Missouri State University

Graduate College

2013-14 Graduate Catalog

Preliminary Edition
published April 2013

Sports Medicine and Athletic Training

Professional Building, Room 160, Phone: 417-836-8553, Fax: 417-836-8554
Email: SportsMedicine@missouristate.edu
Website: http://sportsmed.missouristate.edu/
Department Head: Tona Hetzler

Graduate faculty

Associate Professor:  Tona Hetzler

Assistant Professor:  Michael Hudson

Emeritus Faculty:  Gary Ward

Programs

Master of Science in Athletic Training

Tona Hetzler, Program Director
Professional Building, room 160
Phone:  (417) 836-8553
Tonahetzler@missouristate.edu

Program Description

The Master of Science in Athletic Training degree is designed to prepare certified athletic trainers to function in advanced athletic training roles within an evolving health care delivery system.  Students will explore topics directly related to the program's point of distinctiveness: Advanced Clinical Skills in Orthopedic Rehabilitation and Athletic Training Leadership.

Admission Requirements

Completed applications will be reviewed beginning February 1st for admission the following fall, and will continue until the class is filled.  To be considered for admission to the MSAT program, a prospective student must apply to both the Graduate College and the Department of Sports Medicine and Athletic Training graduate program.  See admission processes and requirements in Graduate College section of the Graduate Catalog. 

Full Admission to the MSAT Program

Full admission to the MSAT program will be based on:

  1. Eligible for acceptance into the Graduate College at Missouri State University.
  2. Submission of an application to the graduate program in Sports Medicine and Athletic Training.
  3. A one-page essay that addresses the applicant's professional career goals and how the MSAT program will help accomplish these goals.
  4. A cumulative GPA of no less than 3.00 on a 4.00 scale in the last 60 hours of college course work attempted.  Consideration may also be given to an applicant whose GPA falls below the minimum if a strong GRE score has been earned or if other evidences of potential for academic success in graduate education can be presented.  Graduate work will be considered on an individual basis.
  5. Submission of Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores.
  6. BOC certification, eligible for the BOC or an equivalent athletic training credential (e.g., Canadian Certified Athletic Therapist).
  7. Licensure as an Athletic Trainer in good standing in Missouri or eligible for licensure in Missouri.
  8. A baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university - including a Statistical Methods course (PSY 200 or equivalent).
  9. Evidence of current physical examination including a TB skin test or chest X-ray.  Matriculating students must also demonstrate evidence of good physical health and have up-to-date immunizations (MMR, tetanus, and a complete Hepatitis B series).
  10. Provide evidence of current professional liability insurance.  This is required if a student is practicing as an ATC while in school and is NOT covered by an employer's liability insurance.  Clinical experiences required as part of the curriculum are covered by a university insurance policy.
  11. Provide evidence of current Professional Rescuer and AED certification.
  12. Applicants must have the capacity for performance of the technical functions and tasks required of an athletic trainer.
  13. Students will be required to initiate and pay for any additional security checks and drug screening required by clinical agencies, professional memberships and licensure, as well as any other cost associated with their program of study.  Students must submit drug screening test and a criminal record check and receive response that the applicant has not been convicted of any crime pursuant to Section 660.317 RSMO or other disqualifications that would prohibit licensure as an Athletic Trainer.  Students who fail these checks or procedures will be subject to further review by the Department of Sports Medicine and Athletic Training.  This may result in dismissal from the MSAT program.
  14. The National Athletic Trainers' Association has a Professional Code of Ethical Conduct.  All athletic training students will adhere to this Code and respect the rights and dignity of all individuals.

Students with complete application materials for full admission will be reviewed by the Department of Sports Medicine and Athletic Training.  Selection of students for the MSAT program is selective and competitive due to limited resources.  Students who are not accepted into the program may apply for the next application deadline.

Probational Admission to the Program

Probational 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 shall receive no course grade lower than a B for the first nine hours of graduate course work attempted.
  2. Students admitted that have not passed the BOC examination and earned the ATC credentials are considered a probational admission candidate and have one semester to earn the ATC credentials.  Students that are not successful on the BOC examination within the first semester of the program will be dismissed.  Students not BOC certified will NOT be eligible for a graduate assistant position or any other employment opportunities that require BOC certification.
Retention Requirements

After admission into the MSAT program, a student must achieve the following for retention in the program:

  1. Maintain a GPA of 3.00, with no more than 9 semester hours of graduate work below a grade of "B", and no hours of graduate work below a "C".
  2. Demonstrate acceptable levels of maturity and integrity, as well as behaviors and attitudes normally expected of health care professionals.
  3. Demonstrate acceptable professional progression in application of skills and knowledge.
  4. Maintain current NATA, MAATA, and MoATA membership and remain in good standing with the BOC.
  5. Maintain current AT license and be in good standing with the Missouri Board of Health Arts.
  6. Maintain current liability insurance.
  7. Maintain current professional rescuer and AED certification.
  8. Students working on thesis or non-thesis project mu remain enrolled in ATC 799 or ATC 797 until the thesis or non-thesis project is completed.
  9. Receive satisfactory or higher ratings on all clinical evaluations - all ATC courses have a required clinical/application based requirement as part of the course.

Students who fail to meet the retention criteria may:

  1. Be placed on academic or clinical probation in the MSAT program, or
  2. Be dismissed from the program, based on the judgment of the majority of the Sports Medicine and Athletic Training department graduate faculty.  Students on clinical probation must receive a rating of "satisfactory" or higher on all remaining AT clinical evaluations.  Students who fail to meet the probationary criteria or are dismissed from the program are not eligible for readmission into the MSAT program. Students have the right to follow the University's appeal process on any disciplinary sanction received.
  3. Students should refer to the Missouri State University Sports Medicine and Athletic Training Handbook for Graduate Athletic Training Students for additional policies and procedures of the Sports Medicine and Athletic Training Department.

Degree Requirements (Minimum of 36 hours)

  1. Academic Advisor.  After admission to the graduate program, the student will be assigned an academic advisor who will supervise the student's graduate program and chair the candidate's graduate committee.
  2. Core Course (33-36 hours)

    Course CodeCourse TitleCredit Hours
    ATC 612 Functional Anatomy 2 hrs
    ATC 620 Leadership Concepts in Athletic Training 3 hrs
    ATC 632 Manual Therapy Techniques 2 hrs
    ATC 710 Seminar in Athletic Training (3 courses) 3 hrs
    ATC 723 Movement Pattern Assessment 3 hrs
    ATC 732 Advanced AT Research 2 hrs
    ATC 733 Corrective Exercise Techniques/Movement Pattern Interventions 3 hrs
    ATC 743 Advanced Therapeutic Interventions 3 hrs
    ATC 797 Non-thesis Project   OR 3 hrs
    ATC 799 Thesis 6 hrs
    BMS 707/PTE 707 Medical Human Anatomy 6 hrs
    PSY 627 Multivariate Statistical Methods for the Behavioral Sciences 3 hrs
  3. Elective Courses.  Students must work directly with their advisor and committee to determine which elective courses should be completed to strengthen their plan of study and compliment their thesis or non-thesis project.  Courses must be approved by the student's committee to be counted toward the degree completion.
  4. Research Requirement.  Completion of a thesis or a non-thesis project approved by the advisor or thesis committee.

    Thesis Option.  Six (6) credit hours in ATC 799 Thesis will count toward the degree.  A formal oral presentation and defense of the thesis is required.  The thesis must be approved by the student's Advisor Committee and the Dean of the Graduate College before the degree is granted.

    Non-thesis Project.  Three (3) credit hours in ATC 797 Non-Thesis Project will count toward a degree.  A formal oral presentation of the project is required.  The seminar paper must be approved by the student's Advisory Committee before the degree is granted.
  5. Comprehensive Examination.  A comprehensive examination administered during the student's final semester of course work must be passed by the candidate before a degree will be granted.

Athletic Training Courses

ATC 612 Functional Anatomy

This course will address the neuromotor coordination and integration of human movement. Concepts of brain mapping, the visual and vestibular systems, movement, and disassociation will be addressed.

ATC 620 Leadership Concepts in Athletic Training

This course covers an examination and application of leadership and professional theories and the attributes, behaviors, and values necessary for leadership in health professions (specially to aspects of the practice of athletic training.) The organization and function of professional associations, activities that serve the professional community and service to the public, the AT's role in healthcare delivery systems, outcome measurement, the role of evidence-based practice in the AT profession, cultural competence, and medical legal situations will also be covered.

ATC 632 Manual Therapy Techniques

Detailed analysis and application of manual therapy techniques for treating musculoskeletal pathologies involving the spine and upper and lower extremities.

ATC 710 Seminar in Athletic Training

Prerequisite: permission of instructor. Provides a forum for topics germane to the clinical practice settings and transition to professional practice. Topics of interest will cover areas such as performance enhancement principles, diagnostic assessment techniques, surgical procedures, pediatric athletic medicine, clinical education principles, and current professional topics. May be repeated for a maximum of 3 hours.

ATC 723 Movement Pattern Assessment

Introduction of fundamental movement patterns of the body and how to assess these movement patterns. Concepts of neuromotor human development and how these relate to the learning/patterning of these fundamental movement patterns.

ATC 732 Applied Research Methods in Health Care

Prerequisite: ATC 640. Research course in which students deepen their understanding and enhance their research abilities in order to contribute to the advancement of their chosen health care discipline. Course will explore topics of research design and research methods for conducting applied and clinical research projects with a focus on conducting outcomes-related research that can support clinical practices in the student's respective health care discipline.

ATC 733 Corrective Exercise Techniques/Movement Pattern Interventions

This course will cover the corrections of impairments and compensations to the fundamental movement patterns.

ATC 743 Advanced Therapeutic Interventions

Advanced concepts and evidence-based principles of rehabilitation programs. Enhancement of previously learned therapeutic exercise techniques and integration of therapeutic modalities and therapeutic exercise, including objective and functional goal setting and evaluation for appropriate progression and expedited return to activity.

ATC 797 Non-thesis Project

Prerequisite: ATC 732 and permission of project advisor. Active participation in the ongoing research and/or clinical activities of athletic training faculty or clinical experience supervisor. Culminates in a presentation of an extensive scholarly paper. Must be repeated for a minimum of 3 hours.

ATC 799 Thesis

Prerequisite: ATC 732 and permission of research advisor. Demonstration of the capacity for research and independent thought culminating in a thesis. Must be repeated for a minimum of 6 hours.