Wichita State Master of Science Athletic Training

For semester and academic calendar dates and information visit Academic Calendar.

The following are required for the degree and program completion:

• 62 credit hours passed including a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0 on all WSU courses on the plan of study and for all WSU graduate work.
• Approved Plan of Study on file with the Graduate School
• Passing of MSAT Exit Exam: 130/175 on the first attempt; 145/175 on the second or third attempt
• Complete required coursework as per the degree plan
• Complete successful degree audit for graduation (submit an application for the degree) 
• An application for Degree and Exit Survey Form and fee on file with the Graduate School
• Complete PSIT requirement (Professional and Scholarly Intergrity Training.)

Please reivew graduate school requirments and deadlines: here

The Master of Science in Athletic Training program provides students with authentic, real-time opportunities to practice and integrate athletic training knowledge, skills, and abilities during assigned clinical education. Clinical education is defined as learning opportunities to prepare students for independent clinical practice. Two types of clinical experiences occur with actual patient care, athletic training clinical experiences and supplemental clinical experiences.

During these experiences, students are provided opportunities to implement skills, knowledge, and abilities learned in didactic courses and begin and build on decision-making skills and professional behaviors. Each semester there is an emphasis on various knowledge, abilities, and skills

Athletic training clinical experiences are defined as direct client/patient care guided by a preceptor who is an athletic trainer or physician. The athletic trainer or physician (e.g., preceptor) supervises the athletic training students during their clinical experiences.  The preceptor uses constant visual and auditory parameters to ensure the student is adequately supervised and mentored. Preceptors allow the student to develop and use progressively increasing independent clinical skills based on the student's knowledge, skills, and abilities. Students cannot perform athletic training skills and abilities beyond their cohort or program level.  As the student progresses in their athletic training knowledge, skills, and abilities in the program, preceptors generally allow each student to have progressively independent autonomous interactions with school administrators, athletes, coaches, and in specific environments, parents.  

Supplemental clinical experiences are learning opportunities supervised by healthcare providers other than athletic trainers or physicians. These can involve nurses, physical therapists, physician assistants, occupational therapists, mental health professionals, dietitians, and other health care providers. Students cultivate clinical decision-making abilities in their clinical environment through a process that builds on each clinical experience and patient interaction. As a student gains confidence and trust, preceptors allow for more opportunities for independent clinical practice so that the student develops a solid sense of their clinical knowledge, skills, and abilities over time.  Integrating formal learning and clinical education is a constant interaction between the program, student, and preceptor.  Students learn skills and abilities in the classroom, practice those specific skills and abilities in the laboratory, and once successfully evaluated, can use those skills and abilities in the clinical environment. As the student becomes more confident and comfortable in their skills and clinical setting, more opportunities are provided for autonomous clinical practice and decision-making. 

Travel expenses incurred to and from the assigned clinical site is the student's responsibility. In association with a clinical site-sponsored event, athletic event travel will not be the student's responsibility but the clinical site's. Travel is required as part of the student's clinical experience as approved by the clinical site and/or preceptor. A Travel Permission Form must be obtained, completed, and approved before any travel experiences occur.

For the MSAT Academic Curriculum and Course Sequence click here. Accepted students will attend and complete a MSAT Orientation at the beginning of each year (June) to discuss various academic expectations, clinical experiences, program changes (if any), as well as policies and procedures related to the MSAT. 

For information regarding tuition cost and fees visit WSU Graduate School Tuition/Fees. Additional program fees include:

CPR                                                  $40
Professional liability insurance   $35
Validity Screen                               $50
Health Screen                                 $25
Clothing                                           $50
Name Badge                                   $10
Taping Fee                                      $100

Travel Costs – students pay for all travel costs associated with their clinical site, except when traveling with their Preceptor to sponsored events.

Review WSU Tuition and Discount Programs (Recruitment Information): here

For information regarding the admissions process please visit WSU Admission Process: here

To view course catalogs visit WSU Catalogs.

Athletic training scholarships from the NATA, MAATA, and Kansas Athletic Trainers’ Society (KATS) are available to student members on a very limited basis following demonstration of responsibility, academic achievement and mastery of athletic training competencies. Scholarship aid from other sources such as the WSU Financial Aid Office should be pursued as need and qualifications permit. The MSAT offers the Roland Banks, Tom Reeves and Brian Luinstra Memorial endowed scholarship funds which are available to students only who qualify based specific criteria. The decisive factor for this determination is academic performance, mastery of competency, and personal attributes. For more information and specific requirements, please contact the Head Athletic Trainer. The Department of HPS also offers scholarships for prospective students. Students can apply for these scholarships through the College of Applied Studies website under the Educational Support Services link.

For more scholarship information visit Collge of Applied Studies Scholarships. 

For more information visit WSU Graduate Grade Policies.

For more information visit WSU Nondiscrimination Policies.

Mission Statement

The mission of the MSAT is to provide a comprehensive program of academic coursework and field experience that will educate athletic training students for entry-level positions in the profession of athletic training. The MSAT strives to meet the standards, educational competencies, and clinical proficiencies for athletic training education through professional service, research activities, and curriculum design. The MSAT abides by the policies and procedures as set forth by the CAATE, NATA, BOC, and the Kansas Board of Healing Arts.

Goals and Objectives of the MSAT

Standard 1. Students will demonstrate an understanding of evidence-based practice concepts and their application to essential clinical decision-making and critical examination of athletic training practice.

Objectives:

1. Demonstrate an understanding of evidence-based practice through oral and visual examination of competency testing on skill sheets.
2. Demonstrate an understanding of evidence-based practice through written examination.
3. Demonstrate an understanding of evidence-based practice through current literature review on case study projects and presentation.

Standard 2: Students will develop and implement strategies and programs to prevent the incidence and/or severity of injuries and optimize their clients/patients overall health and quality of life. (Prevention and Health Promotion).

Objectives:

1. Demonstrate an understanding of prevention and health promotion through oral and visual examination of competency testing on skill sheets.
2. Demonstrate an understanding of prevention and health promotion through written examination.
3. Demonstrate an understanding of prevention and health promotion through current literature review on case study projects and presentation.

Standard 3: Students will demonstrate the ability to possess strong clinical examination skills in order to accurately diagnosis and effectively treat their patients. (Clinical Diagnosis and Evaluation)

Objectives:

1. Demonstrate an understanding of clinical examination and diagnosis through oral examination of competency testing on skill sheets.
2. Demonstrate an understanding of clinical examination and diagnosis through written and practical examinations.
3. Demonstrate an understanding of clinical examination and diagnosis through current literature review on case study projects and presentation.

Standard 4: Students will demonstrate knowledge and skills in the evaluation and immediate management of acute injuries and illnesses. (Acute Care of Injuries and Illnesses).

Objectives:

1. Demonstrate an understanding of acute care of injuries and illnesses through oral and visual examination of competency testing on skill sheets.
2. Demonstrate an understanding of acute care of injuries and illnesses through written examination.
3. Demonstrate an understanding of acute care of injuries and illnesses through current literature review on case study projects and presentation.

Standard 5: Students will demonstrate the ability to assess the patient’s status using clinician-and patient-oriented outcome measures to determine the stage of healing, goals, and therapeutic intervention to maximize the patient’s participation and health-related quality of life. (Therapeutic Interventions)

Objectives:

1. Demonstrate an understanding of therapeutic interventions through oral examination of competency testing on skills sheets.
2. Demonstrate an understanding of therapeutic interventions through written and practical examinations, quizzes, and homework assignments.
3. Demonstrate an understanding of therapeutic interventions through current literature review on case study projects and presentation.

Standard 6: Students will demonstrate the ability to recognize clients/patients exhibiting abnormal social, emotional, and mental behaviors. (Psychosocial Strategies and Referral).

Objectives:

1. Demonstrate an understanding of psychological strategies and referral through oral examination of competency testing on skills sheets.
2. Demonstrate an understanding of psychological strategies and referral through written and practical examinations, quizzes, and homework assignments.
3. Demonstrate an understanding of psychological strategies and referral through current literature review on case study projects and presentation.

Standard 7: Students will demonstrate the ability to function within the context of a complex healthcare system and understand risk management, healthcare delivery mechanisms, insurance, reimbursement, documentation, patient privacy, and facility management. (Healthcare Administration).

Objectives:

1. Demonstrate an understanding of healthcare administration through oral examination of competency testing on skills sheets.
2. Demonstrate an understanding of healthcare administration through written and practical examinations, quizzes, and homework assignments.
3. Demonstrate an understanding of healthcare administration through current literature review on case study projects and presentation.

Standard 8: Students will demonstrate the understanding maintaining competence in healthcare, embrace the athletic training practice within the limits of state and national regulations using moral and ethical judgment, and work collaboratively with other healthcare providers. (Professional Development and Responsibility).

Objectives:

1. Demonstrate an understanding of professional development and responsibility through oral examination of competency testing on skills sheets.
2. Demonstrate an understanding of professional development and responsibility through written and practical examinations, quizzes, and homework assignments.
3. Demonstrate an understanding of professional development and responsibility through current literature review on case study projects and presentation.

Standard 9: Students will demonstrate the clinical integration proficiencies that represent the synthesis and integrations of knowledge, skills, and clinical decision-making into actual client/patient care. (Clinical Integration Proficiencies).

Objectives:

1. Demonstrate an understanding of clinical integration proficiencies through oral examination of competency testing on skills sheets.
2. Demonstrate an understanding of clinical integration proficiencies through current literature review on case study projects.

Transfer students are considered on a case by case basis. Students wishing to transfer must have completed all admission requirements for the MSAT, as well as the WSU Graduate School. No more than 9 credit hours will be accepted towards the MSAT degree requirements.  Lastly, the student must complete an on-campus interview with the MSAT Faculty Members. 

Please review the Gradute School Transfer Credit requirments: here