IMPORTANT! The Bachelor of Science in Athletic Training has been phased out. The final class of students was admitted into the program in Spring 2020. All Athletic Training students who have been admitted into the program must complete all Athletic Training required coursework by May 2022.
Incoming freshman and transfer students: the Master of Science in Athletic Training (MSAT) will begin in Summer 2020. We are offering MSAT as a Stand Alone master’s degree for those students who have earned a Bachelor’s degree. We are also offering the Expedited (5 year) Bachelors and Masters Track for NKU students majoring in the Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science.
For more information please visit NKU's Master of Science in Athletic Training (MSAT) website. If you have any questions, please contact the program director, Dr. Rachele Vogelpohl at vogelpohlra@nku.edu.
Athletic Trainers are healthcare professionals who collaborate with physicians to optimize activity and participation of patients and clients. Athletic training encompasses the prevention, diagnosis and intervention of emergency, acute, and chronic medical conditions involving impairment, functional limitations and disabilities.
The professional preparation of athletic trainers is based on the following eight content areas: Evidence-Based Practice; Prevention and Health Promotion; Clinical Examination and Diagnosis; Acute Care of Injury and Illness; Therapeutic interventions; Psychosocial Strategies and Referral; Healthcare Administration; and Professional Development and Responsibility.
| 2018-19 | 2019-20 | 2020-21 | 3-Year Aggregate | |
| Number of students graduating from program | 27 | 20 | 18 | 65 |
| Number of students graduating from program who took exam | 26 | 18 | 18 | 62 |
| Number of students who passed the exam on the first attempt | 14 | 11 | 12 | 37 |
| Percentage of students who passed the exam on the first attempt | 54% | 61% | 67% | 60% |
| Number of students who passed the exam regardless of the number of attempts | 18 | 15 | 13 | 47 |
| Percentage of students who passed the exam regardless of the number of attempts | 69% | 83% | 72% | 76% |
Graduation rate is calculated as: the sum of students with a Graduated status divided by the total number of students in the cohort.
| 2018-2019 | 2019-2020 | 2020-2021 | 3 Year Aggregate | |
| Number of Students Graduating from Program | 27 | 20 | 18 | 65 |
| Student Graduation Rate (%) | 84% | 87% | 100% | 89% |
Graduate employment/placement rate: Percentage of students within 6-months of graduation that have obtained positions in the following categories: employed as an athletic trainer, employed as other, and not employed.
| 2018-2019 | 2019-2020 | 2020-2021 | 3 Year Aggregate | |
| Number of students Employed as AT | 11 | 10 | 9 | 30 |
| Student Employment Rate as AT (%) | 42% | 50% | 50% | 47% |
| Number of Students Employed as Other | 9 | 3 | 2 | 14 |
| Student Employment Rate as Other (%) | 35% | 15% | 11% | 22% |
| Number of Students not Employed | 2 | 1 | 1 | 4 |
| Student Not Employed Rate (%) | 8% | 5% | 6% | 6% |
Retention rate is defined as the number of students who began the professional phase of the program who returned to the institution to continue their students in the program the following academic year.
| Year Students Entered the Program |
Number of Students Admitted | Students Completing 1st Year |
Students Completing 2nd Year |
| 2013-2014 | 19 | 18 (95%) | 14 (77%) |
| 2014-2015 | 26 | 23 (88%) | 20 (87%) |
| 2015-2016 | 21 | 18 (86%) | 13 (72%) |
| 2016-2017 | 34 | 32 (94%) | 30 (94%) |
| 2017-2018 | 24 | 24 (100%) | 23 (96%) |
| 2018-2019 | 23 | 21 (91%) | 20 (87%) |
| 2019-2020 | 19 | 18 (94%) | 18 (94%) |
| 2020-2021 | 19 | 14 (74%) | N/A |
The athletic degree program of study contains 93 hours of coursework and concurrent clinical education. The intent of the athletic training program is to prepare students for a career, as a BOC Certified Athletic Trainer (ATC).
Athletic trainers are vital members of the healthcare team for:
Rachele E. Vogelpohl, PhD, ATC
Athletic Training Program Director
859-572-5623
vogelpohlra@nku.edu
NKU's Athletic Training Program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education (CAATE), 6850 Austin Center Blvd., Suite 100, Austin, TX 78731-3101.
