• Description of Program
• Degree Requirements
• Special Opportunities
• Careers

Description of Program

The Master of Science in Kinesiology with emphasis in Athletic Training is a two-year post-professional degree program consisting of didactic coursework in both classroom and laboratory settings, advanced clinical appointments, and research experiences. The structure of the program provides the student with the unique opportunity to be exposed to different philosophies and techniques taught by a talented and experienced faculty and professional staff. The graduate assistant clinical assignments provide an array of experiences with positions in Division I Intercollegiate Athletics, area high schools and middle schools, military medicine (Army and Air Force), and the performing arts (ballet, contemporary dance and Jacobs School of Music). Research conducted in the Athletic Training Research Laboratory will primarily focus on concussion, and the assessment, treatment, and rehabilitation of lower extremity orthopedic pathologies, with emphasis on chronic ankle instability. Partial tuition-remission and financial stipends are awarded to those students admitted.

Degree Requirements

A minimum of 44 credit hours is required for the athletic training program. The Master of Science in Kinesiology degree must include a minimum of 20 credits from the Department of Kinesiology. A minimum 3.0 cumulative grade point average (GPA) is required for graduation. A minimum grade of C is required in each course. All electives for completing the degree must be approved by the advisor.
Complete the following requirements.

Public Health Foundations Requirement (0 credits)
All new master's degree students must complete the Public Health Foundations online course no later than the end of their first semester of graduate study. Complete details and registration information for this course can be found at the following website: https://iu.instructure.com/enroll/MNG3L6

Athletic Training Core Courses (31 credits)
Complete each of the following courses.

• SPH-A 581 Athletic Training Principles for the Spine (3 cr.)
• SPH-A 582 Current Topics in Athletic Training (3 cr.)
• SPH-A 583 General Medical Conditions in Athletic Training (4 cr.)
• SPH-A 585 Rehabilitation and Conditioning of Athletes (4 cr.)
• SPH-A 587 Athletic Training Principles for Upper Extremities (3 cr.)
• SPH-A 588 Anatomical Basis of Athletic Injuries (4 cr.)
• SPH-A 589 Rehabilitation Principles and Techniques in Athletic Training II (3 cr.)
• SPH-A 590 Athletic Training Principles for Lower Extremities (3 cr.)
• SPH-A 695 Practicum in Athletic Training (4 cr.)

Research Competency Courses (8 credits)
Complete each of the following courses.

• SPH-A 610 Introduction to Athletic Training Research (2 cr.)
• SPH-A 610 Introduction to Athletic Training Research (2 cr.)
• SPH-A 611 Advanced Topics: Athletic Training Research (2 cr.)
• SPH-A 611 Advanced Topics: Athletic Training Research (2 cr.)

Capstone Project (5 credits)
Complete one of the following courses.

• SPH-K 599 Master's Thesis (5 cr.)
• SPH-K 693 Independent Study and Research (5 cr.)

Special Opportunities

Classroom Experiences: Students have access to the Doster Athletic Training Education Classroom, as well as a  clinical laboratory for practicing the advanced manual skills introduced in the didactic courses.   
    
Research Experiences: The Post-Professional Athletic Training program has an 800-square foot research laboratory that is specifically allocated for the faculty and students of the program. Research, as it is applied to the athletic populations, is conducted on: 1) Assessment of lower extremity pathologies, 2) Proprioceptive and functional deficits associated with lower extremity pathologies, 3) Prevention of ankle instability through taping and bracing procedures, and 4) Treatment and rehabilitation procedures, with a particular emphasis on instrument assisted soft tissue mobilization. In addition, we apply these investigative principles to other “non-traditional” athletic training populations such as military and dance medicine. Testing equipment in the laboratory includes: 2-D and 3-D motion capture systems, 8-channel EMG, force plates, pressure mats, isokinetic dynamometer, treadmill, load cells, multi-joint arthrometer, accelerometers, goniometers, dynamic perturbation walkway, and other laboratory equipment used for proprioception and neuromuscular testing.   
    
Clinical Experiences: There are five different athletic training rooms on campus utilized for clinical experiences. These are located in: Assembly Hall, School of Public Health, University Gymnasium, Student Recreational Sports Center, and Musical Arts Center. Graduate students also have the opportunity to work with multiple staff athletic trainers, team physicians, a registered dietitian, and sports psychologist.

Careers

Board-certified athletic trainers can be found working in a multitude of employment environments, including traditional college and university environments, industrial health settings, numerous health care environments, and areas such as performing arts, motor sports, and rodeo. They can also work as physician extenders and as clinic outreach athletic trainers.