3+2 Athletic Training Program leads to 2 degrees in 5 years

In response to nationwide changes, Charleston Southern University’s undergraduate athletic training program has transitioned to a graduate program with the option of a 3+2 program, allowing a student to complete a Bachelor of Science in kinesiology and a Master of Athletic Training in just five years.

Dr. Brian Smith, director of the athletic training program, says the benefit of the CSU 3+2 program is students earn two degrees in five years versus the traditional six years if students earned their undergraduate degree at another institution.

Smith said, “After the completion of the Master of Athletic Training degree, a student will be eligible to sit for the Board of Certification exam for athletic training.”

Additional benefits of the CSU 3+2 program are:

• A student can use undergraduate scholarships and financial aid for the first 22 units of the Master of Athletic training program since these units also count toward the bachelor’s degree. 
• Students have interaction with the athletic training faculty prior to the start of the master’s program because all of the athletic training faculty teach courses in the kinesiology undergraduate program.
• If a student doesn’t meet the prerequisites for the Master of Athletic Training program by the completion of the junior year (third year), he/she can continue in the kinesiology undergraduate degree program with an emphasis in either clinical or strength and conditioning.

The new program is open to incoming CSU students and transfers. Students who have earned an undergraduate degree at another institution are also eligible to apply to the Master of Athletic Training program.

Learn more here. The athletic training program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education and received continued accreditation in 2018 through 2028.

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