Athletic Training

Students must apply as a graduate student to the MSAT program via ApplyTexas and ATCAS.

Applications to the Master of Science in Athletic Training (MSAT) program are reviewed on a rolling basis with one admission process annually.  The priority deadline for admissions is November 15th and the final deadline is April 15th to enter the program each summer. Applicants to the MSAT must meet the following requirements to be considered for regular admission. 

1. Submit official transcripts and have a cumulative undergraduate GPA of 3.00 or higher;
2. Earn a grade of C or higher in all program prerequisite coursework;
3. Complete a minimum of 50 clinical observation hours under the supervision of a Certified and Licensed Athletic Trainer (for students in the pipeline program, this can be completed in ATTR 2300 at the undergraduate level);
4. Submit proof of current Basic Life Support (BLS) Certification from the American Heart Association;
5. Submit a completed program Immunization Review Form that is signed by a Primary Care Provider (MD, DO, PA, NP) and
6. Provide a minimum of two completed evaluation forms. One of these must be from an Athletic Trainer who supervised the student’s observation hours. 

Students applying to the 3+2 program must additionally:

1. Demonstrate an undergraduate major GPA of 3.00 or higher for all required coursework; and
2. Complete all program prerequisites with a C or better prior to applying to the program.

Students applying to the stand-alone two-year program must additionally:

1. Demonstrate completion of a bachelor’s degree with an official transcript from the awarding institution; and
2. Complete all program prerequisites with a C or better prior to the start of the program.

Prerequisite coursework is designated as either required or recommended.  The required coursework must be satisfactorily completed (a grade of C or better) to be considered for regular admission to the MSAT program. The recommended coursework is optional but completed work in this area may benefit the student in their pursuit of admission to the MSAT program. Recommended prerequisite coursework that is completed at the time of program application will add additional points to the candidate acceptance rubric for the proposed degree. Prerequisite coursework is available here. 

Admission and Notification of Admission

The Athletic Training Program Selection Committee, made up of faculty and staff members, licensed health care professionals, and those who serve as Clinical Preceptors for the program, selects admitted students. The MSAT program can accept a maximum of 20 students annually. Admission requirements including overall GPA, prerequisite GPA, interview scores, writing scores (from personal statement), and recommendations.

Once the selection committee has selected the candidates for admission to the program, the Athletic Training Program will send each applicant an acceptance letter. Applicants accepting the invitation to enter the program must return an acceptance form. If the applicant chooses not to enter the program, the selection committee shall have a list of alternates in order of rank to offer program admission.

Matriculation

Students who have been accepted to the MSAT program and enroll in 5000-level classes will be considered Graduate Level Students. This includes 3+2 MSAT program students. Graduate status will affect tuition, financial aid availability, and the types of scholarships students are eligible for. Graduate students also must adhere to policies within the SHSU Graduate Student Catalog (SHSU Catalog Directory).

Clinical Education within the Master of Science in Athletic Training Program (MSAT) includes a variety of experiences where students apply knowledge through patient encounters.  Clinical education includes simulation and direct patient care. The MSAT program at SHSU works with students to place students in clinical experiences in the following settings:

• Secondary and Middle School,
• Collegiate,
• Professional Sports,
• Orthopedic Physician’s Practice,
• Rehabilitation Clinics,
• EMS and Emergency Departments,
• Sport Performance, and
• Non-Orthopedic Physician’s Practices.

In alignment with the CAATE 2020 Professional Standards, Clinical Experiences must include clinical practice opportunities with a varied client/patient population. Populations must include patient/clients:

1. throughout the lifespan (for example, pediatric, adult, elderly),
2. of different sexes,
3. with different socioeconomic statuses,
4. of varying levels of activity and athletic ability (for example, competitive and recreational, individual and team activities, high- and low-intensity activities), and
5. those who participate in non-sport activities (for example, participants in military, industrial, occupational, leisure activities, and performing arts).

(CAATE Standard 17)

Additionally, all Professional Athletic Training Students must gain clinical experiences with a variety of health conditions commonly seen in athletic training practice. Athletic trainers routinely practice in the areas of prevention and wellness, urgent and emergent care, primary care, orthopedics, rehabilitation, behavioral health, pediatrics, and performance enhancement. Within these areas of athletic training practice, the athletic training clinical experience provides students with opportunities

to engage with patients with emergent, behavioral (mental health), musculoskeletal, neurological, endocrine, dermatological, cardiovascular, respiratory, gastrointestinal, genitourinary, otolaryngological, ophthalmological, dental, and environmental conditions. (CAATE Standard 18).

 Information Required for Clinical Placements

The Athletic Training Program collects information for students which is required by clinical experience sites including background checks, drug screenings, proof of immunizations, and HIPAA training. All applicants are required to cooperate with SHSU instructions for collection of these required verifications and trainings and agree that the University may share the information with any potential clinical/internship site.

Applicants are required to submit the program’s immunization review form as part of their application to the program. This form must be completed and signed by a physician.

Criminal background checks and drug screening will be completed after admission to the program but prior to ATTR 5210 Clinical Experiences in AT I (fall, year 1) for those who have been selected for admission to the program.  Criminal history and drug screening can impact clinical placement and future employability. The cost of background checks and drug screenings is paid by the student.

Additionally, HIPAA training is required for all students in the Athletic Training Program. The cost of the training must be paid by the student.

Individual clinical sites may have further requirements. The cost of any additional site requirements is the responsibility of the individual student. SHSU does not control the requirements of specific clinical site rotations or internship sites.

Applicants are required to submit the program’s immunization review form as part of their application to the program. This form must be completed and signed by a physician.

Immunization Review Form

Master of Science in Athletic Training Plan of Study

The MSAT can be completed through two different pathways:

1. Combined 3+2 degree completed in combination with either the BS in Kinesiology with a Concentration in Clinical Exercise Science or the BS in Health Sciences, or
2. Stand-alone two-year master's degree program

Please contact the Program Director, Dr. Mary Williams, at 936-294-1172 or mary.williams@shsu.edu and visit the catalog to learn more about the MSAT degree.

Below is the 58 credit-hour MSAT plan of study. All MSAT coursework must be completed in a cohort model once the student is accepted to the MSAT program.

View program information and outcomes.

Cost of Program and Fees

The cost of tuition and fees at Sam Houston State University can be found on the Admissions web
page: http://www.shsu.edu/admissions/cost.html. Additional cost of the program may include:
1. Costs associated with background checks, drug screenings, and HIPAA Training.
2. Fees for on-line courses. There are two required courses in the MSAT program that are
taught exclusively online (HLTH 5378 and HLTH 5371). This is a total of six credit hours of
online work required within the MSAT program.
3. Required access to the ATrack on-line database where each individual student uploads
documents, log hours, and track progress on learned competencies across the program.
4. Cost of clothing that complies with the dress code/policy at individual clinical sites. Most
commonly, this includes khaki slacks and/or shorts, polo shirt, and athletic footwear with a
closed toe. At some clinical sites, students may be required to dress in business formal which
may include a dress shirt or blouse, tie, suit or jacket, and dress shoes.
5. Personal transportation to all clinical sites. Students have input on their assignment to these
locations.
6. If required by the clinical site, additional background checks or drug screening. Students will
have input on their assignment to these locations.
7. Additional costs associated with obtaining a passport and travel expenses for students who
choose to study abroad or travel to immersive clinical sites outside of the local area.

View the complete cost of program and fees.

Mission:

The mission of the Master of Science in Athletic Training (MSAT) degree program is to develop diverse contemporary clinicians who collaborate with healthcare professionals and community partners to deliver patient-centered culturally competent care. The program strives to instill the qualities of a life-long learner that will progress graduates to clinical expertise.

Objectives:

The Athletic Training Program at Sam Houston State University will:

1. Equip athletic training students for contemporary practice in an evolving health care system through academic, clinical, and professional excellence;
2. Value professional development of faculty, staff, and students to inspire life-long learning that aligns with personal and professional goals;
3. Engage and promote inter-professional education and practice with other professions;
4. Prioritize diversity among faculty, staff, students, and clinical placement sites to foster cultural competence and collaboration in the delivery of healthcare;
5. Integrate community engagement and service-learning experiences for faculty, staff, and students; and
6. Conduct student-led research by allowing students to become creative in their discovery of new and ever advancing knowledge.

Program Prerequisites

The following prerequisite coursework is designated as either required or recommended.  The required coursework must be satisfactorily completed (a grade of C or better) to be considered for regular admission to the MSAT program. The recommended coursework is optional but completed work in this area may benefit the student in their pursuit of admission to the MSAT program. Recommended prerequisite coursework that is completed at the time of program application will add additional points to the candidate acceptance rubric for the proposed degree.

MSAT Program Required Prerequisite Coursework

The following bachelor’s level coursework must be completed prior to applying to the MSAT Program to be considered for full admission. Prerequisite coursework can be in progress when the application is submitted for Conditional Admission. All required coursework must be completed prior to starting the MSAT program and includes: 

¹

Recommended Program prerequisites or equivalent. 

MSAT Program Recommended Prerequisite Coursework

The recommended prerequisites for the MSAT are not required for admission to the program but can increase the admission score if completed with a grade of C or higher. Students seeking admission to the SHSU MSAT program are encouraged to enroll in these courses if electives are available on a student's undergraduate degree plan.

The following bachelor’s level coursework is recommended to be completed prior to applying to the MSAT Program:

¹

Recommended Program prerequisites or equivalent. 

Review guidelines for Technical Standards.