Master of Science in Athletic Training

Mission

The mission of the Athletic Training Program is to empower students to become disciplined, self-reliant, responsible leaders in their careers and communities by providing superior hands-on, student-centered learning experiences and professional education in athletic training.

Goals

The goals of the Athletic Training Program are to graduate students:

1. Who integrate knowledge and skills into safe competent clinical practice
2. Who Communicate effectively
3. With Clinical Reasoning skills
4. Who incorporate Evidence-based Practice
5. With Professional Leadership skills

Student Learning Outcomes

1. Integrate knowledge and skills: Within the five (5) practice domains, perform tasks critical for the safe and competent practice as an entry-level Athletic Trainer
   • Injury and Illness Prevention and Wellness Promotion
   • Examination, Assessment and Diagnosis
   • Immediate and Emergency Care
   • Therapeutic Intervention
   • Healthcare Administration and Professional Responsibility   
2. Communicate Effectively: Incorporate appropriate and effective written and oral communication when interacting with athletes/patients, family members, coaches, administrators, other healthcare professional, consumers, payors, policy makers and/or employers.
3. Clinical Reasoning: Assimilate information to form a diagnosis and plan of care, with on-going assessment to adjust care, while reflecting and learning from the process.
4. Evidence-based Practice: Integrate the best available research evidence with clinical expertise, patient values and circumstances to make decisions about the care of individual athletes/patients.
5. Professional Leadership: Establish effective interactions and collaborations with athletic trainers, physicians, and other health care professionals in a manner that optimizes the quality of individual athlete/patient care and appropriately promotes the profession of athletic training.

Required Prerequisite Courses

The equivalent to one undergraduate 3.0 unit course is require for each of the courses listed below.

• Biology 
• Anatomy
• Physiology
• Chemistry  
• Physics
• Kinesiology or Biomechanics
• Exercise Physiology
• Psychology

Preferred Prerequisite Courses

The following course will strengthen a candidate's application, but are not required for admission.

• Athletic Training
• Health
• Wellness 
• Nutrition
• Statistics 
• Research methods 
• Medical terminology

You may apply to the Master of Science in Athletic Training program using the Athletic Training Centralized Application Service (ATCAS). Simply select Create an Account, if you already have an account, input your Username and Password and select Sign In. 

Admission Requirements

• ATCAS Application
• Bachelor's degree with a 3.0 or higher GPA
  • A GPA below 3.0 may be considered on a conditional basis
• Official transcripts sent to ATCAS
• Completed prerequisite courses
  • No grade below a "C" and a 3.0 or higher overall GPA for prerequisite coursework
  • Exceptions may be made for GPA on a conditional basis
• Resume
• Personal Statement
• Two letters of recommendation
  • One letter from the athletic trainer who supervised the majority of observation hours
  • One letter from a college or university instructor or employee
• Verification of 100 Clinical Observation Hours by a Certified Athletic Trainer
• Current First Aid certification
• Current CPR/AED for the professional rescuer certification that meets Emergency Cardiac Care (ECC) standards
• Personal interview
• Signed Technical Standards for Admission
• Signed Confidentiality Statement

Priority review deadline: March 1
Final deadline: May 1 

Additional Information

• Applicants are required to complete all remaining prerequisite course work prior to beginning MSAT coursework. 
• Immunization requirements for Athletic Training located at Immunization Compliance
• Applicants are required to read and sign the Technical Standards  
• Applicants are required to read and sign the Confidentiality Statement
• Personal interview will take place on the Stockton campus. Students are required to attend the interview in person. In some extraordinary cases (e.g. extreme distance), an alternate type of interview may be conducted.
• Background check is required prior to beginning the MSAT program. 
• The program does not accept transfer credits for athletic training courses. 
• Policy on Nondiscrimination: University of the Pacific does not discriminate on the basis, of race, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, color, religion, religious creed, age, marital status, cancer-related or genetic-related medical condition, disability, citizenship status, military service status, and any other status protected by law.

Additional Program Cost

Prospective students should be aware that, upon acceptance into the MSAT program, there would be additional expenses associated with the program. These expenses include:

• Liability insurance may be purchased for $35 or less at HSPO or proliability. Proof of liability insurance will be required prior to starting the program. 
• Professional membership in the NATA is required 
• Professional attire is required for clinical experiences. Student may be supplied or have the opportunity to purchase AT attire from clinical sites. 
• Students are required to demonstrate ongoing certification in CPR that meets ECC standards throughout their time in the MSAT program. 
• CPR mask and small medical kit and equipment
• Travel to clinical sites. Students are required to have their own reliable transportation to clinical sites, which may be up to approximately 1-hour travel time.
• Program fee of $500 per year for course supplies and equipment

Additional expenses may arise, if faculty and staff determine the need or accreditation standards dictate.

Additional Forms

Confidentiality Statement (pdf)
Technical Standards (pdf)
Verification of Clinical Observation Hours (pdf)

Master of Science in Athletic Training's Tution and Fees, and check out our Student Aid Calculator!

Master of Science in Athletic Training Course List

Your career path could be in a variety of settings:

• High school and college 
• Professional and Olympic sports 
• Doctor's offices and hospitals
• Sports medicine, rehab, fitness and wellness clinics
• Military, police and fire departments 
• Industrial and Performing arts

Athletic training alumni are currently working for:

• National Football League (NFL) 
• Major League Baseball (MLB)
• National Basketball Association (NBA) 
• University of Oregon
• Washington State University
• A variety of other settings

BOC Exam Pass Rate

The first graduates will be eligible to take the BOC exam upon accreditation, expected spring 2020.

General

What is an athletic trainer?

Athletic trainers are healthcare professionals who provide prevention, emergency care, examination and clinical diagnosis, therapeutic intervention and rehabilitation of injuries and illnesses. Athletic trainers work in collaboration with and under the direction of a physician.

What can I expect to do as an athletic trainer?

• Prevent injuries
• Examine and clinically diagnosis injuries and illnesses
• Care for injuries from ankle sprains to concussions
• Rehabilitate injures such as muscle strains to ACL tears
• Save lives

What is the average salary for athletic trainers?

As of May 2016, the median annual wage for an Athletic Trainer was $45,630, and California the median annual wage was 49,020. For further information, see the Bureau of Labor Statistics website.

What is the job outlook for athletic trainers?

"Employment of athletic trainers is projected to grow 21 percent from 2014 to 2024, much faster that the average for all occupations. As people become more aware of sports-related injuries at a young age, demand for athletic trainers is expected to increase" (Job Outlook).

What is the Board of Certification (BOC)?

The BOC establishes both the standards for the practice of athletic training and the continuing education requirements for BOC Certified Athletic Trainers (ATs). The BOC is the only accredited certification program for ATs in the United State. The BOC writes the national certification examination, recognized by all Athletic Trainer state regulatory agencies to meet their exam requirement, and oversees public protections.

What is the National Athletic Trainers' Association (NATA)?

The NATA is the professional membership association for certified athletic trainers and others who support the athletic training profession. NATA member can accomplish more for the athletic trainer profession than they can individually. NATA focuses on professional development and advocacy.

What is the Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education (CAATE)?

CAATE accredits Athletic Training Education programs and focuses on quality education.

What is Emergency Cardiac Care Certification (ECCC)?

Emergency Cardiac Care must include the following: adult & pediatric CPR, airway obstruction, 2nd rescuer CPR, AED and barrier devices (e.g., pocket mask, bag valve mask). Examples of courses that provide the above certifications are: Professional Rescuer + AED by the American Red Cross or BLS Healthcare Provider CPR + AED by the American Heart Association. Providers are those adhering to the standards of the International Guidelines 2000 for Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation and Emergency Cardiac Care.

Program

What will I learn in the Athletic Training program?/h4>

You will learn:

• Structure and function of the human body
• How to prevent, care for, and rehabilitate injuries and illnesses
• Examination and clinical diagnosis through patient history, observation, palpation and special tests
• Clinical practice through four semesters clinical experience working with athletes and patients under the supervision of an athletic trainer
• How to prepare for the Board of Certification (BOC) examination
• Professional development and responsibility

What are the special features of your AT program?

• Extensive hand-on clinical experience in a variety of settings
• AT courses taught by practicing athletic trainers
• Close contact with faculty in the classroom and clinical settings
• Attend Athletic Training conferences
• Annual Athletic Training Students' Award Banquet

What is the typical schedule during a given semester?

Typically, students attend classes in the morning and spend the afternoons at their assigned Clinical Experiences. The time commitment and schedule for clinical experiences will vary depending on the site and clinical instructor assigned to the student in a given semester.

Where can I expect to gain clinical experience?

Current clinical sites include University of the Pacific's Athletic Training facility, Delta College and local high schools. We are working on develop additional clinical sites in the high school, community college, and industrial settings.

How many hours per week can I gain clinical experience?

You can expect to gain 20 hours of clinical experience per week while be supervised by a certified athletic trainer for four semesters. We are working on developing a 3-4 week fulltime preseason experience, as well as an 8-week fulltime clinical experience. These experiences are in the process of receiving academic approval.

Admission

How many students are accepted each year?

Currently we accept 20 students each year.

What should I get my bachelor's degree in if I want to apply to the Master of Athletic Training Program?

As long as you meet the prerequisite coursework, your degree can be in anything. We strongly suggest you consider obtaining your teaching credential as most of the high school athletic training positions require a teaching credential. Other common choices are kinesiology, biology, exercise science, and exercise physiology.

Can I apply as an international student?

Yes, please see our Requirements for Graduate International Applicants page for more information on additional admission requirements.

Interested in our MSAT Program? Attend one of our events to learn more!