Athletic Training

[1] Mission

The mission of the UCA Athletic Training program is to educate and mentor professionals who will enhance the quality of health care for the physically active and advance the athletic training profession as clinical scholars.

[2] Professional Degree: Master of Science in Athletic Training (MS-AT)

The University of Central Arkansas offers two degree completion tracks for the MS in Athletic Training:

• • A) 4 + 2 : This is the traditional method where students complete a bachelors degree with required prerequisite course prior to final admission to the program. The BS degree does not need to completed at the University of Central Arkansas.
    B) 3 + 2 : This program allows students who are majoring in the BS in Exercise and Sport Science to apply for the MSAT during their junior year and, if admitted, will complete both their BS in Exercise and Sport Science (after year 4) and MS in Athletic Training (after year 5).

Regardless of track, students are admitted to the Athletic Training Program via a competitive admission process. Admitted students will complete 59 (non-thesis) graduate credit hours, scheduled across a 24-month period. Within the course of study, the students are engaged in classroom, laboratory and clinical study experiences. (See section 3 below for a list of courses in the professional curriculum.)

[2.1] Program Admission Requirements

All applicants regardless of track must submit the following:

1. 4 + 2: Completion of a baccalaureate degree by May of the application year.
2. 3 + 2: Admission to program prior to the end of the Fall semester, junior year.
3. One cohort is admitted each year with an early (November) and late (April) admittance for the start of the cohort in June of each year.
4. Applications to the Master’s in Athletic Training must be submitted using the Athletic Training Centralized Application Service (AT-CAS)* at https://atcas.cas.myliaison.com/.
5. Evidence of a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.70 on a scale of 4.00;
6. Completion of a minimum of 20 observation experience hours under the supervision of one Certified, Licensed Athletic Trainer and submission of a performance rating from this experience.
7. Completion of the Technical Standards Form.
8. Submission of a criminal background check from an approved agency. The cost of the criminal background check is set by an approved external agency (e.g. Arkansas State Police).
9. Completion of all prerequisite course work with a grade of C or better. Prerequisite coursework 10 years or older will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.

*Once admitted to the program students must meet the general requirements of the Graduate School, the admitted applicant must complete a graduate application and pay the fee. In addition, students accepted into the program must submit an official transcript from every college attended, including a transcript showing an earned baccalaureate degree (if 4 + 2 track) from an accredited institution, to the UCA Graduate School. The degree must be awarded by the June enrollment date.

[2.2] Tuition and Fees

Athletic Training students pay UCA general registration and other mandatory fees plus college fees of $14 per credit hour for all ATTR courses. A $5.00 per credit hour department lab fee is assessed for most EXSS and ATTR courses. Other costs include: textbooks and other required fees for immunizations and travel to and from clinical sites. Students are responsible for their own transportation to and from their clinical experiences as well as living expenses. Information about tuition and other mandatory fees is available from UCA’s Office of Student Accounts. Fees are subject to change.

[2.3] Accreditation Status

The Master of Science in Athletic Training is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education (CAATE):

[3] Professional Curriculum (59 hours)

Required courses for the program are listed here in curriculum-sequence order by year and term:

[4] Graduate Courses (ATTR, EXSS)

Follow this link to ATTR course descriptions: course link.
Follow this link to EXSS course descriptions: course link.