Master of Athletic Training

Admission Requirements:

Transfer students may take prerequisite courses elsewhere and transfer into the institution for their final two years of graduate work.

Pre-Athletic Training Requirements

The following prerequisite classes or their equivalents are required to be completed before admission to the professional program (course descriptions are required if courses are not taken at UWA). For prerequisite coursework not taken at UWA, students must submit the course description for each required course. Course descriptions are then reviewed by the Registrar, Dean and/or UWA faculty member that teaches the course(s), to determine if the course meets or exceeds the one taught on campus. This is handled on a case by case basis.

1. Biomechanics
2. Exercise Physiology 
3. General Biology with lab
4. General Physics I with lab
5. General Psychology
6. Human Anatomy & Physiology I & II, both with labs
7. Introduction to Nutrition or higher
8. Kinesiology
9. Chemistry I with lab

Admission Policies

Students who desire admission into the Master of Athletic Training Program must submit a formal application. Formal application must be completed through the Athletic Training Common Application System (AT-CAS) by March 1st for priority consideration. Applications will be reviewed as received and admission decisions will be made on a rolling basis until all slots are filled.

The Athletic Training Admissions and Retention Committee will evaluate each student applying for admission to the Professional Program. Based on the review and decisions on the completed applications, students will be invited for an on-site interview with the Athletic Training Admissions and Retention Committee. Formal notification of admission status to the Master's Program will be made in writing and sent to the candidate. Candidates who are NOT admitted to the program will also receive written notification of this decision. Students may be selected as alternates and if a vacancy should become available, these students will be informed. Not all qualified candidates may be admitted to the professional program due to limited enrollment in clinical experiences.

(A Note to Transfer students: As soon as you decide to transfer to the University of West Alabama, you should notify the Athletic Training Program Director immediately to review application requirements. Each applicant will be considered on an individual basis.)

Admission Requirements for Master of Athletic Training Program

1. A preferred GPA of 3.0 or higher for all college coursework
2. A "C" or higher in prerequisite coursework (Students may be enrolled in prerequisite courses at time of application)
   • Biomechanics
   • Exercise Physiology 
   • General Biology with lab
   • General Physics with lab
   • General Psychology
   • Human Anatomy and Physiology I & II with lab
   • Introduction to Nutrition or higher
   • Kinesiology
   • Chemistry I with lab
     Prerequisite courses can be taken at UWA prior to Master's Program admission. Please contact the Athletic Training Program Director or Clinical Education Coordinator for more information. The following prerequisite courses or their equivalents are required to be completed before admission to the professional program (course descriptions are required for courses not taken at UWA):
     • Chemistry I with lab
     • General Biology with lab
     • General Psychology
     • Human Anatomy and Physiology I and II, both with labs
     • Introduction to Nutrition or higher
     • Kinesiology

A maximum of one of the following prerequisite courses may be pending completion at the time of initiation of the program, however, that course must be successfully completed by the first year in the program or the student will be suspended from the program. This exception includes a student that has taken a prerequisite course and received a grade less than a "C" or a student that has one course remaining that has not yet been attempted.

• Biomechanics
• Exercise Physiology 

3. Official transcripts of all college coursework.
4. Proof of 120 Clinical Observation Hours with one or more certified athletic trainers.
5. Three professional recommendation letters. Please do not request a recommendation from personal friends. At least one letter from a certified athletic trainer is strongly recommended.
6. Essay (500-word maximum), which should address the following key points:
   • Reasons for desiring a professional career in athletic training
   • Career goals
   • Attributes that you possess that will make you successful in life as an athletic trainer
7. Current Resume
8. Proof of current American National Red Cross Professional Rescuer (AED/First Aid/CPR) or American Heart Association BLS for Health Care Providers certification or Emergency Medical Technician equivalence.
9. Proof of documentation of 120 clinical observation hours with a certified athletic trainer.
10. Successful completion of an on-site interview with the Athletic Training Admissions and Retention Committee.

Provisional Acceptance Guidelines

Once students are provisionally accepted into the professional program, students must provide the following documentation to be considered for full admission:

1. Proof of acceptance to the University of West Alabama School of Graduate Studies. ($30 application fee)
2. Each student must complete and provide verification of a Hepatitis-B vaccination series and titer. Students may choose to not be vaccinated and will be required to sign a waiver. (Vaccination may be in process.) (Approximately $270, all 3 doses, at area drug store clinics without insurance.)
3. Each student must obtain a tuberculosis skin test and provide verification of negative results within last 12 months. (Approximately $58 at area drug store clinics without insurance)
4. Proof of immunization for MMR and DTP vaccines. (If not available, approximately $170 at area drug store clinics without insurance)
5. Each student must read and sign a Confidentiality Statement for Athletic Training Students.
6. Each student must read and sign a Technical Standards Form confirming that they understand and are able to comply with the established standards.
7. Each student must submit at minimal a negative 5 panel drug screen which tests for marijuana/cannabis (THC), cocaine (COC), opiates (OPI), amphetamines (AMP), and phencyclidine (PCP). This is equivalent to the drug test required for the Department of Transportation. (Approximately $33 through Marengo Drug Screening Center in Demopolis, Alabama)
8. Each student must submit a negative criminal background check that minimally provides criminal history through a state department of public safety review. ($54.15 through UWA Police Department)
9. Each student must submit proof of current American National Red Cross Professional Rescuer (AED/First Aid/CPR) or American Heart Association BLS for Health Care Providers certification or Emergency Medical Technician equivalence. (Approximately $7-$27 if conducted through UWA Athletic Training and Sports Medicine Staff)
10. Membership in the National Athletic Trainers' Association ($80 annually)
11. 10 Continuing Education Units (CEUs) per academic year (may be provided through UWA at no cost) (Approximately $15 per CEU)

Students in the 5 year MAT program are classified as graduate students in years 4 and 5. As such, in those two years they are only eligible for graduate level financial aid. They are not eligible for the Federal Pell Grant or for scholarships where being an undergraduate is a condition of the award.

Technical Standards for Admission:

The Master of Athletic Training Program at the University of West Alabama is a rigorous and intense program that places specific requirements and demands on the students enrolled in the program. An objective of this program is to prepare graduates to enter a variety of employment settings and to render care to a wide spectrum of individuals engaged in physical activity. The technical standards set forth by the Athletic Training Program establish the essential qualities considered necessary for students admitted to this program to achieve the knowledge, skills, and competencies of an athletic trainer, as well as meet the expectations of the program's accrediting agency (Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education [CAATE]). The following abilities and expectations must be met by all students admitted to the Athletic Training Program. In the event a student is unable to fulfill these technical standards, with or without reasonable accommodation, the student will not be admitted into the program.

Compliance with the program's technical standards does not guarantee a student's eligibility for the BOC certification exam.

Candidates for selection to the Athletic Training Program must demonstrate:

1. The mental capacity to assimilate, analyze, synthesize, integrate concepts and problem solve to formulate assessment and therapeutic judgments and to be able to distinguish deviations from the norm;
2. Sufficient postural and neuromuscular control, sensory function, and coordination to perform appropriate physical examinations using accepted techniques; and accurately, safely and efficiently use equipment and materials during the assessment and treatment of patients;
3. The ability to communicate effectively and sensitively with patients and colleagues, including individuals from different cultural and social backgrounds; this includes, but is not limited to, the ability to establish rapport with patients and communicate judgments and treatment information effectively. Students must be able to understand and speak the English language at a level consistent with competent professional practice;
4. The ability to record the physical examination results and a treatment plan clearly and accurately;
5. The capacity to maintain composure and continue to function well during periods of high stress;
6. The perseverance, diligence and commitment to complete the athletic training education program as outlined and sequenced;
7. Flexibility and the ability to adjust to changing situations and uncertainty in clinical situations;
8. Affective skills and appropriate demeanor and rapport that relate to professional education and quality patient care.

Candidates for selection to the athletic training program will be required to verify they understand and meet these technical standards or that they believe that, with certain accommodations, they can meet the standards.

The UWA Office of Student Advocacy, Foust Hall 7, (205) 652-3581 will evaluate a student who states he/she could meet the program's technical standards with accommodation and confirm that the stated condition qualifies as a disability under applicable laws.

If a student states he/she can meet the technical standards with accommodation, then the University will determine whether it agrees that the student can meet the technical standards with reasonable accommodation; this includes a review as to whether the accommodations requested are reasonable, taking into account whether accommodation would jeopardize clinician/patient safety, or the educational process of the student or the institution, including all coursework, clinical experiences and internships deemed essential to graduation.

If at any point during enrollment in the Master of Athletic Training Program a student's status changes in regards to the above technical standards, the student must immediately contact the program director and the UWA Office of Student Advocacy to discuss the change in status. The program director will consult with the UWA Office of Student Advocacy to determine if accommodations can be made for the student to meet the technical standards of the program.

University Policy on Non-Discrimination

The University of West Alabama Master of Athletic Training Program (ATP) complies with the University Policy on Non-Discrimination, https://catalog.uwa.edu/content.php?catoid=40&navoid=2154, in both the clinical and didactic component of the ATP. Students must comply with the University's policy at all times including while providing patient care, in the classroom, and in general as a representative of the Athletic Training Program. Students are expected to follow the BOC Standards of Professional Practice and NATA Code of Ethics as it relates to providing "quality patient care regardless of the patient's race, religion, age, sex, ethnic or national origin, disability, health status, socioeconomic status, sexual orientation, or gender identify". Discriminatory behavior will not be tolerated at any time. If you believe at any time that you have been discriminated against or have witnessed discrimination, please notify a member of the athletic training faculty or the Title IX Coordinator immediately.

Program Requirements:

• AH 401 or AH 501 Professional Practice and Techniques of Athletic Training (3)   
• AH 502. Non Orthopaedic Evaluation and General Medical Issues (3)
• AH 420 or AH 520 Fundamental Skills in Athletic Training (3)  
• AH 432 or AH 532 Managing Medical Emergencies (3)  
• AH 508. Seminar in Athletic Training (1)
• AH 522. Clinical Evaluation and Diagnosis of the Lower Extremity (3)
• AH 524. Clinical Evaluation and Diagnosis of the Upper Extremity (3)
• AH 530. Therapeutic Interventions (3)
• AH 531. Manual Therapy Techniques (3)
• AH 540. Orthopaedic Rehabilitation (3)
• AH 541. Movement Analysis and Corrective Techniques for Dysfunction (3)
• AH 550. Healthcare Management and Professional Behaviors in Athletic Training (3)
• AH 561. Evidence Based Practice in Athletic Training I (3)
• AH 562. Evidence Based Practice in Athletic Training II (1)
• AH 563. Evidence Based Practice in Athletic Training III (3)
• AH 581. Athletic Training Clinical I (1)
• AH 582. Athletic Training Clinical II (1)
• AH 583. Athletic Training Clinical III (1)
• AH 584. Athletic Training Clinical IV (1)
• AH 591. Athletic Training Clinical Immersion I (2)
• AH 592. Athletic Training Clinical Immersion II (3)
• PE 570. Development of Strength and Conditioning Programs (3)

Total Minimum Required: 53 Hours