Healthcare Science, B.S., Pre-Athletic Training

According to the National Athletic Trainers’ Association (NATA) a Certified Athletic Trainer (ATC) is a highly educated and skilled professional specializing in athletic healthcare for the physically active. In cooperation with physicians and other allied health personnel, the athletic trainer functions as an integral member of the health care delivery team in a variety of clinical settings.

Traditional practice settings include secondary schools, colleges and universities, sports medicine clinics, professional sports programs. New and emerging practice settings include industry, the military, law enforcement, and physician practices. Throughout the program, students will gain a breadth and depth of knowledge in the field of athletic training, as well as in the liberal arts. Students will also develop critical thinking skills, as well as gain an appreciation for the profession, and the role of the Certified Athletic Trainer as a licensed healthcare professional. Specifically, the mission of the Athletic Training Program is as follows:

The Athletic Training Program at Alvernia University has a primary purpose of providing students with the intellectual and clinical foundation that will enable them to play an important role in the healthcare of athletes and others involved in physical activity. The program seeks to merge the Franciscan Values of Service, Humility, Peace-making Contemplation and Collegiality with the foundations of evidence-based practice in theory and clinical experiences. Our practitioners develop the knowledge, skills and attitudes needed to become highly qualified allied health professionals in the field of Athletic Training capable of “knowledge joined with love”. Throughout the Program, students will gain a breadth and depth of knowledge in the field of Athletic Training, as well as in the liberal arts. Students will also develop critical thinking skills, as well as gain an appreciation for the profession of Athletic Training and the role of the Certified Athletic Trainer within the healthcare delivery system.

Our student learning goals (outcomes):

1. Students will demonstrate basic understanding of foundational knowledge and skills within the athletic training education program.
2. Students will demonstrate problem-solving skills that will allow them to reason clearly and analytically. They will be able to identify and evaluate problems, utilize critical thinking skills to find solutions, implement solutions, and evaluate the outcomes of their decisions.
3. Students will communicate effectively and respectfully, with individuals/groups, professionals, and society.
4. Students will use knowledge of the natural and applied sciences as well as research methodology to interpret evidence-based research related to athletic training to answer clinical questions and to guide clinical practice.
5. Students will demonstrate an integration of Franciscan values as the point of athletic training care.
6. Students will demonstrate clinical competence in clinical practice settings.
7. Students will demonstrate post-graduation preparedness as an Athletic Trainer for a career in health care.
8. The program will demonstrate excellence in education.

Admission Requirements

Admission requirements of the university must be met before students are able to declare athletic training as their major. Students seeking admission to the MSAT degree will be admitted to the University through one of the following routes:

1. Traditional Undergraduate Students:

• May apply to Alvernia University and matriculate as an Athletic Training student (MSAT). These students will focus on the completion of the undergraduate requirements for a Bachelor of Science degree in Healthcare Science, along with any required prerequisite coursework (for the MSAT degree), during the first three years of academic study. Students will formally notify the MSAT Program Director of their intention to complete the professional phase of the Master of Athletic Training Degree at the end of the third year of study. The PD will complete a review of the student’s transcript to ensure each student meets the admission/retention standards listed below. Students who meet all retention/admission standards will begin their professional phase coursework during the fourth year of study and continue through the fifth-year study. Formal Clinical education will begin during the fourth year of study.
• Students who choose to forego the professional phase of the MSAT degree have the ability to graduate from the health care science program at the end of the fourth year once all remaining required coursework is completed for that degree. These students should meet the HCS Program Director once this path is chosen to ensure all degree requirements are met. Please see “Option 3: Alternative matriculation (Opt-out).

2. Transfer Students:

• May enter the program at an appropriate spot to be determined by the MSAT Program Director. These students will typically matriculate as an MSAT major student. These students will initially focus on the completion of the undergraduate requirements for a Bachelor of Science degree in Healthcare Science, along with any required prerequisite coursework (for the MSAT degree). Students will formally notify the MSAT Program Directory of their intention to complete the professional phase of the Master of Science in Athletic Training degree once all prerequisite coursework is completed. The PD will complete a review of the student’s transcript to ensure each student meets the admission/retention standards listed below. Students who meet all retention/admission standards will begin their professional phase coursework. The professional phase coursework will last two full academic years. Formal clinical education will begin during the fourth year of study.
• Transfer students who have neither completed an undergraduate degree nor the required prerequisite courses, may apply to enter the pre- professional phase of the MSAT Program (Healthcare Science degree with MSAT pre-requisite courses). These students will work with the University Registrar to determine their transfer profile as well as with the MSAT Program Director to determine the point of entry into the program.

3. Alternative matriculation (Opt-out):

• An undergraduate student may decide to “opt-out” of the professional phase of the MSAT Program. If a student chooses this option, they may choose to complete the remainder of the Healthcare Science major. The student would be responsible for the completion of all outstanding Healthcare Science coursework necessary to graduate with a Bachelor of Science in Healthcare Science degree. The student should work closely with the Program Director of Health Science to ensure all outstanding requirements are met.
• A pre-professional phase student would also have the option to change to any major within the institution. Students who choose this option should seek the advice of the respective major department chair, as well as the office of the Registrar, regarding Alvernia’s internal transfer process. The student would be responsible for the completion of all program/degree requirements necessary to graduate with the selected degree.

Progression/Retention Requirements

1. Traditional Undergraduate Students:

• Will be directly admitted into the pre-professional phase of the Master of Science in Athletic Training Degree Program upon successful acceptance to Alvernia University. These students will be required to complete all pre-professional coursework (listed below) at the level of “C” or better, in addition, these students must complete all natural and applied science prerequisites coursework prior to the start of the professional phase of the program.
• Pre-professional/Pre-requisite coursework in natural and applied science courses include the following: Anatomy and Physiology I & II, General Chemistry I, General Physics I, Introductory Psychology, Human Development Across the Lifespan, Introduction to Athletic Training, Emergency Response, Care and Prevention of Athletic Injuries, Sports Nutrition, Neuroscience for Rehabilitation, Kinesiology and Exercise Physiology.
• Students must maintain a 3.0 overall GPA prior to the start of the professional phase of the program**.
• Students are required to achieve a minimum overall GPA of 3.0 to graduate from the MSAT program.

2. Transfer Students:

• Will be admitted into the pre-professional phase (transfer students) of the Master of Science in Athletic Training Degree Program upon successful acceptance at Alvernia University at an appropriate place to be determined in consultation with the transfer credit assessment (generated by the Office of the Registrar) and the MSAT Program Director. These students will be required to complete all pre-professional coursework (see below), in addition, these students must complete all natural and applied science prerequisites coursework prior to the start of the professional phase of the program.
• Pre-professional/Pre-requisite coursework in natural and applied science courses include the following: Anatomy and Physiology I & II, General Chemistry I, General Physics I, Introductory Psychology, Human Development Across the Lifespan, Introduction to Athletic Training, Emergency Response, Care and Prevention of Athletic Injuries, Sports Nutrition, Neuroscience for Rehabilitation, Kinesiology and Exercise Physiology.
• Students must maintain a 3.0 overall GPA prior to the start of the professional phase of the program**.
• Students are required to achieve a minimum overall GPA of 3.0 to graduate from the MSAT program.

Students must formally declare their intentions to complete the pre-professional phase of the MSAT program or “opt out” and follow Healthcare Science during the 3rd year of matriculation (or at the semester prior to the start of the professional phase). This portion of the process involves the submission of signed Technical Standards.

Forms are available online or from the PD. www.alvernia.edu/academics/professionalprograms/athletictraining/index

Once the Technical Standards are signed, the PD will review the student’s transcript to ensure the student has completed the necessary pre-requisite coursework at the level of “C” or better, and an overall GPA of 3.0.**  

The MSAT PD will meet with each student during the 3rd year of matriculation or prior to acceptance to the professional phase of the program to ensure all prerequisites are completed. Entry is limited on a space available basis.

**Students whose GPA is below 3.0 with unique academic coursework and / or extensive professional experience may be eligible for initial acceptance.   Students are required to achieve a minimum overall GPA of 3.0 to graduate from the MSAT program.**

3. Progression Policies:

• An individual athletic training course or required pre-requisite course must be completed with a grade of “C” or better. However, students must achieve an overall GPA of 3.0 to graduate from the MSAT program.
• Students may repeat/delete only one MSAT (AT) course throughout the athletic training program.
• Students who receive a grade of less than a “C” in an athletic training course may not progress in athletic training courses for which that course is a prerequisite.

Upon acceptance to the professional phase of the MSAT program, students must meet the following requirements:

• Obtain a Pennsylvania Child Abuse History Clearance form (ACT 151),
• A Criminal History Record Check (ACT 34),
• and an FBI Criminal Clearance (ACT 114).

All clearances are required upon acceptance into the professional phase of the program and must be renewed yearly. Clearances must be completed prior to beginning any clinical hours. Formal clinical education begins during the professional phase of the MSAT program (years 4 and 5). Clearances with violations are reviewed on an individual basis and may be subject to non-acceptance and progression related to clinical agency requirements. 

Students must also complete the Background Checks Notification form.

• Submit a completed health record to the Health & Wellness Center and complete the Authorization to Release Medical Information form.
• Obtain specific immunizations which includes a two-step TB Test, Diphtheria/Tetanus Booster, Measles, Mumps and Rubella, the series of Hepatitis B vaccinations, and a Pneumococcal vaccine or waiver.
• Required yearly influenza vaccine or documented refusal.
• Obtain yearly Blood-borne Pathogens and OSHA training and complete the Communicable Disease Policy.
• Maintain current certification in CPR and First Aid.
• Provide transportation for all clinical experience off-campus (public or private).
• Provide proof of current health insurance.

There are 24 available openings in each MSAT cohort.