- Program Code: 2057MS
- CIPC: 510913
Minimum Admissions Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree
- Admission to Weber State University (Students apply only to the MSAT and will be admitted to WSU and the MSAT concurrently. Students do NOT need to apply through the WSU general admissions process)
- Minimum 3.0 GPA*
- Submit Graduate Athletic Training Student Application through ATCAS (found online at: https://atcas.liaisoncas.com)
- Submit Application Essay/Personal Statement (see online application in ATCAS for details)
- Two References - at least one reference must be a college-level instructor
- Grade of C or better in all prerequisite courses (all prerequisites must have been completed within the last 10 years prior to application)**
- Documentation of at least 50 observations hours with a Certified Athletic Trainer (or similar healthcare provider for international applicants)
- Program Interview - in person or over the phone
- Completed Technical Standards Form - can be completed after admission (Form can be found at: https://www.weber.edu/msat/admission.html)
- Official Transcripts from ALL other colleges/universities attended (send directly to ATCAS)
- Proof of immunizations (completed after admission)
- Hepatitis-B vaccination (can be completed in first semester if deficient)
- Pay Application fee (paid directly to ATCAS)
* Grade point averages between 2.75 and 2.99 will be considered.
** Students who are deficient in four or fewer prerequisite courses may be admitted on a conditional basis if the courses can be added to the schedule while still meeting the prerequisites prior to each graduate course.
The priority application deadline is January 15 for the following fall semester. Applications received after the deadline will be considered on a rolling admissions basis if available slots still exist. Students are encouraged to apply by the January 15th deadline, as the program will likely reach capacity at that point. The online application may be accessed on-line at: https://atcas.liaisoncas.com.
Post-Admission Requirements
After formal admission to the Athletic Training Master’s degree program, students are required to complete an FBI background check and drug test. The WSU Master of Science in Athletic Training Program enters into Affiliation Agreements with multiple healthcare facilities and schools throughout the state. These agreements provide WSU MSAT students and faculty authorized access to facility resources and patients. In response to stipulations contained within one or more of these Agreements, the WSU MSAT requires students admitted to the program to submit to an FBI level criminal background check as well as a urine drug test. This screening process has been mandated by the WSU MSAT in an effort to more effectively protect the safety and well-being of the patients, clients, and residents of those facilities, and is fully supported by the Department of Athletic Training and the MSAT faculty.
Both the background check and the drug test will be completed during the student’s first semester. The expenses (approximately $80) will be paid for by the student.
Additional Admission Requirements for International Students
All international students and any applicants educated outside the U.S. must demonstrate proficiency in English. Those whose native language is not English, or whose language of instruction for their bachelor’s degree was not English, will be required to submit an official English Language Proficiency score from either the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), International English Language Testing System (IELTS), or Duolingo. Submitted scores must not be more than two years old.
- The minimum TOEFL score for full admissions is 563 (paper-based), or 85 (internet-based), with a minimum score of 17 in each section.
- The minimum IELTS score for full admissions is 6.5, with a minimum of 6.0 in each section.
- The minimum Duolingo score for full admissions is 105.
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For a more in-depth comparison of these three English Language Proficiency tests, please refer to the Office of International Programs and Services website: https://www.weber.edu/global-engagement/english-proficiency-equivalency.html
Students should send their official English Language Proficiency scores directly to ATCAS. If a student took the Duolingo test, they must request that Duolingo send their score report directly to the Office of Graduate Studies.
Students who have not earned the minimum required English proficiency scores should either retake the same test or consider taking one of the other two test options in an attempt to achieve the minimum scores. Regardless of the conditional route a student chooses, it is highly recommended that they invest in an English tutor before taking a second English Language Proficiency test.
Selection Process
- All applications will be ranked by using a numerical scale to rate the elements of the application.
- Students receiving the highest scores in the rating process will be invited to enter the Master of Science in Athletic Training Program. The selection committee is comprised of the MSAT faculty. The number of students chosen to enter the program each year will vary, in compliance with accreditation guidelines related to professor and preceptor-to-student ratios. Selection into the MSAT is competitive and satisfaction of the minimum requirements does not guarantee admission.
- Applicants not invited to enter the MSAT may reapply the following year. All applicants who reapply must meet all requirements in effect at the time of reapplication. Students who choose to reapply must review the program website and/or catalog for current admission requirements at that time.
- All students selected for the MSAT must provide evidence of being able to meet the Technical Standards for Admission of the program. Only those students who verify that they can meet those technical standards, with or without reasonable accommodations, will be allowed to enter the program. The Technical Standards can be found on the program’s website at: https://www.weber.edu/msat/admission.html
Retention Requirements
3+2 Accelerated Graduate Degree Pathway
Undergraduate students majoring in Rehabilitation Sciences (BS) have the opportunity to begin the MSAT program a year sooner through our 3+2 accelerated graduate degree pathway. By subtracting one year of undergraduate coursework, students can earn both their Bachelor of Science degree in Rehabilitation Sciences and Master of Science degree in Athletic Training in as few as five years (three years of undergraduate coursework and two years of graduate coursework).
Undergraduate students majoring in Rehabilitation Sciences (BS) can apply for conditional acceptance into the MSAT accelerated graduate degree pathway once they have completed at least 30 undergraduate credit hours (1000-5000 level). These credit hours must include the following courses:
Students must have an overall undergraduate GPA of at least 3.2 to be eligible for conditional acceptance.
Conditionally accepted students are eligible to matriculate into the MSAT program in the subsequent Fall semester once they have met the following admissions criteria:
- Completed at least 96 undergraduate credit hours (1000-5000 level)
- At least 16 of these credit hours must be upper-division (3000-5000 level)
- Completed all WSU general education requirements
- Completed all remaining MSAT prerequisite coursework with a grade of C or better (see below for a list of Prerequisite Coursework Requirements)
- Maintained an overall undergraduate GPA of at least 3.2.
- Documented at least 50 observation hours with a certified and licensed athletic trainer
Once students complete their first year in the MSAT program, 24 of the graduate credit hours they completed in that first year will also count (credit share) as upper-division, undergraduate credit hours to fulfill their Rehabilitation Sciences (BS) degree. These graduate credit hours are aligned to fulfill specific required courses in the Rehabilitation Sciences program. Students will then be awarded their bachelor’s degree at the end of their first year in the MSAT program (first Spring semester). Students continue in the MSAT program for one additional year (second year) and are awarded their master’s degree upon completion of all program requirements (second Spring semester).
Please refer to the Department of Athletic Training & Occupational Therapy website for more information about our 3+2 Accelerated Graduate Degree Pathway: https://www.weber.edu/athletic-training/rhsmsat.html
Advisement
Students enrolled in the MSAT program will be assigned a faculty advisor. Students will be encouraged to meet with their faculty advisor at least once a semester and to engage in dialogue when necessary regarding academic success, clinical assignments, and/or personal or professional issues.
Transfer Credits
In compliance with the Higher Education Act, Weber State University only accepts transfer credit from regionally accredited colleges and universities.
Students who have completed graduate athletic training coursework at another CAATE-accredited professional master’s degree program in Athletic Training may apply for up to 9 transfer credits. The transfer of graduate credits from non-CAATE-accredited programs will be considered on a case-by-case basis. Approval of all transfer credits requires an official transcript, a copy of the course syllabus, and approval by the WSU MSAT Program Director.
Program Learning Outcomes
Graduates of the Weber State University MSAT program will be prepared to:
- Demonstrate effective and professional oral and written communication
- Foster a welcoming atmosphere that respects all individuals regardless of race, color, religion or creed, national origin or ancestry, sex (including gender, pregnancy, sexual orientation, and gender identity), age, physical or mental disability, veteran status, genetic information, citizenship, or socioeconomic status
- Respond to and manage emergent situations
- Prevent, evaluate, treat, rehabilitate, and recondition musculoskeletal injuries
- Recognize, evaluate, manage, and refer medical conditions
- Exhibit a person-first approach to practice by incorporating psychosocial aspects across all domains
- Implement business and administrative practices to optimize patient care and employee well-being
- Practice as an autonomous clinician within a collaborative healthcare environment to achieve patient-centered care
- Identify, analyze, and interpret clinical data and existing evidence to inform continuous quality improvement processes in healthcare
- Achieve certification as required
- Advocate for patients and the profession of athletic training
- Engage in lifelong learning through professional development
