Program Requirements
North Park University is transitioning its CAATE-accredited undergraduate athletic training degree to an entry-level 3+2 accelerated master’s degree and MSAT program. This is in response to the requirement that starting 2022, athletic trainers must be enrolled in a CAATE-accredited master’s program to sit for the BOC exam.
- High school senior applicants can apply to North Park’s 3+2 accelerated master’s degree, where they will receive a BS in exercise science upon completing four years of study and an MS in athletic training upon completing the fifth year.
- Applicants with a bachelor’s degree can enroll directly into North Park’s MSAT program.
Prerequisites and Application Requirements
This is a cohort program that has a maximum capacity of 16 students. There is a competitive admissions process. The top 16 candidates from the pool are identified in relation to their profile as described in the Student Handbook. Simply meeting the minimum criteria does not guarantee entry into the program.
All prospective students must fill out and turn in a completed application, pre-requisite coursework, signed technical standards document, CPR certification, and immunization record as part of the application process. Once accepted, students will submit these documents to their secure Castle Branch profile prior to the beginning of clinical education experiences.
Students interested in the 3+2 program should enroll at North Park University as an exercise science major. In consultation with your advisor you will complete necessary requirements for the graduate sequence and submit your formal application to the master’s program (via the ATCAS) at the conclusion of your second year of courses. If accepted into the master’s program, the graduate coursework will begin the summer following your third year of courses. The graduate sequence continues for 6 consecutive full-year semesters (summer–fall–spring, summer–fall–spring.)
Human Anatomy (3-4 credit hours)
Human Physiology (3-4 credit hours)
Biology (3-4 credit hours)
Chemistry (2-4 credit hours)
Physics (2-4 credit hours)
Introduction to Psychology (3-4 credit hours)
CPR/AED Certification
Students must have a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution (official transcript must be received within 90 days of start of program*) Students must have an overall GPA of 3.0
* 3+2 students are exempt from needing completed bachelor’s degree before beginning graduate sequence.
Technical standards have been established for admittance to the Athletic Training Program. Prior to admission into the ATP, students need to complete the Technical Standards Form. This form should be uploaded to ATCAS (Athletic Training Centralized Application Service) once completed.
Immunization Records will be uploaded to the student’s Castle Branch compliance tracker once they are accepted into the athletic training program and should include:
- A negative PPD Tuberculin Skin Test, (TST), or Quantiferon Gold TB test, or Tspot blood test within the last year. If positive, student should follow up with their primary health care provider for appropriate treatment and submit a radiological report of a chest x-ray.
- Immunity to Measles, Rubella and Mumps as evidenced by 2 MMR vaccines or immunity titers.
- Varicella vaccine or a varicella titer.
- Hepatitis B vaccination or declination waiver.
Tetanus vaccination in the form of Tdap or Td booster administered within the past 10 years.
Candidates to North Park University’s entry-level athletic training program must apply using the online application provided by ATCAS, Athletic Training Centralized Application Service.
3+2 students should submit their application following their second year of coursework. After you have submitted all the required documentation and it is processed and verified by ATCAS, North Park will review applications and contact qualified applicants.
Degree Requirements
Required semester hours:
60 hours of graduate coursework
120 hours of undergraduate coursework*
*30 hours of graduate coursework is included in the 120 hours of undergraduate coursework
The Athletic Training Program Student Handbook has information on program mission, objectives, goals, curriculum, fees, admission requirements, vaccination records, clinical guidelines, and grievance policy. Prospective students are encouraged to meet with the faculty for more information on the athletic training program.
The descriptions below provide examples of the curriculum you will study as an athletic training major. For complete course offerings and descriptions, review the academic catalog.
Required Core Courses: 60 semester hours
NURS 5010: Scientific Inquiry and Knowledge
This course focuses on the evaluation and development of evidence-based approaches to improve practice, health outcomes, and the care environment. Emphasis is placed on utilizing theories in nursing research, evidence-based practice, and quality improvement; analyzing evidence; identifying knowledge gaps; developing strategies to generate and disseminate new evidence; and planning approaches for translating evidence into practice. Cultural and lifespan considerations of evidence-based practice approaches are addressed. Ethical considerations of evidence appraisal, development, and implementation are identified. This course serves as the foundation for synthesis and development of nursing knowledge in clinical (capstone) projects. Students must have completed an undergraduate statistics or equivalent course and also an undergraduate nursing research course.
EXS 5100: Prevention and Care w/Cadaver Lab
A study of preventative measures and acute care techniques used in athletic training. Concepts, applications, and procedures used in taping, equipment fitting, and splinting will be emphasized. This course also considers how environmental conditions and strength conditioning concepts can influence an individual’s risk of injury or illness. Formal cadaver lab experience will be embedded. Pre-requisites: Formal Admittance into the MSAT Program. Co-requisite: NURS 5010, EXS 5300
EXS 5200: Practicum I
A course designed to formally structure clinical experience (time by arrangement) in a North Park University athletic training facility. Will include observation, fieldwork and practical experience under the direct supervision of an athletic trainer (AT). Emphasis is on prevention and diagnosis of injuries and incorporating evidence into clinical practice. Pre-requisite: EXS 5100, 5300, NURS 5010. Co-requisite: EXS 5310, 5320.
EXS 5210: Practicum II
A course designed to formally structure clinical experience (time by arrangement) in a North Park University athletic training facility or an affiliated high school athletic training facility. Will include observation, fieldwork and practical experience under the direct supervision of an athletic trainer (AT). Emphasis is on the clinical decision making process as part of the evaluation process, emergency medicine and nutrition. Pre-requisite: EXS 5310, 5320, 5200 Co-requisite: EXS 5400, 5500.
EXS 5220: Practicum III
A course designed to formally structure clinical experience (time by arrangement) at an affiliated sports medicine clinic, physician’s office or hospital system. Will include observation, fieldwork and practical experience under the direct supervision of a licensed health care provider. Emphasis is on the rehabilitation process, psychosocial considerations and pharmacology. Pre-requisite: EXS 5210, 5400, 5500 Co-requisite: EXS 5410
EXS 5230: Clinical Intensive
A course focused on incorporating research and evidence-based practice into a clinical intensive environment (time by arrangement) at an affiliated site. Instruction will occur online to accommodate accreditation guidelines for “clinical intensive”. The clinical intensive experience will include observation, fieldwork and practical experience under the direct supervision of a licensed health care provider. Pre-requisite: EXS 5220, 5410.
EXS 5240: Practicum IV
A course designed to formally structure clinical experience (time by arrangement) at a North Park University athletic training facility or an affiliated high school athletic training facility. Will include observation, fieldwork and practical experience under the direct supervision of an AT. Emphasis is on psychosocial considerations, nutrition and professional responsibility. Pre-requisite: EXS 5230. Co-requisites: EXS 5600, NURS 5990.
EXS 5300: Orthopedic Assesment I
A comprehensive study of the lower extremities including the foot, ankle, knee, thigh, hip, pelvis, and spine. Injuries will be discussed from the following viewpoints: 1) prevention, 2) etiology and mechanism of injury, 3) pathology, 4) recognition and evaluation techniques, and 5) treatment. The clinical decision model will incorporate evidence based practice. Pre-requisites: Formal Admittance into the MSAT Program. Co-requisite: NURS 5010, EXS 5300
EXS 5310: Orthopedic Assesment II
A comprehensive study of the upper extremities including the shoulder, upper arm, elbow, forearm, wrist, hand, thumb, fingers, spine, thorax, abdomen, head, and face. Injuries will be discussed from the following viewpoints: 1) prevention, 2) etiology and mechanism of injury, 3) pathology, 4) recognition and evaluation techniques, and 5) treatment. The clinical decision model will incorporate evidence based practice. Pre-requisite: EXS 5100, 5300, NURS 5010. Co-requisite: EXS 5310, 5320.
EXS 5320: General Medical and Emergency Medicine
A comprehensive study of non-musculoskeletal conditions including cardiothoracic, general medical conditions, skin infections, and common viruses. Emphasis will be on those conditions that require immediate intervention. These conditions will be discussed from the following viewpoints: 1) prevention, 2) etiology and mechanism, 3) pathology, 4) recognition and evaluation techniques, and 5) immediate and long-term intervention. Pre-requisite: EXS 5100, 5300, NURS 5010. Co-requisite: EXS 5310, 5200.
EXS 5400: Therapeutic Intervention I
This course provides an evidence-based overview of the theory and application of therapeutic interventions common to the rehabilitation of select musculoskeletal injuries and conditions. Emphasis will be placed on the foundational theories such as physiology of injury, pain, stages of healing, altered movement as well as the exercises, modalities, and pharmacological interventions specific to the inflammatory and proliferation stages of healing. Pre-requisite: EXS 5310, 5320, 5200 Co-requisite: EXS 5210, 5500.
EXS 5410: Therapeutic Intervention II
This course provides an evidence-based overview of the theory and application of therapeutic interventions common to the rehabilitation of select musculoskeletal injuries and conditions. Emphasis will be placed on exercises and modalities specific to the remodeling stage of healing and for the return to participation. Special considerations for the physical rehabilitation of various anatomical segments will also be explored. Pre-requisite: EXS 5210, 5400, 5500. Co-requisite: EXS 5220.
EXS 5500: Athletic Training Administration
Designed to give an understanding of the planning, coordinating, and supervision of all administrative components of an athletic training program in a clinical, high school, college, professional, or industrial setting. Emphasis will be placed on facility organization and design, budgeting, legal liability, day-to-day scheduling, personnel management, record keeping and ethical considerations. Prerequisite: EXS 5200, 5310, 5320. Co-requisite: EXS 5210, 5400.
EXS 5600: BOC Exam Prep/Career Development
The course focuses on preparation for the Board of Certification (BOC) examination. Professional development, networking, job selection, and career transition is included. Pre-requisites: EXS 5230. Co-requisites: NURS 5990, EXS 5240.
NURS 5990: Capstone Project
This course provides students with the opportunity to develop an evidence-based practice project with potential for dissemination. The project will be presented in both written and oral formats.
Tuition and Program Specific Costs
Tuition – $750 per credit
Background Check – $45 (one time fee)
Castle Branch – $35 (one time fee)
NATA Membership (necessary for clinical education documentation) – $75 (annual)
Transportation for clinical education – variable
Health Insurance – variable
Vaccinations (annual TB) – variable (approximately $30-$50)
Clothing – variable (approximately $100)