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Master of Science in Athletic Training

Master of Science in Athletic Training

Apply today to become an Athletic Training Student at HPU! Submit an ATCAS application for priority consideration for admission and scholarship review by March 15, 2024.
Athletic Training New Student Scholarships Now Available
A generous High Point University donor has recently made it possible for the High Point University Department of Athletic Training to offer scholarships of up to $15,000+ per year to new Master of Science in Athletic Training students who start in Summer 2024. Submit an ATCAS application for priority consideration for admission and scholarship review.
The Master of Science in Athletic Training is a year-round 24-month curriculum that focuses on athletic training professional content and hands-on patient care experiences.
Contact the Office of Graduate Admissions
Contact the Office of Graduate Admissions
One University Parkway High Point, NC 27268
Daily from 8:30am — 5:00pm.
Faculty and Staff
Faculty and Staff
Array ( [0] => WP_Post Object ( [ID] => 94437 [post_author] => 62 [post_date] => 2021-05-26 11:11:12 [post_date_gmt] => 2021-05-26 15:11:12 [post_content] => Dr. Jolene Henning joined the School of Health Sciences in July 2011 as the first Chair of the Department of Athletic Training. She is the Director of the CAATE accredited Athletic Training Education Program and is spearheading the planning process for graduate education in athletic training.   Dr. Henning earned her BA in Sports Medicine from Catawba College, her MEd in Athletic Training from the University of Virginia, and her EdD in Adult and Higher Education from Ball State University. She has been a board certified athletic trainer since 1996. Prior to joining HPU Dr. Henning was a tenured associate professor in the Department of Kinesiology at The University of North Carolina at Greensboro where she served as the Program Director of the entry-level Master of Science in Athletic Training (MSAT) degree for seven years.   Dr. Henning is an award winning athletic training educator. She was named the 2007 Educator of the Year by the North Carolina Athletic Trainers’ Association, earned the Gail Hennis Teaching Excellence Award for Graduate Faculty at UNCG in 2008, and was inducted into the inaugural class of the Athletic Training Hall of Fame at Catawba College in February 2011. Her students have achieved unprecedented success on the national Board of Certification (BOC) examination for athletic trainers with scores consistently above the national average. In addition her students have completed highly coveted internships in the NFL, NHL, and minor league baseball and have gained admission into the top post-professional master’s degree programs in the country.   Dr. Henning is a very active member of the National Athletic Trainers’ Association (NATA) where she serves in several leadership positions. She co-chaired the national task force that examined the appropriate degree for professional education that ultimately led to the decision for the profession of athletic training to change the degree requirement to the graduate level. She served on the Professional Education Committee for 11 years including a 4 year term as Chair. She currently serves on the Executive Committee for Education and has been intimately involved in the development of the last 3 versions of the educational content standards/competencies that serve as the curriculum blueprint required in all accredited athletic training education programs. Dr. Henning served as the project team leader for the NATA Clinical Instructor Educator Seminar series designed to train clinical instructors across the country in principles of student assessment, clinical mentoring and supervision. In addition she has served as an accreditation site visitor for the Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education (CAATE). In addition she chaired the NATA Athletic Training Educators’ Conference subcommittee where she coordinated the 2011 national conference in Washington, DC dedicated to evidence-based clinical practice.   Dr. Henning is a member of the editorial board for the Journal of Athletic Training and the Athletic Training Education Journal. Her research interests include evidence-based educational practices in athletic training professional preparation programs. Her research has focused on the development of standards for athletic training clinical instructors, role strain in collegiate clinical instructors, as well as the effectiveness of peer assisted learning. In addition to her own scholarship she has mentored five doctoral students in the past six years and successfully led them to completion of either the PhD or EdD in Kinesiology. Her work has been published in the Journal of Athletic Training, Athletic Training Education Journal, Athletic Therapy Today, and the Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice. [post_title] => Jolene Henning, EdD, ATC, LAT [post_excerpt] => [post_status] => publish [comment_status] => closed [ping_status] => closed [post_password] => [post_name] => dr-jolene-henning [to_ping] => [pinged] => [post_modified] => 2023-07-11 10:59:15 [post_modified_gmt] => 2023-07-11 14:59:15 [post_content_filtered] => [post_parent] => 0 [guid] => https://www.highpoint.edu/?post_type=faculty-staff&p=94437 [menu_order] => 0 [post_type] => faculty-staff [post_mime_type] => [comment_count] => 0 [filter] => raw ) [1] => WP_Post Object ( [ID] => 98004 [post_author] => 53 [post_date] => 2021-06-03 16:21:17 [post_date_gmt] => 2021-06-03 20:21:17 [post_content] => [post_title] => Nancy Groh, EdD, ATC, LAT [post_excerpt] => [post_status] => publish [comment_status] => closed [ping_status] => closed [post_password] => [post_name] => nancy-groh [to_ping] => [pinged] => [post_modified] => 2024-05-07 15:43:36 [post_modified_gmt] => 2024-05-07 19:43:36 [post_content_filtered] => [post_parent] => 0 [guid] => https://www.highpoint.edu/?p=98004 [menu_order] => 0 [post_type] => faculty-staff [post_mime_type] => [comment_count] => 0 [filter] => raw ) [2] => WP_Post Object ( [ID] => 97482 [post_author] => 53 [post_date] => 2021-06-03 16:09:43 [post_date_gmt] => 2021-06-03 20:09:43 [post_content] => Dr. Pexa is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Athletic Training in the Congdon School of Health Sciences. Brett received his undergraduate degree from Minnesota State University –Mankato and his Master’s from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Brett completed his PhD in Human Movement Science from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Brett is a certified athletic trainer (ATC), licensed athletic trainer in the state of North Carolina, and a member of the National Athletic Trainers’ Association.   Brett teaches Foundations of Clinical Practice, Evidence Based Practice I and II, Optimizing Athletic Performance, and Musculoskeletal Evaluation. While teaching, Brett emphasizes hands on experiences and encourages students to consider the whole patient when managing, evaluating, preventing, and rehabilitating injuries and illnesses. Brett encourages students to use current research to continually improve their clinical care and foundational knowledge.   Brett also performs research out of the Human Biomechanics and Physiology Laboratory, where he researches athlete health, wellness, and training loads. Brett’s research aims at understanding how sport participation influences athlete’s injury risk, mental health, and performance outcomes. The goal is to create a comprehensive athlete management system that limits injury risk, enhances subjective well-being, and improves sport performance. Brett works with the HPU athletics teams to develop, implement, and refine these athlete management solutions to have an immediate impact on HPU Athletes. Brett works with graduate and undergraduate students to help foster an understanding and appreciation of research through sports science research. [post_title] => Brett Pexa, PhD, ATC [post_excerpt] => [post_status] => publish [comment_status] => closed [ping_status] => closed [post_password] => [post_name] => brett-pexa [to_ping] => [pinged] => [post_modified] => 2021-11-05 10:30:59 [post_modified_gmt] => 2021-11-05 14:30:59 [post_content_filtered] => [post_parent] => 0 [guid] => https://www.highpoint.edu/?p=97482 [menu_order] => 0 [post_type] => faculty-staff [post_mime_type] => [comment_count] => 0 [filter] => raw ) [3] => WP_Post Object ( [ID] => 97653 [post_author] => 53 [post_date] => 2021-06-03 16:14:12 [post_date_gmt] => 2021-06-03 20:14:12 [post_content] => Dr. Thornton is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Athletic Training in the Congdon School of Health Sciences. Erica received her undergraduate degree from SUNY Brockport and her Master’s from the University of Florida. Erica completed her DAT at A.T. Still University. Erica is a certified athletic trainer (ATC), licensed athletic trainer in the state of North Carolina, and a member of the National Athletic Trainers’ Association.  Erica practiced as a clinical athletic trainer in the collegiate setting for over 15 years before joining the HPU faculty.   Erica teaches Foundations of Professional Practice, Spine, Posture, and Movement, Interprofessional Seminar I, Manual Therapy, and Clinical Decision Making I and II. Erica also mentors students as they complete their capstone evidence-based practice project as part of the Evidence Based Practice III course.  Erica encourages students to always utilize the best available evidence and consider the whole patient including each patient’s values, goals and expectations in all their clinical decisions.  Erica is committed to linking the didactic learning with clinical application and experiences using case studies, role playing, standardized patients and other various assessment techniques.   Erica remains clinically active by assisting the HPU Athletic Training staff care for HPU club athletes.  In addition to allowing her to keep her skills sharp she uses these patient care opportunities to mentor athletic training students in real patient care cases, allowing them to take the lead and make clinical decisions under supervision.  Erica states, “This real-world application is where the rubber meets the road and will both identify gaps and bright spots in the learning process, as well as assist in establishing practice patterns and confidence.” [post_title] => Erica Thornton, DAT, ATC, LAT [post_excerpt] => [post_status] => publish [comment_status] => closed [ping_status] => closed [post_password] => [post_name] => erica-thornton [to_ping] => [pinged] => [post_modified] => 2024-05-07 15:43:45 [post_modified_gmt] => 2024-05-07 19:43:45 [post_content_filtered] => [post_parent] => 0 [guid] => https://www.highpoint.edu/?p=97653 [menu_order] => 0 [post_type] => faculty-staff [post_mime_type] => [comment_count] => 0 [filter] => raw ) )
Anzelette Prevost Smith Chair of Athletic Training
Associate Professor in Athletic Training and Clinical Education Coordinator for the Athletic Training Program
Assistant Professor of Athletic Training
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MSAT Course Descriptions

ATR 5000 GROSS ANATOMY (5 cr)
COURSE DESCRIPTION:  This course is designed to familiarize the student with the clinically relevant aspects of human anatomy via an in-depth examination of anatomical structure and function.  In addition to regional gross human anatomy, the course will also cover selected topics in the areas of histology and embryology related to the structures of the selected regions.  Emphasis is placed on relationship of structure and normal variants with clinical correlation to pathology and disease presentation. The laboratory component of this course focuses attention on spatial relationships, anatomic variation, and relationship of organ systems.  The lecture and lab sections correlate with the ATR 4900/5100 Fundamental Skills in Athletic Training course that runs concurrently.

ATR 5100 FUNDAMENTAL SKILLS IN ATHLETIC TRAINING (2 cr)
COURSE DESCRIPTION:  This clinical skills lab focuses on fundamental athletic training skills necessary for active participation in the patient care setting. The primary focus is on an introduction to patient history and physical examination, musculoskeletal palpation, pre-participation physical examinations, injury prevention concepts, and documentation. Pre-requisite: admission to MSAT program

ATR 5101 FOUNDATIONS OF PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE (1 cr)
COURSE DESCRIPTION:  This course provides an introduction to clinical decision making through an exploration of evidence-based practice frameworks, a team approach to healthcare, legal and ethical considerations, primacy of the patient, effective communication and concepts of professionalism and cultural competence. Pre-requisite: admission to MSAT program

ATR 5102 MANAGING MEDICAL EMERGENCIES (4 cr)
COURSE DESCRIPTION:  A lecture, laboratory, and clinical experience that provides a comprehensive approach to the identification of risk factors, preparation of emergency action plans, and recognition and care of emergency medical conditions including those that may lead to sudden death. Students will complete a mini rotation in the emergency department in the local hospital as well as participate in a ride-along shift with Emergency Medical Services (EMS). Prerequisite: Current certification in either American Red Cross Professional Rescuer CPR or American Heart Association Basic Life Support for Health Care Providers. Admission to MSAT program.

ATR 5215 MUSCULOSKELETAL ASSESSMENT AND DIAGNOSIS I (4 cr)
COURSE DESCRIPTION:  This course provides a comprehensive approach to the assessment and diagnosis of lower extremity musculoskeletal injuries including the identification of risk factors, the role of clinical outcome measures, and appropriate referral decisions. Co-requisites: ATR 4916/5216 Musculoskeletal Assessment and Diagnosis II and ATR 4925/5225 Clinical Decision Making I. Pre-requisite admission to MSAT program.

ATR 5216 MUSCULOSKELETAL ASSESSMENT AND DIAGNOSIS II (4 cr)
COURSE DESCRIPTION:  This course provides a comprehensive approach to the assessment and diagnosis of upper extremity and musculoskeletal injuries including the identification of risk factors, the role of clinical outcome measures, and appropriate referral decisions. Co-requisites: ATR 4915/5215 Musculoskeletal Assessment and Diagnosis I and ATR 4925/5225 Clinical Decision Making I. Pre-requisite admission to MSAT program.

5217 SPINE, POSTURE, AND MOVEMENT ASSESSMENT (2 cr)
COURSE DESCRIPTION: This course provides a comprehensive approach to the assessment and diagnosis of musculoskeletal injuries to the spine and torso including the identification of risk factors, the role of clinical outcome measures, and appropriate referral decisions. This course will also provide a comprehensive approach to assessment of the spine posture and dynamic movement patterns as it relates to musculoskeletal injuries. Co-requisites: ATR 5215 Musculoskeletal Assessment and Diagnosis I and ATR 5225 Clinical Decision Making I. Pre-requisite admission to MSAT program.

ATR 5225 CLINICAL DECISION MAKING I (2 cr)
COURSE DESCRIPTION:  This course provides instruction of the standard techniques and procedures for the evaluation and diagnosis of musculoskeletal injuries and common illnesses. Co-requisites ATR 5215, 5216, and 5217. Pre-requisite: admission to MSAT program

ATR 5235 EVIDENCE BASED PRACTICE I (1 cr)
COURSE DESCRIPTION:  This course investigates the concepts of evidence based practice as it relates specifically to musculoskeletal assessment and diagnosis with a primary focus on clinician-and patient-oriented outcome measures and appropriate referral decisions. Students will explore primary literature focused on clinical questions related to a comprehensive approach to injury evaluation. Pre-requisite: admission to MSAT

ATR 5245 PEDIATRIC SPORTS MEDICINE CLINICAL ROTATION (2 cr) This 14 week clinical rotation focuses on the health care needs of pediatric/adolescent athletes. This rotation is completed concurrently with other weekly courses required in the first professional year of study. Students will average 14 hours per week (200 total) participating in an inter-professional sports medicine team providing care to competitive high school athletes.
Pre-requisite. Admission to MSAT

ATR 5315 THERAPEUTIC INTERVENTIONS I (4 cr)
COURSE DESCRIPTION:  This course explores the concepts of designing therapeutic interventions for patients with physical dysfunctions that stem from inflammation, pain, and limited movement patterns.  The primary focus is on the use of therapeutic modalities, pharmacotherapy, and manual therapy techniques.  Co-requisites: ATR 5316 Therapeutic Interventions II and ATR 5325 Clinical Decision Making II

ATR 5316 THERAPEUTIC INTERVENTIONS II (4 cr)
COURSE DESCRIPTION:  This course provides an in-depth exploration of the concepts of designing therapeutic interventions and corrective exercise plans for patients with physical dysfunctions and limitations associated with orthopedic injuries, pathological movement patterns, and post-operative rehabilitation. Co-requisites: ATR 5315 Therapeutic Interventions I and ATR 5325 Clinical Decision Making II

ATR 5325 CLINICAL DECISION MAKING II (2 cr)
COURSE DESCRIPTION:  Through the use of problem-based learning, case studies and standardized patients this course allows for the assessment of patient status using clinician-and patient-oriented outcome measures. Based on this assessment and with consideration of the stage of healing and goals, students will design and implement comprehensive therapeutic interventions to maximize the patient’s participation and health-related quality of life. Co-requisites: ATR 5315 Therapeutic Interventions I and ATR 5316 Therapeutic Interventions II.

ATR 5335 EVIDENCE BASED PRACTICE II (1 cr)
COURSE DESCRIPTION:  This course investigates the concepts of evidence based practice as it relates specifically to therapeutic interventions with a primary focus on clinician-and patient-oriented outcome measures. Students will explore primary literature focused on clinical questions related to the design, implementation, and modification of therapeutic interventions.

ATR 5345 COLLEGIATE SPORTS MEDICINE CLINICAL ROTATION I (2 cr) This 14 week clinical rotation focuses on the health care needs of collegiate athletes. This rotation is completed concurrently with other weekly courses required in the first professional year of study. Students will average 14 hours per week (200 total) participating in an inter-professional sports medicine team providing care to competitive collegiate athletes in the immediate Piedmont Triad region.

ATR 6101 GENERAL MEDICAL CONDITIONS (3 cr)
COURSE DESCRIPTION:  This course explores the physical, mental, and social health problems seen in the physically active individual, emphasizing the recognition of signs, symptoms, and predisposing conditions related to the specific illness or disease and its recommended treatment. Students will learn how to evaluate common non-orthopedic medical conditions present in physically active patients across the lifespan. Included in this course students will complete a mini rotation collaborating with other health care providers in local primary or urgent care clinics.

ATR 6102 PATHOPHYSIOLOGY (3 cr)
COURSE DESCRIPTION:  This course provides an in-depth exploration of altered structural and physiological adaptation processes and how they apply to assessment and treatment of disease and injury with an emphasis on conditions encountered in athletic training and health care.

ATR 6145 ORTHOPEDIC SPORTS MEDICINE CLINICAL ROTATION. (2 cr) This 4-week, full-time clinical immersion experience occurs in an orthopedic physician practice. Students will participate in an inter-professional health care team focused on orthopedic assessment, clinical procedures, and surgical observations with patients across the lifespan. Students will be required to gain a minimum of 150 hours of patient care experience

ATR 6215 LEADERSHIP & MANAGEMENT IN ATHLETIC TRAINING (3 cr)
COURSE DESCRIPTION:  This course focuses on business management principles associated with athletic training clinical practice as well as leadership and professional development.

ATR 6217 ADVANCED NEUROMUSCULAR CONCEPTS (3 cr)
COURSE DESCRIPTION: This course provides an in-depth exploration and application of the biomechanics and neuromuscular concepts of therapeutic interventions and corrective exercise plans for patients across the lifespan.  This course also will include a capstone experience involving the supervision of a comprehensive orthopedic rehabilitation project.

ATR 6235 EVIDENCE BASED PRACTICE III (2 cr)
COURSE DESCRIPTION:  This course synthesizes the concepts of evidence based practice as it relates to clinical practice. Students will collect and analyze actual clinician-and patient-oriented outcomes generated in the context of their own clinical practice in order to improve patient care.

ATR 6245 COLLEGIATE SPORTS MEDICINE CLINICAL ROTATION II. (3 cr) This 13-week, full-time clinical immersion rotation focuses on the health care needs of collegiate athletes. The course is designed to facilitate synthesis and the integration of knowledge, skills, and clinical decision-making into patient care. This rotation allows students to participate in the full scope of athletic training clinical practice (e.g., emergency and acute care, assessment and diagnosis, rehabilitation, reconditioning, return to sport) as part of an inter-professional sports medicine team. Students will be required to gain a minimum of 300 hours of patient care experience with physically active individuals and includes team travel.

ATR 6255 – INTERPROFESSIONAL SEMINAR I (1 cr)
COURSE DESCRIPTION:  This course is designed to provide students in health care professional programs with introductory knowledge of interprofessional teamwork within an evolving health care system.  The purpose of the course is to introduce concepts in interprofessional education to health profession students for collaborative patient, family, and community health care.  The philosophical and theoretical foundations of interprofessional health care are explored.  Interactive learning experiences provide the opportunity to develop knowledge and understanding of each professions contribution to health care.  This is a foundation course for future interprofessional study of evidence-based practice, health promotion, issues of health care delivery, and clinical application of these concepts. The initial focus of this course will be the analysis of peer-reviewed journal articles that have a wide range of interest across medical specialties and health care fields.

ATR 6315 OPTIMIZING ATHLETIC PERFORMANCE (3 cr)
COURSE DESCRIPTION: This course explores the concepts of assessing, designing, and implementing specialize performance programs to address the health and performance goals of the athletes. The primary focus is on movement instruction, nutrition, energy systems, and program design.

ATR 6316 CLINICAL TOPICS IN SPORTS MEDICINE (2 cr)
COURSE DESCRIPTION: This course provides a comprehensive approach to advanced orthopedic concepts associated with physically active individuals across the lifespan.  The focus will be on surgical techniques, radiological concepts and interpretation, and advanced treatment procedures used in diverse orthopedic settings.

ATR 6317 SEMINAR IN ATHLETIC TRAINING (1 cr)
COURSE DESCRIPTION:  This course serves as a formal review for the national Board of Certification, Inc. examination for certification as an athletic trainer. Students will also discuss current professional issues pertinent to their entrance into the profession as practicing clinicians.

ATR 6345 Elective Clinical Rotation. (3 cr)  This 14-week clinical rotation provides the athletic training student the opportunity to gain experience in a specific area of clinical practice. Areas of interest are chosen from a variety of practice foci including but not limited to out-patient rehabilitation, orthopedic assessment, primary care, emergency and acute care, dance medicine, industrial and occupational health, and athletic performance. The course is designed to facilitate synthesis and the integration of knowledge, skills, and clinical decision-making into actual patient care. Students will be required to gain a minimum of 300 hours of patient care experience with physically active individuals.

ATR 6355 – INTERPROFESSIONAL SEMINAR II (1 cr)
COURSE DESCRIPTION:  This is the second of two courses designed to help the athletic training student understand the roles of various health professions, especially those represented at High Point University. During the course of their careers, athletic trainers will interact with many diverse technicians, therapists and technologists all of whom have important roles to play in the care of patients. The American Medical Association currently recognizes over 80 professions in the health care field. In this course, students will have direct interaction with students and faculty from other health professions. They will examine patient cases and critical health care issues in order to gain an appreciation for the collaborative nature of patient care.

Student Research Opportunities
Students participating in applied clinical research will develop effective critical thinking and problem solving skills that are needed to be competent and successful athletic training professionals and will be optimally positioned for career success.

Evidence-based medicine, where clinical judgments should be based on the best available research, is a concept that is emphasized in the practice of athletic training.

Through the structure and approach of the student research program, additional benefits to the student include:
Student Outcomes

  Name: Patrick Kelly Hometown: Newtown Square, Pennsylvania Year: Class of 2024 Major: Master of Science in Athletic Training (MSAT) and B.S. in exercise science Internship: Kelly joined the Blackburn…

Kelley Gosling
Select Physical Therapy

HPU graduates are leading prestigious career paths around the world at Fortune 500 companies, international service programs, public school systems, top-tier law, medical and graduate school programs, and many other…

  Name: Kelley Gosling  Hometown: Edison, New Jersey Year: Class of 2022 Major: Master of Science in athletic training Internship: Gosling completed her final clinical rotation as an athletic training…

With another successful commencement behind us, recent High Point University graduates are preparing to commence prestigious career paths around the world at Fortune 500 companies, international service programs, public school…

It’s that time of year when engines rev and NASCAR season kicks into gear again. Drivers, pit crews, officials and admins will travel down to Daytona this weekend to compete…

With another successful commencement behind us, recent High Point University graduates are preparing to commence prestigious career paths around the world at Fortune 500 companies, international service programs, public school…

With commencement just around the corner, High Point University seniors are preparing to commence prestigious career paths around the world at Fortune 500 companies, international service programs, public school systems, top-tier…

With a successful 2014 Commencement Ceremony behind us, recent High Point University graduates are preparing to commence prestigious career paths around the world at Fortune 500 companies, international service programs,…

HIGH POINT, N.C., Aug. 7, 2014 – High Point University athletic training major Nick Stigler is living a dream come true working with some of his favorite NFL players during…

With a successful 2014 Commencement Ceremony behind us, recent High Point University graduates are preparing to commence prestigious career paths around the world at Fortune 500 companies, international service programs, public school systems,…

HPU’s Graduate AT Program Receives 100% Pass Rate

HPU’s Graduate AT Program Receives 100% Pass Rate

HPU’s Master of Science in Athletic Training (MSAT) Class of 2021 scored a perfect pass rate on the National Board of Certification (BOC) examination.
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