Program of Study for the Master of Science in Athletic Training
Admission Requirements: Baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university; complete application to the Graduate School ; official general GRE exam scores, unless waived.
To be considered for admission, applicants must meet the criteria for admission to the Graduate School . Meeting this condition does not guarantee admission. Both qualitative and quantitative aspects of applications are reviewed by the program in comparison to the current applicant pool.
Accelerated Admission Option: This program offers an accelerated admission option for undergraduate students currently enrolled at Appalachian State University.
Standardized Exam Waiver Eligibility: The standardized exam (GRE) may be waived for applicants with:
- A cumulative undergraduate GPA of 3.25 or higher; AND
- A GPA of 3.25 or higher in the combined prerequisite courses.
Additional Admission Requirements: Complete application on the Athletic Training Centralized Application System (ATCAS); Observation hours: Forty hours of clinical observation/shadowing under the direct supervision of a Certified Athletic Trainer; at least one reference letter from a faculty member and one reference letter from a licensed healthcare provider; personal statement; interview (in-person or web-based)
Prerequisites: The Program Director reserves the right to request course syllabi to confirm course content. Human anatomy (4 credits with lab). Human physiology (4 credits with lab). When anatomy and physiology are taken as a combined course, two semesters are necessary to meet this requirement; Biology (animal-based; 3-4 credits with lab); Chemistry (3-4 credits with lab); Physics (4 credits with lab); Statistics (3 credits); Exercise physiology (3 credits); Psychology (3 credits); Biomechanics or kinesiology (3 credits).
Additional Information: The program begins in the first Summer Session, and is designed to be a two-year program.
Location: On Campus; Note: First and second year students will be assigned to practicums at clinical sites on- or off-campus.
Additional Information about Standardized Exam Waiver Eligibility
Any standardized exam waiver for a graduate degree program at Appalachian State requires that applicants hold a minimum cumulative undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or higher in their last earned degree (undergraduate or graduate; some programs have established higher GPA requirements). No exam waiver is automatic but will require review and approval by the Graduate School upon submission of a complete application. An approved waiver request does not guarantee acceptance into the program. A denied waiver request does not mean that a candidate is denied admission to the program, only that a standardized exam score is needed to more fully evaluate the application. Standardized test scores may be required for scholarship consideration.
Note on Academic Standards for Retention in the MS in Athletic Training
Academic standards for retention in the MS in Athletic Training degree program include abiding by the ASU Code of Student Conduct and Academic Integrity, the MS in Athletic Training scholastic performance and professional behavior standards and expectations, the National Athletic Trainers’ Association Code of Ethics, and the Board of Certification® Standards of Practice. These Standards are fully described in the MS in Athletic Training Handbook. MS in Athletic Training students must achieve a grade of “C” or higher in all graduate courses, maintain an overall GPA of 3.0, and earn no more than two final grades of “C” or below in the program of study. Students are dismissed from the MS in Athletic Training degree program if they earn more than two final grades of a “C” or lower.