https://www.whitworth.edu/cms/academics/athletic-training/athletic-training-ms/

Overview

The Athletic Training Department houses two programs.  The primary program is the Master of Science in Athletic Training, an accredited professional degree leading towards eligibility to sit for the national examination to become a certified athletic trainer (ATC).  Secondarily, the department houses a Master of Science in Human Movement & Function.  The Master of Science in Human Movement & Function is an interdisciplinary degree with course offerings in athletic training, business, education, occupational therapy, and physical therapy.  Please reference the program tab for detailed information about each program.

Faculty

Faculty within these programs are active in their fields.  Full-time faculty within the department of athletic training are certified athletic trainers with expertise as clinicians, educators, and scholars.  Associated faculty have expertise in health science fields such as exercise physiology, physical therapy, occupational therapy, and sports nutrition. 

Design and Schedule

Our graduate programs are designed with an emphasis on in-person learning.  Remote, hybrid or online courses offerings are limited, thus these degrees require residence in the Spokane region during most terms.  Traditional academic courses are typically offered on weekdays during the working day (generally between 8am-1pm).  Clinical experiences or internship schedules may include hours within the traditional work week, evenings and/or weekends.  

Mission Statement

The mission of the Whitworth University Athletic Training Program is to equip graduates with the knowledge and skills necessary to become highly proficient and professional entry-level athletic trainers. The program utilizes a multifaceted approach including quality instruction and clinical education, relational mentoring, and diverse professional experiences to develop holistic healthcare professionals and servant-leaders within the context of Christian higher education.

Program and Student Learning Outcomes

1. Whitworth University athletic training students will demonstrate entry-level proficiency through classroom, laboratory and clinical learning experiences in the five domains of athletic training: (1) risk reduction, wellness and health literacy, (2) assessment, evaluation and diagnosis, (3) critical incident management, (4) treatment intervention, and (5) healthcare administration and professional responsibility.
2. Students will develop as a holistic healthcare professional in the context of Christian higher education.
3. Students will demonstrate progression in professional behaviors consistent with the athletic training profession and healthcare (including commitment to diversity, equity & inclusion, and interprofessional, ethical & legal practice).
4. Students will appreciate the value of participation, service and/or leadership within the athletic training profession.
5. Students will benefit from rigorous, hands-on, quality instruction from instructors with content expertise.
6. Students will learn clinical skills under the supervision of high-quality preceptors at high-quality clinical sites.
7. Students will gain clinical experience as part of a healthcare team with a variety of patient/client populations and health conditions commonly seen in AT practice.
8. Students will successfully complete the program and be well prepared to meet the challenges of entry-level employment positions.

Admissions

All prospective students (accelerated track or two-year master’s track) must complete the following admissions materials, which will be submitted to the Athletic Training Centralized Application Service (ATCAS):

• Official transcripts: Arrange for ATCAS to receive an official transcript from each college and university attended.
• CV/résumé: Upload your detailed résumé or curriculum vitae to the “documents” section of your ATCAS application.
• Personal statement: Use the following ATCAS prompt to write your personal statement and upload it as part of your application. Describe your professional goals including why you have chosen athletic training as a career. 
• References: Applicants must arrange for two (2) references to be submitted electronically through ATCAS. Each evaluator will be contacted using an email address provided to ATCAS by the applicant.
• Observation hours: A minimum of 60 observation hours with an athletic trainer must be documented. Observation hours at two different clinical location/practice settings preferred.

Students applying to the professional phase of Whitworth's MSAT program must first complete the following admission requirements. 

• Students applying directly to the two-year professional phase of the athletic training program must have a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution. Current Whitworth students and transfer students applying for the five-year accelerated track must demonstrate successful completion of all undergraduate major and shared curriculum requirements prior to beginning the professional phase of the MSAT program. Completion of the pre-athletic-training track does not guarantee entry in the MSAT program.
• A successful interview with the AT program admissions committee (if needed). 
• An overall grade-point average (GPA) of 3.0 or higher (if your cumulative GPA is lower than 3.0 due to first- or second-year grades, we will consider the last 90 quarter/60 semester credits as your calculated GPA).
• Completion of the prerequisite courses listed below with a grade "C" or better. Equivalent Whitworth courses are suggested in parentheses. It is the student's responsibility to check for course equivalency. Refer to the Whitworth Transfer Equivalency Information or contact the Whitworth University Registrar's Office (registrar@whitworth.edu) for more information. Course title, credits and numbers vary by school. Prerequisite courses must be completed prior to starting the MSAT cohort in July but do not need to be completed at the time of application.
• Anatomy & Physiology: Two courses in a combined anatomy & physiology sequence (i.e., Anatomy & Physiology I & II), or one course in each anatomy and physiology; must include laboratory experience (HS 220, HS 221).
• Exercise Physiology: One course covering human physiology during exercise; must include a laboratory experience (HS 326 AND HS 326L).
• Introduction to Psychology: One course covering introductory human psychology and behavior (PY 101).
• General/Introductory Biology: One course emphasizing the role of cells in living systems and foundational biology principles. Lab recommended (BI 140 & BI 140L).
• General/Introductory Chemistry: One course covering foundations of chemistry. Lab recommended (CH 101 & CH 101L; CH 161 & CH 161L).
• General/Introductory Physics: One course covering basic principles of mechanics. A biomechanics course with physics principles may be accepted. Lab optional. Either algebra or calculus based is acceptable (PS 151, PS 131).

General Policies

• Students should be familiar with graduate school policies, including specific academic standards, class attendance, suspension, appeals and graduation procedures.
• No credit toward a master’s degree will be allowed for a course in which the student receives a grade of “C” or lower. A student will be required to retake (at additional expense) any required course in which s/he earns a “C” or lower. Note: This is a higher standard than the Whitworth graduate studies policy of “C-” or higher. 
• The MSAT program does not accept any transfer courses to apply toward the completion of graduate course requirements. Exceptions may be granted on appeal for certain courses.
• Students must maintain full-time status and follow the required course sequence each term. This is an intensive, full-time program with day and evening requirements. As such, outside employment is discouraged and may not be possible while a student is completing this degree.
• The athletic training student handbook, updated annually, includes additional policies and procedures related to the MSAT program.

• For students paying graduate tuition, there are no fees associated with the MSAT program.

• For students paying undergraduate tuition (typically in the five-year accelerated program), there is an MSAT program fee.  See department webpage for current fee information.

• Transportation, immunizations and personal expenses vary from student to student depending on individual circumstances and are described in the AT Program Handbook:  https://www.whitworth.edu/cms/media/whitworth/documents/academics/athletic-training/athletic-training-manual.pdf

Program Description

The MS in Human Movement & Function is a 36-credit graduate program.  The MS in Human Movement & Function focuses on knowledge, skills and abilities related to normal and abnormal function of human bodies during movement.  This degree is designed to equip graduates to apply knowledge and skills within a variety of related fields (e.g. healthcare, research, health and fitness, athletics, etc.).

Mission Statement

The mission of the Master of Science in Human Movement & Function is to equip its graduates to serve humanity through the study of advanced human movement.  Students will be prepared through academic coursework and experiential learning to apply principles of human movement.  Through a curriculum that integrates theory and practice, graduates will be able to think critically and creatively in clinical, community, and sports settings.

Student Learning Objectives

• Demonstrate advanced knowledge and skills in the field of Human Movement & Function

• Interpret, apply and synthesize current health and human movement research

• Acquire specialized knowledge within subdisciplines of human movement & function

Degree Planning

The degree plan is designed to require coursework in foundational areas as well as provides flexibility for students to tailor elective coursework to meet their needs.  Approximately half of the degree is within required categories, with the other half coming from lists of carefully selected elective courses.  

Sample student degree plan A (36 credits)

• 6 credits Anatomy & Pathophysiology requirement
• 6 credits Human Movement & Function requirement
• 6 credits Research requirement
• 18 credits Human Movement & Function electives 

Sample student degree plan B (36 credits)

• 6 credits Anatomy & Pathophysiology requirement
• 6 credits Human Movement & Function requirement
• 6 credits Research requirement
• 9 credits Human Movement & Function electives
• 9 credits Business or Education electives

Policies

• Credits within this degree may not be applied to other graduate health science degrees (i.e. the student cannot earn a degree in Human Movement & Function AND a MSAT, DPT or OTD).

• Cost per credit will vary depending on the course prefix.

• Standard graduate policies for retention, GPA, etc. apply to this degree: http://catalog.whitworth.edu/graduate/

• Required prerequisite courses include two courses in a combined anatomy & physiology sequence (e.g., Anatomy & Physiology I and II), or one course in each anatomy and physiology; must include a laboratory experience (e.g. HS 220, HS 221)

• Recommended prerequisite courses one course covering introductory human psychology and behavior (e.g. PY 101) and one course emphasizing the role of cells in living systems and foundational biology principles (e.g. BI 140)

Electives in Business: Elective course availability may vary according to course offering, prerequisites may apply.

Electives in Education: Elective course availability may vary according to course offering, prerequisites may apply.

Director

CYNTHIA WRIGHT

Professors

W. MATT SILVERSCYNTHIA WRIGHT

Associate professors

ELIZABETH ABBEYSHANE WIBEL

Assistant professor

SMOKEY FERMIN