Mar 28, 2024  
2022-2023 Graduate Catalog 
    
2022-2023 Graduate Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Athletic Training, M.S.


Alar Lipping, Ph.D., Interim School of Kinesiology, Counseling, and Rehabilitative Sciences 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 accreditation recognizes that NKU’s ATP meets the required standards for the preparation of entry-level 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 PreCheck StudentCheck to purchase the background check. Instructions on how to purchase the background check can be found at http://nku.edu/msat. Students can also purchase the background check by going to the following site: https://candidate.precheck.com/StudentCheck?schoolId=16114

   6.  Interview with MSAT faculty and staff 

Expedited Athletic Training Concentration Admission Requirements

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

  • Major in the Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science at NKU
  • Junior standing at NKU (minimum 90 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.

Additional Program Requirements

In addition to the background check listed under admission requirements, students will be required to use PreCheck StudentCheck to purchase the “Immunization” package and demonstrate proof of the following items prior to beginning any clinical education experience:

  • Immunization Tracking packet that contain proof of:
    • Basic Life Support (BSL) CPR through the American Heart Association or American Red Cross
    • Health Insurance
    • Professional Liability
    • Immunizations including:
      • MMR vaccines: Two doses or positive surface antibody titers
      • Hepatitis B: Three doses or positive surface antibody titer or two dose Heplisav-B vaccine series
      • Varicella: Two dose vaccine series or date of chicken pox or positive surface antibody titer
      • Tetanus, Diphtheria, Pertussis (Tdap): vaccine within ten years or TD booster within ten years if Tdap is documented
      • Influenza Vaccine: required seasonally-will be required for students starting in summer or fall by Octerber 15th.
      • Tuberculosis Step Skin Test: Documentation of a TB Mantoux Skin test within 12 months and a negative result or TB blood draw within 12 months and negative result (ANNUAL RENEWAL)
    • Physical Exam and Physician Signed Technical Standards

Students are required to purchase the Background Check and the Immunization Tracking packages through PreCheck as well as upload all other required information to the secure PreCheck site. Students do not have to purchase the Drug Screen at the time of application to the program

The instructions on how to purchase the Immunization Tracker documentation packet through PreCheck can be found at nku.edu/msat or https://candidate.precheck.com/StudentCheck?schoolId=16114.

Criminal Background Check Policy

Healthcare agencies are charged with providing care and protecting the safety of vulnerable populations including children and the aged. Agencies used for clinical placement require students to undergo criminal background checks and may deny clinical access to those convicted of felonies and certain misdemeanors. Conviction of these offenses may result in a student’s denial of admission to, or dismissal from, the School of Kinesiology, Counseling, and Rehabilitative Sciences. Applicants are required to submit to criminal background checks as identified by the Master of Science in Athletic Training Program as part of the application process. The cost of this and any subsequent screening will be borne by the student. The student is responsible for notifying the Master of Science in Athletic Training program and the College of Health and Human Services of any change in the status of this record after starting the program. Note that successful completion of a criminal background check does not ensure eligibility for certification, licensure, or future employment

MSAT Program Retention & Graduation Requirements

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

The MSAT is a cohort program. If a student fails to earn the minimum grade of C in a course, they will not be able to move forward in the program until the course is successfully completed. Courses are only offered once per academic year.

Program Tuition and Associated Fees

  • Tuition Rate: $450 per credit hour for KY residents and $550 per credit for Metro and Non-Residents
  • Program Fees and Expenses:
    • Graduate Program Application Fee ($40)
    • Background Check ($39.50) and Document Management System ($35)
    • Annual TB Test ($20 at NKU Health, Counseling, and Student Wellness office)
    • Annual Physical Exam ($50 for new patient, no insurance at NKU Health, Counseling, and Student Wellness office)
    • Drug Screen-may be required for certain clinical education rotations 
    • Professional Liability Insurance (approximately $35 annually)
    • ATrack subscription ($45 for annual subscription, $90 for lifetime subscription)
    • BOC practice exams (approximately $120, 4 practice exams at $30 each, purchased at the time of exam)
    • Course Fees ($150 for ATP 510L, $25 for ATP 520L, $25 for ATP 625L and $25 for ATP 620)
    • Student Uniforms-students are required to wear khakis pants/shorts, polo shirts, and dress clothing depending on the clinical site and event. It is recommended that students purchase either plain black, grey, or white polo shirts. This can be done individually or through the athletic training club. The cost will vary and will be covered by the student.
    • Transportation-students are required to have reliable transportation in order to get to and from their clinical site. Assigned clinical sites will be various locations in the tristate area, and the public transportation system may not a reliable resource. Students are responsible for the cost of transportation.