Master of Science in Athletic Training Department of Health and Kinesiology The faculty of the Master of Science in Athletic Training (MSAT) Program would like to thank you for your interest in joining our program at. We are pleased that you have chosen to pursue your career goals in Athletic Training with us in this unique program. The MSAT Program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education (CAATE) allowing graduates from this program to sit for the Board of Certification (BOC) examination for athletic trainers. Admission to the MSAT Program at is selective and competitive with the total number of students accepted each year based on space availability. Students wishing to pursue a Master of Science degree in Athletic Training must apply and meet all general requirements for admission to the Graduate School of and the Department of Health and Kinesiology s (HLKN) Master of Science in Athletic Training Program. Acceptance by the Graduate School does not guarantee acceptance into the MSAT Program. This is a full-time graduate program (including summers) with extensive clinical experience hours required. Clinical experience hours may occur early mornings or evenings, weekends, holidays and occur before or after the regular semester. The clinical education plan for the program provides opportunities for students to engage in experiential learning in a variety of settings with an emphasis on ensuring that students gain experience in both practice and competition in the following categories of sports: equipment intensive, upper and lower extremity intensive, male sports and female sports. Students will also be given the opportunity to experience settings outside of intercollegiate athletics such as high schools, general medical settings, sports medicine clinics, and hospitals to observe surgery. Starting date for the program is July 1 prior to the second summer session. Application Deadline: All application materials must be received (not postmarked) by February 1. Applicants will be informed when their application packet has been received by the MSAT program. Individuals interested in early admissions may send materials between 9/15 and 10/15. Those individuals not selected for early admission will be re-considered during the second time frame. After review of applications by the MSAT Admissions Committee, applicants will be contacted regarding their admissions status. Should space become available, qualified applicants not admitted to the program initially may be put on an alternate list and contacted prior to June 1. Admission Process and Requirements Admission into the MSAT program is a two part process. Part One: The first part of the process is completion of an online application to the Graduate School of to pursue a Master of Science degree in Athletic Training in the Department of Health and Kinesiology in the College of Education and Human Development. The application form is available online at www.applytexas.org. Additional items that will be required in order to complete the online application are: An application fee of $50 ($90 for international students); Official test scores (Graduate Record Examination within the past five years, and TOEFL if applicable); and Official transcripts from all previous and/or current institutions; Official transcripts and official GRE test scores should be sent directly to the Office of Admissions & Records at Texas A&M. Please use the following address for those items ONLY: Graduate Admissions Processing General Services Complex 750 Agronomy Road, Suite 1601 0200 TAMU P.O. Box 40001 College Station, Texas 77842-4001, USA 8/1/2013 Page 1
Part Two: The second part of the admission process is to show evidence of the following MSAT program specific requirements: Evidence of a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 on all undergraduate course work (a lower GPA may be considered and weighted according to grades in major coursework, GPA last 60 hours, experience, GRE scores, etc.). Evidence of a minimum grade of C (2.0) in the following prerequisite courses: BIOL 319/320, KINE 433, KINE 426, HLTH 231, PSYC 107 or KINE 304 or equivalent (as determined by program director). Description of these courses can be found in the Texas A&M undergraduate catalog. Students must have all prerequisite courses completed prior to starting classes in the MSAT program. Evidence of a minimum of 50 hours of observation, or student athletic training experience, under the direct supervision of a BOC-certified athletic trainer or Licensed Athletic Trainer in the state of Texas. This is recommended in order for applicants to be confident that they understand the requirements and responsibilities of an athletic trainer. Three completed MSAT recommendation forms (at least one recommendation form must be completed by an Athletic Trainer and one letter must completed by a faculty member who can speak to your graduate academic potential). Copy of resume An UNOFFICIAL copy of all current transcripts (Graduate School requires official copies) An UNOFFICIAL copy of scores from the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) Evidence that a physical examination, based on the MSAT Program s technical standards for admission, has been completed within the last 12 months Evidence of TB skin test within the last 12 months or if skin test is positive, a clear chest x-ray showing that the applicant is free of the pulmonary disease Evidence of 2 doses of MMR or proof of a rubella diagnosis by a physician or proof of rubella immunity by showing positive antibody titers Evidence of varicella or proof of a chicken pox diagnosis by a physician Evidence of Hepatitis B vaccination series (3 doses) Meet and retain technical standards established for the MSAT program Admission Categories Full Admission: To be granted full admission, students must meet all the requirements listed above. Conditional Admission: Conditional admission may be granted when the department or program identifies an academic weakness. Students with low undergraduate GPA s are not guaranteed conditional admission. Conditional admission may be granted to a student when some type of deficiency is noted in the applicant s academic work, such as: The applicant has less than a 3.0 cumulative GPA in undergraduate work (but greater than 2.8); The applicant has less than a 3.0 cumulative GPA in undergraduate work but their last 60 hours of undergraduate work is a 3.0 or greater; The applicant has low admission test scores; The applicant has a need to take additional coursework. The coursework will be provided by the department or program and will be listed in writing on the official acceptance letter from the department s Chair of Graduate Programs. Students must take the coursework stipulated the first semester the course(s) is offered. 8/1/2013 Page 2
Application Checklist Master of Science in Athletic Training Student s Full Legal Name: Date: All required documents AND this completed Checklist should be sent directly to the address below in one packet and must be received (not post marked) by February 1. Please read all of the information below before completing the application packet for the MS in Athletic Training (MSAT) program. Following the initial screening of the application materials, candidates being considered for admission will be contacted. Copies of all application forms/documents are provided on the MSAT program website at http://graduateathletictraining.tamu.edu. MSAT Admissions C/O Dr. Lori Greenwood Dept. of Health and Kinesiology 332 Blocker, 155 Ireland Street; MS 4243 College Station, Texas 77843-4243 Required Application Materials: place a check next to each item as it is completed. MSAT Program Admission Application Form Applicant Essay Questions. These answers should be word processed and double-spaced. Please separate answer by question. Your response to each question should not exceed one page, unless otherwise indicated. 1. Why should you be admitted into the entry-level master s athletic training program at? Please answer this question in relationship to academic work, athletic training or related experience, and any other helpful information (2-page maximum). 2. What are your short- and long-term goals (i.e., education, credentials, work setting, etc.)? 3. Describe your understanding of the role of an athletic trainer in health care. 4. Discuss personal and professional influences that led you to want to become an athletic trainer and a graduate student. 5. What do you perceive to be your greatest strengths and how do you feel these will benefit you within this program and the athletic training profession? 6. What do you perceive to be your greatest weaknesses and what are your plans for improvement in these areas? 7. Please include any other information that you feel will enhance your application. Academic Transcripts. Enclose a copy of unofficial transcripts from all colleges/universities and/or professional schools attended. Name of Institution Location Date Started Date Ended Degree granted 8/1/2013 Page 3
Recommendation Forms (3 total). Recommenders must use the forms provided on MSAT program website. 1. Recommender s Name 2. 3. Resume. Include copy of current professional resume GRE Scores (Unofficial). Include a copy of unofficial GRE results (results that are sent to you). Pre-requisite Courses. ALL of the courses listed below (or approved equivalents taken at another institution) must be completed with a C or better before starting classes in the MSAT program. If the course was not completed at, you must include a copy of the course syllabus in order for the selection committee to determine if required NATA competencies have been met. Highlight the prerequisite courses on your unofficial transcript Pre-requisite Courses (Course Titles at TAMU) BIOL 319/320 Human Anatomy What School Was Course (or equivalent) Taken? Final Course Grade Course Completion Date BIOL 319/320 Human Physiology KINE 433 Physiology of Exercise KINE 426 Exercise Biomechanics HLTH 231 Healthy Lifestyles (Basic Health Course) PSYC 107 Introduction to Psychology or KINE 304 Psychology of Sport and Physical Activity Chemistry (preferred not required) No syllabus required Physics (preferred not required) No syllabus required Verification of Athletic Training Observation Hours [supervised by Certified Athletic Trainer (ATC) or in Texas it can also be a Licensed Athletic Trainer (LAT)] 50 hours minimum Supervising AT s Full Name Location Phone Number # of Hours AT s Initials Technical Standards for MSAT Program. All students must read and sign this document. Physical Examination by Physician. (within the last year). This should include a medical history and physical examination. Physician will sign the Technical Standards Endorsement by Physician form indicating that a physical examination has been completed. A copy of the actual physical does not need to be included. 8/1/2013 Page 4
Technical Standards Endorsement by Physician. This form should be completed by the same physician that completed the physical examination. Immunizations: MMR, Varicella, and Hepatitis B. The required immunizations should be highlighted on the submitted vaccination record allowing the application evaluation committee to find them easily. Proof of Negative Tuberculosis Test (within last 12 mo.). If skin test is positive, proof of a clear chest x-ray showing that the applicant is free of the pulmonary disease. 8/1/2013 Page 5