B.S. Degree in Athletic Training
Description
Minnesota State University Moorhead offers a nationally accredited Athletic Training Education Program. The Program is accredited through the Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education (CAATE). Athletic training at MSUM is a program of specialized study and clinical experience designed to prepare students to take the Board of Certification Examination (BOC).
Athletic trainers (ATs) are health care professionals who collaborate with physicians and other health care providers to administer preventative services, emergency care, clinical diagnosis, therapeutic intervention and rehabilitation of injuries and medical conditions. Students who want to become certified athletic trainers must earn a degree from an accredited athletic training program. Accredited programs include formal instruction in areas such as injury/illness prevention, first aid and emergency care, assessment of injury/illness, human anatomy and physiology, therapeutic modalities, and nutrition. The athletic trainer’s professional preparation is based on the development of the current knowledge, skills, and abilities in the following eight competency content areas:
1. Evidence-Based Practice
2. Prevention and Health Promotion
3. Clinical Examination and Diagnosis
4. Acute Care of Injury and Illness
5. Therapeutic Interventions
6. Psychosocial Strategies and Referral
7. Healthcare Administration
8. Professional Development and Responsibility.
Classroom learning is enhanced through clinical education experiences. To become an athletic trainer, candidates must graduate with a degree in athletic training from an accredited athletic training program and successfully pass the Board of Certification Examination (BOC). To practice as an athletic trainer in most states, the individual must also be credentialed within the state. Degrees in physical therapy, exercise science, strength and conditioning or others DO NOT qualify the candidate to sit for the BOC examination.
Students in the Athletic Training Program will receive classroom education as well as clinical experience with MSUM’s intercollegiate athletic teams and other off-campus affiliated clinical sites. The Fargo-Moorhead community offers a wide variety of excellent clinical opportunities for students in the program to advance their educational experiences towards becoming a certified athletic trainer.
To receive the B.S. Degree in Athletic Training, the student must meet the minimum university requirements and specific requirements for the program. Completion of 120 credits is required for this degree which includes the Liberal Arts and Sciences Core (42 credits).
Admission Requirements
Athletic Training Program Admission Requirements:
Athletic Training coursework and clinical education experiences are sequential. The sequencing of courswork and clinical education provides the Athletic Training student the opportunity to gain knowledge and master skills over time. The first three semesters are observational; the student completes the required coursework and observational hours. During the 2017-2018 academic year, the Athletic Training Program will admit its last two cohorts of majos as the Program will be seeking "Voluntary Withdraw" in its accreditation status through CAATE. The reason for seeking "Voluntary Withdraw" is due to the mandated degree change for the profession of Athletic Training. Beginning the Fall of 2023, all students seeking an Athletic Training degree will begin a Master's Program, therefore, MSUM will accept its last Athletic Training students during the 2017 Fall semester and 2018 Spring semester.
A limited number of applicants will be admitted to the Athletic Training Program. The number of students admitted into the Athletic Training Program will be dependent upon the number of clinical education sites available for that given year. Application to the Athletic Training Program will take place during fall and spring semesters for the 2017-2018 academic year. After the 2017-2018 academic year, there will be no more Atheltic Training Application as the program will be "Voluntary Withdrawing" its accreditation status. The policy for transer students will include a careful evaluation of the students' clinical experiences and educational competencies, and their compatibility with MSUM's Athletic Training Program. Transfer students should contact the Program Coordinator regarding requirements. Only admitted students will proceed in the curriculum. Interested students must meet with the Program Coordinator before declaring Athletic Training as a major.
Competitive admittance is dependent upon successful comletion of the following:
1. Admission to Minnesota State University Moorhead.
2. Submission of official transcripts from ALL colleges/universities where credit was earned.
3. Academic Achievement:
* a grade of C or better in BIOL 111 Cell Biology or BIOL 115 Organismal Biology;
* a grade of B or better in AT 225 Athletic Training Emergency/Immediate Care;
* a grade of B or better in AT 220 Care & Prevention of Athletic Injuries;
* a grade of B or better in AT 220L Care & Prevention of Athletic Injuries Lab
4. Completion of 10 hours of documented Athletic Training facility observation.
5. Submission of three letters of recommendation.
6. Submission of application form.
7. Submission of a formal letter of application (essay).
8. Completion of an on-campus interview with a committee of Certified Athletic Trainers.
9. Competion of vaccinations/immuniations as required by MSUM and affiliated clinical sites including MMR, Varicella, TB (yearly), flu, Hepatitis B, and Td/Tdap.
10. Completion of Technical Standards.
11. Completion of a criminal background check and required off campus paperwork (prior to clinical experience at affiliated sites).
Retention Requirements in Athletic Training Program
Once accepted into the Athletic Training Program, the student will continue to meet the academic and clinical requirements of the program. If a student fails to meet the retention requirements of the program, the student will not be allowed to progress through the program until retention requirements are met and dependent upon clinical education availability.
Sophomore Year:
* minimum 2.5 cumulative GPA;
* minimum 3.0 GPA in athletic training major courses;
* demonstrate competency in accordance to appropriate level;
* compliance with the NATA's Code of Ethics;
* compliance with all established policies defined in the Athletic Training Student Handbook;
* compliance with clinical assignments and directions given by the athletic training staff;
* complete proper paperwork for practicum courses within the first week of the semester.
Junior Year:
* minimum 2.75 cumulative GPA;
* minumum 3.0 GPA in athletic training major courses;
* demonstarte competency in accordance to appropriate level;
* compliance with the NATA's Code of Ethics;
* compliance with all established policies defined in the Athletic Training Student Handbook;
* compliance with clinical assignments and directions given by the athletic training staff;
* repeated TB immunization.
Senior Year:
* minimum 2.75 cumulative GPA;
* minimum 3.0 GPA in athletic training major courses;
* demonstrate competency in accordance to appropriate level;
* compliance with the NATA's Code of Ethics;
* compliance with all established policies defined in the Athletic Training Student Handbook;
* compliance with clinical assignments and directions given by the athletic training staff;
* repeated TB immunization.
Student Learning Outcomes
- Demonstrate knowledge consistent with the entry-level education as defined by the National Athletic Trainers' Association Educational Competencies.
- Employ critical thinking and clinical decision-making skills while providing athletic training services.
- Be able to communicate effectively, through written and verbal means, with the general public and other medical and health professionals.
- Provide athletic training services within the ethical, professional, clinical, and legal parameters of the Board of Certification Standards of Professional Practice and/or state practice act.
- Demonstrate an appreciation of the need for community involvement and citizenship as an allied health professional.
Program Delivery Mode
Land plus: face-to-face where some online courses may be available or required
Core Requirements
( 61 credits )
Students must complete a minimum of 2 credits in AT 469.
AT 210 Medical Terminology (1)
AT 220 Care and Prevention of Injuries & Illnesses (3)
AT 220L Care and Prevention of Injuries & Illnesses Lab (1)
AT 225 Athletic Training Emergency/Immediate Care (3)
AT 320 Athletic Training Techniques (2)
AT 321 Orthopedic Clinical Assessment: Upper Extremity (3)
AT 321L Orthopedic Clinical Assessment: Upper Extremity Lab (1)
AT 322 Orthopedic Clinical Assessment: Lower Extremity (3)
AT 322L Orthopedic Clinical Assessment: Lower Extremity Lab (1)
AT 323 Therapeutic Modalities (3)
AT 323L Therapeutic Modalities Lab (1)
AT 324 Therapeutic Exercise (3)
AT 324L Therapeutic Exercise Lab (1)
AT 362 Athletic Training Practicum I (2)
AT 363 Athletic Training Practicum II (2)
AT 364 Athletic Training Practicum III (2)
AT 492 Athletic Training Senior Seminar (2) *was AT 420
AT 440 Pharmacology and Medical Issues (3)
AT 460 Organization and Administration of Athletic Training (3)
AT 465 Athletic Training Practicum IV (2)
AT 466 Athletic Training Practicum V (2)
AT 469 Internship (2-12)
HLTH 305 Introduction to Nutrition (3)
PE 320 Anatomical Kinesiology (3)
PE 321 Human Physiology (3)
PE 420 Biomechanics (3)
PE 421 Physiology of Exercise (3)
Designated Writing Intensive Course for Major
AT 492 - Athletic Training Senior Seminar
Related Requirements
( 14 credits )
BIOL 111 Cell Biology (4) or
BIOL 115 Organismal Biology (4)
MATH 234 Introduction to Probability and Statistics (3)
PSY 113 General Psychology (3)
BIOL 323 Human Anatomy (4)
Restricted Electives
( 3 credits )
Students must earn at least three credits from the following list of elective courses:
BIOL 349 Human Physiology (4)
CHEM 150 General Chemistry I (3)
CHEM 150L General Chemistry Laboratory I (1)
CHEM 210 General Chemistry II (3)
CHEM 210L General Chemistry II Lab (1)
CSIS 103 Computer Concepts and Applications (3)
ENGL 387 Technical Report Writing (3)
HLTH 110 Personal Health and Wellness (3)
HLTH 330 Disease Prevention (2)
PE 310 Sport and Play in the United States (3)
PE 311 Motor Learning (2)
PE 473 Exercise Test & Interp (3)
PHIL 311 Morals and Medicine (3)
PHIL 318 Professional Ethics (3)
PSY 265 Health Psychology (3)