Master of Science in Athletic Training

The mission of the Master of Science in Athletic Training Program at the University of New England is to provide a comprehensive curriculum designed for individuals who want to enhance the quality of health care for active persons and to advance the profession of athletic training through education and research in the prevention, evaluation, management, and rehabilitation of injuries.

This graduate degree program is designed for students who want to work to improve individual and team wellness and health. The curriculum combines the study of anatomy and other health-related sciences with the art of preventing, managing, and rehabilitating athletic and orthopedic injuries. Students are provided with a thorough understanding of the effects of sport and sport-related injuries on the individual performer through a series of interprofessional classroom (didactic) and field (clinical) experiences both on- and off-campus.

First Year

Second Year

Academic Standards

The UNE Master of Science in Athletic Training (MSAT) Program is a graduate program accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education (CAATE).

• Students enrolled in the Professional (graduate) Phase of the MSAT Program must maintain a minimum cumulative semester GPA of 3.0.
• Students enrolled in the professional (graduate) phase of the program must maintain a minimum grade of "B" in each required course (or a "P" in each Pass/Fail course). Students may enroll in required courses in the Professional Phase a maximum of two times regardless of the final grade, including "W", "WP" or "WF." Please refer to the WCHP Graduate Program Progression Policies and Procedures (PDF) for a detailed description of academic standards.

Technical Standards

The Master of Science in Athletic Training (MSAT) Program at The University of New England is a rigorous and intense program that places specific requirements and demands on the students enrolled in it. An objective of this program is to prepare graduates to enter a variety of employment settings and to render care to a wide spectrum of individuals engaged in physical activity. The technical standards set forth by the MSAT Program establish the essential qualities considered necessary for admitted students to achieve the knowledge, skills, and competencies of an entry-level athletic trainer; as well as meet the expectations of the program's accrediting agency CAATE. The following abilities and expectations must be met by all students in the Professional Program. In the event a student is unable to fulfill these technical standards, with or without reasonable accommodation, the student will be subject to dismissal. All MSAT students must be able to demonstrate competency for patient safety appropriate to the learner’s level of training. Demonstration of fluency of skills and knowledge appropriate to the level of training is a requirement for progression through the curriculum. Most assessments are designed to simulate activities in the clinical training and clinical practice settings and are tied to the learner’s demonstration of competency for patient safety. These assessments may be performed in a timed and structured environment and are designed to evaluate the learner’s ability to demonstrate appropriate fluency of skills and knowledge under specific conditions. 

Compliance with the program's technical standards does not guarantee a student's eligibility for the BOC certification exam.

Candidates for selection to the MSAT Program must demonstrate:

• The mental capacity to assimilate, analyze, synthesize, integrate concepts and problem solve to formulate assessment and therapeutic judgments and to be able to distinguish deviations from the norm
• Sufficient postural and neuromuscular control, sensory function, and coordination to perform appropriate physical examinations using accepted techniques; and accurately, safely and efficiently use equipment and materials during the assessment and treatment of patients
• The ability to communicate effectively and sensitively with patients and colleagues, including individuals from different cultural and social backgrounds; this includes, but is not limited to, the ability to establish rapport with patients and communicate judgments and treatment information effectively. Students must be able to understand and speak the English language at a level consistent with competent professional practice
• The ability to record the physical examination results and a treatment plan clearly and accurately
• The capacity to maintain composure and continue to function well during periods of high stress;
• The perseverance, diligence and commitment to complete the athletic training program as outlined and sequenced
• Flexibility and the ability to adjust to changing situations and uncertainty in clinical situations
• Affective skills and appropriate demeanor and rapport that relate to professional education and quality patient care

Candidates for selection to the professional (graduate) phase of the MSAT Program will be required to certify with the program director that they have read, understand and meet these technical standards or that they believe that, with certain accommodations, they can meet the standards. Please see the Student Access Center for more information.

Every graduate from the UNE Master of Science in Athletic Training Program will be able to:

• Successfully challenge the athletic training entry-level Board of Certification (BOC) examination
• Demonstrate knowledge of and clinical proficiency in all five domains of athletic training:
  • Risk reduction, wellness, and health literacy
  • Assessment, evaluation, and diagnosis
  • Critical incident management
  • Therapeutic intervention
  • Health administration and professional responsibility
• Model the importance of interprofessional collaboration in the delivery of high-quality athletic health care
• Provide evidence-based, clinically-relevant care to athletes and the physically active

Courses completed at another accredited college can be transferred to this degree program. Transferred courses must be reasonably close in scope and content to the required courses offered at UNE in order to count as exact equivalents. Otherwise, they may transfer as general electives.

All courses completed must be no older than five years. Other restrictions apply.

ADMISSIONS REQUIREMENTS

Application

The University of New England Department of Athletic Training participates in the Athletic Training Centralized Application Service (ATCAS). All applicants are required to apply online through this service.

Degree Requirement

Completion of a Bachelor’s degree from a U.S. regionally accredited institution, or international equivalent, prior to matriculation.

• All applicants are required to submit official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended. Official transcripts should be sent directly to ATCAS. Please refer to the ATCAS application for additional information and instructions.

GPA Requirement

Minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5, as calculated by ATCAS (inclusive of all coursework taken with no forgiveness for retakes).

Prerequisite Coursework Requirements

Other Important Prerequisite Coursework Considerations

• Prerequisite courses, with the exception of General Chemistry I and Physics I, must be successfully completed with a grade of “C” or better (“C minus” grades are not acceptable).
• General Chemistry I and Physics I must be successfully completed with a grade of "C-" or better (anything below a "C minus" is not acceptable).
• Prerequisite courses may be in progress or planned at the time of application. All courses must be completed with an official transcript submitted to the Office of Graduate Admission prior to the start of the program.
• All planned or in-progress coursework should be listed on the ATCAS application at the time of application submission; not doing so will result in the applicant not meeting all admissions requirements and therefore will not be eligible for admission review.
• Online courses offered through UNE’s Online Science Prerequisites as well as online courses from other regionally accredited U.S. colleges or universities are acceptable with program approval.

Letters of Reference

Two (2) letters of reference* – submitted via ATCAS

• One (1) academic reference from a professor, research advisor, or academic advisor.
• One (1) letter from a person of your choice who can speak to your ability to be academically successful and practice professionally.

*Letters from friends or family members are not acceptable.

Personal Statement

• Please refer to the ATCAS application for specific writing prompts and additional information.

Licenses and Certifications

The following document should be uploaded directly to the ATCAS application:

• Proof of current certification in Emergency Cardiac Care and Basic First Aid.

Interviews

• Personal interviews with faculty are required for admission and are granted to qualified applicants by invitation only.

International Applicants

International applicants and those with foreign degrees and coursework are required to satisfy the following additional requirements:

• Official credential evaluation by World Education Service (WES), confirming degree and grade equivalency to that of a U.S. bachelor’s degree. The completed credential evaluation should be sent directly to ATCAS. Please refer to the International Admissions section of the UNE website for more information on the type of credential evaluation required for admission review.
• Applicants whose first language is not English must demonstrate written and spoken fluency through the successful completion of a UNE-approved English language proficiency test.
• Applicants should refer to the English Language Proficiency page on the UNE website for specific information, minimum score requirements, and submission instructions.

Other Requirements

Prior to matriculation, accepted and deposited students will be required to complete the following compliance requirements:

• Completion of physical examination with proof of up-to-date immunization status. Please refer to UNE’s Student Health Center for detailed information.
• Satisfactory completion of a criminal background check and/or drug screen prior to matriculation, as well as periodically throughout the program (as required by clinical affiliations).
• Proof of successful completion of yearly OSHA-required bloodborne pathogens safety training will be required prior to the first clinical assignment.
• All students transferring into the AT Program must meet all admissions requirements and complete the entire graduate phase of the program.
• All students must have the ability to meet the Academic and Technical Standards of the Athletic Training profession.

All materials submitted as part of the application become the property of UNE and will not be returned or released to anyone, including the applicant. This policy includes letters of reference, primary and secondary applications, personal statements, transcripts, and other supporting materials.

POLICY EXCEPTIONS

• Policies are established to ensure fair and consistent admissions practice for all applicants to the university and its programs
• All criteria presented in this summary are subject to change per professional accreditation requirements, changes in curriculum and/or other institutional standards, and clinical affiliation requirements
• Exceptions to existing admission policies are rare and made only when it is deemed necessary and appropriate to maintain fair and consistent practice for all candidates, not individual candidates

Transfer Credit

• Transfer credits are rarely awarded to students who transfer from another Athletic Training Program.
• The program director will review and award transfer credits on a case-by-case basis.

Advanced Standing

• No advanced standing placement available

Experiential Learning

• No credit awarded for experiential learning

Tuition and Fees

Tuition and fees for subsequent years may vary. Other expenses include books and housing. For more information regarding tuition and fees, please consult the Financial Information section of this catalog.