Athletic Training, M.S.

The Master of Science in Athletic Training is designed for students with professional goals in athletic training. California State University, Fresno is currently seeking accreditation for our new Athletic Training program and is not accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education (CAATE). The institution will be submitting a self-study to begin the accreditation process on July 1, 2021. Submission of the self-study and completion of a site visit does not guarantee that the program will become accredited. Students that graduate from the program prior to accreditation WILL NOT be eligible to sit for the credentialing examination for athletic trainers and will not be eligible for licensure in most states. The program has high academic and performance standards that include completion of a two-year competency-based clinical education program.

Degree Requirements

Didactic Coursework (36 units)

AT 202 - Foundations of Athletic Training Units: 1
AT 204 - Documentation & Medical Terminology Units: 1
AT 212 - Anatomy, Evaluation, and Treatment of the Lower Extremity Units: 8
AT 216 - Research Methods in Athletic Training I Units: 2
AT 222 - Anatomy, Evaluation, and Treatment of the Upper Extremity Units: 6
AT 224 - General Medical Conditions & Pharmacology Units: 2
AT 226 - Research Methods in Athletic Training II Units: 2
AT 228 - Policy and Procedures in Athletic Training Units: 2
AT 232 - Anatomy, Evaluation, and Treatment of the Spine Units: 3
AT 234 - Catastrophic Injury in Athletic Training Units: 2
AT 238 - Board of Certification Exam Preparation Units: 1
AT 242 - Prevention and Wellness Units: 2
AT 244 - Psychological Aspects of Injury and Rehabilitation in Athletic Training Units: 2
AT 248 - Professional Practice in Athletic Training Units: 2

Clinical Practica (18 units)

AT 251 - Clinical Practicum I Units: 3
AT 252 - Clinical Practicum II Units: 3
AT 253 - Clinical Practicum III Units: 6
AT 254 - Clinical Practicum IV Units: 6

Culminating Experiences (6 units)

(select one course)

Comprehensive Examination, plus AT 296S & AT 297S

AT 298 - Project Units: 3-6
AT 299 - Thesis Units: 3-6

Total Units: 60 Units

Advancement to Candidacy Requirement

Students usually advance to candidacy in the fall semester of their second year of the MSA T. Students must meet the following criteria:

Classified graduate student standing.
A minimum GPA of 3.0 on all coursework in the MS in Athletic Training degree, with no grade below C.
Successful completion of the qualifying exam given at the end of the spring semester of the first year. The qualifying exam consists of a computerized exam containing 175 questions on contend learned during the first year in the program.
Demonstrated graduate-level writing proficiency ( as assessed by the Critically Appraised Topic paper in AT 226 - Research Methods in Athletic Training II .

Culminating Experience Requirements

The student must select an appropriate culminating experience within the selected course of study. The following culminating experiences are offered. NOTE: Students must be Advanced to Candidacy prior to enrolling in AT 298 (Project) or AT 299 (Thesis).
- Comprehensive Exam, plus AT 296S and AT 297S
- Project
- Thesis
Students who choose to complete a thesis or project must do so under the guidance of a thesis chair or project advisor who agrees to supervise the work.

Admission Requirements

Admission to the program requires the student to: (a) apply for University graduate student status; (b) submit an application through ATCAS; (c) have an undergraduate GPA of at least 3.0; (d) participate in an interview; (e) document 100 hours of observation with a Certified Athletic Trainer; and (f) earn a C or better and 3.0 GPA in the following prerequisite courses:

Biology with lab (BIOL 10 or BIOL 1A )
Chemistry with lab (CHEM 3A )
Physics with lab (PHYS 2A )
Two semesters of Anatomy and Physiology with Lab (BIOL 67A and BIOL 67B )
General Psychology (PSYCH 10 ) or Sport Psychology (KINES 33 )
Biomechanics (KINES 116 )
Exercise Physiology (KINES 118 )
Nutrition (NUTR 53 ) or Fitness and Wellness (KINES 163 )
Statistics (PH 92 or MATH 11 )
Care and Prevention of Athletic Injuries (KINES 38 )
First Aid & CPR (KINES 48, PH 48, or 49) or current emergency cardiac care (ECC) card*

* ECC certification must include all of the following: Adult & Pediatric CPR, AED, 2^nd Rescuer CPR, Airway Obstruction, Barrier Devices (e.g., pocket mask, bag valve mask).