Graduate Degree

The Master of Science degree in Athletic Training prepares students to provide healthcare to physically active patients in coordination with other allied health professionals. Athletic trainers provide preventative services, emergency care, clinical diagnosis, therapeutic intervention and rehabilitation of injuries and medical conditions in a variety of healthcare settings. Athletic trainers work under the direction of a physician as required by state licensure statutes.

The Michigan State University athletic training degree blends clinical and academic learning experiences. Athletic training students are exposed to foundational and advanced clinical reasoning, state-of-the-art health care equipment, and patient-oriented research. Students who complete this degree will be eligible to take the Board of Certification (BOC) examination. The Master of Science degree in Athletic Training is designed to prepare students for job opportunities in professional, collegiate, high school, clinical, industrial settings, military and performing arts.

Admission

To be considered for admission to the Master of Science degree in Athletic Training, applicants must have completed a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution. Admission into the program is based on a combination of the following factors:

1. Have completed an application for graduate study.
2. Previous academic experience and performance as indicated by transcripts from previous degrees including a competitive cumulative grade-point average of 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale.
3. Personal goals statement of up to 500 words, covering the following items: academic background, the development of your interest in athletic training, reasons for wanting to enter this program, qualities you possess which will enhance your athletic training skills and aid in achieving your career objective(s).
4. Competitive scores on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (for international students).
5. Three letters of recommendation.
6. Minimum of 75 observation hours under supervision of a certified Athletic Trainer.
7. Interview with the Michigan State University Athletic Training Admissions Board.
8. The following prerequisite or equivalent courses with a grade-point average of 2.5 or higher: Introduction to Athletic Injury (3 credits); Exercise Physiology and Laboratory (3 credits); Biomechanics (3 credits); Anatomy with Laboratory (3 credits); Physiology (3 credits); Chemistry (3 credits); Physics (3 credits); Research Methods or Statistics (3 credits); Biology (3 credits); and Psychology (3 credits). 

Requirements for the Master of Science Degree in Athletic Training
The Master of Science degree in Athletic Training is available only under Plan B (without thesis). Students must complete 51 credits for the degree.

1.	All of the following courses (51 credits):
	KIN	800	Pathophysiology and Functional Anatomy						3
	KIN	801	Emergency Procedures for Athletic Trainers						3
	KIN	802	Athletic Training Practicum I						2
	KIN	803	Athletic Training Practicum II						2
	KIN	804	Athletic Training Practicum III						2
	KIN	805	Athletic Training Practicum IV						1
	KIN	806	Athletic Training Practicum V						2
	KIN	807	Athletic Training Practicum VI						3
	KIN	832	Lower Body Physical Assessment						3
	KIN	833	Therapeutic Interventions I						3
	KIN	834	Evidence Based Practice in Athletic Training						3
	KIN	835	Pharmacology of Athletic Trainers						3
	KIN	836	Upper Body Physical Assessment						3
	KIN	837	Therapeutic Interventions II						3
	KIN	838	General Medical Conditions for Athletic Trainers						3
	KIN	883	Health Care Administration for Athletic Trainers						3
	KIN	884	Spine Evaluations and Advanced Rehabilitation						3
	KIN	886	Psychology of Sports Injury and Rehabilitation						2
	KIN	887	Performance Enhancement in Sport						1
	KIN	888	Seminar in Athletic Training						3
2.	Completion of a final examination or evaluation.