M.S. in Counseling - Clinical Mental Health Counseling
The CMHC program at Missouri State University leads to a Master of Science (M.S.) degre...
M.S. in Athletic Training
Springfield, Missouri
INTAKE: August
Program Overview
The MSAT program at Missouri State University is a two-year, 36-credit-hour curriculum. Unlike entry-level athletic training programs, this MSAT is tailored for those who have already attained their athletic training certification. The program focuses on elevating existing skills in rehabilitation, leadership, and administration, allowing athletic trainers to expand their scope of practice and career potential. It is distinctive for its commitment to developing traits of leadership and preparing students for advanced AT roles.
CAATE Accredited: Missouri State University's athletic training programs are CAATE-accredited. The Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education (CAATE) is the recognized accrediting body for athletic training programs in the United States. This accreditation is crucial as it signifies that the program meets rigorous national standards for quality education and prepares graduates for eligibility to sit for the Board of Certification (BOC) exam, which is required to practice as a certified athletic trainer. It's important to note that while MSU offers both a Master of Athletic Training (MAT) for those becoming certified and the MSAT for already certified professionals, both operate under CAATE standards, ensuring high quality.
Curriculum: The MSAT curriculum is designed to deepen a certified athletic trainer's knowledge and clinical abilities. Core courses focus on advanced concepts such as Leadership Theory and Issues in Athletic Training, Human Movement, Leadership Concepts in Athletic Training, Evidence-Based Practice, and Advanced Therapeutic Interventions. The program also includes practical elements like a Leadership Practicum and courses on Manual Therapy Techniques and Movement Pattern Assessment/Interventions. A significant component involves Athletic Training Research Appraisal and Project or a Non-thesis Project, allowing for in-depth scholarly engagement. This curriculum emphasizes applied learning and critical thinking, pushing practitioners to the forefront of evidence-based care.
Research Focus: The MSAT program places a strong emphasis on evidence-based practice and applied research. Students are required to complete either an Athletic Training Research Appraisal and Project or a Non-thesis Project. This indicates a focus on enabling certified athletic trainers to critically evaluate existing research, integrate findings into their clinical practice, and contribute to the body of knowledge within athletic training. Faculty expertise often aligns with clinical applications, rehabilitation techniques, and leadership in the field, guiding students in projects that have direct relevance to patient care and professional development.
Industry Engagement: Missouri State University's MSAT program is deeply integrated with the athletic training profession. It directly targets certified athletic trainers, aiming to enhance their skills for advanced roles. The curriculum includes practical elements like a Leadership Practicum, which provides real-world experience in administrative and leadership capacities. Faculty members are often practicing clinicians and experts, ensuring that instruction is current and clinically relevant. The program explicitly prepares graduates for advanced AT roles in administration, rehabilitation, or leadership, indicating strong alignment with industry needs. The university's long-standing reputation in athletic training and high placement rates for its graduates further underscore its effective industry engagement.
Global Perspective: Missouri State University, through its broader public affairs mission, emphasizes cultural competence and community engagement. While the MSAT program's specific course descriptions don't overtly highlight global athletic training practices, the universal principles of human movement, injury prevention, rehabilitation, and leadership development taught are applicable across diverse populations and international settings. Athletic trainers often work with individuals from various backgrounds, and the program's focus on ethical leadership and professional development inherently prepares graduates to navigate varied cultural contexts within the healthcare field, whether domestically or potentially in international opportunities. The mission of the athletic training program mentions "providing highly engaging athletic training experiences in local and global communities," suggesting an aspiration for broader exposure.
Location
Springfield, Missouri
Score
IELTS 6.5
Tuition Fee
USD 15914
Postgraduate Entry Requirements
Application Fee: $72
Academic Qualifications: Applicants for postgraduate programs typically require a minimum academic achievement of 65% or above in their bachelor's degree.
English Language Proficiency:
- IELTS: Overall band score of 6.5 or 7.0 with a minimum of 6.0 in each component.
- TOEFL: Overall score of 79 or higher.
- PTE: Overall score of 53 or higher.
- DET (Duolingo English Test): Minimum score of 110.
Missouri State University offers several scholarship opportunities designed specifically to support international students in pursuing their higher education goals. These scholarships aim to recognize academic excellence, leadership qualities, and contributions to campus life, helping reduce the financial burden for international learners.
International Excellence Scholarship: This merit-based scholarship awards to outstanding first-time international freshmen. The scholarship is renewable for up to three additional years. Eligibility is based on strong academic records, and recipients must maintain satisfactory academic progress to continue receiving the award.
International Leadership Scholarship: Targeting international freshmen who demonstrate exceptional leadership and academic achievement. It is renewable for up to four years. Applicants are required to submit an essay highlighting their leadership experiences and vision. The scholarship is competitive, with only about 10 awards granted each year.
Additional Scholarships and Grants: Besides the primary scholarships, Missouri State University provides various other financial awards through departmental scholarships, honors programs, and special initiatives. Some scholarships may require separate applications or nominations based on the student's major or area of study.
Graduates of Missouri State University's (MSU) Master of Science (M.S.) in Athletic Training (MSAT) are certified athletic trainers who have further advanced their skills and knowledge, positioning them for elevated roles within the sports medicine and healthcare landscape. This post-professional program at MSU focuses on leadership, advanced rehabilitation techniques, and evidence-based practice, making its alumni highly sought after in diverse settings. The athletic training profession itself is experiencing growth, with an increasing recognition of the AT's crucial role in injury prevention, assessment, treatment, and rehabilitation for physically active individuals beyond traditional sports teams.
Head Athletic Trainer (Collegiate/Professional): With enhanced leadership and administrative skills, MSAT graduates are prime candidates to oversee entire athletic training programs at colleges, universities, or within professional sports organizations. This includes managing staff, budgets, and comprehensive healthcare services for athletes.
Clinical Director/Manager (Sports Medicine Clinic): Graduates can lead and manage operations within sports medicine clinics or rehabilitation centers. This involves overseeing patient care, developing protocols, supervising other healthcare professionals, and ensuring the delivery of high-quality rehabilitative services.
Advanced Practice Athletic Trainer (Specialty Clinics): MSAT graduates can work in specialized clinical settings, such as orthopedic practices, neurorehabilitation centers, or pain management clinics. Their advanced knowledge in areas like manual therapy and movement assessment allows them to provide specialized care under the direction of physicians.
Rehabilitation Specialist (Non-Athletic Populations): The advanced rehabilitation skills gained in the MSAT program are transferable to working with a broader patient population beyond athletes, including individuals recovering from general injuries, surgeries, or those needing assistance with mobility and function in hospitals or physical therapy clinics.
Occupational Health Athletic Trainer (Industrial/Corporate): A growing field where ATs apply their expertise in injury prevention, ergonomics, and wellness to industrial or corporate settings. They help employees prevent work-related injuries, manage existing conditions, and promote overall well-being, reducing healthcare costs and improving productivity.
Military Athletic Trainer: The U.S. military increasingly employs athletic trainers to maintain the physical readiness and health of service members. MSAT graduates can work on military bases, providing injury prevention, emergency care, and rehabilitation services to active-duty personnel and recruits.
Performing Arts Athletic Trainer: Dancers, musicians, and other performing artists face unique physical demands and injury risks. MSAT graduates can provide specialized healthcare services to performing arts companies, focusing on injury prevention, performance enhancement, and rehabilitation for artists.
Educator/Clinical Instructor (Athletic Training Programs): With their advanced degree and clinical experience, MSAT graduates can contribute to the education of future athletic trainers. They may serve as clinical instructors for entry-level programs, provide guest lectures, or, with further academic credentials (e.g., a doctorate), pursue faculty positions.
Researcher (Applied Athletic Training): While the MSAT is a professional degree, its emphasis on research appraisal and projects prepares graduates to participate in applied research initiatives. They can contribute to studies on injury mechanisms, rehabilitation outcomes, or the effectiveness of interventions in various clinical or academic settings.
Athletic Training Administrator (High School/District Level): For those seeking administrative roles within educational settings, an MSAT can prepare graduates to manage athletic training services across multiple high schools within a district, ensuring consistent and high-quality care for student-athletes.
