Athletic Training, MS (53-643) (52 hours)

Athletic Training Program (ATP) Status

• The Master of Science degree in Athletic Training is an approved degree program with the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) for degree offering starting summer semester 2021.
• The University of Central Missouri is currently seeking accreditation for their new Athletic Training program and is not accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education (CAATE). The institution will be submitting a self-study to begin the accreditation process on July 1, 2021. Submission of the self-study and completion of a site visit does not guarantee that the program will become accredited. Students that graduate from the program prior to accreditation WILL NOT be eligible to sit for the credentialing examination for athletic trainers and will not be eligible for licensure in most states.
• A student must first be admitted to the University Graduate School. All application materials for the graduate school can be found at www.ucmo.edu/apply.  Information regarding the MSAT can be found at www.ucmo.edu/msat. Questions regarding the Masters of Science Degree in Athletic Training should be directed to atprogram@ucmo.edu.
• After acceptance into the graduate school and all MSAT required materials are received, you may be contacted for an interview. The interview may be conducted on campus if the applicant is within reasonable driving distance or via remote teleconference.
• The program admits students into the summer term only. The program will have rolling admissions until April 15. All information must be received by the program no later than April 15 (unofficial transcripts are permissible until bachelor’s degree is confirmed). Students will be notified of their conditional admittance into the program by April 30. Final criteria for program admission is an official transcript from the institution where their bachelor’s degree was earned. This should be received by the program no later than 10 working days after the bachelor’s degree was earned. Failure to comply with these dates may impact your acceptance into the program.
  • Note that the application process takes approximately 4-weeks, please plan accordingly to the due date of April 15. 

Mission Statement

The mission of the athletic training program at the University of Central Missouri is to produce life-long learners, critical thinkers, and engaged servant leaders who are ready to take their place in the dynamic world of professional healthcare, which is consistent with the overall mission of the University of Central Missouri. The program prepares future athletic trainers to succeed in an integrated healthcare community through the use of evidence-based practice to improve patient outcomes. In so doing, the athletic training program will provide the tools necessary to become professionally prepared and to ultimately foster the confidence to allow the student to succeed in the ever-changing world of healthcare through a variety of innovative and dynamic learning opportunities.

Vision Statement

Building upon the University’s historical charter, the University of Central Missouri Athletic Training Program strives to be regionally recognized as a leader in athletic training education. The program seeks to develop engaged practitioners in an integrated and collaborative medical model emphasizing evidence based clinical application and professional development in a continually evolving healthcare environment.

Athletic Training Program Goals and Student Learning Outcomes
The graduate with a Master of Science degree in Athletic Training will use the knowledge and skills obtained in the program to:

1. Core Knowledge: To acquire and synthesize the didactic and clinical skills, and knowledge, necessary to be a successful BOC candidate and an eventual BOC certified athletic trainer.
2. Critical thinking and ethical reasoning: To instill the ability to properly analyze information and draw conclusions based upon critical evaluation, the professional code of ethics, and all applicable laws and regulations.
3. Professional Development and Life-long Learning.  To impart the skills needed to be professionally relevant in the ever-changing and adapting healthcare environment.  The student will be able to identify appropriate credentialing continuing education activities, thus ensuring the maintenance of one’s credentials and improved patient outcomes.
4. Collaboration and IPE: The athletic training student will become knowledgeable in, be able to define, and evaluate the intricacies of the current healthcare environment. Students will identify how other healthcare providers operate while providing their skills in patient care. The student will learn to collaborate with other healthcare professions, other healthcare education programs and their students, in order to apply that knowledge in providing patient centered care and evaluating patient outcomes.
5. Diversity and Community: Students will learn to appreciate, assess and understand their own differences, beliefs, values, socio-economic status and attitudes which will in effect increase the cultural competency of the student. The student will further be able to extrapolate this to the workplace, patient outcomes, and to society.

Admissions Criteria

The admission criteria for the Athletic Training Program include:

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution
• Minimum 3.00 GPA (based on a 4.00 scale)
• Minimum 3.00 GPA (based on a 4.00 scale) on the following prerequisite courses with a minimum grade of “C” or higher:
  • General Biology and lab - 3-4 credit hours
  • Human Anatomy, Physiology and Lab - 4-8 credit hours
  • Chemistry and Lab - 3-4 credit hours
  • Nutrition - 3 credit hours
  • Statistics - 3 credit hours
  • Lifespan and Development - 3 credit hours
  • Kinesiology or Biomechanics - 3 credit hours
  • Exercise Physiology - 3 credit hours
• Articulation of courses determined by the review of the ATP Admissions Committee.
• Technical Standards Form (signed by your healthcare provider) *
• Physical examination (signed by your healthcare provider) *
• Five reference forms (two must be from a faculty member) *
• A curriculum vitae or resume*
• A personal statement (please see the MSAT website for more details) *
• Official transcript where bachelor’s degree was earned. *
  • If an official transcript is unavailable, an unofficial transcript will be accepted until the degree is awarded and official transcript is available
• For International students seeking admission into the program, additional requirements apply:
  • For full admission to the Athletic Training Master’s Program, international students must submit English proficiency scores with a minimum of 6.0 IELTS-Academic or 79 iBT TOEFL. The Revised TOEFL Paper-delivered Test (RTPDT) scores of Reading: 20, Writing: 20, and Listening: 20 are also accepted by UCM for full admission.
  • Applicants who do not meet the minimum required English proficiency scores may apply for conditional admission to the program. All conditionally-admitted students must successfully complete the Intensive English Program prior to enrolling in courses for the MS in Athletic Training program.  Students who are accepted conditionally do not need to reapply to the Athletic Training program.
• Proof of current personal medical/health insurance *
• Proof of current immunization records or verification of prior infection for the following: *
  • Hepatitis B series
  • Meningitis
  • Tdap (Tetanus, Diptheria, Pertussis)
  • MMR (Measles, Mumps, Rubella)
  • Varicella (Chickenpox) 
  • Polio

Note: Yearly tuberculosis screening and annual flu shots will be required as part of the program. Deadlines for these will be made available once in the program.

• Drug Test and Criminal Background Screening 
  • Upon submission of your application, a link will be provided to Validity Screening Solutions where you will schedule your drug test and criminal background screening. (There will be an attached fee for this). Both the drug test and criminal background screening will be completed by you through Validity Screening Solutions. Following completion of the drug test and criminal background screening, Validity Screening Solutions will send the confidential results directly to the program director.

*These documents must be submitted by the student through SLATE.