Professional Practice in Athletic Training (M.S.)

Overview

The Graduate Professional Practice (PPP) - Master of Science degree in Athletic Training is to enable the post-baccalaureate student the opportunity to demonstrate entry-level competency as an athletic trainer while exhibiting scholarship and competency among specific areas in the health care community.

Mission

The mission of the Professional Practice Program is to prepare graduate students as competent entry-level athletic trainers and scholarly practitioners in the athletic training profession. Furthermore, a student-focused learning environment that offers educational challenges and unique clinical opportunities are afforded to the future athletic trainer.

Outcome expectations of students and degree completion

Upon completion of the didactic and clinical requirements of the Athletic Training Program, the student will:

• Demonstrate a sound evidence-based approach/understanding to (1) injury prevention and health promotion, (2) psychosocial strategies and (3) healthcare administration principles for best practice.
• Demonstrate a sound evidence-based approach/understanding to (1) orthopedic clinical examination and diagnosis, (2) acute care of injuries and illnesses, and (3) therapeutic interventions for best practice.
• Demonstrate appropriate professional and ethical behavior in relation to the NATA Code of Ethics, BOC® Standards of Professional Practice and state regulations and statutes.
• Demonstrate, through a variety of clinical education experiences, athletic training knowledge, skills and clinical abilities that progress the student towards autonomous practice.
• Complete the eligibility requirements for the Board of Certification (BOC®) for Athletic Trainers.
• Demonstrate preparedness to become competent, marketable and highly effective health care providers who practice in the athletic training profession.

A primary outcome of the Professional Practice Program is to prepare the student to challenge credentialing as an athletic trainer through the Board of Certification (BOC®) and appropriate state regulatory bodies.

Accreditation Status

CAATE LogoThe ESU Athletic Training – Professional Practice Program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education through the academic year 2029-2030.

An added measure of program effectiveness are Board of Certification (BOC®) exam results, as well as our program retention, graduation, and employment placement rates.

You can review the CAATE Program Information and Outcomes for ESU's Graduate Athletic Training program.

East Stroudsburg University has a national reputation for athletic training education, a status built primarily upon the professional contributions of our graduates and a tradition which is proudly represented nationwide in high schools, colleges, universities, professional sports, sports medicine clinics, and a variety of other healthcare networks/organizations.

Since 1975, the Athletic Training Department has successfully offered a Bachelor of Science degree with a major in Athletic Training. This course of study afforded maximum emphasis in the development of athletic training knowledge, skills, and clinical abilities essential to the current practice of athletic training.

Athletic Training is an exciting allied health field which places the athletic trainer in a position of substantial challenge and responsibility. With the knowledge, skills, and clinical abilities developed through education and experience, a certified athletic trainer is in a unique position to coordinate the health care delivery system for the physically active population.

The expectations of today's athletic trainer are varied and complex. The care of the physically active must be entrusted only to those who have adequate professional preparation. Outside agencies at both the state and national levels have provided mandates for athletic training programs such as ours. Accordingly, the Department of Athletic Training and our large clinical affiliation sites/locations are committed to academic/clinical excellence for our athletic training students. Our core programmatic objectives are to furnish the student with a body of knowledge, skills, and clinical abilities which not only meet, but exceed, the state and national standards.

The Athletic Training Department is housed within the College of Health Sciences. For decades, the College of Health Sciences has enjoyed a position of national prominence and recognition. In large part, the success of this and other programs within the College is due to the strength of a faculty with professional expertise and genuine enthusiasm.

The M.S. in Athletic Training - Professional Practice Program is intended for the post-baccalaureate student interested in obtaining the entry-level competency as an athletic trainer. The program is designed to prepare the student to challenge credentialing as an athletic trainer through the Board of Certification® and appropriate state regulatory agencies. It is the full intention of the Athletic Training Department to convey a similar expectation in the graduate preparation of entry-level practitioners for the profession.

• Demonstrate a sound evidence-based approach/understanding to (1) injury prevention and health promotion, (2) psychosocial strategies and (3) healthcare administration principles for best practice.
• Demonstrate a sound evidence-based approach/understanding to (1) orthopedic clinical examination and diagnosis, (2) acute care of injuries and illnesses, and (3) therapeutic interventions for best practice.
• Demonstrate appropriate professional and ethical behavior in relation to the NATA Code of Ethics, BOC® Standards of Professional Practice and state regulations and statutes
• Demonstrate, through a variety of clinical education experiences, athletic training knowledge, skills and clinical abilities that progresses the student towards autonomous practice.
• Complete the eligibility requirements for the Board of Certification (BOC®) for Athletic Trainers.
• Demonstrate preparedness to become competent, marketable and highly effective health care providers who practice in the athletic training profession

Admission Requirements

Admission requirements for M.S. in Athletic Training (Professional Practice Program) candidates are as follows:

• Bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited four-year institution
• Official transcripts from all institutions provided on admission application
• Minimum undergraduate GPA 2.75 (4.00 scale)
• Admission to the ESU Graduate Athletic Training Professional Practice Program
• Official Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores
• Letter of intent and statement of professional goals with resume or curriculum vitae
• Three letters of recommendation
• Documentation of directed observation under the supervision of a Certified Athletic Trainer(s)
• For students who do not consider English as their primary language, official scores must be submitted from the IELTS/TOEFL examination

Successfully complete the following pre-requisite coursework*

*3.0 GPA required in pre-requisite coursework with no grade lower than "C" acceptable.

• Professional liability insurance
• Pennsylvania Act 34 & 151 (Criminal Record and Child Abuse Clearances) and Act 114 (Fingerprinting)
• Pennsylvania Act 24 Arrest/Conviction Report and Certification Form
• Drug Screening and immunization verification
• Other program clinical forms and documentation as required by the Athletic Training Department to meet accreditation mandates
• Possess reliable transportation

Associated ATP Fees

Additional costs for clinical experience travel, uniforms, and athletic training equipment, as well as other related costs within academic plan.

Graduate Students at East Stroudsburg University are expected to maintain high academic standards. All graduate and students must maintain a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 or higher in all coursework in order to be in academic good standing. In the first 6 credits of a graduate program (early pre-candidacy), an overall GPA of 2.5 or higher will be accepted as academic good standing. A graduate student must be in academic good standing to be admitted to degree candidacy and to graduate.

Technical Standards for the Program

Students in the Graduate Professional Practice Athletic Training Program at East Stroudsburg University must possess the necessary intellectual, physical, emotional, social, and communication skills to provide safe and effective athletic training services. The Athletic Training Program has established Technical standards for students interested in pursuing a career in athletic training. In addition to specific academic criteria, these Technical Standards are considered necessary for students engaged in the Athletic Training Program at East Stroudsburg University.

Graduate assistantships are a resource of the university and, as such, are intended to help fulfill the mission of the university. Specifically, graduate assistantships are intended to improve the quality and scope of the graduate program. This is to be achieved by using them to attract high quality students to East Stroudsburg University's graduate programs and to increase the number of opportunities for students to obtain graduate education.

There are four types of graduate assistantships:

All graduate assistantships are based upon merit and not financial need.

• Academic graduate assistantships are available for most graduate degree programs. Each graduate degree program selects a number of highly qualified students in the degree program for these graduate assistantships and the students work with various faculty members in the department. Students interested in an academic graduate assistantship should contact the graduate coordinator of the degree program.
• Administrative graduate assistantships are awarded to qualified students and the student works in various non-academic departments such as Advancement, Enrollment Services, University Police, etc. Students interested in administrative graduate assistantships should contact the Graduate College. Administrative graduate assistantships are open to qualified students from any degree program.
• Resident Hall graduate assistantships require the student to live in one of the on-campus resident halls and provide services as needed by Campus Life and Inclusive Excellence in the management of the residence halls. Resident Hall graduate assistantships require that the student is available weekends and evenings. In addition to the monetary compensation and waiver of basic tuition provided to all graduate assistants, Resident Hall graduate assistantships provide housing. Resident Hall graduate assistantships require that the student is available two weeks before the start of classes for training/orientation and one week after the end of the semester. For information on Residence Hall Graduate Assistantships, call (570) 422-3138.
• Frederick Douglass Institute Scholar graduate assistantships are awarded to persons from underrepresented groups who demonstrate potential for leadership and the ability to promote unity in a civil society. Applicants for Frederick Douglass Institute Scholar graduate assistantships should have a demonstrated record of leadership, social involvement and commitment to education. Frederick Douglass Institute Scholars will be placed with various administrators and academic departments and provided the opportunity to enhance their leadership skills during their tenure at ESU.

Graduate assistantships provide monetary compensation for full-time graduate students ranging from $2,502 (part-time GA appointment) to $5,004 (full-time GA appointment) for the academic year, plus a partial waiver of basic tuition (in-state rates) for part-time graduate assistants and a full waiver of basic tuition (in-state rates) for full-time graduate assistants. New graduate assistantships are awarded only in the fall and spring term except for certain academic programs. Graduate assistantships may be renewed with the recommendation of the awarding department and approval of the Graduate Dean for a maximum of four terms. Graduate assistantships may be renewed during the summer term but this term counts toward the maximum of four terms.

Graduate assistants must maintain enrollment in 9 graduate credit hours, a minimum QPA of 3.0 and no more than one grade less than a B. If the graduate assistant does not fulfill these conditions, the student should contact the Graduate College immediately. Failure to notify the Graduate College or failure of the Graduate College to notify the graduate assistant that they are not in compliance does not limit the Graduate College from modifying or terminating the student's graduate assistantship. If a student does not maintain full-time student enrollment status (9 credit hours), the student's graduate assistantship will be terminated effective the date that the student dropped below 9 credit hours. The student will be sent a bill for prorated tuition.