Athletic Training

Athletic Training - BS/MSAT 4+1 Option

The Direct Entry (4+1) Program is designed so students can complete both the Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science and Sports Performance and the Master of Science in Athletic Training degrees in a total of five years. These students are guaranteed admission into the MSAT program if they meet all prerequisites. Students entering through this route complete the graduate school application for admission and technical standards form and are fully accepted into the MSAT program after review of the GPA, credit hours and grades for prerequisite course work. The second route of entry into McKendree's Master of Science in Athletic Training Program is through traditional graduate admissions.

The professional portion of the accelerated program encompasses the Master of Science in Athletic Trianing requirements and consists of 53 credit hours that include the latest research, knowledge, and techniques used by athletic trainers. Academic preparation is guided by:

• NATA Executive Council for Education (ECE) oversees matters related to AT education. The group facilitates quality professional and post-professional education, coordinates the delivery of educational programming for the profession and maintains a dialogue with its CAATE and BOC liaisons on accreditation and certification matters affecting AT education.

• 8th Edition Pratice Analysis by the Board of Certification (BOC) that defines the entry-level knowledge, skills, and abilities required for practice in the profession of athletic training.

• Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education (CAATE) curriculum standards.

• This program is designed to provide structured didactic and supervised clinical courseowrk to prepare students for entry-level position in athletic training. Didactic and clinical coursework are sequenced and integrated to maximize student learning. The purpose of the supervised clinical coursework is to provide a structured clinical experience to prepare for professional practice and engage in professional socialization. Throughout the academic program, clinical coursework provides direct patient care opportunities with varied client/patient populations for a variety of injuries, condition, and illnesses throughout the lifespan. 

• Students pursuing McKendree's Direct Entry (4+1) Program enroll in the Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science and Sports Performance (ESSP+) Plus Program to complete their degree in Exercise Science and Sports Performance. 

• Prerequisite coursework includes: Health and Wellness, Biology (with lab), Chemistry (no lab), General Physics (with lab), Anatomy and Physiology (2 semesters with lab), Medical Terminology, Nutrition, Kinesiology, Exercise Physiology, Psychology, Statistics and Principles of Athletic Training.

• Students who decide to opt out of the ESSP Plus program may still earn the Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science and Sports Performance degree by completing all remaining degree requirements listed under the ESSP Program.