WHY EARN A MASTER OF SCIENCE IN ATHLETIC TRAINING (MSAT) AT GCSU?
FLEXIBLE LEARNING
The program is available as a 3-2 curricular option, with students earning a B.S. in Exercise Science with a concentration in Sports Medicine (3 years) and the MS in Athletic Training (2 years).
The program offers a summer start option, with students gaining valuable hands-on clinical experience in their first semester in the program.
Students participate in semester long clinical experiences, including a final full semester clinical immersion, preparing them with the hands-on skills needed to transition to clinical practice.
OUR PROVEN TRACK RECORD
Our program has a 100% employment rate or 100% acceptance rate into an advanced graduate degree program.
Our program is nationally (CAATE) accredited, affording students the opportunity to sit for the Board of Certification examination.
Our program’s alumni network is expansive, providing networking and career opportunities post-graduation.
We offer students add-on certifications and trainings in suicide prevention, trauma care, suturing, casting, IV administration, and others.
Our program was the first publicly accredited MSAT in the state, providing an affordable option for professional graduate studies for an allied healthcare career.
PROFESSIONAL HIGHLIGHTS
Starting salaries are approximately $55,000- $65,000. (dependent on location and setting).
Graduates can work in collegiate, high school, clinical outreach and hospital settings.
Students are afforded professional development opportunities in orthopedic surgery, emergency services, simulation, standardized patient assessment, and various sport performance technologies.
NO GRE REQUIREMENT
GRE scores are not required for admission.
The Athletic Training Program at Georgia College & State University provides a unique educational environment because it uses an evidenced-based learning approach in which functional application skills are presented in addition to foundational didactic components. Students acquire critical thinking skills which, when combined with clinical experiences including a full semester clinical immersion, prepare them to enter a wide range of professional athletic training settings. Graduates of our program are able to pursue their ambitions as a healthcare professional by choosing the specific athletic training practice setting that meets their career goals.
Athletic Trainers (ATs) are health care professionals who collaborate with physicians to provide preventative services, emergency care, clinical diagnosis, therapeutic intervention and rehabilitation of injuries and medical conditions. Athletic trainers’ professional settings can include high schools, colleges, universities, professional sports teams, hospitals, rehabilitation clinics, physicians’ offices, corporate and industrial institutions, the military, and the performing arts. Regardless of their practice setting, athletic trainers practice athletic training (or provide athletic training services) according to their education and state practice act. Athletic trainers provide medical services to all types of people – not just athletes participating in sports – and do not train people as personal or fitness trainers do. In other countries, athletic therapist and physiotherapist are similar titles. Athletic training is recognized by the American Medical Association (AMA), Health Resources Services Administration (HRSA) and the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) as an allied health care profession.
Students who want to become certified athletic trainers must earn a degree from an accredited athletic training curriculum. Accredited programs include formal instruction in areas such as injury/illness prevention, first aid and emergency care, assessment of injury/illness, human anatomy and physiology, therapeutic modalities, and nutrition. Classroom learning is enhanced through clinical education experiences. To become an athletic trainer, candidates must graduate with a degree in Athletic Training from an accredited athletic training program and successfully pass the Board of Certification (BOC) Exam. To practice as an athletic trainer in most states, the individual must also be credentialed within the state. Degrees in physical therapy, exercise science, strength and conditioning or others DO NOT qualify the candidate to sit for the BOC examination. Soon all Professional Athletic Training Programs will only result in the Masters Degree.
Currently, Georgia College offers a M.S. in Athletic Training. Students receive formal instruction in areas including evidenced-based practice, prevention and health promotion, clinical examination and diagnosis, acute care of injuries and illnesses, therapeutic interventions, psychosocial strategies and referral, healthcare administration, sports nutrition, and interprofessional education. The athletic training academic curriculum and clinical training following the medical model allows students to acquire critical thinking skills which, when combined with clinical experiences (including a semester long clinical immersion), prepare them to enter a wide range of professional athletic training settings. Professional training education uses a competency-based approach in both the classroom and clinical settings. Graduates of our programs are able to pursue their ambitions as a healthcare professional by choosing the specific athletic training practice setting that meets their career goals.
Career Path
How do I become an Athletic Trainer?
1. Apply and be accepted into a CAATE-accredited program 2. Graduate from a CAATE-accredited program 3. Sit for and pass the BOC certification examination 4. Graduates from the MS in Athletic Training program are qualified to sit for the Board of Certification exam. Opportunities exist for employment as certified Athletic Trainers (ATs) in high schools, colleges/universities, sports medicine clinics and rehabilitation centers, hospitals, wellness/fitness centers, corporate/industrial, or other emerging practice settings. To learn more about a career in athletic training, visit these resources:
In accordance with the CAATE Standards for Accreditation the following additional fees are disclosed.
Athletic Training Program Costs
In addition to customary university fees, students majoring in athletic training are responsible for supplementary costs related to the Athletic Training Program (ATP). This may include the cost of certifications, transportation to assigned clinical field experience sites and/or observations, liability insurance, as well as the purchase of professional attire, copying/printing, and AT supplies.
*All Program Fees are listed below are subject to change!
Tuition
Full -Time Students tuition varies based on In-State Tuition vs. Out of State Tuition. On-campus housing and meal plans vary in cost depending on your selection and needs.
All full-time students are required to submit a completed proof of immunization form prior to matriculating. For most students, proof of adequate immunization against measles, mumps, rubella (MMR) and varicella (chickenpox) along with completion of the following:
Tuberculosis (TB) Risk Assessment
Cost: Varies depending on your immunization needs
ATP Vaccinations Requirements
Influenza Vaccination is strongly recommended annually for students involved in pre-clinical field observations and professional program clinical field experience.
Cost: Free for students on campus
PPD
PPD Vaccination is required annually for students involved in the professional program clinical field experiences for surgery.
Cost: $5.00 at GCSU’s Student Health Service
Student Liability Insurance
Students in the program are required to purchase student liability insurance prior to beginning clinical experiences in the program. Policies are purchased through HPSO.
Cost: $38.00/year
ATrack Student Subscription
All AT Students will be required to obtain a subscription to ATrack. ATrack is a cloud-based, management tool. With ATrack, students have easy access to their clinical competency scores and notes on their performance so they can chart their progress through their program. Students can also record their clinical experience hours and patient contacts, helping preceptors and faculty to keep track of all aspects of their students' athletic training experience. Students access ATrack with either an annual subscription of $45 or a lifetime subscription of $80!
PreCheck Background Investigation
All AT students are required to complete a background check prior to the first day of classes and renew the background investigation for Year II. The School of Health and Human Performance currently uses PreCheck. Please note that clinical sites may require additional background and/or drug screenings that students will be required to pay. The cost for these can vary, but students should plan accordingly.
CPR Professional Rescuer
Current CPR and First Aid certification is required for students in the Athletic Training Program.
Examples of courses that provide the above requirements include, but are not limited to:
CPR/AED for the Professional Rescuer through the American Red Cross
BLS Healthcare Provider through the American Red Cross
BLS Healthcare Provider through the American Heart Association
Cost: Approximately $35.00 CPR/FA Card (2-year certification)
Membership to Professional Organizations
Students are required to join NATA as a student member by their final year in the curriculum.
Cost: $60/year
Transportation to Clinical Experiences
The Program attempts to keep students local for at least one semester each year, however costs are incurred for transportation for additional semesters.
Cost: Variable - but can be significant (Approx $500/year)
Each athletic training student will be required to invest in professional attire in order to meet the standards of professional practice in clinical education field experiences.
Cost: Approximately $150 for year
Lab Fees
As a component to tuition, certain courses require athletic training students to pay lab fees. Each athletic training student will incur a clinical laboratory fee of approximately $100 during the course of the program. These fees are used to pay for the cost of teaching aids and expendable supplies.
Instructions for Athletic Training Application
As of January 2020, Georgia College has discontinued the use of the ATCAS system. Please see below for updated admissions processes and email Brittney Hardin if you have any questions.
Completion of a B.S. in Athletic Training degree invalidates application to the MS in Athletic Training degree as both are entry-level degrees leading to certification. If you have already completed a BS in Athletic Training degree and are a Certified Athletic Trainer, then this program is not suitable for your graduate education. The School of Health and Human Performance offers an MS in Health and Human Performance or MAT- Kinesiology/Physical Education which may be more suitable.
This is a two-year, six-semester program. It requires summer courses for both years of enrollment.
Cover Letter: Indicate your interest in Georgia College and how you would be an asset to both our student body and our program. Include why you have chosen to apply to our program specifically and how your background and experiences have prepared you for our liberal arts education. This should be a formal letter addressed to the Program Director and should be no more than a page in length.
Personal Statement Indicate your interest in Athletic Training (asset to the discipline, career goals) as well as what current issue related to athletic training is of interest to you and why.
Professional Resume including education; honors, achievements, and awards; observation and/or internship experiences; volunteer experience; professional memberships; certifications; and work history.
Reference Form: Provide the names, job titles, phone numbers, and email addresses for three references, two of whom must be academic. This must be submitted on the MSAT Reference Form after your application has been submitted.
Transcripts: Official transcripts for each institution ever attended for credit (including, but not limited to, traditional enrollment, dual enrollment, transient, transfer, vocational, graduate studies, and post-baccalaureate credit)
Application Fee: Georgia College & State University's application fee is $35 and payable at the time of application submission through the online portal.
Other Application Requirements: The Graduate Coordinator reserves the right to request additional information and/or documentation from any applicant. You will be contacted regarding any additional requirement(s) that may include (but are not limited to) a statement concerning academic status; petition regarding academic dismissal/reentry; statement regarding previous academic performance; additional references, or work history.
Review of applications is rolling, and application decisions will continue until all available seats are filled or on May 1.
Only completed applications will be considered.
Applicants are not guaranteed an interview.
Being invited for an interview does not guarantee admission to the program.
Interviews will be held either in person or via Zoom (virtual) – interviewees will be able to choose which method at the time of interview slot confirmation.
C. Program Admission
Once an offer of admission is made, applicants will be responsible for the following, information for which will be provided. All must be maintained for the duration of the program:
Satisfactorily complete a Criminal Background Check
Possess Student Liability Insurance
CPR certification (completed as part of coursework)
ATrack Membership
Additional professional course costs
Georgia College Athletic Training Student Organization
The Georgia College Athletic Training Student Organization (GCATSO) is a student organization committed to advancing athletic training students in the study of the athletic training profession. This includes focusing on the prevention, recognition, evaluation, management, treatment, and/or rehabilitation/reconditioning of musculoskeletal and general medical pathologies. GCATSO facilitates and supports the advancement of relationships between students and the Georgia Athletic Trainer's Association (GATA) and the Southeast Athletic Trainers' Association (SEATA). GCATSO also provides an avenue for pre-athletic training majors to connect with students who are currently in the athletic training program. The GCATSO holds regular meetings to encourage professional relationships and fundraises throughout the year as an organization to further advance professional development opportunities within the profession.
Athletic Training Program Mission, Goals & Objectives
Mission
The mission of the Professional Athletic Training Program at Georgia College is to cultivate quality athletic training health care professionals who exhibit the highest standards of ethical behavior and professionalism. With a foundation built on evidence-based, progressive didactic and clinical education, GCSU athletic training graduates are prepared to become successful contributors to the advancement of the profession through intellectual, professional, and civic skills and dispositions that enable students to thrive in a diverse global society.
Professional Athletic Training Program Outcomes and Student Learning Outcomes are as follows:
Goal 1: Athletic training students will demonstrate appropriate knowledge and skills in injury prevention and wellness education.
Students will be able to:
Create evidence-based designs to mitigate the risk for injury/illness;
Apply evidence-based practices to mitigate the risk for injury/illness.
Goal 2: Athletic training students will utilize a holistic approach to clinical evaluation and diagnosis of injuries, illnesses, and pathologies.
Students will be able to:
Assess an athletic injury/illness based on relevant pathology;
Recognize appropriate holistic diagnoses of athletic injuries/illnesses;
Refer patients to the appropriate medical professional based on individual need.
Goal 3: Athletic training students will be skilled in making decisions regarding the management of acute athletic injuries/illnesses.
Students will be able to:
Exhibit appropriate immediate and emergency medical care within the scope of athletic training practice relevant to current standards.
Goal 4: Athletic training students will create and implement therapeutic/educational interventions for measureable patient outcomes (competence or performance).
Students will be able to:
Utilize evidence-based interventions when administering and implementing therapeutic interventions;
Recognize need for psychosocial intervention.
Goal 5: Athletic training students will construct and apply professional leadership and organizational paradigms.
Students will be able to:
Develop policies and procedures in the administration of athletic training and healthcare facilities;
Critique athletic training management models;
Utilize appropriate medical documentation and communication.
Goal 6: Athletic training students will critically examine athletic training data and apply it to clinical practice.
Students will be able to:
Apply evidence-based practice when making clinical decisions.
Critique athletic training related literature and disseminate its findings to a variety of audiences including professionals, peers, and patients.
Articulate the role of research in clinical practice.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is an Athletic Trainer?
Athletic Trainers (ATs) are health care professionals who collaborate with physicians to provide preventative services, emergency care, clinical diagnosis, therapeutic intervention and rehabilitation of injuries and medical conditions. Students who want to become certified athletic trainers must earn a degree from an accredited athletic training curriculum. Accredited programs include formal instruction in areas such as injury/illness prevention, first aid and emergency care, assessment of injury/illness, human anatomy and physiology, therapeutic modalities, and nutrition. Classroom learning is enhanced through clinical education experiences.
Is an athletic trainer the same thing as a personal trainer?
Athletic training is often confused with personal training. There is, however, a large difference in the education, skill set, job duties and patients of an athletic trainer and a personal trainer.
An athletic trainer is an expert at recognizing, treating and preventing musculoskeletal injuries. ATs meet qualifications set by the Board of Certification, Inc., and adhere to the requirements of a state licensing board. ATs practice under the direction of a physician and are members of a health care profession recognized by the American Medical Association.
A personal trainer develops, monitors and changes an individual’s specific exercise program in a fitness or sports setting; some personal trainers also make nutrition recommendations. Personal trainers can earn credentials through a number of agencies and can work as fitness trainers without formal instruction or certification.
Is the Georgia College Athletic Training program accredited?
The Master of Science in Athletic Training program was fully accredited by the CAATE in 2018, with 10 years of Continuing Education. Graduates in Athletic Training are qualified to sit for the National Board of Certification exam.
What are the prerequisite courses for the program?
For the MS in Athletic Training
Human Anatomy or Anatomy and Physiology I (with lab): Equivalent of HSCS 2813 or BIOL 2251K
Human Physiology or Anatomy and Physiology II (with lab): Equivalent of HSCS 2823 or BIOL 2252K
Nutrition: Equivalent of KINS 2323
Physiology of Exercise: Equivalent of KINS 3203
General Biology (with lab): Equivalent of BIOL 1100 or higher
General Chemistry (with lab): Equivalent of CHEM 1211 or higher
General Physics (with lab): Equivalent of PHYS 1111 or higher
Psychology: Equivalent of PSYC 1101 or higher
Statistics: Equivalent of MATH 1401 or higher
Do I have to have all my pre-requisites completed at the time I apply?
All pre-requisites must be completed or in progress and completed prior to the program start date. You must receive a “C” (2.0 on 4.0 scale) or better to be considered as an applicant. Additionally, the overall prerequisite GPA must be 3.0 on a 4.0 scale. International applicants may contact us for equivalencies.
Do you require observation hours?
No, the Georgia College MSAT program does not require observation hours. However, they are recommended to give applicants exposure and experience in Athletic Training and an understanding on the role of ATs.
Does the Georgia College MSAT require the GRE?
No. GRE scores may be sent, but they are not part of the admissions process. No advantage is given to students reporting scores.
I am from a minority group or first generation college student background. Is this program for me? What resources does Georgia College provide students like me?
Georgia College School of Health & Human Performance is committed to diversity and accessibility of higher education. We believe all students deserve respect and assistance in finding resources available to them. The Georgia College Office of Inclusion and Belonging work hard to make Georgia College an inviting place for students of all backgrounds. Once on campus, students have access to student groups that include Pride Alliance, Black Student Alliance, Latino Student Association, Veterans Support Groups, Diversity Peer Educators, International Club, and many more.
Are Graduate Assistantships available for MSAT students?
No – the program policy is not to allow students to work as graduate assistants due to the course load and clinical requirements of the program. Financial Aid information and assistance can be found through the Georgia College Office of Financial Aid or by emailing financialaid@gcsu.edu.
Can I transfer credit into the MSAT?
Only coursework that is not clinical-based or Athletic Training specific can be transferred. Georgia College allows a maximum of nine hours transfer credit, which is entirely at the discretion of the Program Director and Graduate Coordinator. The only coursework considered for transfer credit is Research Methods in Kinesiology I and II, Sports Nutrition, and Administration of Health & Human Services. Any course requests for transfer credit must show graduate level and equivalent coursework with a grade of “B” or higher (3.0 on 4.0 scale) from a regionally-accredited university. No transfer credit will be accepted if a student is not in good academic standing.
I was dismissed from a graduate program on academic grounds. Can I apply to your program?
Cases of academic dismissal from a graduate program are normally non-admissible to Georgia College; however, if you are serious about a career in Athletic Training, you may contact Dr. Brittney Hardin (brittney.hardin@gcsu.edu) for the steps to petition for consideration. Please note that the Graduate Coordinator’s and Program Director’s decisions are final.
I am active duty military or in the Reserve or National Guard. Will this program be suitable for me?
Our MSAT has substantial class and clinical commitments. Courses are several hours long and in the mornings, and clinical immersion is in the afternoon and may not be local. It is not recommended for active duty military, but Reserves or National Guard students should be able to complete the program with appropriate work-life balance. Please contact Dr. Brittney Hardin (brittney.hardin@gcsu.edu) to discuss any situation concerning military service during the MSAT. We are supportive of veterans joining the MSAT program.
I am an international student, can I apply to the MSAT program?
Yes, and we welcome international applicants. All international applicants must work with the Georgia College International Education Center to determine eligibility. Please contact the Center as soon as you establish interest in our program, as the international admissions process is substantially longer and requires several additional documents than the domestic graduate admissions process. Please note that the MSAT program is a 60 credit hour, 6 semester (two full year, June Year I – August Year II) program.
When do you accept applications for the program?
Applications for each cohort open June the year prior to the start date. For example, the June 2025 cohort application will open June 2024. The application deadlines and interview panels are listed under “Instructions for Athletic Training Application.” After the final date listed (April), applications will only be considered on a case-by-case, space available basis. In order to guarantee consideration for the program, all completed applications must be received prior to the April deadline.
When will I find out if I’ve been invited to interview or accepted to the program?
After submission of a COMPLETED application (completed applications include all the transcripts and legal presence verification received by Grad Admissions), there is approximately a two week notification of interview after submission deadline, and to follow a two week notification of decision after interview.
Who can I contact if I have other questions?
Dr. Brittney Hardin, Interim Athletic Training Program Director brittney.hardin@gcsu.edu (478) 445-8626 325 Health Sciences Building
Clayton Faircloth, Interim Clinical Education Coordinator clayton.faircloth@gcsu.edu (478) 445-8560 324 Health Sciences Building
Brittney Hardin comes to Georgia College & State University from Mercer University and was Georgia College & State University's Outstanding Athletic Training Clinical Student in 2013 and a member of the Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi. She is a nationally certified athletic trainer and a licensed athletic trainer in Georgia. Her teaching and scholarship interests include academic leadership and athletic training education.
