Master of Science in Athletic Training
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The Master of Science in Athletic Training Program (MSAT) is designed to provide an environment conducive to the goals and missions of the college, as well as the Health and Sport Sciences Department.
The 3+2 MSAT (3 year Undergraduate and 2 year Graduate) combines a liberal arts education with professional clinical experiences necessary to qualify a student to sit for the Board of Certification examination. The clinical experiences will involve, but not be limited to, assignments from the collegiate, high school and clinical settings. The inclusiveness of these experiences is designed to help produce a well-rounded athletic trainer, one who is genuinely concerned about the health and well-being of many different types of physically active individuals.
Program Objectives
There are ten primary program objectives based on the 6th Educational Competencies from the Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education (CAATE). It is the objective of the entire athletic training faculty, staff, and preceptors to instill the importance of effective knowledge of the 10 Core Competency areas of athletic training education. All competencies and proficiencies of the MSAT are constructed with these 10 objectives and goals in mind:
Students will become competent in the following content areas:
- Patient-Centered Care
- Inter-professional Practice and Inter-professional Education
- Evidence-Based Practice
- Quality Improvement
- Health Care Informatics
- Professionalism
- Patient/Client Care Plans
- Examination, Diagnosis and Intervention Techniques
- Prevention, Health Promotion and Wellness
- Health Care Administration
It is also the aim of the athletic training staff to instill the importance of scholarship, leadership, service and personal growth throughout the entire educational process of the MSAT. The athletic training staff and support staff will strive to develop an educational experience that celebrates diversity and promotes a sense of collegiality among all members of the program. In addition, we will strive to cultivate the need for a life-long appreciation for continuing education and research in the vast changing arena of athletic training.
Admission Requirements
The Master of Science in Athletic Training program (MSAT) will have a competitive admission process. There are two primary options for admission into the MSAT professional program. First, students currently enrolled in the Allied Health, Pre-Athletic Training Concentration will formally apply for admission to this program at the end of their third undergraduate year at Otterbein. The second option is for students wishing to attend Otterbein after securing a bachelor’s degree at another institution. Students seeking this option will need to ensure that all pre-requisite and foundation courses have been taken.
All students must meet and complete the following items for admission consideration:
- A minimum of 3.00 GPA in all undergraduate work.
- Completion of all pre‐requisite and foundational knowledge courses with a grade of “C” or higher.
- Required Prerequisite Courses (PDF).
- Letter of interest for completing the program.
- Two letters of recommendation from persons knowledgeable of their academic and/or professional work from outside of the Otterbein Health & Sport Sciences Department.
- Completion of the formal interview with the Selection Committee.
- Proof of 50 athletic training observation hours.
- Completion of the ATCAS application.
Once all materials are submitted, both the athletic training program director along with the clinical education coordinator will determine which candidates will receive admission to the program.
Application and supplemental materials are due by April 15th of each year.
Program Information
Professional Associations
Program Requirements
Technical Standards > (PDF)
Student Resources
Tuition and Financial Aid
Tuition for both undergraduate and graduate levels > (PDF)
Financial Aid Polices >
Refund Policies >
The Otterbein Advantage Scholarships
Otterbein University is proud to partner with employers throughout Ohio to offer scholarships and special educational benefits to employees of partner institutions and as well as to their spouses/partners and dependent children. To learn more about these scholarships and to find out if you are eligible, visit our Advantage Scholarships page.
Scholarship opportunities
Students wishing to apply for program specific awards will be notified of this process at the beginning of the spring semester. Students will be required to complete an application process for these awards. The awards committee in the Department of Health and Sport Sciences will determine the winners of these awards.
Meet the MSAT Faculty/Staff
Dr. Joan Rocks
Department Chair
Dr. Anthony Ewald
Medical Director
Joe Wilkins
Clinical Education Coordinator
| Student Learning Outcomes | University Learning Goals (KMERI*) |
| Goal 1: Students will obtain skills to critically analyze and synthesize their knowledge to ultimately become a qualified entry-level Athletic Trainer. | Knowledgeable, Multi-literate, Inquisitive |
| Goal 1: 1. Properly identify multiple injury and medical situations with the physically active population. | Knowledgeable |
| Goal 1: 2. Acquire the ability to transfer the knowledge learned in the classroom to each clinical practice experience and become effective in the clinical decision-making process. | Multi-literate, Inquisitive |
| Goal 1: 3. Integrate all levels of clinical skills (both didactic and psychomotor) into their respective areas of clinical practice. | Knowledgeable |
| Goal 1: 4. Understand a variety of medical situations and when referral is needed. | Knowledgeable, Multi-literate |
| Goal 2: Students will develop competence and fully utilize the tenants of evidence-based practice into both the clinical and academic settings of Athletic Training. | Knowledgeable, Multi-literate, Inquisitive |
| Goal 2: 1. Effectively incorporate and apply evidence-based practice throughout all their clinical experience settings to problem solve and deliver current practice in the treatment of their patients. | Multi-literate, Inquisitive |
| Goal 2: 2. Utilize the concepts of evidence-based practice in their academic research projects. | Knowledgeable, Inquisitive |
| Goal 2: 3. Utilize evidence-based practice from a variety of sources and apply this skill when evaluating and treating injuries. | Multi-literate, Inquisitive |
| Goal 3: Students will develop life-long learning skills (Critical thinking, ability to reflect, ethical practice) that include incorporating the “Foundational Behaviors of Professional Practice” into all aspects of the learning process and gaining an understanding that the athletic training and allied health professions are always evolving. | Engaged, Responsible, Inquisitive |
| Goal 3: 1. Develop a value system based on the standard of expected practice in accordance to the athletic training’s professional and ethical standards. | Responsible |
| Goal 3: 2. Display a high level of care and responsibility to a diverse patient population. | Responsible |
| Goal 3: 3. Develop a high standard of ethical practice with complete understanding of the legal and regulatory practice requirements. | Responsible |
| Goal 3: 4. Develop the ability to utilize reflection of both clinical and academic performance to help set annual goals. | Engaged, Inquisitive |
| Goal 4: Athletic Training majors will participate in a minimum of the three of the five “Cardinal Experiences.” | Knowledgeable, Multi-literate, Engaged, Inquisitive |
| Goal 4: 1. Participate in community-service activities that benefit the society (Community Engagement). | Engaged |
| Goal 4: 2. Assemble a master’s capstone level professional quality research project (Undergraduate Research and Creative Work). | Multi-literate, Inquisitive |
| Goal 4: 3. Participation in a Leadership based activity (Leadership and Citizenship). | Engaged |
| Goal 5: Students will develop broad-based communication and written skills appropriate to meet both the Athletic Training professional standards as well as the University’s and Department’s goals to develop a well-rounded liberally educated and quality entry-level professional. | Knowledgeable, Multi-literate, Responsible, Inquisitive |
| Goal 5: 1. Use interpersonal and effective communication skills that result in understandable information exchange with all aspects of the health-care process including but not limited to the patient, physicians, coaches, parents, etc. | Multi-literate, Responsible |
| Goal 5: 2. Develop and deliver a professional research presentation | Knowledgeable, Multi-literate |
| Goal 5: 3. Effectively design and present evidence-based case studies in accordance to the student’s respective level in the Athletic Training Program | Multi-literate, Inquisitive |
| Goal 6: Students will gain an understanding and actively participate in activities that will contribute to the professional health and growth of the Athletic Training Profession. | Multi-literate, Responsible |
| Goal 6: 1. Participate in professional development opportunities. | Multi-literate, Responsible |
| Goal 6: 2. Utilize appropriate professional terminology while engaging with patients, writing injury documentation, using medical referrals and presenting materials in a variety of classroom activities and assignments. | Multi-literate, Responsible |
| Goal 7: The Athletic Training Program will maintain a minimum of 70% passing rate on the Board of Certification (BOC) examination. | Knowledgeable |
| Goal 8: Students will learn the value of Inter-professional education and inter-professional practice | Multi-literate |
| Goal 9: Students will gain clinical experience with a diverse patient population (pediatric, adult, elderly, gender, socioeconomic status, recreational athletes, performing art, etc.). | Multi-literate, Responsible |
| Goal 10: Students will learn and understand the importance of advocacy for the profession and the leadership skills needed to promote all facets of athletic training. | Responsible, Inquisitive |
| Goal 11: Students will gain a full understanding of Health Literacy along with the social determinants of health that may impact the healing process of their patients. | Responsible, Inquisitive |
| Goal 12: Students will learn to apply and use contemporary principles of Health Care informatics to help deliver care to their patients. | Knowledgeable, Engaged |
*NOTE: KMERI refers to Otterbein's learning goals. It stands for Knowledgeable, Multi-literate, Engaged, Responsible, and Inquisitive. To learn more about KMERI, visit our University Learning Goals page.