Duquesne University's strong liberal arts tradition and excellence in Health Sciences serves as the framework from which our Athletic Training Program curriculum evolves.
Our curriculum is designed to provide our students with a comprehensive Athletic Training experience, rooted in a strong basic science and liberal arts foundation. Our aim is to educate and train students to provide evidence-based, patient-centered care. In order to achieve this outcome, we provide our students with a high quality educational experience that emphasizes critical thinking.
Students enrolled in our accelerated Master's degree program will earn a Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences (BSHS) and a Master of Science in Athletic Training (MSAT) in five years.
Pre-Professional Phase
During the Pre-Professional Phase (Years 1-3), students will be completing requirements associated with the Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences curriculum. The curriculum will provide students with a strong basic science and liberal arts foundation, while also providing a comprehensive health and exercise science foundation. Completion of this coursework provides students with the knowledge and skills required to be successful during the Professional Phase.
If all academic and programmatic requirements are satisfied by the end of the junior year, students are permitted to continue on into the Professional Phase of the program. The requirements include:
- Successful completion of all pre-professional coursework with "C" or better
- Minimum 2.75 overall QPA
- Documentation of current AHA Basic Life Support for Health Care Providers Certification
- Documentation of a minimum of 100 hours of athletic training shadowing experience. These experiences must be with a licensed athletic trainer.
- Completion of a physical examination and and other pre-clinical health requirements
Departmental approval.
Professional Phase
The Professional Phase of the program (Years 4-5) will focus exclusively on athletic training content. Given the graduate nature of the program, expectations of students academically and clinically will be elevated. However, students and faculty will work together in order to assist students in achieving their fullest potential as athletic trainers and healthcare providers.
Through successful completion of required coursework and the MSAT curriculum, students will become clinically proficient in the following areas:
- Evidence based practice and principles
- Injury prevention and risk management
- Clinical examination and diagnosis of orthopedic and non-orthopedic conditions
- Acute care of injuries and illnesses
- Therapeutic interventions and rehabilitative exercise
- Pharmacology
- Psychosocial intervention and referral
- Organization and administration
- Professional Development
Clinical Education
As part of the curriculum, students will engage in clinical education experiences (including 2 immersive experiences). These experiences are designed to provide students with numerous opportunities to further develop, refine and apply their knowledge and skills in a clinical environment. Clinical education experiences will occur under the supervision of athletic trainers and other appropriately credentialed clinical preceptors. Students have opportunities to apply their skills in a variety of clinical settings.
A series of policies and guidelines have been established in order to optimize the clinical education experience. The Clinical Education Policies document provides students with general information about our clinical education experiences along with expectations and guidelines that students are expected to meet throughout the clinical education process.
Students must have access to transportation for at least three of the required four clinical education experiences, beginning in the fall semester of Year 4. Costs associated with clinical education experiences including transportation, housing, and living expenses are the responsibility of the student. Click here for additional information regarding additional program costs and transportation.
Program Completion
In order to successfully complete the Professional Phase of the program and graduate with a Master of Science in Athletic Training, students must:
- Maintain a 3.0 QPA each semester to remain in good academic standing
- Have a professional overall QPA of 3.0 at the time of graduation to graduate with a MS in Athletic Training
- Not achieve lower than a "C" grade in any required professional phase course
- Continue to maintain the Standards of Professional Practice and RSHS Student Code
of Conduct
Complete all clinical education experiences - Upon completion of the Master's degree program, graduates of Duquesne's Athletic Training program are eligible to sit for the national examination for athletic trainers (BOC).
Mission Statement
It is our Department's mission to create a positive learning environment that fosters the philosophy of serving God by serving students and preparing students to serve others through the provision of competent and compassionate Athletic Training care.