Athletic Training, M.S.A.T

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. 

Progression/Retention Requirements:

1. Traditional Freshman will be directly admitted into the pre-professional phase of the Master of Science in Athletic Training Degree Program upon successful acceptance at Alvernia University. These students will be required to complete all pre-professional coursework (listed 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. To remain in this track, these students must maintain a 3.0 overall GPA, with a 3.0 GPA in all natural and applied science courses. Natural and applied science courses include the following: General Biology I, 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.
2. Transfer students and/or post-baccalaureate students: will be admitted into the preprofessional 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 Program Director. These students will be required to complete all preprofessional 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.
   • To remain in this track, these students must maintain a 3.0 overall GPA, with a 3.0 GPA in all natural and applied science courses. Natural and applied science courses include the following: General Biology I, 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. Post-baccalaureate students will typically be accepted directly into the professional phase of the MSAT degree program. These students must maintain a minimum GPA of 3.0 or higher to remain in the professional phase of the program.

Students must formally declare their intentions to either complete the pre- professional phase of the MSAT program or “opt out” and follow Healthcare Science during the 3rd year of matriculation. This portion of the process involves the submission of:

1. All documentation (including signed Technical Standards)
2. A 3-part essay
3. A record of all observation hours completed during the professional phase 

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

Once these forms are completed, the PD will review the student’s transcript to ensure the student has maintained a 3.0 overall GPA, with a 3.0 GPA in all natural and applied science courses. In addition, the PD will ensure that no Prerequisites coursework has been completed below the level of a “C” or higher. Verification of the required major and overall GPA will also occur at this point. Please see “Progression/Retention requirements” listed above. The MSAT faculty 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 items are completed. Entry is limited on a space available basis. 

Upon acceptance to the pre-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 program and must be renewed yearly. Clearances must be completed prior to beginning any clinical hours including observational experiences (pre-professional phase). 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. 

1. Submit a completed health record to the Health & Wellness Center and complete the Authorization to Release Medical Information form.
2. 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.
3. Required yearly influenza vaccine or documented refusal.
4. Obtain yearly Blood-borne Pathogens and OSHA training and complete the Communicable Disease Policy.
5. Maintain current certification in CPR and First Aid. • Provide transportation for all clinical experience off-campus (public or private).
6. Provide proof of current health insurance. 

 

Progression/Retention Policy: Professional Phase

Students must maintain a 3.0 GPA throughout the professional phase of the program. Any athletic training course (AT) completed below the level of a “C” must be repeated. Students may repeat/delete only one athletic training (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. Due to the nature of some clinical experiences (AT 520, 521, 610, and 611), a student may exceed the maximum number of required hours for these clinical practicum courses. The decision to exceed the maximum number of required hours should be made as part of a group process involving the athletic training student, the clinical preceptor, and the Coordinator of Clinical Education coordinator. Additionally, some clinical experiences may begin ahead of the course start date and/or extend beyond the end date listed on the academic calendar (i.e., Start of summer camp for all fall clinicals).