Athletic Training (Professional), M.S.
Kinesiology
The School of Kinesiology offers graduate degrees in Athletic Training (M.S.), Biomechanics (M.S.), Exercise Science (M.S.) and Sport Administration (M.S.) The Sport Administration degree program offers two areas of emphasis: Sport Management; and Recreation and Physical Activity.
All degree programs require from 32 to 39 hours and successful completion of an oral comprehensive examination or thesis defense. Thesis and non-thesis options are available in the Exercise Science and Sport Administration programs.
Professional Master of Science - Athletic Training (PMAT)
The Marshall University Professional Master of Science in Athletic Training (PMAT) Program is fully accredited by the CAATE (Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education; www.caate.net). It is a rigorous multifaceted health professions program that blends classroom instruction with clinical rotations, where students obtain real life experience working hands-on with certified athletic trainers, physicians, physical therapists, and other allied health care professionals to provide patient care. The number of available openings for new students in this program is based on available instructional and clinical resources both on campus and at affiliated clinical sites. Because of the competitive nature of this program, applicants are encouraged to establish and maintain a high degree of academic excellence and professionalism as they pursue acceptance into this program. The rigorous curriculum prepares students to take the national BOC board exam (Board of Certification Exam; www.bocatc.org) to practice as professional-level professionals. This program is not a Post-Professional master’s degree available to students who are already eligible for BOC certification or currently certified by the BOC. A degree in Athletic Training and BOC certification offer a graduate opportunities to practice in a variety of clinical settings. These settings include, but are not limited to, high school, college and professional athletics; outpatient clinics; industrial rehabilitation sites; physician practices; the performing arts; industrial settings, and higher education.
The PMAT is a 3+2 program, allowing current Marshall University students to apply after their 3rd year of undergraduate studies and to graduate two years later (5 years total) with both bachelor’s and master’s degrees. Additionally, students who hold a bachelor’s degree from either Marshall or another accredited institution can also apply and complete the Professional Master of Science in Athletic Training program. Both routes prepare students to take the national BOC board exam.Acceptance into the PMAT program is competitive and separate from acceptance to Marshall University.
Admission Requirements
Admission requirements are different for the degree programs. A personal interview may be required. Provisional admission to a program is possible, and will be considered on an individual basis. (See definition of Provisional Admission in this catalog) All students applying to the Exercise Science, M.S. program must have successfully completed an undergraduate course in either exercise physiology or human physiology. Applicants lacking these courses may be provisionally admitted and must complete required undergraduate courses within the first 12 hours of graduate coursework. Students are limited to twelve semester hours of transfer credit from other institutions, and limited to a maximum of nine semester hours taught at the 500 level.
Admission Criteria
Acceptance into the Professional Master of Science in Athletic Training program is competitive and not guaranteed. Prospective students must meet the minimum criteria listed that follow to be considered for admission to the program:
- Admission to Marshall University;
- An overall cumulative minimum GPA of 3.0;
- A letter grade of C or better on all prerequisite coursework;
- Submit by February 15 all forms and supporting documentation to apply to the PMAT (Note: refer to the current edition of the Athletic Training Program Policies and Procedures Manual for information regarding the application and admission requirements)
- Directed observation clinical experience (Note: refer to the current edition of the Athletic Training Program Policies and Procedures Manual for details regarding the requirements for this DO clinical experience);
- Successful interview (Interviews will be extended in March);
- Ability to meet the Technical Standards of Admission documented by a licensed physician.
Application to the Marshall University PMAT program is completed through a centralized application system known as ATCAS. Applicants will apply online using the ATCAS system. To learn more about the ATCAS application process visit https://atcas.liaisoncas.com/. Application to the PMAT is on a rolling admission basis; however, to receive priority consideration all application materials must be received by February 15 for the Summer 3 session, which is when the program begins. All applicants should follow the admissions process described in this catalog or at the Graduate Admissions website at http://www.marshall.edu/graduate/admissions/how-to-apply-for-admission.
Prerequisites - Provisional Admission Criteria
Prospective students must have taken or be currently enrolled in the following courses when applying to the PMSAT program. All students applying in their 3rd year from Marshall University must have all Core I and Core II courses completed by the end of the application semester, a minimum of 90 credit hours (Note: applicants with exceptional academic performance may also be considered if they should fall a few credit hours short of this 90-hour threshold; however, these students must have completed all the requirements for the bachelor’s degree by the end of the first year in the PMSAT program), and the following prerequisite courses must be completed prior to the start of the PMSAT program:
- Anatomy and physiology (6-8 cr.)
- Biology (2-4 hrs.)
- Chemistry (2-4 hrs.)
- Physics (2-4 hrs.)
- Introduction to Athletic Training/Prevention and Care of Athletic Injuries (3 cr.)
- Exercise physiology (3-4 cr.)
- First Aid and CPR; must also hold current First Aid and CPR healthcare provider or professional rescuer certifications (1-3 cr.)
- General psychology (3 cr.)
- Kinesiology or biomechanics (3-4 cr.)
- Nutrition (3 cr.)
- Personal Health/Wellness (2-3 cr.)
- Statistical methods (3 cr.)
- Medical terminology (2-3 cr.)
- Sociology or comparable course (3 hrs.)
Plan of Study
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Athletic Training Core | ||
| HS 512 | Found Clinical Skills in AT | 3 |
| HS 515 | Ath Trng Clinical Exp I | 3 |
| HS 523 | Ortho Assess Upper Extremity | 4 |
| HS 524 | Ortho Assess Lower Extremity | 4 |
| HS 525 | Ath Trng Clinical Exp II | 3 |
| HS 548 | Therapeutic Interventions I | 4 |
| HS 549 | Therapeutic Interventions II | 4 |
| HS 609 | Org & Admin Athletic Training | 3 |
| HS 630 | Seminar Athl Training | 3 |
| HS 634 | Ath Trng Externship | 3 |
| HS 639 | Exam of Gen Med Conditions | 3 |
| HS 645 | Ath Trng Clinical Exp III | 3 |
| HS 655 | Ath Trng Clinical Exp IV | 3 |
| HS 679 | Trends in Athletic Training | 3 |
| HS 680 | Graduate Project in AT | 3 |
| ESS 670 | Research Meth in Kinesiology | 3 |
| ESS 636 | Structural Kinesiology | 3 |
| HS 657 | Adv Trn/Certs | 1-3 |
| Total Credit Hours | 56-58 | |
Additional Requirements
- BOC Exam registration
- 3.0 overall GPA and no more than 6 hours of C and no grades below C may be applied toward a graduate degree
- Completion of all Athletic Training Clinical Experience courses with a letter grade of B or better