Athletic Training, M.S.

Alar Lipping, Ph.D., Interim School of Kinesiology, Counseling, and Rehabilitative Services Director

Rachele Vogelpohl, Ph.D., Graduate Program Director

Purpose

Athletic training encompasses the prevention, diagnosis, and intervention of emergency, acute, and chronic medical conditions involving impairment, functional limitations, and disabilities. The mission of the NKU Athletic Training  Program is to prepare the next generation of certified athletic trainers through student-centered education, diverse clinical experiences, and scholarly activities in order to produce well-rounded, competent clinicians who will make an impactful contribution to health care in our region, and beyond. Since 2006, NKU’s athletic training program has been accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education (CAATE). CAATE accreditation recognizes that NKU’s ATP meets the required standards for the preparation of certified athletic trainers.

The Master of Science in Athletic Training is a professional degree program with an integrated clinical education component. The coursework provides formal instruction aligned with the National Athletic Trainers’ Association educational competencies and clinical proficiencies. 

The clinical practicum courses provide students with an application of knowledge and skill in a real-world patient-care setting. Students are placed with an approved preceptor at a clinical site (on and off campus) that reflects the educational content specified in the clinical practicum course. Each practicum has required clinical hours as specified in the course description.

Admission Requirements

The MSAT is a six semester program (two full academic years including summers). Admission to the program will occur each spring and the program will begin in the summer. This program is designed as both a stand alone six semester master’s degree as well as an expedited bachelor’s and master’s combined degree. Students in the expedited concentration will complete a Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science and a Master of Science in Athletic Training.  Students applying for admission must submit the following:

1.  Application for admission and $40 application fee. 

2.  Official transcripts showing completion of a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution with a 2.75 minimum GPA.  

3.  Transcripts must show completion of the following courses with a grade of C or higher: 

• Introductory Psychology
• Biology
• Anatomy & Physiology I with Lab
• Anatomy & Physiology II with Lab
• General Chemistry
• General Physics
• Biomechanics 
• Exercise Physiology
• Introductory Statistics
• Strength and Conditioning

4.  Three letters of recommendation (one must be from an athletic trainer and one must be from a college instructor)

5.  Background check

• Students are required to use CastleBranch when purchasing the background check. Below are the directions for using CastleBranch for purchasing the required background check:

1. Go to the following Website: https://portal.castlebranch.com/NN32
2. Click on the red “PLACE ORDER” tab
3. Click on the gray “Please Select” drop down tab
4. Select and Click on “Athletic Training”
5. Select NY82bg: Background Check
6. Read and follow all instructions to purchase the Background Check (will cost $57)

6.  Interview with MSAT faculty and staff

Expedited Athletic Training Concentration Admissions Requirements 

Students applying for the expedited concentration must meet the following additional requiremetns to be considered for admission:

• Major in the Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science
• Junior standing at NKU (minimum 93 credits completed or currently in progress)
• Completed all general education coursework

Application Deadline

Admission to the MSAT program is on a rolling basis. To be considered for admission, a completed application and all required materials must be received not later than the semester prior to the student’s start date. Applications will be objectively evaluated and ranked.

MSAT Program Retention & Graduation Requirements

1. Maintain an overall 3.0 GPA
2. Completion of all coursework with a C or better