Athletic Training
Program Overview
Playing for a professional sports team tops the list of many dream jobs, but in reality those opportunities are few and far between. Many turn their passion for the game into a career as an athletic trainer, helping to improve sports performance by preventing and treating injuries. Whether it’s a high school football player who needs his ankle taped or a professional basketball player with a chronic wrist injury, athletic trainers help prevent future injuries and heal existing ones.
Athletic Trainers (also known as ATs) are unique health care providers who specialize in the prevention, diagnosis, and intervention of emergency, acute, and chronic medical conditions involving impairment, functional limitations, and disabilities. In collaboration with physicians and other health team members, athletic trainers make decisions about how to optimize activity and participation of their patients and clients.
A strong science background and technical abilities are vital for athletic trainers, but other personality traits are critical as well. A good athletic trainer has strong observational abilities to detect and monitor potential injuries. They are able to remain calm and communicate effectively when athletes get hurt. And they always put the patient first, using their knowledge and expertise to ensure the right care is given to stay healthy and mobile.
Providing Care to a World that Needs You
Athletic trainers work with recreational, amateur, and professional athletes to prevent injuries and provide strength, conditioning, fitness, and performance enhancement. Their work takes place in a variety of settings besides schools and professional sports teams. They may be employed by hospitals, sports medicine and physical therapy clinics, performing arts organizations (dancers, musicians), military and governmental agencies, and even industrial settings where employees have physically demanding jobs.
Employment opportunities in the field of Athletic Training look extremely positive. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics is predicting a faster than average growth through 2032. Will it last beyond that? Most likely, as athletic trainers play an increasingly important role in the management, prevention and rehabilitation of injured athletes. Kids are training earlier and harder than ever before and there are growing concerns about how injuries can affect the very young. High school and collegiate athletes are under increasing pressure to improve performance, leading to chronic injuries, while middle-aged and elderly people are more active than ever. All of which is creating a growing demand for the services of qualified athletic trainers across all age groups.
Program Accreditation
Ready… Set… Go!
If you have a bachelor’s in exercise science or kinesiology or are in the process of obtaining one, King’s offers a full-time MSAT program in which you can earn a master’s degree in just two years. Upon satisfactory completion of the program, students will earn a Master of Science in Athletic Training (MSAT) degree and be eligible to sit for the Board of Certification (BOC) to become a certified athletic trainer. If you are just beginning college and interested in a career in Athletic Training, we also offer a 3+2 program in which you earn both a Bachelor and Master degree in five years.
What Makes our MSAT Program Stand Out?
Our program combines hands-on clinical experiences, evidence-based practice and intensive coursework to prepare students for their field. Among the highlights are:
- Student’s athletic training techniques are developed through distinctive coursework that is supported by the latest theories and research, such as Advanced Human Anatomy (with on-campus cadaver dissection); Head, Neck, and Spine for cutting-edge techniques in evaluation, diagnosis and treatment; Advanced Therapeutic Interventions for innovative and sophisticated therapies and two Evidence-Based Medicine courses for high-level research and applications.
- Classroom knowledge is integrated with clinical education, including up to 21 weeks of immersive experiences where students gain significant hands-on patient-care practice through clinical rotations in a variety of settings. Students gain real-world experience in a variety of settings including local school districts, hospitals, college or professional sports teams. If they choose, they can even take part in global opportunities such as the International Sports Science Medical Conference.
- The Alley Center for Health Sciences is a dedicated facility that provides outstanding academic, lab and medical facilities. Our state-of-the art modern exercise science lab offers cutting-edge equipment and technology including full VO2Max capabilities, Bioelectrical Impedance body assessment, 3-camera gait analysis abilities, ECGs, DXA Scan and Tensiomyography. A full cadaver anatomy lab and patient simulators give our students plenty of opportunities to practice in a clinical setting.
- A dedicated and highly qualified faculty that is actively involved in athletic training organizations provides contemporary expertise and clinical experience. With 9 full-time faculty and staff in the Department of Health and Human Performance and 9 full-time Athletic Trainers, our students enjoy a highly personalized educational experience in which they learn both the scientific and interpersonal skills needed to succeed in this career.
- Our interprofessional educational experience allows students from multiple healthcare disciplines, including Physician Assistant and Nursing, to study and learn together. Learning to collaborate effectively creates well-rounded professionals who are prepared for today’s team-based healthcare environment.
- In addition to the technical skills, knowledge, and abilities required to be an athletic trainer, we help our students evolve into ethical citizens that serve the common good. Service and community are cornerstones of our program and we encourage students to engage in volunteer medical services and community health programs. Respect and advocacy for the dignity of every person is a core component of our curriculum. We practice and develop leadership skills to ensure the next generation of athletic trainers contribute to the betterment of society.
- A supportive environment in which students are encouraged to work with faculty or on their own to develop research and theories, many of which have been presented both as posters and orally at numerous state (PATS), regional (EATA), and national (NATA) settings.
- Outstanding preparation for the national certification exam for athletic training, with our BOC first time and overall pass rates both exceeding the national average. When it comes time to finding a job, you can expect an edge from our well-connected faculty who hold leadership positions in AT organizations and the community. Having been accredited since 2001, our program has strong connections to health care providers and organizations, including the Geisinger Health System and Lehigh Valley Health Network. We have a 100% placement rate for graduates who are working at local high schools, professional organizations and hospital systems, in addition to organizations such as Pennsylvania Power & Light (PP&L), Geisinger Health Systems, United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee, NFL, NCAA Division I colleges and universities and Major League Soccer.
King’s accredited MSAT program offers you the tools you need to make a difference in People’s lives and gives you an edge when it comes to employment. If keeping athletes and other physically active people at the top of their game is appealing to you, learn more about King’s MSAT program requirements or apply now through the Athletic Training Centralized Application System (ATCAS).
“We provide our students with the clinical expertise and professional skills needed to be the best advocate for their patients.”
Jeremy Simington, MS, LAT, ATC
Program Director, MSAT Program
* These statistics were sourced from the National Athletic Trainer’s Association Salary Survey 2021.
Please note that all applicants for the MSAT program must apply through the Athletic Training Centralized Application System (ATCAS).
Careers
Our strong and active alumni network ensures that graduates will have extensive support during and after program completion, which has led to 100% of our graduates being employed in a variety of settings. Among the high-profile organizations our graduates have secured jobs with:
Professional Sports
- National Football League: Kansas City Chiefs, Philadelphia Eagles, Minnesota Vikings
- Major League Soccer: New York City Football Club
NCAA Division I Colleges/Universities
- University of Louisville, University of Texas San Antonio, University of Virginia
US Olympic and Paralympic Teams
- Lake Placid Olympic Training Center
Our athletic training graduates are also employed in organizations outside of sports environments in emerging settings such as:
- Physician Practice – clinical staff, operating room technicians, and primary rehabilitation positions
- Performing Arts – theater, dance, music, and entertainment (Acrobatics, circus, movies/television industry)
- Health Care Administration – administrative/management positions in physician practices, hospital systems, pharmaceuticals, insurance carriers, etc.
- Industrial – Utility workers, warehouses, manufacturing plants
- Military – All five branches of the armed forces employ ATs to work with their personnel
- Public Safety – police, fire, federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies (FBI, DEA, Homeland Security), plus wilderness fire and rescue personnel
- Rehabilitation Clinics – primary rehabilitation in outpatient and inpatient clinics
- Community Outreach – hospital and clinical outreach, youth sports, club sports, large tournament/event services
- Analytics and Outcomes style research
- Business: Private enterprises, durable medical equipment sales, consulting
Additional Info
Program Mission and Goals
The King’s College Master of Science in Athletic Training Program provides students with an individualized, intellectual learning environment based in the liberal arts tradition. With an emphasis on critical thinking, interprofessional and collaborative practice skills, and patient-centered care, our students are prepared to become confident, skilled, and principled athletic trainers who practice based on current concepts and evidence.
Goals of the MSAT program are:
- Provide students with an individualized, intellectual learning environment based in the liberal arts tradition.
- Provide students with didactic education experiences that emphasized critical thinking, interprofessional education, patient-centered care, and current concepts and evidence.
- Provide students with clinical education experiences that emphasized critical thinking, interprofessional collaborative practice skills, patient-centered care, and current concepts and evidence.
- Prepare students to become confident, skilled, and principled athletic trainers.
- Prepare students to pass the Board of Certification Inc. (BOC) Exam
Program Outcomes
We exceed the national average for overall pass rates on the Board of Certification Exam, which is proof that we prepare our graduates for success. We accomplish this in a variety of ways including:
- Comprehensive reviews built into courses so that past material is connected to new material for reinforcement
- Competency-based learning, in which students are taught in a step-wise progression, gaining and demonstrating mastery as they move through the program
- Specific learning modules on test-taking skills to help students prepare to take standardized, computer-based tests
- Use of official Board of Certification practice exams to help students identify areas in which they are strong and those in which they need improvement
- Use of exam questions in AT Program courses that mimic the types of questions used in the Board of Certification exam
Core Principles
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Integrity
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Student-centeredness
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Evidence-based Practice
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Patient-centered Healthcare
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Inclusivity, Diversity, and Equity
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Leadership and Professionalism
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Statement
The Master of Science in Athletic Training Program is committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion because it is the right thing to do. We embrace and work toward diversity, equity, and inclusion for all of our members, including students, staff, and faculty. Our program values are built on the foundation of welcoming all, celebrating a wide range of perspectives and experiences, and helping each member to achieve their full potential.
Diversity refers to different backgrounds, races, nationalities, genders, sexual orientations, beliefs, religions, socioeconomic statuses, physical and mental abilities, and more.
Equity refers to promoting justice, impartiality, and fairness within all aspects of the program. This includes providing equal access to opportunities and acknowledging and addressing structural inequalities.
Inclusion refers to an approach where we respect, welcome, encourage, and engage all members, provide them with a sense of belonging, and afford the opportunity to participate fully in the program.
Clinical Education
Students in the King’s College Master of Science in Athletic Training (MSAT) program will complete 55 weeks of clinical education experience (CEE) during the two years spent in the professional program, with up to 21 of these weeks being full clinical immersion. These CEEs are spread across four rotations during the first year that are completed concurrently with didactic coursework and 3 immersive rotations during the second year in the program. The clinical education curriculum is designed to run parallel to the didactic classroom work and is tiered based on the student’s professional preparation. The clinical education plan is designed to allow students to gain experience in real-life, patient-centered care across the lifespan in both common and emerging athletic training settings. Throughout these experiences our students will become confident, skilled, and competent certified athletic trainers who practice based on current concepts and evidence to strive to be principled healthcare providers.
Professional Year One
During the first year in the program, the student will gain CEE at local colleges and high schools. These clinical education experiences with non-musculoskeletal conditions in a physician’s office setting are designed to expose students to a wide variety of real-world patient encounters early in the course of study. They will allow the students to provide patient-centered, evidence-based athletic training services in a supervised environment where they can practice and apply skills learned in first-year classes on actual patients. CEE assignments are made prior to each semester by the Clinical Education Coordinator (CEC). In addition to the Athletic Training Student’s (ATS’s) primary CEE assignment, the ATS will also spend one afternoon per week in each semester of professional year one in the Scandlon Sports Medicine Clinic. This will be referred to as their “Clinic Day.” The Clinic Day schedule is determined by the CEC. Students are not required to attend their regular CEE on their Clinic Day. ATS have a Clinic Day to ensure that they have the opportunity to practice and reinforce therapeutic interventions on patients in a sports medicine clinic setting.
Fall Semester
AT 420 Athletic Training Practicum 1: Two (2) 8/9-week clinical education experiences in the college or high school settings.
Spring Semester
AT 425 Athletic Training Practicum 2: Two (2) 8/9-week clinical education experiences in the college or high school setting.
The student will complete two (2) 9-week clinical education experiences during each of the fall and spring semesters under the guidance of a primary clinical preceptor. Although the traditional semester is 16-weeks in length, a part of the student’s CEE will begin before the academic semester begins during the two weeks of pre-season practice in August, and the two weeks prior to the start of the spring semester in January. The student’s primary clinical preceptor will direct and supervise their CEE based on the specific clinical setting that they work in.
CEE Hours Expectations
- Students must earn a minimum of 135 hours by the last day of each 9-week rotation.
- Attendance at the CEE when scheduled by the primary preceptor is mandatory.
- A student’s 9-week CEE is not necessarily completed if a student reaches 135 hours before the end of the 9-week rotation.
- It is recommended that students not accumulate more than 250 hours during a 9-week rotation
- To help students maintain life balance, preceptors should strive to maintain a maximum average of 25 hours per week at their clinical experience. Exceeding 25 hours per week is acceptable if efforts are taken to balance those weeks with weeks where students gain less than 25 hours.
- The CEC will monitor student hours to ensure that they are within acceptable limits.
- Students must have a minimum of one day off in every seven-day period. This day does not need to be consistent each week and will be determined by the clinical preceptor based on student input and the educational opportunities available.
Professional Year Two
During year two, the clinical education experiences will follow an immersive format with a total of 20-21 weeks of immersive clinical education experiences extending over the course of the year. These full-time practice-intensive experiences are designed to allow the student to experience the totality of the athletic training profession and will be customized to the students plans for post-graduation employment. During these immersive clinical education experiences preceptors will provide the student with learning opportunities that span the full skill-set of a practicing athletic trainer including but not limited to evaluation, treatment, emergency care, rehabilitation, administrative duties, interprofessional communication with physicians and other health care providers, and additional experiences communicating with relevant stakeholders. These experiences can occur anywhere in the country and in a variety of settings including the traditional (professional, college, and school-age sports) and emerging (physician’s office, public safety, armed forces, and occupational and industrial health care) settings.
Fall Semester
AT 520 Athletic Training Practicum 3:
One (1) 7-week and one (1) 4-week immersive clinical education experience in the setting of the student’s choice.
Spring Semester
AT 525 Athletic Training Practicum 4: One (1) 9-week immersive clinical education experience in the setting of the student’s choice
ICEE Hours Expectations
Since students will not be enrolled in traditional in-person classes during ICCEs, the expectation is the students will complete approximately 35 hours per week during ICEEs. Students must have a minimum of one day off in every 7 day period.
Supplemental Clinical Education Experiences
Supplemental Clinical Education Experiences (SCEEs) are clinical education learning opportunities that are supervised by health care providers other than athletic trainers or physicians. You may be required to participate in short-term SCEEs throughout the professional program because the MSAT Program believes that these experiences are beneficial to your education, however, these experiences do not fulfill clinical experience requirements as defined by CAATE.
Transportation to Clinical Sites
Athletic Training Students are expected to assume responsibility for their own transportation to the various CEEs/ICEEs that are off campus. The Athletic Training Program will attempt to work with Athletic Training Students who do not have their own transportation, but keep in mind that the Athletic Training Student has the ultimate responsibility in making sure that they arrive to their CEE/ICEE on time.
Housing, Room, and Board at Clinical Sites Outside of the Local Region
Athletic Training Students are expected to assume responsibility for obtaining housing and for all housing expenses (rent/lease), food expenses, and other household expenses when at CEEs/ICEEs that are outside of the local region. “Outside of the local region” will typically be defined as a CEE/ICEE that is so far from King’s College that it requires the student to obtain additional housing. An example is if a student elects to have a CEE/ICEE in California.
Curriculum
The King’s College Master of Science in Athletic Training Program has been designed to integrate formal classroom instruction, clinical education and laboratory experiences. Upon completion, students will be prepared to sit for the Board of Certification (BOC) exam and begin their practice as a certified athletic trainer.
Our program guides students in understanding how to reduce the physical damage caused by injuries and illness. Students are taught how to administer the many ways to heal fatigued and injured body parts. Areas of study include advanced human anatomy, evidence-based medicine, and therapeutic and psychosocial interventions. Our interprofessional coursework provides students with a unique appreciation and perspective from their peers in other health professions, including physician assistant, occupational therapy, dietetics, and nursing. We include critical thinking and leadership skills in the curriculum to help our graduates become confident and skilled leaders in the field of athletic training.
While your coursework provides the cornerstone of your education, it’s the practical education gained from clinical experiences that connect what you learn in the classroom with the true nature of the profession. Students will complete 55 weeks of clinical experience, up to 21 of these weeks being in a completely immersive setting. Under the supervision of experienced, certified and licensed health care providers, your fieldwork will take place in a variety of settings to give you a broad exposure to diverse patient populations in order to provide the best care possible. Clinical experiences will increase in time commitment, starting with shorter rotations and transitioning into more full-time experiences as the program progresses. The other key component to our MSAT program is research, which students are encouraged to take part in as part of the evidence-based learning process. Our dedicated Sports Medicine Clinic and excellent lab facilities provide the tools needed to test theories and help you understand how to apply research to real scenarios. Whether it is participating in a research project developed by one of our faculty members, presenting at state and national athletic training symposiums or completing an independent project – you’ll gain a true perspective of what it takes to advance the field of athletic training.
The graduate program consists of 60 credits which are earned over a full-time, two-year period.
View the MSAT program calendar here.
Graduate Year 1 (Total credits: 37). Three sessions, beginning in summer. Consists of 10 didactic courses and 2 practicum courses. The clinical experiences are designed to provide real-world patient encounters early in the course of study, while allowing the student to apply skills learned in first-year classes (such as Prevention, Evaluation, and Diagnosis and Therapeutic Interventions) on actual patients.
Graduate Year 2 (Total credits: 23). Fall and Spring semesters. The two semesters consist of five courses, one three-week immersive experience, two four-week immersive experiences, and one eight-week immersive experience extending over the course of the year. These are full-time clinical experiences, which allow the student to take part in the totality of the athletic training profession. Clinical rotations can be customized to a student’s individual plan for post-graduation employment and can occur anywhere in the country. They take place in a variety of traditional settings (professional, college, and school-age sports) and emerging (physician’s office, public safety, armed forces, and occupational and industrial health care) settings.
Students interested in the Master of Science in Athletic Training 3 + 2 program, please visit the MSAT 3+2 webpage.
Program Outcomes
Tuition and Financial Aid
Estimated* MSAT Program Combined Course Fees
- Year 1: $2210
- Year 2: $945
Estimated* MSAT Program Expenses
- Required textbooks: $1325 (total for Year 1 and Year 2)
- General College fee: $2100 (per year)
- Graduation fee: $208 (Year 2 only)
- Clothing required for clinical practice: $200 (total for Year 1 and Year 2)
- Background checks: $50 (Year 1 only)
- Laptop computer: variable
- Immunizations: variable
- Transportation costs to and from clinical experience sites: variable
- Housing expenses (rent/lease), food expenses, and other household expenses at optional clinical experience sites outside of the local region: variable
Graduate students can apply for federal and state financial aid and for private loans. King’s College does not provide financial aid to graduate students. You are strongly encouraged to contact the Office of Financial Aid if you have questions about tuition and fees. Contact the Office of Financial Aid at (570) 208-5876 or finaid@kings.edu.
*While we have made every effort to accurately estimate these fees, it is important to acknowledge that they are subject to potential adjustments or changes. Various factors, such as changes in college policy, economic conditions, or unforeseen circumstances may impact the actual amounts of these fees. Therefore, the fees presented here should be considered as approximate and for informational purposes only. We recommend that applicants and students regularly check the official MSAT Program website or contact the Director of Graduate Admission and the MSAT Program Director for the most up-to-date and precise fee information.
Faculty and Staff
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