Athletic Training, 3+2 Master of Science (Including B.S. in Exercise and Sport Science)
Athletic trainers are allied health care professionals who collaborate with physicians to optimize patient and client activity and participation. Athletic training encompasses the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of emergency, acute, and chronic medical conditions involving impairment, functional limitations, and disabilities. (www.NATA.org)
The M.S. in Athletic Training prepares students to become entry-level athletic trainers and qualifies them to take the BOC Exam (national board exam). It is a rigorous academic program that builds upon foundational course work in anatomy, physiology, exercise physiology, psychology, and other science related courses to provide students didactic and clinical experience exposure to the evidence-based decision making process used to examine, diagnose, and create appropriate prevention, treatment, and wellness interventions for clients across the age and ability spectrums. A degree in Athletic Training offers graduates opportunities to practice in a variety of settings. These settings include, but are not limited to, high school, college, and professional athletics, outpatient clinics, industrial rehabilitation sites, physician practices, the performing arts, safety settings, and higher education. Upon program completion, students will also be prepared to take the CHES (certified health education specialist) and CSCS (certified strength and condition specialist) exams. Acceptance into the Athletic Training Program is competitive and not guaranteed.
Once admitted into the program, students are required to maintain an overall minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 and satisfactory performance during the clinical experiences to remain active in the athletic training program. Failure to maintain a cumulative 3.0 GPA for one semester will result in a one-semester probation. If the student has two consecutive semesters with a cumulative GPA below 3.0, they will be removed from the program (graduate students may not earn less than a “B” in more than one class over the course of their program). In addition to the Piedmont College graduation requirements, Athletic Training Majors must also complete a minimum of 900 hours of practical clinical experience (as assigned by the Program), pass level-specific competency exams, and complete all required skills in the Master Log prior to graduation.
A CAATE-accredited degree in Athletic Training is necessary for students to be eligible to sit for the National Board of Certification Exam and practice as Certified Athletic Trainers. In 2015, the CAATE, in partnership with the NATA and Board of Certification, announced the mandatory transition of all undergraduate professional Athletic Training programs to the graduate level. To meet this goal, Piedmont College began a 3+2 program in Fall 2017, in which incoming undergraduate students who wish to become Certified Athletic Trainers will earn both bachelor’s and master’s degrees in five academic years (BS in Exercise and Sport Science and MS in Athletic Training). This program also allows students who hold a bachelor’s degree from another institution to complete the master’s in two academic years through a traditional admission route. The Piedmont College Athletic Training Program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education (CAATE). The program has been placed on probation as of February 11, 2020, by the CAATE, 6850 Austin Center Blvd., Suite 100, Austin, TX 78731-3101. The program is actively working to address the deficient standard, and is accepting both 3+2 and traditional graduate students as the process resolves.
Admission Criteria
Acceptance into the Athletic Training Program is competitive and not guaranteed. Prospective students must meet the minimum criteria listed below to be considered for admission to the program:
- Ability to meet the Technical Standards of Admission as documented by a licensed physician, nurse practitioner, or physician’s assistant
- Admission to Piedmont College
- Declare Athletic Training as a major
- “C” or better on all required pre-requisite coursework, with minimum 3.0 GPA in the pre-requisites
- Completed application, cover letter, and professional resume (due January15th of the application year; rolling admissions afterwards until the cohort is filled)
- Copy of unofficial transcripts (Final, official transcripts due before summer classes begin)
- 35 clinical observation hours with a Certified Athletic Trainer
- Copy of First Aid and CPR certification cards (must be valid through the start of summer courses)
- Copy of immunization records, including Tdap, MMR, Varicella, Hepatitis B and a current TB skin test (within 12 months)
- Overall cumulative minimum GPA of 2.80 and minimum 3.0 GPA in prerequisite courses
- Two letters of recommendation (if already enrolled at Piedmont, one must be from a faculty or staff member)
- Successful interview (Interviews are extended in February)
- Successful background check and drug screen (must use the College’s chosen vendor for both; completed after interviews)
Provisional Admission Criteria:
All students applying in their 3rd year from Piedmont College or transferring from an outside institution into the 3 + 2 track must have all General Education Core courses, all pre-requisite courses, and a minimum of 90 credit hours completed by the end of the application semester. Prospective students must have completed, or be currently enrolled in, the following courses when applying to the Athletic Training program (only grades of “C” or better will be accepted):
- Anatomy and Physiology I and II (6-8cr)
- Biology, Biochemistry, Microbiology, Medical Microbiology, or similar (3-4cr)
- Chemistry I and II (6-8cr)
- Physics I and II (4-8cr) [If one 4cr course, it must include all of the following concepts: Newtonian mechanics (force, energy, work, momentum), thermodynamics, electromagnetism, waves, and light/optics]
- Exercise Physiology (3-4cr)
- Kinesiology, Biomechanics, Advanced or Clinical Physiology, or similar (3-4cr)
- Basic Nutrition or Sport Nutrition (3cr)
- Fitness Assessment, Exercise Prescription, Strength and Conditioning, Motor Learning, Health Promotion,or similar (3cr)
- General Psychology, Anthropology, Sociology , or Developmental, Abnormal, or Sport Psychology (3cr)
- Statistics or Biostatistics (3cr)
Transfer Policy:
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An application and requirements as listed above.
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Official transcripts from each college, university, or technical school attended. Transfer applicants must present a satisfactory academic record (normally at least a 2.0 on a 4.0 scale with all grades being considered) from each institution attended
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Only courses from accredited institutions and foreign institutions approved for semester abroad will be accepted for credit
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Courses from accredited technical colleges in the State of Georgia may be accepted pursuant to Articulation Agreements between Piedmont College and the specific technical college
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Only grades of “C” or higher are transferred in all courses
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Developmental, orientation, student-assembly, and cultural-events credits are nontransferable
Graduation Requirements:
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If on the 3+2 track, completion of a minimum of 165 credit hours, of which all 65hrs in the professional phase of the program must be completed at Piedmont College;
- If on the traditional graduate track, completion of all 65hrs in the professional phase of the program at Piedmont College
- Complete all professional phase required courses and elective coursework with no more than one grade lower than a “B”
- Complete all coursework identified in the “Test” grading category in each course with an average grade greater than or equal to 74%.
- Have a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0
- Demonstrate didactic and clinical competence by passing all Level A, B, C, and D competency exams with an average grade greater than or equal to 74%; Complete all remediation plans as designed. Students will not complete the program until they successfully pass the final Level D exam (a maximum of three attempts are allowed).
- Demonstrate satisfactory performance during the clinical experiences (≥70% on all evaluations)
- Complete all required skills as documented in the Master Log on e*Value
- Complete all required clinical hours (900hrs) as documented in the Practicum (required) and Internship (recommended) courses
- Demonstrate satisfactory performance on the thesis project and presentation (≥70% on each)
Athletic Training (3+2) Curriculum Outline
Exercise and Sport Science Foundation
Exercise and Sport Science Concentration
Athletic Training Concentration
| ATRG 5120 | Practical and Emergency Techniques in Athletic Training | 3 |
| ATRG 5125 | Physical Assessment and the Patient Experience | 3 |
| ATRG 5201 | Practicum I in Athletic Training | 2,2,4 |
| ATRG 5221 | Practicum II in Athletic Training | 2,2,4 |
| ATRG 5222 | Therapeutic Modalities | 4 |
| ATRG 5303 | Orthopedic Assessment: Upper Extremity | 3 |
| ATRG 5322 | Therapeutic Exercise | 4 |
| ATRG 5323 | Orthopedic Assessment: Lower Extremity | 3 |
| ATRG 6301 | Practicum III in Athletic Training | 2,4,6 |
| ATRG 6321 | Practicum IV in Athletic Training | 2,4,6 |
| ATRG 6402 | Organization and Administration of AT Programs | 3 |
| ATRG 6420 | Seminar (Capstone Course) | 3 |
| HSCS 5100 | Epidemiology and Biostatistics | 3 |
| HSCS 5302 | Pathology and Pharmacology | 4 |
| HSCS 5410 | Research Methodology in Health Sciences | 3 |
| HSCS 5411 | Current and Emerging Issues in Health Policy, Economics, and Advocacy | 3 |
| HSCS 6411 | Assessing Healthcare Quality | 3 |
| | | |
| | CHOOSE ONE: | |
| HSCS 5301 | Implementation and Evaluation of Health Programming | 3 |
| HSCS 5340 | Coaching Behavior Change | 3 |
| | | |
| | OPTIONAL: | |
| HSCS 5420 | Advanced Strength and Conditioning | 3 |
| HSCS 5440 | Nutrition for Health Programming | 3 |
| ATRG 5499 | Internship in Athletic Training | 1-6 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 65 |
General Education
Piedmont College Requirement
| PDMT 1101 | Intro to College Life and Liberal Arts Tradition | 1 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 1 |
Students who have not completed a minimum of 24 semester credit hours of college-level coursework upon admission to Piedmont College must meet this college requirement.
Total Credit Hours: 165