Admission Requirements

Applications are accepted through the Centralized Applications System for Athletic Training (ATCAS). Apply by January 15, 2023 for early admission and by March 15, 2023 for full consideration to enter with the fall 2023 cohort. Students admitted by these dates will have until April 15, 2023 to confirm their intent to enroll. Subsequent applications will be considered on a space-available basis through May 15, 2023 and these students will have two weeks after their admission decision is released to confirm their intent to enroll. Admitted students who do not confirm their intent to enroll by the stated deadlines may be placed on a waitlist pending space available.

Prerequisite coursework

The following courses are required prior to matriculating into the MSAT program. All courses should be taken for a letter grade and require at least a ‘C’ or better:

• Biology
• Chemistry
• Physics
• Psychology
• Anatomy
• Physiology
• Prevention & Care of Athletic Injuries (also known as: Introduction to Athletic Training or Foundations of Athletic Training)

Recommended Courses

• Biomechanics
• Exercise Physiology

Application Requirements

The Six-Step ATCAS Application Process

Applicants create an account in the ATCAS online portal and follow the six-step process outlined below to submit applications within the system.

1. Create an ATCAS account.
   • Prospective students start by creating an account using the online application portal.
2. Designate programs of interest.
   • Applicants must select—or designate—at least one program of interest before moving on to the next step.
3. Request transcripts.
   • After creating an account and designating programs of interest, applicants must request the registrar at each school he or she attended to send transcripts for ALL college-level coursework directly to ATCAS:ATCAS Transcript Processing Center
     P.O. Box 9132
     Watertown, MA 02471
4. Complete the four quadrants of the ATCAS application—Personal Information, Academic History, Supporting Information, and Program Materials.
   • Personal Information, Academic History, and Supporting Information are the core sections and need to be completed only once. This information will be shared with all designated schools.
   • Students enter transcript information in the Academic History section. This allows ATCAS services to verify applicant information and accurately calculate GPAs for programs.
   • Applicants request three reference (or evaluation) letters in the Supporting Information section.
   • Program Materials content is specific information each program collects from applicants (e.g., essays, questions, reference requirements). If a program requires a reference letter from a certain type of individual, for example, that requirement is stated in the Program Materials section.
5. Submit the application.
   • As noted above, an applicant must request three reference letters and complete the three core application quadrants and the Program Materials section for at least one school to submit an application. Applicants pay application fees for each selected program or obtain an application fee waiver if eligible. Reference letters and transcripts do not need to be received by ATCAS for an applicant to submit his or her application-only requested.
6. ATCAS reviews or verifies the application.

Student Profile

The students for this program will consist of individuals who are interested in the athletic training profession.

The MSAT student will:

1. Be balanced in the humanities and sciences.
2. Be from diverse cultural, economic and social backgrounds.
3. Possess high moral and ethical standards.
4. Have a commitment to community service and a desire to work with diverse populations.
5. Be compassionate towards others.
6. Exhibit leadership and professionalism.
7. Be able to communicate effectively.
8. Have a commitment to lifelong learning.
9. Become a collaborative allied health care provider.

Upon acceptance into the program, all students must demonstrate compliance with the following before the beginning of the program:

• Evidence of current liability insurance coverage
  • AT students can purchase a policy through HPSO
• Submission of a completed background check
• Evidence of immunizations and a negative Tuberculosis (TB) Skin Test
• Evidence of proof of medical insurance
• Photocopy (front & back)of current Emergency Cardiac Care/First Aid and Professional Rescuer CPR Certifications – including Adult, Child, Infant CPR; Two-person CPR; Bag-Value mask; and AED)
• Completed Health Evaluation Form by an appropriate healthcare provider- must be dated within one year of admission date
• Signed declaration of understanding and ability to meet MSAT’s Technical Standards for Admission and Retention
• Signed declaration of understanding and acceptance of all Program Policies
• Other procedures as delineated in the current MSAT Student Policies and Procedures Handbook

Technical Standards

The Technical Standards establish the essential qualities considered necessary for students admitted to MSAT to achieve the knowledge, skills, and competencies of an entry-level athletic trainer and meet the expectations of CAATE. All students must meet the Technical Standards to be admitted to and continue in MSAT. In the event a student is unable to fulfill the Technical Standards, with or without reasonable accommodation, he or she will not be admitted to or retained in MSAT.

• Standard 64 – Technical Standards
• Standard 88 – Communicable disease policy