Colleges and Schools

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 should be submitted through ATCAS). 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.

Technical Standards Form

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:

1. 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.
2. Immunity to Measles, Rubella and Mumps as evidenced by 2 MMR vaccines or immunity titers.
3. Varicella vaccine or a varicella titer.
4. Hepatitis B vaccination or declination waiver.
5. Tetanus vaccination in the form of Tdap or Td booster administered within the past 10 years.
6. Effective 05/15/22 — COVID-19 Vaccination: documentation of either the two dose (Pfizer or Moderna) or the one dose (Johnson & Johnson) vaccination card with the dates and the manufacturer listed for each dose of the vaccine.

All MSAT applicants must apply online via the ATCAS application service.  The deadline to submit materials to ATCAS is June 1, 2022.

Application materials include official college transcripts, 2 letters of recommendation, 50 observational hours, resume, personal statement, proof of CPR/AED certification, and completion of technical standards form.

Additional essay questions on ATCAS:

*1) Why do you want to become an athletic trainer? (250-500 words) Please describe how your observational hours impacted your decision to pursue athletic training.

*2) How did you become aware of the MSAT program at North Park University?

Completed applications are reviewed the first Wednesday of every month throughout the admission cycle.  Admissions decisions are made on a rolling basis until the class (16 spots) is filled.

Candidates to North Park University’s MSAT program must apply using the online application provided by ATCAS, Athletic Training Centralized Application Service.

Apply Now

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.

Candidates presently completing their final year of undergraduate studies are encouraged to contact Andrew Lundgren, Athletic Training Program Director, for more information on completing the application process.

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.

Students participating in intercollegiate athletics at North Park are welcome to apply to the program. The ATP has a significant clinical component which often requires commitment during afternoons, evenings, and on weekends. It is possible that time conflicts between sport demands and clinical requirements will occur. Although every effort is made to minimize these conflicts, it is possible that you may have to complete a clinical rotational during your traditional athletic season.

If admitted to ATP as a student athlete, you will only be able to participate on one intercollegiate team per academic year, and only during your team’s traditional season. You will only be allowed to participate in the non-traditional season if it doesn’t interfere with course requirements.