Master of Science in Athletic Training (MSAT)

Master of Science in Athletic Training (Post-Baccalaureate)

The Master of Science in Athletic Training (MSAT) program at Alvernia University provides students with an intellectual and clinical foundation, enabling them to play an important role in the health care of athletes, those involved in physical activity, and those who seek to incorporate activity and wellness into their lives. The program combines Alvernia’s Franciscan core values with the foundation of evidence-based practice in theory and clinical experiences. Graduates of the MSAT program become highly qualified health professionals in the field of athletic training capable of “knowledge joined with love.”

Athletic trainers focus on the prevention, assessment, immediate care, and rehabilitation alongside of physicians. Our program offers a wide foundation of skills to address injuries and illnesses resulting from sport, recreation, work, and other physical activities.

Alvernia offers two MSAT degree tracks:

The post-baccalaureate MSAT program option features accelerated scheduling that allows for completion of the MSAT in two years for post-baccalaureate students.
The five-year MSAT gives students a breadth and depth of knowledge in the field of athletic training, as well as in the liberal arts.

Estimated Program Length	2 years
Credit Hours	61
Course Length	13 weeks
Transfer Credits Accepted	Up to 6
Cost per Credit	$900*

*Tuition discount available. Ask for details!

In This Section

Graduate Programs

Getting Started

Application Instructions

The new application opens each year on July 1 in ATCAS for the following fall admissions cycle. Along with your completed application accompanied by $50 non-refundable application fee, you’ll need to provide a few supporting materials. Pre-professional candidates must complete an undergraduate degree as well as all prerequisite courses prior to starting the MSAT program. Candidates must also complete the following:

Complete formal application through the ATCAS system.
An earned bachelor’s degree;
3.0 overall GPA. Successful completion of the following classes**:
- General Biology with Lab (4 credits)
- Anatomy and Physiology (6-8 credits)
- General Chemistry (3-4 credits)
- General Physics with Lab (4 credits, and can be non-calculus based)
- Nutrition (Sports nutrition is preferable) (3 credits)
- Kinesiology (3-4 credits)
- Exercise Physiology (3-4 credits)
- Entry Level Psychology Course (3-6 credits)

**Candidates whose GPA is below 3.0 with unique and/or extensive professional experience may be eligible for acceptance.

Financing Your Education

There are options to assist in financing your education and making the tuition affordable. Visit our financial aid page for a detailed overview of the process, including a link to complete the FAFSA application, as well as more information about the tuition payment plan and the tuition deferment program we offer. Alvernia’s Title IV code for the FAFSA is 003233. The Office of Student Financial Services is available to help with any questions you may have. Call 610-796-8201 or email sfs@alvernia.edu.

Graduate Program Fees

Fees for 2023-2024

Comprehensive Fee, applies to part-time students: 3% of tuition
Comprehensive Fee, applies to full-time students: $875/semester
Comprehensive Fee, DPT (Cohorts prior to 23/24)
Comprehensive Fee, DPT (23/24 Cohort): $620/semester, 3% of tuition
Business Lab Fee, applies to all undergraduate business majors and MBA (Reading CollegeTowne and Pottsville CollegeTowne): $105/semester
Health and Counseling Fee: $200/semester
Transportation Fee: $130/semester
Technology Fee: $55/credit
Commencement Fee: $135
Late Fee: $125
NSF Check: $40

Academic Fees

AT 113: $55/course
AT 222: $135/course
AT 610, 611: $35/course
AT 610, 611, 520, 521 Liability Insurance: $65/course
AT 615: $55/course
AT 625, 645: $65/course
AT 520, 521: $85/course
Other cost-of-attendance items:
- Uniform fee: $60
- Transportation to clinicals: variable ($500-$1,500). Students are not required to have a vehicle, however, students are responsible for transportation to and from all clinical experiences off-campus. Off-campus clinical sites range in distance from Alvernia (between 5 and 55 miles).

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Program Overview

Curriculum

Accelerated scheduling allows for completion of the MSAT in two years for post-baccalaureate students. Post-baccalaureate students must complete the following coursework indicated below:

Fall Semester 1 (15 credits)

DPT 500 Gross Anatomy (5 credits)
AT 510 Athletic Training Clinical Procedures I (3 credits)
AT 520 Athletic Training Clinical Practicum I (Clinical Evaluation & Pathology 1 - Lower Extremity) (7 credits)

Spring Semester 2 (13 credits)

COR 520 Ethics & Moral Leadership (3 credits)
AT 511 Athletic Training Clinical Procedures II (3 credits)
AT 521 Athletic Training Clinical Practicum II (Clinical Evaluation & Pathology 2 - Upper Extremity) (7 credits)

Summer Semester & Fall Semester 3 - MOD Format (20 Credits)

Summer MOD -

AT 625 Athletic Training Clinical Procedures III (3 credits)
AT 630 Evidence Based Practice: Clinical Research 1 (3 credits)

Fall Mod 1 -

AT 610 Athletic Training Clinical Practicum III: Immersive Clinical Experience 1 (6 credits)

Fall Mod 2 -

AT 615 General Medical Conditions in the Physical Activity (3 credits)
AT 640 Healthcare Administration & Professional Responsibility (2 credits)
AT 645 Evidence Based Practice: Performance Enhancement (3 credits)

Spring Semester 4 - MOD Format (13 credits)

Spring MOD 3 -

AT 618 Pharmacology in Athletic Training (online) (2 credits)
AT 620 Clinical Pathology & Differential Diagnosis (2 credits)
AT 635 Evidence Based Practice: Clinical Research Seminar (3 credits)

Spring MOD 4 -

AT 611 Clinical Practicum IV: Immersive Clinical Experience 2 (6 credits)

Major Notes

Post-baccalaureate are accepted into the professional phase of the MSAT program upon acceptance to the University.

Post-baccalaureate students who have completed an undergraduate degree and the necessary prerequisite courses may apply to enter the professional phase of the Master of Science in Athletic Training Program. Students will apply through Graduate Admissions (ATCAS system accessed at: ATCAS | Applicant Login Page Section (liaisoncas.com) and upon acceptance to the University, will matriculate through the professional phase of the MSAT program. Graduate admission occurs on a rolling basis. A review of applications may continue until all available slots are filled.

To begin the professional phase of the MSAT program, post-baccalaureate students must provide proof of:

Official transcript(s) indicating that the applicant has earned an appropriate baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university. Transcripts from all institutions are required.
A cumulative grade point average of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale for the baccalaureate degree is required.**
Successful completion of the following prerequisite courses (must pass these courses with a “C or better”):
- Biology with lab (3-4 credits)
- Anatomy and Physiology 1 and 2 (6-8 total credits)
- Physics with lab (3-4 credits; can be non-calculus based)
- Chemistry with lab (3-4) credits)
- Nutrition (Sports nutrition is preferable) (3 credits)
- Psychology (3-6 credits)
- Kinesiology (3-4 credits)
- Exercise Physiology (3-4 credits)

**Students whose GPA is below 3.0 with unique academic coursework and / or extensive professional experience may be eligible for initial acceptance. Students are required to achieve a minimum overall GPA of 3.0 to graduate from the MSAT program.**

Post-baccalaureate candidates must also provide proof of the following current certifications:

First Aid
CPR with AED (Adult, Child, Infant) for the Professional Rescuer (or equivalent)

Students who meet these standards and begin their professional phase coursework will only be required to complete graduate- level MSAT coursework.

There are 24 available openings in each MSAT cohort.

All students in the Professional Phase of the MSAT Program must meet the following requirements:

Obtain a Pennsylvania Child Abuse History Clearance form (ACT 151), a Criminal History Record Check (ACT 34), and an FBI Criminal Clearance (ACT 114). All clearances are required upon acceptance into the program and must be renewed yearly. Clearances must be completed prior to beginning any clinical hours (including observational experiences). Students must also complete the Background Checks Notification form. For more detailed information about what clearances are needed, see our Academic Compliance Regulations form.
Submit a completed health record to the Health & Wellness Center, and complete the Authorization to Release Medical Information form.
Obtain specific immunizations which includes: a Two-step TB Test, Diphtheria/Tetanus Booster, Measles, Mumps and Rubella and series of Hepatitis B vaccinations, and a Pneumococcal vaccine or waiver.
Required yearly influenza vaccine or documented refusal.
Obtain yearly Blood borne Pathogens and OSHA training and complete the Communicable Disease Policy.
Maintain current certification in Emergency Cardiac Care and First Aid (Professional Rescuer).
Provide proof of current health insurance.

Students entering their clinical rotations (professional phase) must:

Provide transportation for clinical experience off-campus (public or private).
Must have a Pennsylvania Child Abuse History Clearance (Act 34), a Criminal History Check (Act 151), and an FBI Criminal History Check on file.
Must have a completed health record on file at the Health & Wellness Center

Progression Policies

An individual athletic training course or required pre-requisite course must be completed with a grade of “C” or better. However, students must achieve an overall GPA of 3.0 to graduate from the MSAT program.
Students may repeat/delete only one MSAT (AT) course throughout the athletic training program.
Students who receive a grade of less than a “C” in an athletic training course may not progress in athletic training courses for which that course is a prerequisite.

Technical Standards / Policy and Procedures

The technical standards set forth by the MSAT Program establish the essential qualities considered necessary for students admitted to this program to achieve the knowledge, skills and competencies of an entry-level athletic trainer, as well as meet the expectations of the program’s accrediting agency (Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education - CAATE). The following abilities and expectations must be met by all students admitted to the MSAT Program. In the event a student is unable to fulfill these technical standards, with or without reasonable accommodation, the student will not be admitted into the program or permitted to continue in the program.
Read the Athletic Training Program Policy and Procedures Manual.

Experiential Learning Opportunities

Students are required to complete four supervised clinical practicums during the professional phase (years 4 and 5) of the program. These experiences allow each student the opportunity to practice athletic training skills in a real-world setting with direct patient contact. Alvernia's Athletic Training program proudly partners with the following clinical sites to provide expert clinical education and experiences for our students:

Accreditation Statements and Program Information and Outcomes

The university's athletic training program is fully accredited through the Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education (CAATE). Alvernia's Program Information and Outcomes page on the Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education (CAATE) website can be found here.
Alvernia is an accredited institution and a member of the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE). MSCHE is an institutional accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation.

Career Outlook

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of athletic trainers is projected to grow 17 percent from 2021 to 2031, much faster than the average for all occupations. The median annual wage in 2021 was $48,420.

Traditional practice settings:

secondary schools
colleges and universities
professional sports programs
sports medicine clinics

Emerging practice settings:

industry
the military
law enforcement
physician practices
performing arts

Contact Us

For more information about Alvernia’s Master of Science in Athletic Training, please contact Graduate and Adult Admissions at 610-796-5187 or gradandadult@alvernia.edu.

Or please reach out directly to:

Thomas Franek, Ph.D, LAT, ATC
Chair, Department of Athletic Training
Associate Professor
610-796-3012
thomas.franek@alvernia.edu

Stephanie Christmann
Admissions Advisor, Graduate and Adult Education
610-796-8496
stephanie.christmann@alvernia.edu

Get To Know Your Faculty

For more information about Alvernia’s Athletic Training program contact the Graduate Admissions Office at 610-796-5187 or gradandadult@alvernia.edu. Or reach out directly to Associate Professor of Athletic Training Thomas Franek at 610-796-3012 or thomas.franek@alvernia.edu.