Athletic Training Curriculum
The MSAT Program at ÑÇÖÞÇéÉ« is a two-year, professional graduate program designed to prepare students for entry-level practice as Athletic Trainers. The MSAT Program at ÑÇÖÞÇéÉ« is subdivided into two major divisions, known as the Academic Program and the Clinical Education Program. Successful completion of the MSAT Program requires successful completion of both these components. A student completing the Academic Program is required to complete all required courses for the MSAT degree. This program consists of thirty-three (33) courses comprising sixty-nine (69) credit hours. An overview of the academic program can be found below.
Course Descriptions
HLAT 500 - Clinical Anatomy & Physiology (4 credits)
This course examines all the systems of the body, with primary focus on the musculoskeletal system. Students’ clinical anatomy is advanced through the use of virtual cadaver dissection, online dissection software, and anatomical models.
HLAT 501 – Introduction to Athletic Training & Psychosocial Aspects of Injury (3 credits)
This course provides an introduction to the profession of athletic training, including basic skills required for injury prevention and treatment, as well as an overview of the psychological and social aspects associated with injury and recovery.
HLAT 505 – Emergency Care in Athletic Training (3 credits)
This course will teach athletic training students recognition, evaluation and treatment of emergent conditions that may occur in the physically active population.
HLAT 510 - Answering Clinical Questions (1 credit)
This course will introduce the student to the role and importance of research in the rehabilitation professions. Course content will include defining research terminology, development of search terms, and the development of a research question.
HLAT 511 – Evidence-Based Practice I (1 credit)
This course will introduce the student to role and importance of research in the rehabilitation professions. Course content will include defining research terminology, basic epidemiology, development of search terms, human subjects training and the development of a research question.
HLAT 512 – Evidence-Based Practice II (1 credit)
This course will educate the student regarding the research process including: development of research hypotheses, use of dependent and independent variables, disablement models, experimental design, data collection procedures, research methods and ethical issues associated with the completion of human subjects research.
HLAT 521 – Therapeutic Modalities I (1 credit)
This course is designed to introduce the student to theories on pain modulation and the acute inflammatory response, as well as cryotherapy, thermotherapy and intermittent compression therapeutic modalities commonly utilized in the athletic training profession.
HLAT 522 – Therapeutic Modalities II (2 credits)
This course will teach the theory, application and clinical decision-making surrounding the use of electrical stimulation as a therapeutic modality.
HLAT 523 – Therapeutic Modalities III (2 credits)
This course teaches students the theory, application and evidence-based usage of therapeutic modalities including: therapeutic ultrasound, iontophoresis, shortwave diathermy, LASER and massage.
HLAT 530 – Clinical Measures for the Lower Extremity (2 credits)
This course educates students in performance of assessment and documentation techniques for the lower extremity, including palpation, goniometry, strength testing, neurologic examination and anthropometric measures.
HLAT 540 – Clinical Measures for the Upper Extremity (2 credits)
This course educates students in performance of assessment and documentation techniques for the lower extremity, including palpation, goniometry, strength testing, neurologic examination and anthropometric measures.
HLAT 550 – Analysis & Dysfunction of the Lower Extremity (3 credits)
This course teaches evaluation techniques of the lower extremity, including the foot, ankle, knee and hip, as well as orthopedic conditions of the lower extremity.
HLAT 560 – Analysis & Dysfunction of the Upper Extremity (3 credits)
This course teaches evaluation techniques of the upper extremity, including the shoulder, elbow, wrist and hand, as well as orthopedic conditions of the upper extremity.
HLAT 575 – Foundations of Therapeutic Exercise (2 credits)
This course introduces the concepts of tissue inflammation, repair and remodeling as applied to the rehabilitation process. Students will learn the theories regarding the evidence-based application of stretching, range of motion, joint mobilization, strengthening, aerobic exercise, plyometric exercise, proprioception, aquatic therapy, and other applications of rehabilitation skills.
HLAT 576 – Therapeutic Exercise & Manual Therapy for the Lower Extremity (2 credits)
This course expands upon the Foundation of Therapeutic Exercise course by having the student apply previously learned materials regarding therapeutic exercise and manual therapy to the rehabilitation and treatment of patients with lower extremity pathology.
HLAT 581 – Clinical Education I (1 credit)
This course is designed to introduce students to the practice of athletic training through the completion of a three-week clinical education experience.
HLAT 582 – Clinical Education II (2 credits)
This course is designed to allow students to develop clinical proficiency in the evaluation, diagnosis, and treatment of lower extremity dysfunction through the completion of an eight-week clinical education experience.
HLAT 583 – Clinical Education III (2 credits)
This course is designed to allow students to develop clinical proficiency in the evaluation, diagnosis, and treatment of upper extremity dysfunction through the completion of an eight-week clinical education experience.
HLAT 610 – Organization & Administration in Athletic Training (3 credits)
This course is designed to examine the various issues, policies and procedures involved with the administration of athletic training in a variety of professional settings. Study will include facility organization and design, legal liability, personnel management, equipment maintenance and budgeting, record keeping, health care services, counseling and public relations.
HLAT 613 – Evidence-Based Practice III (1 credit)
This course will educate the student regarding statistical analysis, development of discussion points, figure and table creation and developing research conclusions.
HLAT 614 – Evidence-Based Practice IV (1 credit)
This course serves as the capstone for the evidence-based practice series. In this course, students prepare and defend scholarly research. Students also deliver a platform or poster presentation of a case study or original research in a public forum.
HLAT 615 – Clinical Imaging (1 credit)
This course provides fundamental clinical knowledge of commonly utilized diagnostic imaging techniques in sports medicine. The course presents both normal and diseased states. Diagnostic imaging techniques discussed include plain radiographs, flouroscan, arthrograms, magnetic resonance imaging, CAT scan, bone scan, diagnostic ultrasound and myelogram.
HLAT 622 – Sports Nutrition (3 credits)
This course presents the scientific basis for sports nutrition emphasizing basic nutritional concepts, energy expenditure during resistance and endurance exercise, diet during training, the timing and composition of the pre- and post- competition meals, the use of nutrients supplements and ergogenic aids, and the special needs of various athletic groups.
HLAT 660 – Pharmacology (1 credit)
This course examines application of pharmacology in the treatment of a variety of conditions. This course also includes discussion of nutritional supplements, performance enhancing drugs and recreational drugs.
HLAT 665 – Pathophysiology (3 credits)
This course teaches concepts of human physiology and basic pathology. Also involves detailed evaluation skills necessary for assessment and recognition of general medical conditions and pharmacologic applications of the physically active.
HLAT 670 – Head & Spine Evaluation & Treatment (3 credits)
This course focuses on evaluation and treatment techniques of the spine and pelvis, including the cervical spine, thoracic spine, lumbar spine and the sacroiliac joints, as well as common orthopedic conditions of the trunk in the physically active population.
HLAT 677 – Therapeutic Exercise & Manual Therapy for the Upper extremity (2 credits)
This course expands upon the Foundation of Therapeutic Exercise course by having the student apply previously learned materials regarding therapeutic exercise and manual therapy to the rehabilitation and treatment of patients with upper extremity pathology.
HLAT 678 – Psychosocial Aspects of Rehabilitation (2 credits)
This course is designed to provide a basic understanding of the psychological and social aspects of injury and rehabilitation. Topics covered include emotional response to injury and rehabilitation, motivation, rehabilitation/exercise adherence, psychosocial factors influencing rehabilitation and recovery, career transition and termination, and mental skills training and use.
HLAT 679 – Physical Adaptations to Exercise (3 credits)
This course is designed to promote an understanding of the adaptations of the human body in response to exercise, as well as fundamental concepts of strength and conditioning. The course will provide the student with anatomy and physiology of various systems of the body, programs, theories and concepts vital to exercise prescription, injury prevention, injury rehabilitation and reconditioning for return to activity.
HLAT 684 – Clinical Education IV (1 credit)
This course is designed to allow students to develop clinical proficiency in the evaluation, diagnosis, and treatment of head and spine dysfunction, as well as expose students to non-orthopedic conditions across the lifespan through the completion of a two-day per week, twelve-week clinical education experience in a variety of clinical settings.
HLAT 685 – Clinical Education V (3 credits)
This course is designed to allow students to develop clinical proficiency in the all areas of the athletic training profession and facilitate increasing levels of autonomous practice through the completion of a twelve-week clinical education experience.
HLAT 686 – Clinical Education VI (4 credits)
This course is designed to allow students to develop clinical proficiency in the all areas of the athletic training profession and facilitate increasing levels of autonomous practice through the completion of a fifteen-week clinical education experience.
HLAT 690 – Capstone in Athletic Training (1 credit)
This course is designed for research discussion of critical questions and contemporary issues in athletic training and sports medicine. The course also serves to prepare students for the Board of Certification Examination and for becoming licensed to practice as an athletic trainer.