Master of Science in Athletic Training
Frequently Asked Questions
(All timelines and information presented below are in the process of being approved by the
University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, and the University of Wisconsin System. These
announcements should be read as preliminary, as the MS Athletic Training program is not yet
approved by the University of Wisconsin System)
Athletic Trainers are health care professionals who collaborate with physicians. The services
provided by Athletic Trainers comprise prevention, emergency care, clinical diagnosis,
therapeutic intervention and rehabilitation of injuries and medical conditions. The program is
housed within the College of Health Sciences, Department of Kinesiology- Integrative Human
Performance Unit. UWM has a long history of providing students with a diversified education
that includes a solid and rigorous curriculum as well as a variety of hands-on clinical experiences
that prepares them to enter the profession of athletic training. To continue our leadership in
Athletic Training education, we are revising our program to reflect the changed nature of
professional practice demanding more interprofessional collaboration, a higher degree of
autonomy requiring advanced development of clinical reasoning skills, and a skill set in evidence
based practice that allows graduates to actively engage in the rapidly changing science
surrounding health care practice. Therefore, we are in the process of establishing a graduate,
professional education program where students would earn a Master of Science in Athletic
Training.
When will the MS Athletic Training program be available?
Students should begin application for the 2016-2017 academic year. The first cohort of students
will be accepted into the Master of Science in Athletic Training program to begin in May 2017 at
the start of the Summer term.
Can I still apply to the B.S. Athletic Training program?
After February 1, 2015 UWM will be suspending enrollment in the Bachelor of Science in
Athletic Training program. This means that unless you have been accepted into this degree
program prior to February 1, 2015, you will not be able to earn at Bachelor’s degree in Athletic
Training at UWM. Students who are interested becoming Athletic Trainers will be advised to
apply to the Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology program. Information will be provided to the
student from CHS Student Affairs, and on the CHS website regarding the optimal program of
study with the BS-Kinesiology program to meet the pre-requisites for application to the MS-AT
program.
What if I am currently enrolled in the B.S. Athletic Training program?
Students who have been admitted to the major will have full opportunity to complete the
program as outlined in the undergraduate handbook. The existing curriculum is very sequential
and tracked, therefore it has always been the case that if a student falls behind or has to repeat
courses for any reason it can impact their time and cost to degree. If a student falls behind
during the teach-out time period, efforts will be made to offer a necessary course, or independent
study, in a timely manner as to keep the student on track toward degree completion. However,
this will put the student out of the normal sequence of courses, and thus may lead to a delay in
their progress to degree. This is consistent with current policy for the BSAT program.
What if I am dismissed from the B.S. Athletic Training program, but want to re-apply?
A current program policy is that if a student is dismissed from the major, he/she has one
opportunity to reapply to the major within 1 year of the dismissal. To ensure equitable treatment
of the final cohort, students will be allowed this opportunity as well. The student will be given
the opportunity to either 1) reapply to the BS-AT program, or 2) complete a different bachelor’s
degree program and then apply to the MS-AT program (if prerequisites are met)
What if I am currently enrolled in the Bachelor of Science in Athletic Training program,
and have to take a leave of absence?
Any students who are enrolled in the BS-AT program who are on excused leave of absences will
be accommodated to complete the program in the most timely way possible. It is possible that
there may be some delay in course offerings due to the sequential nature of the curriculum.
How do I apply for the Master of Science in Athletic Training program, and what are the
pre-requisites?
Students must hold a Bachelor’s degree and have completed predefined coursework. Additional
details about pre-requisites and the application process will available in the Summer of 2015.
Where can I find additional information?
Please email atep-info@uwm.edu, or Dr Jennifer Earl-Boehm (Program Director) at (414)2293227.