Athletic Training

[1] The Athletic Training Profession

Athletic training is one of the nation’s emerging health care fields and is recognized by the American Medical Association (AMA). An athletic trainer is educated and experienced in the prevention, treatment and management of the health care needs of physically active individuals. In cooperation with physicians and other health care professionals, the athletic trainer functions as an integral member of the health care team.

[1.1] Mission

The Athletic Training Program is committed to mentoring professionals who will enhance the quality of health care for the physically active and advance the athletic training profession as clinical scholars. This is achieved through a comprehensive curriculum that prepares graduate for entry-level athletic training positions using evidence-based practice. Graduates of the program will be prepared to be members of an interdisciplinary health-care team in a variety of settings.

[1.2] Accreditation / Approval

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

[1.3] Certification and Licensure

Graduates of the MS in Athletic Training are eligible to sit for the Board of Certification (BOC) examination for the athletic trainer. In addition, most states require licensure to practice as an athletic trainer. A felony conviction may affect a graduate’s ability to sit for the BOC examination or attain state licensures.

[2] Master of Science

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 6 below for a list of courses in the professional curriculum.)

[3] Program Admission Requirements

Students must meet the minimum grade requirements for 35 semester credit hours of prerequisite courses to be considered for admission. Prerequisite courses may be completed at UCA or at another regionally accredited college or university.

[3.1] Program Prerequisites

Applicants will be required to provide evidence of completing the prerequisite courses (a total of 35 credit hours) with a grade of C or better in each course.

* SCH = semester credit hours

Additional courses may be required by other disciplines as prerequisites to the courses listed above.

[3.2] Program Admissions Criteria

Students must provide evidence of completing/submitting the following regardless of track:

• Completion of an online application through the centralized application service for athletic trainers (AT-CAS) and supported by the Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training.
• Possession of a cumulative GPA of at least 2.70 on 4.00 scale or at least a 3.00 GPA on a 4.00 scale on the last 60 hours of course work.
• 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.
• Completion of the Technical Standards Form.
• 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).
• In addition to meeting the general requirements of the Graduate School, applicants must complete an online UCA Graduate Application and pay the application fee.
• 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.
• 4 + 2: Completion of a baccalaureate degree by May of the application year.
• 3 + 2: Admission to program prior to the end of the Fall semester, junior year.

Admission to the Athletic Training program is a selective and competitive admission process to ensure that quality educational experiences are maintained. Regardless of track, all applicants are required to complete the online application through the Athletic Training Centralized Application Service https://atcas.cas.myliaison.com/  One cohort is admitted each year.

[4] 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. 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.

[5] Retention in the Athletic Training Program

Regardless of track, to remain in good standing in the program, students must

• Maintain a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 or better on a 4.0 scale.
• Not have more than three C’s throughout the program. A fourth C will result in being withdrawn from the program. Grades of D or F will not count toward completion of the program. Courses with a grade of D or F can be retaken a maximum of one time in order to earn a grade of C or better. If a course is retaken and results in a D or F, the student will be dismissed from the program.
• Achieve a grade of “B” or better in all clinical experience courses.
• Complete required Athletic Training Program Orientation and pre-season clinical requirements for students enrolled in ATTR 5301 and 6404 (note: orientation and pre-season clinical is held prior to the fall semester).
• Earn a passing score on the research project in athletic training.
• Observe the fundamental rules of ethical conduct as described in the NATA Code of Ethics and the Board of Certification (BOC) Standards of Practice.
• Meet all UCA Graduate School requirements for graduation.

Failure to meet the retention requirements will place the student on probationary status for a maximum of two semesters. If the requirements are not met at the conclusion of the probationary period, the student will be withdrawn from the program and will need to reapply for admission into the Athletic Training Program. Re-admission to the program is not guaranteed, and is based on available spaces.

[6] Professional Courses

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

[7] Graduate Courses (ATTR, EXSS)

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