South Dakota State University MASTER OF SCIENCE: ATHLETIC TRAINING Application Process Overview Domestic Students Preparing Engaged Practitioners and Contemporary Leaders in Athletic Training Introduction Thank you for considering the Master of Science in Athletic Training at South Dakota State University. This document is designed to provide you, the candidate, with general information regarding the application process for the graduate level Athletic Training (AT) Program, particularly for students graduating from a college or university in the United States. Although not required, as a candidate, you are strongly encouraged to arrange a meeting on campus to visit with faculty and students, tour facilities and campus and visit with individuals that may help you make your decision to attend SDSU. During this time, SDSU AT faculty can answer questions you might have relative to the application and/or acceptance process. Arrangements can generally be tailored to your needs. If you are unable to select a time during the school year, this can become a part of the interview process. Questions, additional information and/or arrangements for an on campus visit should be directed to the AT Program Director, Trevor Roiger, trevor.roiger@sdstate.edu, 605.688.5824. This document contains the following sections: Why an application process Prerequisites How does the Application work? Step 1: Primary Application to the Graduate School Step 2: Secondary Selective Admission Application Process for the Athletic Training Program What do we look for in a candidate? Selection Criteria Program Policy on Extracurricular Activities and Employment Interview Notification Summary of Timeline and Deadlines Important Links: MS Athletic Training Website: http://www.sdstate.edu/hns/graduate-programs/ms-athletic-training.cfm SDSU Graduate School: http://www.sdstate.edu/graduate/index.cfm Page 1
Why an application process In establishing every new student cohort, we want to afford each candidate a fair and equitable application process in an effort to identify qualified individuals that are truly interested in practicing Athletic Training. Therefore, admittance into the MS in Athletic Training involves a (2) part application process: 1) A standard Graduate School Application required for the University 2) Secondary Selective Admission Application specific to the program of study in Athletic Training. The goals of the application process are: (1) To actively assist students in their decision to become an athletic trainer and an athletic training student at South Dakota State University AND (2) To allow the selection committee an opportunity to determine student desire and readiness to begin a professional program in athletic training. The application process is designed to: (1) Increase the student s awareness about the profession of Athletic Training. (2) Increase the student s awareness about the Master of Science in Athletic Training. (3) Improve the student s readiness for entry into the clinical experience as a healthcare provider. (4) Allow the student an opportunity to positively reflect on experiences and observations regarding their decision and desire to become an athletic training student. At the completion of this application process, the student should be able to: (1) Positively reflect on their experiences and observations regarding their decision and desire to become an athletic training student. (2) Describe characteristics of athletic trainers and the profession of athletic training and relate their reflections towards their own personal characteristics and desire to become an athletic trainer. (3) Describe the athletic training program as it exists at SDSU, what they will bring to the program as well as their expectations of what they hope to gain from the program. (4) Compare and contrast the diversified practice settings for athletic trainers and discuss their career goals within the potential of practicing in these settings. (5) Demonstrate readiness to begin the academic and clinical experience of the AT program. Page 2
Prerequisites Prerequisites refer to coursework that the candidate should have completed prior to entering the graduate program. Prerequisite course content ensures that students will be prepared to begin coursework and clinical experiences at a level necessary to achieve success. Overall Requirements: (1) Completion of (or shortly anticipated completion of) a Bachelor of Science degree from an accredited institution either within or outside the United States; and Although not required, a health related degree program would be preferred (i.e. Health Promotion, Exercise Science, Health Education, etc.) (2) A minimum cumulative or final two year GPA of 3.0; and (3) Completing the following course requirements (or their equivalent) with a C or better to achieve a minimum of a 3.0 for this set of courses. Basic and Applied Sciences Eight (8) credits Chemistry BIOL 221 - Human Anatomy BIOL 325 - Mammalian Physiology PE 350 - Exercise Physiology PE 454 - Biomechanics NURS 323 - Introduction to Pathophysiology** Social Sciences PSYC 417 - Health Psychology - OR - PSYC 451 - Abnormal Psychology HDFS 210 - Lifespan Development General Health Science Courses HLTH 120 - Community Health - OR - HLTH 212 - Contemporary Health - OR - HSC 443 - Public Health Science PE 354 - Prevention and Care of Athletic Injuries NURS 201 - Medical Terminology HLTH 250 - First Aid + Current CPR/First Aid Cards - OR - Current Emergency Cardiac Care Certification Nutrition NFS 315 Human Nutrition Statistics STAT 281 - Statistics Optional AT 164 - Introduction to Athletic Training * Students may be asked to submit syllabi from courses or demonstrate competence in specific discipline areas if they complete courses at an institution other than SDSU. ** If a student is unable to complete an undergraduate course in pathophysiology, they will have the option of completing NURS 323: Pathophysiology or PE 550: Clinical Exercise Physiology in the spring of their first program year. Page 3
How does the Application work? Admission into the MSAT program is on a competitive basis. Each year the AT program uses a Primary (Graduate School Application) and Secondary (Program Application) Selective Admission Process to admit (1) new cohort of students who will begin their program of study during the Fall semester. In order to establish this cohort, the AT program reviews applications during (2) time periods during the application year: Fall Application Review (for next Fall admittance): Candidates who wish to get an early start on the application process in order to receive early notification of acceptance/denial into the Master of Science in AT program can complete their full application during the Fall semester. Graduate School applications are due by November 1 st and secondary Program Application materials are due by December 1 st. Spring Application Review (for next Fall admittance): Candidates who wish to have more time to complete the requirements for admittance into the Master of Science in AT program have until the Spring semester to complete the application process. Graduate School applications are due by February 1 st and secondary Program Application materials are due by March 1 st. In order to complete all application requirements, students must: (1) Complete the Graduate School Application and submit this to the South Dakota State University Graduate School (2) Complete the Secondary Selective Admission Process/Program Application and submit application materials directly to the MS in Athletic Training Program Students should begin the application process by submitting their Graduate School Application to the SDSU Graduate School and downloading Program Application materials for the MS in Athletic Training Program from the program website. GRADUATE SCHOOL APPLICATIONS MUST BE SUBMITTED TO THE GRADUATE SCHOOL BY EITHER NOVEMBER 1 or FEBRUARY 1 (See Fall Application Review.) This allows time for graduate school personnel to review applications and forward them to the program. An applicant must be accepted by the Graduate School before a final decision on the secondary selective admission process will be made. SECONDARY SELECTIVE ADMISSION/PROGRAM APPLICATION MATERIALS MUST BE SUBMITTED BY DECEMBER 1 or MARCH 1 (See Spring Application Review.) These materials can be submitted directly to: Trevor Roiger, EdD, AT, ATC Box 2203, Intramural Building 116 Department of Health and Nutritional Sciences Brookings, South Dakota 57007 Completed applications (Graduate School and Program Application materials together) will be reviewed and qualified candidates will be contacted for an interview no later than DECEMBER 15 (Fall Review) or MARCH 15 (Spring Review.) Interviews will take place in early January and the end of March. Page 4
Step 1: Application Process to the Graduate School: Students interested in applying are encouraged to begin the application process for the university as soon as possible. The application deadline for a Fall review is NOVEMBER 1; the application for a Spring review is FEBRUARY 1. Once a student s file is complete, the Graduate School will forward this information to the AT Program Director. This information will be used in combination with the secondary program application materials to assist in decision making. Full admission information is located at: http://catalog.sdstate.edu/content.php?catoid=23&navoid=2048 The following key materials are needed by the graduate school: Online application: https://app.applyyourself.com/?id=sdstate-g Please be sure to click on Create Account when beginning the application process. Application Fee of $35.00: A completed on-line application must be accompanied by a non-refundable application fee of $35.00. Official Transcript(s) current at time of application. If students have not completed a Bachelor s degree at the time of application, an official copy after the degree is complete is required. ***Graduate Record Examination (GRE) SDSU and the MS in Athletic Training DO NOT REQUIRE the GRE. Step 2: Secondary Selective Admission Application Process for the Athletic Training Program. The second step of the application process is to complete more detailed information required for the program. There is NOT an additional fee to process these forms. Students can obtain these forms (identified below) from the program website or by contacting Trevor Roiger: trevor.roiger@sdstate.edu, 605.688.5824: Program Application and Letter of Interest Signed Verification and Understanding of Technical Standards Completion of Health Assessment (This is in addition to the immunization required by Student Health) (3) Letters of Recommendation (on form letters) Observation Record Students should accumulate a minimum of (20) hours of observation experience with a certified/licensed athletic trainer from one or more of the practice settings for athletic trainers. Certified athletic trainers may practice in a variety of settings including, but not limited to: High School/Teacher, College/University, Clinic/Hospital/Outreach, Industrial and Professional Sport. ** Note: You may be deciding among different medical and/or allied health professionals and may choose to shadow other professionals HOWEVER only hours with a certified/licensed athletic trainer will count towards these (20) hours of observation. Page 5
Students are encouraged to submit these forms concurrently with their SDSU Graduate School application, but no later than DECEMBER 1 (Fall review) or MARCH 1 (Spring review.) These forms should be sent to: Trevor Roiger, EdD, AT, ATC PO Box 2203, Intramural Building 116 Department of Health and Nutritional Sciences Brookings, SD 57007 What do we look for in a candidate?: Selection Criteria Once all materials are compiled, the faculty of the MS in Athletic Training review the information and determine who will be awarded an opportunity for an interview. Each year the MS in Athletic Training program receives more applications than we can accept. Therefore, our goal is to create a fair and equitable application process in an effort to identify and accept qualified candidates who truly have an interest and desire to become Athletic Trainers. Although a high GPA and grades are favorable, we also take into consideration the following: (1) A GPA of 3.0 or higher (cumulative or over the last two years of undergraduate work). (2) A C or higher in the prerequisite courses (with a minimum of 3.0 in the set of prerequisite requirements). (3) Ability to physically and mentally perform the duties of an athletic trainer as described in the Technical Standards. (4) Strong interpersonal skills (both in written and oral communication). (5) Skills related to ethics in working with a patient/client population. (6) Interest and desire of candidate to become an athletic trainer. Program Policy on Extracurricular Activities and Employment: The clinical experience design for athletic training students (ATS) involves regular daily, evening and weekend commitments by the ATS. If a student chooses to continue in an extracurricular activity or work, it is the student s responsibility to adjust their extracurricular activity according to their clinical experience schedule. If a student plans on continuing with an extracurricular activity, including work, club sports, intramural sports, University-sanctioned clubs, etc., the student should meet with a faculty advisor to discuss this issue. Although extracurricular activities are not prohibited, they have to be redirected to avoid direct conflict with completion of the clinical experience. Interview Interviews have a benefit to both the candidate and selection committee members. The selection committee will have a prepared set of questions to ask the candidate, and vice versa, candidates are encouraged to bring their own questions to the interview. Qualified candidates will be contacted by December 15 (Fall review) or March 15 (Spring review) either by phone or email to arrange an interview. Interviews will be on campus, unless other arrangements are made. Interviews will take place in early January or late March depending on the review period. Notification In an effort to assist students with future planning, prospective students will be notified of acceptance or nonacceptance to the Athletic Training Program within one week of the interview. If admitted, students will be provided one week to accept or decline their position in the Fall cohort. If students are accepted, they will be asked to complete an Immunization Verification as per Student Health requirements. Page 6
Summary of Timeline and Deadlines DATE Fall Review Spring Review Up to November 1 November 1 December 1 December 15 1 st week of January Up to February 1 February 1 March 1 March 15 Last week of March WHAT IS DUE Students encouraged to work with MS in Athletic Training Program Director regarding eligibility, process, campus tour, etc. Application Materials to the Graduate School (Completed through the Graduate School) Completed online application $35.00 application fee Official transcript (current even if not completed bachelor s degree) Application Materials to the Program (Mailed to: Trevor Roiger) Program Application Letter of Interest Verification of Technical Standards Completed Health Assessment Observation Record (3) Letters of Recommendation Students notified for interviews Students notified of acceptance and provided one week to respond to program offer Page 7