M.A. in English
The MA in English at UCA is a focused program designed to build upon undergraduate know...
M.S. in Athletic Training
Conway, Arkansas
INTAKE: August
Program Overview
UCA's MS in Athletic Training is an entry-level professional program designed to prepare graduates for entry-level positions in athletic training and eligibility for the Board of Certification (BOC) examination. The program emphasizes evidence-based practice and a commitment to clinical scholarship, aiming to mentor professionals who will enhance healthcare quality and advance the athletic training profession. It's a comprehensive, continuous 24-month program that combines didactic coursework with extensive clinical education experiences.
CAATE Accredited: Yes, the University of Central Arkansas's Master of Science in Athletic Training program is fully accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education (CAATE). UCA received initial approval to transition its program to the MS-AT degree on July 11, 2018, and was granted 10 years of Continuing Accreditation during the 2023-2024 academic year. This accreditation is crucial as it ensures the program meets national standards for athletic training education, making graduates eligible to sit for the BOC examination, which is required for licensure in most states.
Curriculum: The curriculum for the MS in Athletic Training is a comprehensive 59-credit-hour (non-thesis option) graduate program. It is developed in a purposeful sequence, integrating classroom learning, laboratory experiences, and significant clinical education. Students complete two continuous years of clinical education (fall, spring, summer, fall, and spring) under the careful direction of clinical preceptors and program faculty. The coursework covers a broad range of topics essential for athletic training, including but not limited to injury prevention, emergency management, clinical diagnosis, therapeutic interventions (modalities, exercise, manual therapies), orthopedic assessment, medical assessment, pharmacology, nutrition, and healthcare administration. Prerequisite courses prior to admission typically include biology, chemistry, anatomy & physiology (two semesters), physics, psychology, statistics, biomechanics, exercise physiology, and nutrition.
Research Focus: The program is committed to fostering "clinical scholarship" in its graduates. This means students are trained to critically analyze, interpret, judge, and apply the results of research through discovery. While a formal thesis might be an option, the core focus is on evidence-based practice, where students acquire the knowledge, skills, and critical thinking ability to make clinically sound decisions based on the latest research. This emphasis prepares them to be lifelong learners who actively contribute to the advancement of the athletic training profession.
Industry Engagement: UCA's MS in Athletic Training program has strong industry engagement through its extensive clinical education component. Students gain practical experience in diverse practice settings with a variety of sports and patients, often at NCAA Division I facilities, regional high schools, physician offices (primary care and orthopedic), rehab clinics, hospitals/surgical centers, and other athletic organizations. This real-world exposure, guided by experienced clinical preceptors, is integral to their professional development and prepares them to be integral members of an interdisciplinary healthcare team. The program's goal to prepare graduates for entry-level positions using evidence-based practice directly aligns with the needs of the healthcare industry.
Global Perspective: While the specific details on international clinical placements or global health initiatives are not explicitly outlined, the program's broader commitment to "professional development and community" and fostering graduates who "demonstrate respect to others and integrate themselves into the larger world" suggests an underlying global perspective. The principles of athletic training and patient care are universally applicable, and the program's emphasis on interprofessional experiences and diverse patient populations prepares graduates to work in varied healthcare environments, potentially including those with international populations or within global health contexts.
Location
Conway, Arkansas
Score
IELTS 6.5
Tuition Fee
USD 11400
Postgraduate Entry Requirements
Application Fee: $50
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.
The University of Central Arkansas (UCA) offers a variety of scholarship opportunities for international students to help make higher education affordable and accessible. These scholarships recognize academic excellence, leadership, and community involvement, supporting talented students from around the world as they pursue their degrees.
Merit-Based Scholarships: UCA provides competitive merit scholarships specifically for international students, awarded based on academic achievements such as high school GPA, standardized test scores, and other accomplishments. These scholarships can significantly reduce tuition costs and are renewable each year, provided students maintain satisfactory academic performance.
International Student Scholarship: The university offers dedicated scholarships for international students, including awards that cover partial tuition fees. These scholarships aim to attract high-performing students globally and promote diversity on campus.
Program-Specific Scholarships: Some colleges and departments within UCA provide scholarships for international students pursuing specific fields of study, such as business, education, health sciences, or the arts. Prospective students are encouraged to inquire about scholarships related to their major.
An MS in Athletic Training from the University of Central Arkansas (UCA) positions graduates as highly skilled and essential healthcare professionals. This CAATE-accredited program provides the foundational knowledge and extensive clinical experience necessary for roles focused on preventing, diagnosing, treating, and rehabilitating injuries and medical conditions in physically active individuals. The comprehensive training extends beyond traditional sports settings, opening doors to diverse career opportunities.
Collegiate Athletic Trainer: A very common path, working with college or university athletic programs. This involves providing medical care for student-athletes, covering practices and games, overseeing rehabilitation, and collaborating with coaches and physicians.
High School Athletic Trainer: Providing on-site medical care, injury prevention programs, and rehabilitation services to student-athletes in secondary school settings. This role often involves direct communication with parents and school administration.
Sports Medicine Clinic Athletic Trainer: Working in orthopedic or sports medicine clinics, athletic trainers often act as physician extenders. They perform initial evaluations, assist with diagnoses, implement treatment plans, provide rehabilitation services, and educate patients.
Hospital-Based Athletic Trainer: Athletic trainers are increasingly employed in hospital systems, particularly within sports medicine or orthopedic departments. They may work in rehabilitation clinics, assist in pre-operative and post-operative care, or provide outreach services to local schools and clubs.
Professional Sports Athletic Trainer: Highly competitive, this role involves working with professional sports teams (e.g., NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL, MLS). Responsibilities include year-round athlete care, injury prevention, immediate on-field/court care, and extensive rehabilitation programs.
Performing Arts Athletic Trainer: Dancers, musicians, and other performing artists face unique physical demands and injury risks. Athletic trainers in this setting provide injury prevention, assessment, and rehabilitation to ensure performers can maintain their physical health and careers.
Industrial/Occupational Health Athletic Trainer: This emerging field involves athletic trainers working in corporate settings, manufacturing plants, or other physically demanding workplaces. They focus on preventing occupational injuries, providing ergonomic assessments, and offering immediate care and rehabilitation for employees.
Military Athletic Trainer: All branches of the U.S. armed forces utilize athletic trainers to provide healthcare services to active-duty personnel, cadets, and veterans, focusing on injury prevention, rehabilitation, and maintaining physical readiness.
Public Safety/Law Enforcement Athletic Trainer: Police and fire departments, emergency responders, and homeland security agencies are increasingly employing athletic trainers to help their personnel with physical conditioning, injury prevention, and rehabilitation, recognizing the physical demands of these roles.
Rehabilitation Specialist (with AT focus): While not a licensed physical or occupational therapist without further schooling, an athletic trainer's strong foundation in therapeutic exercise, manual therapies, and rehabilitation principles allows them to work as rehabilitation specialists or aides in various clinical settings, under the supervision of other licensed professionals.
