Online MS Athletic Training Practice
Post-professional program designed to help you meet CAATE requirements and advance your skills within two years. Accelerated track available. Request information to learn more today.
FALL 2023
Classes Start: August 29, 2023
Program Highlights
Stay Up-To-Date with Changes
Stay up-to-date with changes in athletic training (AT) education and practice requirements.
By 2020, all undergraduate AT programs had to comply with the Practice Analysis, 7th Edition, required by CAATE for athletic trainers.
By 2022, the athletic training profession is transitioning to an entry-level point of a Master’s of Athletic Training Practice. This degree allows you to stay up-to-date with those changes, by focusing on areas of specialization and the evolving demands of the profession. Become a skilled, evidence-based clinician with advanced practitioner techniques and the new competencies as outlined in the Practice Analysis, 7th Edition.
Develop Advanced Competencies
Develop expertise in general medicine, psychosocial interventions, diagnosis, testing, and interpretations. Deepen your knowledge of orthopedic applications and procedures, emergency procedures and care, biomedical testing and imaging, and more. Advance knowledge and skills with nontraditional therapeutic interventions like dry needling, blood flow restriction, and manual therapies.
Designed for Practicing Athletic Trainers
Earn your Master of Science in Athletic Training Practice while you work. Our program is designed under a transitional model for athletic trainers who are working to earn their master’s degrees. Our program is provided primarily online over six semesters, so students can continue to work as ATs.
Accelerated Program Option
You can earn your Master of Science in Athletic Training Practice in under two years by choosing our accelerated pathway. The accelerated program includes eight-week courses. Take them whenever each course is offered.
Bridge to our PhD Program
Earn your terminal academic degree and move into academia, scholarship, leadership, and more. After completing the Master of Science in Athletic Training Practice , some credits are transferable to our PhD in Health Sciences. Choose from concentration tracks such as Athletic Training, Human and Sport Performance, or Health Promotion and Wellness.
Program Curriculum
33 Credit Hours:
ATH 700 – Evidence-Based Principles in Clinical Practice
ATH 710 – Preventative Practices
ATH 720 – Orthopedic Applications & Procedures
ATH 720L – Orthopedic Applications & Procedures Lab*
ATH 750 – Integrative Medicine (8-week course)
ATH 730 – Emergency Procedures & Care
ATH 730L – Emergency Procedures & Care Lab*
ATH 740 – Biomedical Testing & Imaging
WE 717 – Integrative Therapies in Health Promotion
HLA 740 – Healthcare Delivery
HPE 620 – Clinical Education & Experiential Design & Application for Healthcare Professionals
ATH 780 – Behavioral Mental Health (8-week course)
ATH 770 – Contemporary Issues in Clinical Practice (8-week course)
ATH 760 – Patient Client Education (8-week course)
HLA 620 – Healthcare Leadership
Faculty
Dr. Berry has been the Head Athletic Trainer and a psychology teacher at Conway High School, Conway, SC, since 2013. He began his career as the assistant athletic trainer at Pioneer High School and an elementary physical education teacher from 1989-1991 in the public schools of Ann Arbor, MI. Since 2013, Berry has taught as an Adjunct Professor of Psychology at Horry-Georgetown Technical College in Conway, SC. He completed a Bachelor of Science at the University of Michigan and a Master of Education in Educational Administration at the University of South Carolina. In 2010, he was awarded a Doctor of Education in Teacher Leadership and Learning Theory at Walden University. Dr. Berry also holds a Post-doctoral Certificate in the Teaching of Psychology from Walden University. He has served on numerous committees as a member or chair, including the SCATA Public Relations Committee, which he chaired from 1993-1998 and the SCATA Athletic Trainer Promotion committee from 1996-1998. From 1996-2003 he served as the District 3 representative to the NATA Memorial Resolutions Committee. From 1998-2003 he served the district as its representative to the NATA Secondary Schools Athletic Trainer Committee, during which time, he co-authored the committee’s Position Proposal Guide and Position Improvement Guide for Secondary School ATCs. From 2006-2013, Berry represented District 3 on the NATA Committee on Professional Ethics and since 2013 has served as the Committee Chair. Dr. Berry has been recognized for his service to the profession by being selected as the South Carolina Athletic Coaches Association’s Athletic Trainer of the Year in 2000. In 2006 he received the NATA’s Athletic Trainer Service Award.
Stephen A. Black, DSc, MEd, PT, ATC, CSCS is the CEO and owner of Rocky Mountain Human Performance Center (RMHPC), with offices in Boulder, Colorado, and Fort Myers, Florida. Stephen has more than 40 years 0f experience in the health and wellness industry. He has traveled the globe promoting healthy lifestyles and providing expert insight and research in areas related to rehabilitation, fitness, and Sport-specific training. He has worked with professional teams including the NFL, NBA, NHL, WNBA, and ABL/NBL affiliates. As a physical therapist, athletic trainer, and strength and conditioning coach, Stephen utilizes his expertise and experience to the benefit of his clients. Currently, Stephen oversees clinical and research operations at RMHPC, an exercise testing and prescription facility. RMHPC provides individualized programs for athletes, weekend warriors, and post-rehab. clients. In addition to his above-mentioned responsibilities, Stephen is a much sought after and respected lecturer, author, and consultant.
John Heick, PT, DPT, PhD is an associate professor at Northern Arizona University in Flagstaff, AZ, and an adjunct professor at Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions. He received his clinical Doctorate and Master’s of Physical Therapy from Shenandoah University and an undergraduate degree from Northern Arizona University. He received his PhD in 2015 from Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions in Orthopaedic and Sport Science, completing his dissertation on concussion assessment.
Prior to physical therapy education, Heick was a medic in the Air Force for 12 years in a primary care clinic. He performed medical evacuation in various aircraft. John has practiced physical therapy for 14 years in emergency departments; Sport centers; and in clinical settings for orthopedics, neurology, wound care, aquatics, inpatient rehabilitation, acute care, and balance. He continues to practice clinically in an orthopedic and Sport outpatient clinic and participates on a regular basis in the NAU pro bono orthopaedic and neurologic clinic.
Heick is board certified by the American Board of Physical Therapy Specialties in orthopedics, neurology, and Sport. In the profession of physical therapy, there are only five therapists that have three specialties throughout all of the profession. In 2010, he received national recognition from the APTA as an Emerging Leader. He is active and engaged in the Arizona Chapter of the American Physical Therapy Association and currently serves as chapter president. Heick is also active at a national level, serving on the Orthopaedic Section’s Education Committee and the Sport Section’s Arizona legislative representative. He is a co-lead investigator for the Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Section’s Clinical Practice Guideline for Heart Failure.
Kim serves as the Athletic Trainer and Soft Tissue and Mobility Specialist at Forest Park Chiropractic and Acupuncture. She completed her undergraduate education at Wilmington College, receiving a Bachelor of Science in Athletic Training. She went on to earn a Master of Science in Kinesiology with a concentration in Athletic Training at Indiana University. She completed her PhD in Athletic Training at Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions.
Her background includes ten years of athletic training and seven years of teaching in a collegiate setting, as well as having published a textbook for athletic training entitled Athletic Training Clinical Workbook: a Guide to the Competencies. She has extensive experience in rehabilitation from injuries, soft tissue release, physiotherapy, athletic training, and providing patients with corrective exercise and self-treatment plans to get them on the road to a pain-free, sustaining life.
Marjorie King, PhD, ATC, PT, FACSM is currently the Program Director for the Doctorate in Physical Therapy at the University of Massachusetts, Lowell. She was a former faculty member in the Physical Therapy Department at Plymouth State University in Plymouth, NH. She is the immediate past director of the athletic training graduate education program also at Plymouth State.
Dr. King holds degrees from the University of New Hampshire, Simmons College, and the University of Massachusetts. She received her PhD from the University of Virginia. Her more than 35 years of clinical experience in Sport medicine and outpatient orthopedics have been marked by excellence. That excellence has made her a sought-after lecturer and has resulted in her recognition as a Fellow of the American College of Sport Medicine, American Orthopedic Society for Sport Medicine Distinguished Athletic Trainer Award recipient. She has been inducted into both the Eastern Athletic Trainers Association and the National Athletic Trainers Association Halls of Fame. Dr. King is a founding member and currently a member of the Board of Directors of the New Hampshire Musculoskeletal Institute, a nonprofit organization promoting and providing a safe Sport environment for athletes. Dr. King serves as chair of the Eastern Athletic Trainers’ Research Committee and as the Clinical Journal Editor for the Journal of Athletic Training.
To complement her work in Sport medicine and to expand her approach to patient care, Marjorie has pursued and completed academic work through the Chopra Center and is currently holds a Perfect Health Instructor certification. In 2017, she completed a Master of Arts in Personal and Organizational Wellness with a concentration in Personal Approaches to Transformation and Healing.
Dr. King also holds Level 3 certification from the Professional Ski Instructors of America and since 2018 has served as the Director of Athletic Performance for the Attitash Alpine Educational Foundation.
Linda Mazzoli, MS, ATC, PTA, PES is the Director of Marketing and Professional Development at the Cooper Bone and Joint Institute, Camden, NJ. Mazzoli’s more than 20 years of experience boasts an extensive clinical leadership background with 17 years in management positions, serving as director, vice president, president, and business owner.
Mazzoli graduated from West Chester University in 1990 with a Bachelor of Science in Athletic Training. She earned her Associate of Science Degree as a Physical Therapist Assistant at Harcum College in Bryn Mawr, PA, in 1994. Linda completed her Master of Science, Exercise Science and Health Promotion degree in 2004 from the California University of Pennsylvania. During her master’s studies, Mazzoli also completed her Performance Enhancement Specialty Certification (PES) through the National Academy of Sport Medicine.
Mazzoli has served in various roles for state, regional, and national health care associations, such as Pennsylvania Athletic Trainers Society’s (PATS), PATS Co-Chair Clinical Committee, Athletic Trainers’ Society of New Jersey (ATSNJ), NATA EDTF, and COE Hospital Task Force, as well as BOC RD7 committee. She currently serves on the Harcum College’s Business Advisory Board and Harcum College’s Alumni Award Committee and is the Chair for NATA’s Council on Revenue. She was a recipient of the NATA Athletic Trainer Service Award in 2010.
Admission Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution
- Resume or curriculum vitae
- Current BOC, BOC eligible, or state license
- Minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA
- Completed online application
Vaccination Policy
The university requires specific vaccinations for those who will be present on campus for university activities, such as commencement, limited residencies, or on-site weeks. For a current list of required vaccinations, please see the university statement on vaccinations and exemptions.
Tuition & Financial Aid
Tuition
$590 per credit
University Resource Fee
$36 per semester
Additional Information
Five additional credits consist of HLA 620 (3 credits), ATH 720L (1 credit), and ATH 730L (1 credit), which have variable timing.
The Healthcare Leadership course, HLA 620, can be taken in any semester. The lab courses ATH 720L and ATH 730L, which are one credit each, must be taken during an on-site summer immersion session. Students can choose which summer immersion session they attend. They only need to attend one session to complete their course of study.