Athletic Training, MS
Accreditation
The Department of Kinesiology & Military Science offers a program leading to the Master of Science degree in Athletic Training. The Athletic Training Program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education (CAATE), 2001 K Street NW, 3rd Floor North, Washington, DC 20006.
Mission Statement
The Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi Master of Science in Athletic Training Program is devoted to excellence in instruction, research, and service. The Athletic Training Program provides a challenging, comprehensive, and student-centered learning environment preparing students to excel at the professional level as a productive and engaged athletic trainer. As the only accredited program located in South Texas that is also a Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI), the program is committed to providing educational opportunities for all communities with the goal of increasing the educational achievements of all students, regardless of background.
The program incorporates the values of a supportive academic and clinical community, which promotes professional leadership and ethical conduct through an abundance of active learning opportunities creating life-long learners. Students are prepared for employment in a variety of athletic training settings. Students obtain the skills to collaborate with local and global allied healthcare partners creating an interprofessional team designed for high quality comprehensive patient care. Graduates of the program are prepared to serve various patient populations in culturally competent and responsive manners.
Program Description
The Master of Science in Athletic Training Program is a selective and competitive admissions program. The Master of Science in Athletic Training Program (MS in AT Program) is nationally accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education (CAATE). The MS in AT Program at Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi is a two-year, 56-credit hour program consisting of formal classroom instruction and a wide variety of hands-on experiences. This may include clinical time with the institution's NCAA Division I intercollegiate sports teams as well as several other activity organizations such as cheer, dance, ROTC and the campus recreation center. In addition to on-campus experiences, students get hands-on clinical experience at affiliate sites including physical therapy clinics, orthopedic clinics, family practice clinics, and local high schools. Upon completing the degree program, students will have met the CAATE educational requirements and are eligible to sit for the Board of Certification (BOC) national examination to practice Athletic Training. Students would also be eligible for Texas Licensure for Athletic Training, or other state licensure programs outside of Texas.
Students will be held to the standards provided by the CAATE. New requirements/standards from the CAATE may result in programmatic changes which may not be reflected in the current catalog. All updates will be posted on the website and in the student handbook immediately. Any changes will be reflected in the catalog as soon as possible. The MS in AT Program administrators and faculty will do their best to implement any changes in a timely fashion in the least disruptive method possible for students.
Student Learning Outcomes
Graduates of the Athletic Training Program will:
- Apply appropriate preventative techniques, bracing, or taping to reduce the frequency or severity of athletic injuries.
- Perform a clinical evaluation of an athletic injury, formulate a clinical impression of the diagnosis, and make appropriate referral to physicians or other healthcare professionals as needed to assist the patient.
- Provide immediate care to athletic injuries, including the use of standard emergency procedures.
- Administer a therapeutic treatment, rehabilitation, and reconditioning program to facilitate the recovery, function, and performance of the patient.
- Establish and manage policies and procedures for the delivery of healthcare services while following accepted guidelines to promote safe participation, timely care, and legal compliance.
Academic Standards
Students will progress through the Athletic Training curriculum in a cohort model. Courses are designed in a specific sequence and students are required to progress through the designed curriculum with specific requirements. Please see the MS in Athletic Training Handbook posted on the program's website regarding programmatic progression, retention, and dismissal policies (https://gradcollege.tamucc.edu/degrees/education/athletic_training.html).
Students can earn a maximum of two (2) Cs to remain in the program. If a student earns more than two (2) Cs or below at any time during the program, the student will be dismissed from the program, even if the GPA does not fall below 3.0.
All requirements, including coursework at Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi, must be completed within seven (7) calendar years from the date of initial enrollment in coursework.
Progression, Retention, & Dismissal
All students must meet the standards for minimal performance and progression as outlined in the Graduate Academics and Degree Requirements section of this catalog.
Students who drop a course or do not enroll in a semester in which they are eligible to enroll will only have access to subsequent courses in their area of study when space is available. Therefore, it is highly recommended that students consult the graduate athletic training academic advisor or the Athletic Training Program Director before withdrawing from any course.
Students may be dismissed from the program without previous warning for unsafe and/or unprofessional behavior identified by Athletic Training program administrators and faculty. The conduct of athletic training students should meet ethical standards as defined by the National Athletic Trainers' Association (NATA) Code of Ethics. Personal integrity is reflected in professional judgments. Consequently, the MS in Athletic Training program reserves the right to dismiss students from the program for unprofessional or unsafe behavior. Please see the MS in Athletic Training Handbook for the Code of Ethics and examples of violations.
Experiential Learning
Students in the Master of Science in Athletic Training Program will participate in didactic and clinical educational experience. During the clinical educational experiences, students will adhere to the NATA Code of Ethics. Students will be engaging with patients within the community and should conduct themselves as an allied health care professional. Students will be evaluated on their clinical behavior and knowledge by preceptors. If a student receives unsatisfactory evaluations, the student will be placed on a remediation plan.
Fitness to Practice
In addition to meeting or exceeding academic standards, students pursuing the MS in Athletic Training must meet fitness to practice standards that are assessed by faculty and/or preceptors throughout the program.
These standards include demonstration of physical skills, competencies, and assessments in their interaction with others, proficiencies for the CAATE competencies and standards, and the requirements to practice as an Athletic Trainer in the State of Texas. In addition, students must demonstrate professionalism as outlined in the MS in Athletic Training Handbook.
At regular intervals throughout the program, students will be evaluated regarding their clinical knowledge and professionalism by preceptors and/or faculty. Students who fail to demonstrate competency and/or professionalism may receive a program violation and/or may be required to enter a remediation plan to remain in the program. If a remediation plan is developed, students must demonstrate satisfactory remediation prior to being allowed to continue towards graduation. Specific information concerning fitness to practice and codes in which students are expected to conform may be found in the MS in Athletic Training Handbook.
Advising
Every effort has been made to assure the accuracy of the information in this catalog. Students are advised; however, that such information is subject to change without notice. Therefore, students should consult with appointed academic advisors each semester prior to registration. Students should be aware that courses are offered in a specific sequence in a cohort model.
Admission Requirements
The Athletic Training Program is a selective and competitive admissions program due to CAATE accreditation standards. The College of Education and Human Development graduate admissions requirements are specified in the COEHD's Graduate Policies and Regulations section of this catalog. Additional MS in Athletic Training requirements and restrictions are listed below:
1. Applicants overall GPA may be utilized to evaluate competitive admission.
2. Applicants must have completed prerequisite courses as outlined in the MS in Athletic Training Handbook except as noted below. The applicant's prerequisite GPA may be utilized to evaluate competitive admission.
a. Applicants who have taken coursework with similar content with different course titles may request a course evaluation by the Athletic Training Admissions Committee (ATAC). Applicants must submit the course syllabus and/or course description to the committee for review. The ATAC will make the determination regarding acceptability of such courses towards a candidate's application.
b. Applicants who are in the process of completing prerequisite courses at the time of application may be accepted to the program on conditional admission status. Please see Conditional Admission section below.
c. Applicants lacking one prerequisite course may be selected for admission to the program on a conditional admission status; however, the student must take the prerequisite course during the first semester following admission in addition to the two required program courses. Please see Conditional Admission section below.
3. Applicants will identify at least three individuals who can provide professional recommendations for the individual.
4. Applicants who meet previous criteria will participate in an interview with the ATAC.
5. The ATAC will consider all professional and personal qualifications in determining applicants for admission to the program. Minimally meeting the required admissions criteria does not guarantee automatic admission to the program. The MS in Athletic Training is competitive and only a limited number of students will be admitted each year. The number of admitted students will be determined by the number of faculty, available space to facilitate learning, and by the number of clinical preceptors available for adequate supervision.
Individuals who are denied admission twice are ineligible for reconsideration for admission.
Conditional Admission
Students may be admitted conditionally at the discretion of the Athletic Training Admission Committee (ATAC). (See "Conditional Status" in the Admission section of the catalog.) Students who do not meet the 3.0 Overall GPA criteria, have earned below a 3.0 in the required prerequisite courses, are in the process of completing prerequisite courses, are missing a prerequisite course, or are missing documentation in their admission file may be granted conditional admission as determined by the ATAC. Students will receive a program admissions letter outlining the terms of their probational admission, a timeline for the conditional admission, and outlined criteria required to satisfy the probational admission decision.
Students who are in the process of completing pre-requisite courses when an admission decision is made will be automatically placed on a conditional admission status regardless of GPA and students will be required to submit an official transcript demonstrating successful completion of the coursework to change the admission status.
All conditionally admitted students will be required to take SMED 5301 Emergency Care and Response, SMED 5302 Taping, Bracing, and Protective Equipment, and SMED 5310 Evidence Based Practice, during their first summer. Students must earn a B or better in each SMED course to progress in the program. Failure to earn a B or better in SMED 5301, 5302, and 5310 and maintain a 3.0 GPA or better will result in dismissal from the MS in Athletic Training program.
If a student is granted a conditional admission due to a missing prerequisite course, then the student will be required to complete the prerequisite course (in addition to the required SMED coursework) during their first semester in the MS in AT Program. Students will be required to complete the missing prerequisite coursework with a grade of C or better and a resultant average prerequisite GPA of 3.0 or better will have their admission revoked.
Students who have missing documentation in their admissions file may be granted conditional admission at the discretion of the ATAC. To satisfy the terms of the conditional admission, students must produce the remaining documentation by the time listed on the program admissions letter (or the end of the academic term) or their admission will be revoked.
Transfer Credit
Due to the accreditation standards set forth by the Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education (CAATE), all courses must be taken when students are enrolled in the MS in AT program at TAMUCC. No transfer credit will be accepted.
Program Requirements
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Core Courses | ||
| SMED 5300 | Clinical Anatomy | 3 |
| SMED 5301 | Emergency Care and Response | 3 |
| SMED 5302 | Taping, Bracing, and Protective Equipment | 3 |
| SMED 5310 | Evidence Based Practice | 3 |
| SMED 5312 | Research Capstone | 3 |
| SMED 5313 | Biological Statistics | 3 |
| SMED 5321 | Lower Extremity Assessment, Evaluation and Management | 3 |
| SMED 5322 | Upper Extremity Assessment, Evaluation and Management | 3 |
| SMED 5323 | Head, Neck & Spine Extremity Assessment, Evaluation and Management | 3 |
| SMED 5324 | General Medical Conditions | 3 |
| SMED 5331 | Therapeutic Intervention I | 3 |
| SMED 5332 | Therapeutic Intervention II | 3 |
| SMED 5333 | Pharmacology | 3 |
| SMED 5334 | Emerging Practices | 3 |
| SMED 5335 | Athletic Training Seminar | 3 |
| SMED 5342 | Behavioral Health Interventions | 3 |
| SMED 5343 | Administration, Leadership, & Professional Development in Athletic Training | 3 |
| Clinical Experience - Internship Courses | ||
| SMED 5101 | Athletic Training Clinical Experience I | 1 |
| SMED 5102 | Athletic Training Clinical Experience II | 1 |
| SMED 5103 | Athletic Training Clinical Experience III | 1 |
| SMED 5104 | Athletic Training Clinical Experience IV | 1 |
| SMED 5105 | Athletic Training Clinical Experience V | 1 |
| Total Hours | 56 | |
National Certification for Athletic Trainers
Students in their last semester of completing their degree are permitted to apply to take the certification exam prior to graduation provided all academic and clinical requirements of the CAATE Accredited Program have been satisfied or will be satisfied during their last semester, and students have successfully completed the program exit exam. Students can apply to the Board of Certification (BOC) electronically at http://www.bocatc.org.
Texas Licensure for Athletic Trainers
Students may apply for the licensure examination prior to their graduation if they are within two semesters of completion of their degree. Eligible students can apply to the Texas Advisory Board of Athletic Trainers electronically at https://www.tdlr.texas.gov/at/at.htm.
Courses
SMED 5101 offers a field-based professional experience to provide students the opportunity to apply knowledge and theory related to the philosophy, principles, and competencies in the field of athletic training.
SMED 5102 offers a field-based professional experience to provide students the opportunity to apply knowledge and theory related to the philosophy, principles, and competencies in the field of athletic training.
SMED 5103 offers a field-based professional experience to provide students the opportunity to apply knowledge and theory related to the philosophy, principles, and competencies in the field of athletic training.
SMED 5104 offers a field-based professional experience to provide students the opportunity to apply knowledge and theory related to the philosophy, principles, and competencies in the field of athletic training.
SMED 5105 offers a field-based professional experience to provide students the opportunity to apply knowledge and theory related to the philosophy, principles, and competencies in the field of athletic training.
SMED 5300 provides students with the foundational knowledge of students entering the Master of Science in Athletic Training Program. The course is designed to review and build upon students' previous knowledge of muscular and joint anatomy, manual muscle testing, and sensory innervations.
SMED 5301 provides the skills needed by health care professionals who are trained to respond to breathing, cardiac, and other first aid emergencies. This includes the use of automated external defibrillation (AED), oxygen, suctioning, and airway management devices to care for a victim of breathing or cardiac emergencies. Additional emergency care topics will include emergency action planning; conducting pre-participation physical examinations; assessing emergency situations; administering emergency oxygen; assessing and caring for anaphylaxis and anaphylactic shock; drug overdose, asthma, seizures, diabetes, and environmental illness and injury; controlling bleeding and caring for open wounds; splinting; spine boarding; and evaluating, assessing, diagnosing concussions. Other emergency topics may be included the program's discretion.
SMED 5302 provides students with lab-based instructions and experiences to introduce the various products and equipment used in the development and construction of pads and braces for injury prevention during sport and physical activity. Students will learn how to select, fabricate, and apply taping, bracing, bandaging and padding techniques. Additionally, students will gain experience with durable medical equipment, orthotic devices and other preventative care techniques.
SMED 5310 prepares students with the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to make independent judgments about the validity, results, and application of clinical research and to implement evidence-based clinical practice in their careers.
SMED 5312 provides students with an intellectual opportunity to integrate their knowledge of research basics and clinical skills, with a possibility for publication or presentation.
SMED 5313 presents a study of the basic biological statistical concepts and their application to research problems in Athletic Training. Knowledge of biological statistics is imperative as students are required to participate in a case study, critically appraised topic, and/or research project. Students are encouraged to publish thus adding to the body of knowledge within Athletic Training. Topics will include issues related to descriptive and inferential statistics.
SMED 5321 provides students with general knowledge of evaluation techniques of athletic injuries to the lower extremities including history taking, observation, palpation, neurologic and orthopedic testing as well as its acute management and documentation. Students will learn to utilize critical thinking skills to evaluate differential diagnosis and analyze the patient's signs and symptoms to defend a clinical diagnosis.
SMED 5322 provides students with general knowledge of evaluation techniques of athletic injuries to the upper extremities including history taking, observation, palpation, neurologic and orthopedic testing as well as its acute management and documentation. Students will learn to utilize critical thinking skills to evaluate differential diagnosis and analyze the patient's signs and symptoms to defend a clinical diagnosis.
SMED 5323 provides students with general knowledge of evaluation techniques of athletic injuries to the head, neck and spine including history taking, observation, palpation, neurologic and orthopedic testing as well as its acute management and documentation. Students will learn to utilize critical thinking skills to evaluate differential diagnosis and analyze the patient's signs and symptoms to defend a clinical diagnosis.
SMED 5324 will provide students with lectures, discussions, and laboratory activities concerning general medical conditions, evaluation techniques, and athletic injuries to internal organs. In addition, inter-professional working relationships with other health and medical professionals and the role of an athletic trainer within the healthcare system will be discussed and explored.
SMED 5331 provides the student with knowledge of current theory and application of therapeutic modalities used in the treatment of musculoskeletal injuries.
SMED 5332 provides the student with knowledge of current theory and application of therapeutic exercises and manual therapy used in the treatment of musculoskeletal injuries.
SMED 5333 will include lectures and discussion of selected sports medicine topics focusing on pharmacology in athletics and activity. Students will examine different classes of medication and their impact on sports and exercise. In addition, inter-professional working relationships with other health and medical professionals and the role of an athletic trainer within the healthcare system will be discussed and explored. Written assignments are designed to provide the student with an opportunity to demonstrate their library research and written communication skills.
SMED 5334 provides students with creative, flexible, and innovative learning experiences on key emerging concepts and techniques that are newly arising within the field of Athletic Training. Content and instruction will examine new technology in the field, emerging theories, legal/ethical challenges, and changes, as well as other evolving issues within the profession of athletic training.
SMED 5335 provides students to enter professional practice in Athletic Training. This course is in line with the current Role Delineation Study and Practice Analysis.
SMED 5342 includes aspects of psychology for understanding and explaining behaviors in the context of exercise and sport. Discussions of identifying high-risk individuals, counseling, and referring individuals for help are emphasized. This course will also examine the relationships between psychological factors and human physical activity while obtaining peak performance. Evaluating published research, particularly theory and research methodology practices will be required. Motivational interviewing and behavioral change theory will be briefly discussed.
SMED 5343 provides the general knowledge and application of athletic training administration including facility design, insurance claims, liability issues, and injury and treatment records. This course is designed to engage students in critical thinking and to challenge them to begin to think about their lives from a professional leadership perspective. This course is in line with the current Role Delineation Study and Practice Analysis from the BOC.
Contemporary issues in Athletic Training: topics vary with professional identification of participants.
requires departmental approval. Directed individual study will be designed to address problems by students with specific needs. May be repeated when topics vary. Programs will be designed for individual cases through special permission of the Department Chair and Dean.