Master of Science in Athletic Training
The 2-year post-baccalaureate MSAT option is for students who have already earned a bachelor’s degree (not in athletic training) and wish to enter the profession and earn the credential as a Certified Athletic Trainer (ATC).
The MSAT curriculum is rooted in basic sciences, emergency care, orthopedic injury assessment and diagnosis, and therapeutic interventions while offering advanced coursework in gross anatomy with cadaver dissection, clinical decision making, applied neuromuscular and biomechanical concepts, orthopedic casting and bracing, optimizing athletic performance, and pathophysiology. The unique curriculum is enhanced through the use of high fidelity patient simulators, state-of-the art motion analysis equipment, and exceptional clinical facilities. Students will gain in-depth knowledge of evidence-based clinical practice and gain experiences in clinical decision making that are synthesized across concepts spanning the full scope of practice of an athletic trainer with particular focus on musculoskeletal assessment/diagnosis and therapeutic interventions.
The MSAT requires 70 credits of graduate coursework that is completed over the course of 24 months and requires continuous enrollment. Didactic and clinical courses are sequenced to allow for the greatest amount of depth in both content and clinical application.
MSAT Program of Study
MSAT Year One
Professional Year One (PY1) |
| Summer I – 12 credit hours |
ATR 5000 Gross Anatomy
ATR 5101 Foundations of Professional Practice
ATR 5100 Fundamental Skills in Athletic Training
ATR 5102 Managing Medical Emergencies | 5 cr
1 cr
2 cr
4 cr |
| Fall I – 16 credit hours |
ATR 5215 Musculoskeletal Assessment and Diagnosis I
ATR 5216 Musculoskeletal Assessment and Diagnosis II
ATR 5217 Spine, Posture, and Movement Assessment
ATR 5218 Clinical Imaging Techniques
ATR 5225 Clinical Decision Making I
ATR 5235 Evidence Based Practice I
ATR 5245 Pediatric Sports Medicine Clinical Rotation | 4 cr
4 cr
2 cr
1 cr
2 cr
1 cr
2 cr |
| Spring I – 14 credit hours |
ATR 5315 Therapeutic Interventions I
ATR 5316 Therapeutic Interventions II
ATR 5317 Manual Therapy Techniques
ATR 5325 Clinical Decision Making II
ATR 5335 Evidence Based Practice II
ATR 5345 Collegiate Sports Medicine Clinical Rotation I
| 4 cr
4 cr
1 cr
2 cr
1 cr
2 cr |
Professional Year Two (PY2) |
| Summer II – 10 credits |
ATR 6101 General Medical Conditions
ATR 6102 Pathophysiology
ATR 6103 Casting, Bracing, and Orthotics
ATR 6145 Orthopedic Sports Medicine Clinical Rotation
ATR 6445 Pre Season Clinical Rotation | 3 cr
3 cr
1 cr
1 cr
2 cr |
| Fall II – 14 credits |
ATR 6245 Collegiate Sports Medicine Clinical Rotation II or ATR 6345
ATR 6215 Leadership and Management in Athletic Training
ATR 6315 Optimizing Athletic Performance
ATR 6255 Inter-professional Seminar I
ATR 6217 Therapeutic Interventions III
|
4 cr
3 cr
3 cr
1 cr
3 cr |
| Spring II – 7 credits |
ATR 6345 Elective Clinical Rotation or ATR 6245
ATR 6235 Evidence Based Practice III
ATR 6317 Seminar in Athletic Training | 4 cr
2 cr
1 cr |
In order to successfully complete the 73 credit Master of Science in Athletic Training degree program students are required to have an overall graduate GPA of 3.0 and earn a minimum of a C in all professional coursework.
Students should submit their formal application through the Athletic Training Common Application System (AT-CAS) http://atcas.liaisoncas.com. Admission decisions are made on a rolling basis but applications are encouraged to be submitted before January 15. Applications will be reviewed as received and admission decisions will be made on a rolling basis until all slots are filled. HPU students on the 3+2 track are given priority admission.
Admission Requirements
Admission requirements:
Admission to the MSAT will be based on the following criteria:
- Preferred overall undergraduate GPA 3.0 or greater
- Preferred C or better in the following courses.
| Human anatomy with lab |
General Chemistry I with lab |
| Human physiology with lab |
General Physics I with lab |
| Biology (this requirement will begin in the 2021 application cycle) |
*courses may be in-progress at the time of application and admission is contingent upon completion with a preferred C or better |
- Preferred B or better in the following coursework.
| Exercise physiology* |
|
| Nutrition* |
|
| Biomechanics* |
|
| Psychology (this requirement will begin in the 2021 application cycle) |
|
*courses may be in-progress at the time of application and admission is contingent upon completion with a preferred B or better
- Required minimum of 50 hours of clinical observation under the direct supervision of a certified athletic trainer.*Please note that this requirement has been deemed optional for the 2021 admission cycle ONLY due to observation restrictions caused by COVID-19.
- Required current certification in CPR. Either American Red Cross Professional Rescuer CPR or American Heart Association Basic Life Support for Health Care Providers are preferred. Proof of certification required at time of interview.
- Required 2 recommendation from individuals who can attest to the applicant’s ability to succeed in graduate school
- Non-native speakers of English with international transcripts, regardless of U.S. citizenship, must validate proficiency in the English language. Applicants may submit a satisfactory score on a language proficiency test. If the TOEFL is the chosen test, the minimum required score depends on the form of the exam taken (internet based – 79, or paper based – 550). A score of at least 6.5 is required on the IELTS.
- Successful completion of an on-campus interview with the MSAT Admissions Committee (invitation only)
Conditional admission decisions will be made on a rolling basis but typically no later than March 1st of each calendar year. Late applications will be accepted/reviewed if space is available. Full admission will be determined at the end of the spring semester and is contingent upon completion of required prerequisites that may still be in-progress.
Post-Admission Requirements
- All students conditionally admitted to and/or enrolled in the MSAT must meet the program’s technical standards and expectations, with or without reasonable accommodations. Compliance with the program’s technical standards alone does not guarantee a student’s eligibility for the BOC certification exam. The MSAT technical standards and associated compliance statement is available at www.highpoint.edu/athletictraining
- Verification performed by HPU Student Health Services that the following immunizations are complete in addition to the standard HPU immunization requirements.
- Completed Hepatitis B series
- Varicella vaccine or titer
- Meningococcal vaccine
- Evidence of a negative TB skin test within the past 12 months (must be a 2 part PPD test)
- Tetanus shot within the last 10 years
- Students will be required to obtain a seasonal flu shot each fall semester.
- Students will be required to submit to an annual 12 panel urine drug screen prior to engaging in clinical experiences.
Students will be required to undergo an annual criminal background check prior to engaging in clinical experiences.
Prerequisite Coursework
As defined in the MSAT Admission Criteria, specific prerequisite courses are required for admission and matriculation into the professional program. This policy further defines the criteria used to determine the appropriateness of a course for meeting admission and matriculation criteria.
The following courses are required prerequisites with the HPU equivalent course and focus included.
Course
Focus/Title/Content | Lab Required | HPU Equivalent Course | Course Focus |
| General Biology | No | BIO 1500/1501 | Study of the general principles of living systems with a focus on cellular, chemical, and metabolic levels of biological organization. |
| Human Anatomy | Yes | ANA 2070/2071 | Study of the anatomy of the major systems of the human body. |
| Human Physiology | Yes | PHS 2060/2061 | Study of the physical and chemical mechanisms in which the human body systems function. |
| General Chemistry | Yes | CHM 1010/1011 | Matter is examined through the study of the atom, compounds, chemical nomenclature, formulas, periodic table, and chemical reactions. |
| Physics | Yes | PHY 1510/1511 | Study of the mechanics, properties of matter, waves, sound, and thermodynamics. |
| Exercise Psychology | No | EPY 2200 | Study of the physiological effects of exercise on the body. |
| Nutrition | No | NTR 4275 | Study of nutritional concepts including macro and micronutrients. |
| Biomechanics | No | BMC 2300 | Study of anatomical structures and mechanical aspects of human movement with emphasis on application of physical laws to human movement. |
| Psychology | No | PSY 2000 | Introduction to the major concepts and theories of psychological topics. |
2-year post-baccalaureate completion option
Scholarships
Are there scholarships available specifically for students enrolled in the MSAT program?
Unfortunately there are no athletic training specific scholarships available at High Point University. However, students are encouraged to join the National Athletic Trainers’ Association in order to become eligible for scholarships through the NATA Research and Education Foundation once they are admitted to the MSAT program.
Tuition & Fees
What is the tuition structure for the 2-year Master of Science in Athletic Training program?
Graduate tuition is calculated on a fee per credit hour basis. A sample of tuition based on the 2021-2022 tuition rates are included below. Please note that the amounts do not reflect tuition/fee increases that may occur annually or optional dining plans.
| Year at HPU | Tuition/Fee Structure |
Professional year 1
2021-2022 | $40,770 combined tuition and fees for the year paid in 3 blocks |
| Summer block = $13,590 tuition and fees |
| Fall block = $13,590 tuition and fees |
| Spring block = $13,590 tuition and fees |
Professional year 2
*subject to change | $40,770 combined tuition and fees for the year paid in 3 blocks |
| Summer block = $13,590 tuition and fees |
| Fall block = $13,590 tuition and fees |
| Spring block = $13,590 tuition and fees |
| Amenities Included in Student Fees | |
| Uniforms for clinical rotations | included |
| CPR/Professional Rescuer recertification | included |
| Annual Typhon clinical tracking fee | included |
| Annual Castle Branch document tracking fee | included |
| Annual background check | included |
| Annual drug screening | included |
| Stocked medical kit for clinical experiences | included |
| Graduation fees | included |
| Library Services | included |
| Online textbooks | included |
| Campus Parking | included |
| Athletic Events | included |
| Airport Transportation | included |
| Printing | included |
| Major Concerts | included |
| Cultural Enrichment Events | included |
| Fitness Center/Pool | included |
| Intramurals and Club Sports | included |
| Counseling Services | included |
| Health Services | included |
| Career/Internship Services | included |
| Concierge Services | included |
| Research Appointments for Library | included |
| Complimentary GPS units check-out | included |
| Complimentary Kindle check-out (Electronic book readers) | included |
| Complimentary iPad check-out | included |
| Complimentary TI-89 Calculators check-out | included |
| Library Book Drop-Off | included |
| Restaurant Recommendations and Reservations | included |
| Dry Cleaning Service Drop-Off/Pick-Up | included |
| Cultural Enrichment Ticket Distribution | included |
| Daily E-mail and Event Information | included |
| Stamps | included |
| Deliveries | included |
| Local information (shopping, attractions) | included |
| Local event information and tickets | included |
| Facility requests | included |
| Department liason/referrals | included |
Other program expenses
Students are responsible for the costs associated with required annual flu shots. Students are also responsible for all costs associated with their personal transportation to clinical rotations. All HPU students are required to have proof of health insurance and responsible for any expenses incurred to meet this requirement
Students are responsible for all living costs and should be aware that some clinical rotations occur outside of the immediate High Point region and therefore the student may choose to seek short-term housing opportunities in other areas.
Financial Aid
Many HPU AT students complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) in order to apply for student loans to support their graduate education (School Code 002933). Information about these loans is available in the Office of Student Financial Planning. If you have specific questions, please contact your Student Financial Planning Counselor, Cana Gyongyos Hill, by phone at 336-841-9289 or by email at chill1@highpoint.edu.
Payment
Payment of all tuition and fees is due at the beginning of each term of enrollment.
Application Fee
For each application cycle prospective candidates must pay the AT-CAS application fee and the program designation fee. These fees and policies regarding payment and refund are set by AT-CAS. Additional information is available on their website.
Enrollment Deposit
All applicants accepted into the program will be charged a $200 nonrefundable deposit to hold their seat. This money will be applied toward their first semester tuition upon matriculation.
Refund Policy
Calculation of Charges for Withdrawal from High Point University
When a student registers, it is for the full term or semester. Therefore, if the student withdraws from the University during the period, for whatever reason, the comprehensive fees# (includes: tuition and fees, plus any housing and dining they choose) will be prorated for the first five (5) days of the semester. After the first five (5) days of the semester, 100% of the comprehensive fee will be charged and no refund will be issued.
Any refund is contingent on a student officially withdrawing from the university. To officially withdraw from the university, a student must complete a withdrawal form. This form can be obtained from the Office of Graduate Operations located on the first floor of the Norcross Graduate School.
Students wishing to withdraw should also consult with the Office of Student Financial Planning to determine if stipulations associated with financial aid or loans will lead to changes in the financial statement.
The following table indicates the amount a student will be charged upon official withdrawal. It does not indicate how much a student will be refunded. Refunds are dependent on the total amount of out-of-pocket payments received and the amount of financial aid a student is eligible to keep based on the official withdrawal date.
Amount Student Will Be Charged by Day of Official Withdrawal
| Day | Student Will Be Charged |
| Within the first 5 Days of the Semester | 50% |
| After the 5th Day of the Semester | 100% |
# The non-refundable deposit to hold a student’s slot in the class, originally credited to tuition, will not be included in the refund calculation.
