basic Life Support/Professional Rescuer level or beyond.

Once accepted to the program, all students must:

1. Follow the Graduate College’s procedures to activate their MSU student records.
2. Provide evidence of current physical examination including two negative PPD skin tests at least one week apart, one negative blood test, or one negative chest X-ray for tuberculosis. Evidence of appropriate follow up from an individual testing positive for TB must be provided. Matriculating students must also demonstrate evidence of good physical health and have up-to-date immunizations (MMR, tetanus, a complete Hepatitis B series, and any other vaccinations required by clinical sites).
3. Provide signed technical standard form that documents capacity for performance of the technical functions and tasks required of an athletic trainer.
4. Follow program provided instructions to complete a fingerprinted background check, a 10-panel drug test, and OIG check.
   
   *Students who fail these checks or procedures will be subject to further review by the Master of Athletic Training Program Selection Committee. This may result in dismissal from the program.
5. Adhere to the SMAT Code of Honor and the National Athletic Trainers’ Associations Code of Ethics; students will respect the rights and dignity of all individuals.
6. Enroll on a full-time basis and progress through the program with their class.

Probationary Admission to the Program

Probationary admission may be granted to an applicant that does not meet one or more of the above program admission requirements.

1. During the probationary period, the student must work with their advisor and the program director to complete the missing requirement(s) by the end of the first summer session.

Progression and Retention Requirements

After admission into the Master of Athletic Training program, a student must achieve the following for progression in the program:

1. Remain in compliance with all Master of Athletic Training, CHHS and Graduate College policies.
2. Receive no more than 15 semester hours of graduate work below a grade of “B-“, no course with a grade “C-” or below may be applied towards the Master of Athletic Training. Furthermore, a graduate student becomes ineligible for graduate study if more than 15 semester hours of “C+” or lower are earned in graduate courses taken in the degree program.
3. Demonstrate acceptable levels of maturity and integrity, as well as behaviors and attitudes normally expected of health care professionals.
4. Demonstrate acceptable professional progression in application of skills and knowledge during didactic and clinical experiences.
5. Maintain current NATA, MAATA, and MoATA membership.
6. Maintain current liability insurance.
7. Maintain current Emergency Cardiac Care (ECC) certification at the Basic Life Support/Professional Rescuer level or beyond.

Students who fail to meet the retention criteria may:

1. Be placed on academic or clinical probation in the Master of Athletic Training program, or
2. Be dismissed from the program.

Students who fail to meet the probationary criteria or are dismissed from the program are not eligible for readmission into the Master of Athletic Training program. Students have the right to follow the University’s appeal process on any disciplinary sanction received.

The Master of Athletic Training Program faculty will retain the right to consider mitigating circumstances relative to all program requirements and may alter one or more of these requirements for admission and program progression. Should a student’s academic sequence be interrupted for any reason, that individual must meet with the Master of Athletic Training Program faculty to determine the course of action. This decision will be on an individual basis, taking the situation and circumstances into consideration.

Students should refer to the Missouri State University Sports Medicine and Athletic Training Handbook for Professional Athletic Training Students for additional policies and procedures of the Sports Medicine and Athletic Training Department.