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Michigan State University

 

M.S. Concentration
in Athletic Training

Athletic training is a major specialty in the field of sports medicine where active daily involvement with athletes, physicians, and coaches affects the health care and well-being of the competitive and recreational athlete. 

Through a combination of medical specialists and the active involvement of the athletic trainer, the sports medicine team at MSU covers a broad entity in athletic health care. Graduate students in athletic training are offered a wide interdisciplinary base of educational and professional development designed to prepare them for future job opportunities in high school, collegiate, professional, clinical, and industrial settings.

Michigan State University has the reputation of providing outstanding educational and practical experiences to athletic trainers that prepare them for the challenges of the professional field. Upon completion of our program, graduate students are prepared for the many sub-disciplines of athletic training.

Course Work

The requirements for the M.S. degree in kinesiology include a minimum of 30 credits in specified areas of study. A typical program plan for master's degree students in athletic training includes some of the following courses. The exact program of study is specified in an individual program plan approved by the student's advisor.

  1. Required course - 3 credits
bulletKIN 871 - Research Methods in Kinesiology (3 credits)
  1. Athletic training concentration - minimum of 9 credits
bulletKIN 820 - Advanced Clinical Evaluation (3 credits)
bulletKIN 822 - Rehabilitation Techniques for Musculoskeletal Dysfunction
(3 credits)
bulletKIN 825 - Injury Control in Sports and Physical Activity (3 credits)
bulletKIN 870 - Physical Activity and Well-Being (3 credits)
bulletKIN 890 - Independent Study in Kinesiology (1-6 credits)
  1. Breadth requirement - minimum of 6 credits of KIN graduate-level courses outside of the student's concentration for students who did not complete an undergraduate degree in kinesiology

  1. Elective courses - additional credits in courses related to athletic training.

Capstone Experiences

Master's degree students in the Department of Kinesiology choose one of four capstone experiences in consultation with their advisors and guidance committees. Each of the four options includes a certifying examination.

bullet Plan A Thesis. Students who choose this option complete a research study as part of KIN 899 - Master's Thesis Research (1-6 credits). In addition, they must complete a 400-900 level research methods course in addition to KIN 871 to prepare for the thesis research. The defense of the completed thesis serves as the certifying examination.
bullet Plan B Project. Students who choose KIN 897 - Project in Kinesiology (1-4 credits) develop a tangible product such as a position paper, teaching aid, instructional videotape, web site, on-line course materials, journal article, publishable literature review, lab manual, curriculum, etc. The defense of the product serves as the certifying examination.
bullet Plan B Internship. KIN 893 - Internship in Kinesiology (1-6 credits) involves practical learning experiences in the field under the supervision of a qualified mentor. The student must complete a minimum of 60 hours in the field per semester credit. The defense of the internship report serves as the final certifying examination.
bulletPlan B Course Work with Certifying Examination. Students who elect to meet degree requirements through a minimum of 30 semester hours of course credits are required to demonstrate their ability to clearly communicate their understanding of events, issues and resolutions to problems in Kinesiology via a written certifying examination. Students are expected to synthesize the knowledge and understanding gained from course work and related experiences during the master's degree program.

Expectations

Expectations of KIN master's degree students are individualized because of the different concentrations offered within the department and the students' various educational goals. Commonalities in expectations of master's degree students include: (a) professional growth and involvement; (b) demonstrated ability to teach within the context of the student's chosen field; and (c) knowledge and skill as a consumer of research. Students who intend to pursue doctoral study or research careers are also expected to develop ability to plan, conduct, and disseminate research. Departmental expectations related to that goal are described in Expectations of M.S. Students, and related learning experiences are described in Professional Development Opportunities. These expectations are individualized for students during advising and guidance committee meetings.

Related Web Sites

bulletMSU Athletic Training
bulletAthletic Training Research Lab

Admissions

Jo Ann Janes
Graduate Studies Secretary
Department of Kinesiology
3 IM Sports Circle
Michigan State University
East Lansing, MI 48824-1049

Phone: (517) 355-4736
Fax: (517) 355-1689
Email: kingrad@msu.edu

Contact Information

Contact the following faculty member about the concentration in athletic training. Click on the name for the faculty member's bio. Click on an email address to send a message.

Dr. John Powell
Department of Kinesiology
105 IM Sports Circle Building
Michigan State University
East Lansing, MI 48824-1049

Phone:  (517) 432-5018
Fax: (517) 353-2944
E-mail: powellj4@msu.edu

Dr. Tracey Covassin
Department of Kinesiology
105 IM Sports Circle Building
Michigan State University
East Lansing, MI 48824-1049

Phone:  (517) 432-2010
Fax: (517) 353-2944
E-mail: covassin@msu.edu