Master of Science in Athletic Training
Louisiana State University’s Athletic Training Program is a graduate professional program. Built around 60 credit hours of clinical and didactic coursework, this CAATE-accredited program will prepare students to meet the eligibility requirements to sit for the Board of Certification, Inc (BOC) examination and state licensure requirements to practice as an athletic trainer upon graduation.
Why LSU Athletic Training?
Our diverse curricular experience, within an active learning environment and access to the most advanced sports medicine resources, offers students the opportunity to complete one of the most rigorous programs in the country. The academic and clinical experiences of this program, including longtime relationships with LSU's Athletic Department, area high schools, professional sports teams, hospitals, and physician's offices, provide students opportunities to be future leaders in healthcare.
Here are several “by the numbers” about LSU’s Athletic Training Program:
- 26 Students Per Cohort
- 16+ Weeks Clinical Immersion
- 500+ Championship and Elite Athletes
- 20+ Award-Winning Clinical & Instructional Faculty (Meet them here!)
- 1 Semester - students can sit for the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians (NREMT) certification examination after the initial Summer semester.
- View our program information and outcomes from the Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education.
LSU Students
- Apply directly through the Graduate School.
- Athletic Training specific information you will need in your application includes:
- Copy of your resume;
- Personal Statement which includes:
- a brief statement of your background and interests,
- a description of your experience and skill, and your longer-term professional and academic goals and how the LSU Master's in Athletic Training program aligns with those goals.
- A well-formed personal statement should also describe the kinds of topics and/or experiences the applicant would like to explore while enrolled in the program. It is beneficial if you can draw a connection between your long-term professional interest area and the ability of the program to cultivate your professional growth.
- Three (3) letters of reference (1 academic reference, 1 clinical supervisor reference and 1 reference of choice)
- Proof of a Minimum of 75 observation hours completed.
- You may create your own observation hours sheet, use the sample form or upload a letter (on company letterhead) that is signed by the supervising healthcare provider. Must include the printed name of you and your supervisor, supervisor’s credentials, supervisor’s signature and total hours completed. This will be collected directly by the Athletic Training program once your application is processed by the graduate school.
Non-LSU Students
- Apply directly through ATCAS.
- Specific Information that you will need in your application includes:
- Copy of your resume
- Personal Statement which includes:
- a brief statement of your background and interests,
- a description of your experience and skill, and your longer-term professional and academic goals and how the LSU Master's in Athletic Training program aligns with those goals.
- A well-formed personal statement should also describe the kinds of topics and/or experiences the applicant would like to explore while enrolled in the program. It is beneficial if you can draw a connection between your long-term professional interest area and the ability of the program to cultivate your professional growth.
- Copies of all undergraduate transcripts
- Prerequisite Review form completed by LSU faculty member
- Proof of a Minimum of 75 observation hours completed. You may create your own observation hours sheet, use the sample form or upload a letter (on company letterhead) that is signed by the supervising healthcare provider. You must include the printed name of you and supervisor, supervisor’s credentials, supervisor’s signature and total hours completed.
- Once you have completed your application in ATCAS you will need to apply through the
LSU Graduate School.
- Information from ATCAS will automatically be carried over to your LSU graduate application.
Application Questions? Please contact Dr. Amanda Benson, MSAT Program Director, with questions or to schedule an on-campus visit.
Admitted students must fulfill all Clinical Readiness Requirements no later than May 1 in order to start the program course requirements after June 1. Each student is responsible for all fees associated with fulfilling the Clinical Readiness Requirements:
- MSAT Medical History Form (completed through the LSU Student Health Center Student Health Portal)
- Health Physical Exam (must use MSAT Physical Examination Form if off-campus; if on-campus, will be completed at the LSU Student Health Center)
- Immunizations
- Technical Standards (see dropdown below)
- Basic Life Support (BLS) with First Aid certifications (by American Red Cross or American Heart Association) must be completed within a two-year window of the June 1 start
- Criminal Background Check (required for clinical experiences at off-campus clinical affiliated sites including hospitals)
- Drug Screen - 10 panel screen
- TB Skin Test (within past 12 months prior to June 1 start)
- Signed HIPAA/Privacy/Confidential Form
- Signed Professional and Personal Conduct Form
| Prerequisite Course |
Min. Semester Credits |
Description/Comments | LSU Course Equivalent(s) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Biology | 6 | Two semesters (no lab required); May have been taken as a general biology courses, biology for science majors, honors-level biology courses, or any combination. | BIOL 1201 or equivalent; BIOL 1202 or equivalent |
| Biomechanics | 3 | Anatomical and mechanical analysis of human movement; emphasis on structure and function of bone and muscle, statics, dynamics, kinematics, kinetics, and projectile motion. | KIN 3514 or equivalent |
| Chemistry | 3 | No lab required; Modern chemical theories and principles; quantitative approach and problem solving; descriptive chemistry of selected elements and compounds. | CHEM 1201 or equivalent |
| Exercise Physiology | 3 | Basic physiological concepts of the muscular, metabolic, cardiovascular, and circulo-respiratory systems; behavior of each system in relation to exercise; determination of normal and abnormal physical responses to exercise. | KIN 3515 or equivalent |
| Human Anatomy & Physiology | 3 | Some institutions offer human anatomy and physiology with labs as a combined course thus two semesters are required; other institutions offer human anatomy and human physiology as separate courses, thus both courses and in which both are required as well as labs. |
KIN 2500 and BIOL 2160 or equivalents PLUS two (2) physiology/anatomy lab credits consisting of: KIN 3500 (1) and another 1 cr BIOL lab; KIN 3519 – Human Anatomy Prosection (1) and another 1 cr BIOL lab; or KIN 4519 – Cadaver Dissection (3 cr)
|
| Medical Terminology | 3 | In-depth introduction to medical terminology, with a focus on body systems, medical specialties and medical communication. |
KIN 2509 or equivalent |
| Nutrition | 3 | Principles of nutrition and their application in promoting health; guidelines for assessing nutritional status; emphasis on the adult. |
NSF 1110 or equivalent |
| Personal Health & Wellness | 3 | Content and theory related to basic health information; critical health issues; economic, political, and cultural influences on health and wellness; improving and maintaining optimal health and wellness. |
KIN 1600 or equivalent |
| Physics | 3 | No lab required; May have been taken as a general physics course, physics for science majors, honors-level physics courses. |
PHYS 2001 or equivalent |
| Psychology (General) | 3 | Understanding, prediction and control of human behavior. May have been taken as a general psychology course, or honors-level psychology course. |
PSYC 2000 or equivalent |
| Statistics | 3 | Descriptive statistics; inferential statistical methods including confidence interval estimation and hypothesis testing for one and two population means and proportions; one-way ANOVA; simple linear regression and correlation; analysis of categorical data. |
EXST 2201, SOCL 2201, or equivalent |
Non-LSU applicants are required to submit a list of all courses to be considered (past, in-progress, or future) as meeting Prerequisites for the LSU MSAT:
- Step 1 – Submit your courses for review
- NOTE: you will receive an email immediately after; this is only a confirmation of the information you submitted and not the review.
- Step 2 – You will receive an official electronic review in 1-3 business days.
- For prerequisite courses that have different titles, credit hours, etc., the LSU Athletic Training Program will review the applicant's comparable academic course(s) to determine if the coursework fulfills the prerequisites.
- Step 3 – Return to your ATCAS profile
- Step 4 – Upload your official LSU prerequisite review into "Catalog Course Descriptions" section.
The application process for the Master of Science in Athletic Training is conducted through online application system via the LSU Graduate School. To ensure candidates have all materials, please complete the MSAT Self-Assessment Checklist.
The admissions process for the Master of Science in Athletic Training (MSAT) will occur through several defined steps:
Program Start: May 22, 2023
EARLY Application Cycle (July 1 - November 1).
- Non-LSU applicants must first apply to the MSAT Program through ATCAS.
- Applicants will be linked to the LSU Graduate School application form to complete the application submission process.
- Verification and Application Review Process (October 1 - November 7)
- Completed applications received prior to November 1 will be reviewed during this time window
- Candidates will be notified of invitation for candidate interview and eligibility status for the LSU Graduate Tuition Waiver Award (full tuition waiver) during this time period.
- Early Cycle Interviews (October 1 - December 1)
- Options for a non-campus or virtual interview will be provided on the MSAT website.
- Early Cycle Cohort Seat Acceptance Period (November 1 - December 15)
- Interviewed candidates may receive an acceptance notification, and may have this period to accept their cohort seat.
- After January 5, the program will not guarantee the offered seat is available as it will become available to eligible waitlisted or provisional applicants.
- Early Cycle Acceptance Completion (January 5)
- Applicants receiving an acceptance invitation will complete the necessary Clinical Readiness Requirements (due May 1) as well as complete any remaining prerequisite coursework prior to program start on May 23, 2024.
REGULAR Application Cycle (only for completed applications received between November 2 - May 1, if necessary).
- Completed applications during this time period will receive full consideration for any remaining cohort seats.
- Verification and Applicant Review Process (November 2 - March 1, if necessary)
- Completed applications will be reviewed and be notified of consideration for remaining cohort seats.
- Interviews (will be scheduled as necessary)
- Acceptance Notification
- Accepted candidates will have a 7-day window to accept the program admission offer.
The curriculum for the master's degree in athletic training has been approved the Louisiana Board of Supervisors.
Athletic trainers are healthcare professionals who collaborate with physicians to optimize the activity and participation of patients and clients.
Athletic training students at LSU participate in six semesters of clinical education that prepare them in the prevention, diagnosis and intervention of emergency, acute and chronic medical conditions involving impairment, functional limitations and disabilities.
Under the direction of preceptors (approved by the Master of Science in Athletic Training), the athletic training student acquires a minimum of 50 clinical hours per credit hour in clinical courses, and/or completion of specific clinical components over the course each semester.
Some clinical education experiences will require afternoon, evening, and weekend commitments. In addition, student may be asked to report for clinical education prior or following the academic calendar (i.e., preseason and post-season).
Students gain clinical education experiences that address the continuum of care that would prepare a student to function in a variety of settings with patients engaged in a range of activities.
Examples of clinical experiences include: Team and individual sports at the high school and collegiate level; sports requiring protective equipment; sports with genders opposite the student; and, non-sport patient populations at physician offices and clinics.
Athletic training students gain valuable interpersonal skills while working closely with preceptors, patients and a wide variety of healthcare professionals during year-long clinical educational experiences. The knowledge and experience gained prepares students to successfully enter the profession of athletic training.
Get to know the Athletic Training faculty and preceptors here.
LSU Scholarships and Financial Assistance
In addition to federal financial aid which requires a completed Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), LSU and academic departments offer fellowships, assistantships, tuition awards, and grants. Please note that some funding opportunities and admissions deadlines are the same. Contact the Program Director for information about funding opportunities.
- Murray T. Burch Memorial Athletic Training Student Scholarship: the Murray T. Burch Memorial Athletic Training Student Scholarship was created January 2021 through the LSU Foundation to posthumously honor LSU Athletic Training alumnus Murray Burch. This scholarship is for students in the MSAT program. For more information about Murray and his legacy, please visit the scholarship page.
- LSU Graduate Tuition Waivers: the LSU Graduate School awards up to 200 tuition exemptions to graduate students from underrepresented groups annually. The tuition awards provide for an exemption from either or both the resident and nonresident fee. Recipients are responsible for paying university-required fees. Students must be regularly admitted to a graduate program at LSU and be nominated by their departments.
| LSU Graduate School Application Fee Waivers | ||
|---|---|---|
| Type | Eligibility | Required Supplemental Documents |
| Service Based Organization |
U.S. citizen or permanent resident affiliated with one of the following programs:
|
A signed letter of support from the MSAT program director. |
| Financial Hardship | U.S. citizen or permanent resident. |
|
| U.S. Armed Forces | Active member or veteran of the U.S. armed services |
|
|
Additional Information about Fee Waivers:
|
||
Professional Organization Scholarships
After admission to the MSAT, students are also eligible for state, regional, and national professional organization scholarships from athletic training organizations.
- National Athletic Trainers’ Association Foundation (NATA Foundation) offers a number of scholarships varies annually (from 50 to 75), with the amount of the award currently at $2,300 per graduate scholarship.
- Southeast Athletic Trainers’ Association
- Louisiana Athletic Trainers’ Association
Students who reside outside of Louisiana may be eligible for scholarships through their respective state and regional professional athletic training organizations. Click here to find your state and regional association websites.
Other Scholarship Opportunities
The Office of Financial Aid has an extensive list of scholarship opportunities offered by organizations across the country.
The Master of Science in Athletic Training in the School of Kinesiology at Louisiana State University 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 Master of Science in Athletic Training establish the essential qualities considered necessary for students admitted to and enrolled in the professional phase of this program to achieve the knowledge, skills and competencies of an entry-level 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 and enrolled in the professional phase of the Master of Science in Athletic Training. 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, nor retained in the program. Compliance with the program's technical standards does not guarantee a student program admission nor eligibility for the BOC certification examination.
Candidates for selection to, and students currently enrolled in the Master of Science in Athletic Training, must demonstrate:
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.
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.
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.
The ability to record the physical examination results and a treatment plan clearly and accurately.
The capacity to maintain composure and continue to function well during periods of high stress.
The perseverance, diligence and commitment to complete the athletic training education program as outlined and sequenced.
Flexibility and the ability to adjust to changing situations and uncertainty in clinical situations.
Affective skills and appropriate demeanor and rapport that relate to professional education and quality patient care.
Candidates for selection to the Master of Science in Athletic Training will be required to verify (signed affidavit) they understand and meet these technical standards or that they believe that, with certain accommodations, they can meet the standards.
Students currently participating in the Master of Science in Athletic Training must be able to meet the technical standards, with or without accommodation, at all times.
LSU Disability Services, in coordination with the program director and medical director of the Master of Science in Athletic Training, 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.
The Fee Schedule lists the current cost of tuition, Required Fees, and other fees for graduate students.
The LSU School of Kinesiology’s Master of Science in Athletic Training (MSAT) program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education (CAATE), the only body recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation to accredit athletic training education programs in the United States. LSU’s MSAT program meets the educational requirements for professional regulatory requirements to practice athletic training in 49 states and the District of Columbia; currently there is no regulation for legal athletic training practice in California. Individuals must be legally recognized by the appropriate state regulatory agency prior to practicing athletic training. The Board of Certification, Inc. (BOC) examination is recognized by all Athletic Trainer state regulatory agencies to meet their exam requirement. Compliance with state regulatory requirements is mandatory and the only avenue to legal athletic training practice. The MSAT program works with students to ensure they meet all applicable state licensure requirements. Applicants and students are encouraged to refer to their state licensing board for more information about licensure requirements. State licensing boards can be found by visiting the Board of Certification, Inc.
Students can file a complaint (after going through the grievance policies of the institution) to SACS using the following form sent via ground mail to:
President
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
1866 Southern Lane
Decatur, GA 30033-4097
And to the state authorization agency (if a distance education student and are unable to resolve the complaint through the grievance policies of the institution) using the following form to:
Louisiana Board of Regents
P.O. Box 3677
Baton Rouge, LA
70821-3677
ATTN: SARA Student Complaints