DIRECTOR, ATHLETIC TRAINING PROGRAM

Michael Powers, PhD, ATC, EMT, CSCS (845) 575-3912

Michael.powers@marist.edu

 

MISSION AND OBJECTIVES

The mission of the Athletic Training Program (ATP) is to provide students with the strong scientific foundation and evidence based knowledge and extensive practical experience needed to become a certified Athletic Trainer (ATC). Athletic Training is an area of health care concerned with prevention, recognition, care, and rehabilitation of injuries and illness in an active population. Athletic Trainers work as part of a comprehensive sports-medicine team that includes physicians, physical therapists, and other health-care professionals. Upon completion of the M.S. degree in Athletic Training at Marist, graduates will be eligible to sit for the certification examination administered by the Board of Certification, Inc. (BOC). Those passing this exam will be certified as Athletic Trainers by the BOC. Completion of the ATP qualifies students for entry-level positions in high schools, colleges, and universities; professional sports organizations; hospitals, clinics and physician offices; military, performing arts, corporate and industrial settings. Marist’s ATP is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education (CAATE) and is registered with the New York State Education Department as a licensure-qualifying degree program.

Marist’s ATP is committed to graduating entry-level, competent healthcare providers trained to practice ethically and culturally sensitive medicine in a team environment, with a commitment to community service and the overall success of the profession. The program goals are to:

• Graduate entry-level, competent healthcare providers
• Teach students to effectively interact with patients of different backgrounds
• Promote ethically & culturally sensitive ATCs
• Develop healthcare providers capable of functioning successfully within interprofessional teams
• Ensure that all students engage in community service
• Meet or exceed the national first-time pass rate for the BOC Athletic Trainer certification examination

 

The Master of Science in Athletic Training is a 24-month, 70-credit, full-time program designed to prepare students for clinical practice. The program consists of both didactic and clinical education, as students learn how to care for patients in a variety of settings such as the interscholastic, intercollegiate and professional sport settings, hospital, clinical and physician office settings and military, performing arts and industrial settings. Students learn to care for patients across the lifespan, from adolescents to the elderly.

The program is located in the Marist College Allied Health Building which has a state-of-the-art gross anatomy laboratory, standardized patient care suites, a trauma simulation room, and a skills laboratory. The program shares resources with other programs in the School of Science on campus, including the Master of Physician Assistant Program and the Doctor of Physical Therapy Program.

ADMISSIONS REQUIREMENTS DEGREE PREREQUISITES

A baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution or an equivalent institution must be awarded prior to matriculation into the program. A baccalaureate degree is a minimum requirement; therefore, a masters or doctorate level degree awarded in lieu of a baccalaureate degree will meet this requirement.

 

REQUIRED COURSE PREREQUISITES

• Anatomy & Physiology I and II: 4 credits each, including applicable labs
• General Biology I and II: 4 credits each, including applicable labs
• General Chemistry I and II: 4 credits each, including applicable labs
• Physics I and II: 4 credits each, including applicable labs
• Psychology: 3 credits
• Statistics: 3 credits

The academic standard for admission is a 3.0 GPA overall, combined with a 3.0 GPA for science prerequisite courses. All of the above courses must be completed with grades of “C” or above. Please note that a “C-” will not be accepted. All prerequisite courses must be completed before an application in ATCAS is submitted for verification. Submission of the following documentation is also required:

• TOEFL score (if high school graduate of non-English speaking country)
• Official transcripts from all colleges attended
• A minimum of 60 hours of volunteer or work-related athletic training experience. The hours must be in a minimum of two different settings under the supervision of a Certified Athletic Trainer;
• Completed application through Athletic Training Central Application Service (ATCAS);
• Two letters of reference
• An on-campus interview.

Upon full acceptance into the ATP, students must have a physical examination, complete a technical standards document, and adhere to the Retention Policy. Information on each of these requirements is available in the Department of Athletic Training and can be found in the Athletic Training Program Policy and Procedures Manual. Students are required to purchase clothing to meet dress code requirements for the ATP. Any expenses related to traveling to and from clinical sites are the responsibility of the student. Fingerprinting and a criminal background check may also be required and all associated costs will be the responsibility of the student. Refer to the Athletic Training Program Policy and Procedure Manual for specific costs. The most current information on the Athletic Training Program is located on the Department of Athletic Training web page: https://www.marist.edu/msat-athletic- training.

 

DEGREE REQUIREMENTS

To qualify for the master’s degree in AT, a candidate must complete:

• all didactic phase courses and assignments
• all clinical rotations, courses, and assignments.
•  all summative clinical competency examinations.

 

ADVISEMENT

The principal faculty serve as the advisors for all matriculated students. Students will have regular meetings with their faculty advisor for purposes of discussing academic progress and planning. The advisement process is overseen by the Program Director.