Graduate Kinesiology

Faculty

John K. Petrella, Chair, Professor
Robert W. Hensarling, Jr., Professor
Alan P. Jung, Professor
Christopher G. Ballmann, Assistant Professor
Allison J. Jackson, Assistant Professor
Thomas J. Kopec, Assistant Professor
Mallory R. Marshall, Assistant Professor
J. Patrick Marsh, Assistant Professor
Justin R. Moody, Assistant Professor
Joseph A. Pederson, Assistant Professor
Tyler D. Williams, Assistant Professor
Shannon M. Ashe, Instructor
Rebecca R. Rogers, Instructor
Kyle C. Southall, Instructor

Mission

In the Department of Kinesiology, we are called to nurture and prepare students to positively impact the health and well-being of members of society and to instill in all students, faculty, and staff, a commitment to lifetime fitness and positive health. An exemplary education provided in a Christian context, by individuals with a demonstrated commitment to excellence in scholarship, service and teaching provide the mechanism to fulfill this mission.

Vision

The vision of the Department of Kinesiology is to challenge students continually to improve the health and well-being of society by exhibiting the highest standards of quality in teaching, scholarship and service; and to assume the leadership role among academic programs in our field in meeting the challenges of preventive medicine and health care.

Values

Five fundamental values form the foundation of the Department of Kinesiology culture.

Collaboration - The phrase “to act as a unit” forms the basis of the kinesiology department. This value ensures that all students will benefit from the collective wisdom of a team of education professionals.

Excellence - A commitment to excellence has created the kinesiology department’s legacy of achievement and innovation in curricular and programmatic areas resulting in high achievement for students and faculty.

Integrity - Adherence to scientific, professional, and personal integrity are our ethical cornerstones; they underlie our desire to mentor students, conduct clinical research investigations, educate students and allied health professionals, while guiding the fiscal and administrative management of the kinesiology department.

Compassion - A commitment to compassion includes a respect for all persons, while providing the highest level of service.

Commitment - As an institution, the kinesiology department recognizes its responsibilities to the community in which we reside, to the students it services, to Samford University and to the individuals in leadership who oversee the management of its resources.

Accreditation

The graduate athletic training program at Samford University is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education (CAATE). The CAATE is recognized as an accrediting agency by the Council of Higher Education (CHEA). After the comprehensive review for initial program accreditation, the program was granted the maximum five-year accreditation for new programs. The next comprehensive review is scheduled for the 2022-2023 academic year.

Graduate Programs and Requirements

Degree
Master of Athletic Training (M.A.T.)
Athletic Training (M.A.T.)

The Department of Kinesiology offers the master of athletic training degree (M.A.T.), a 56-hour program designed to prepare students for entry into the practice of athletic training. The program is grounded in evidence-based practice and a patient-centered approach to health care. Upon completion, students will be eligible to take the Board of Certification, Inc. examination for athletic trainers.

Master of Athletic Training (M.A.T.)

Admission to the Master of Athletic Training program is competitive.

Admission Requirements

Requirements for admission consideration include:

Baccalaureate degree or higher from an accredited college or university (degree in any field), or be enrolled in your senior year of undergraduate study.

*Conditional admission: A completed bachelor’s degree is required prior to enrollment, as evidenced by a final official college/university transcript. Applicants may receive a conditional acceptance with a letter from the registrar stating they have in fact completed the requirements for the degree. The “conditional” status is removed once an official transcript is received.

Minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 on a 4.00 scale.
Achieve a “C” or better in all prerequisite courses. All prerequisite courses must have been completed within 10 years prior to application.
Required prerequisite courses include:
- Biology
- Chemistry
- Physics
- General Psychology
- Human Anatomy*
- Human Physiology*
- Ex. Physiology
- Statistics
- Research design and general nutrition are recommended

*May substitute two semesters of a combined Anatomy and Physiology course.

CPR - Must be one of the following:
- Professional Rescuer and AED by the American Red Cross
- BLS Healthcare Provider CPR by the American Heart Association
- CPR PRO for the Healthcare Professional by Health and Safety Institute
GRE score (within the past five years) with a preferred minimum composite score of 295.

Applicants must self-report their GRE scores in ATCAS and submit official GRE records to Samford University at code: 1779.

50 hours of documented volunteer/shadowing experience with a certified athletic trainer.
Three letters of reference through the ATCAS application system. References should be from: 1) current or previous professor; 2) work supervisor, mentor, pastor, academic advisor, etc.; and 3) a Certified Athletic Trainer.
International applicants or American citizens who learned English as a second language must score at least 550 (paper), 213 (computer), or 80 (internet) on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL).
On-campus interview. Invitations will be sent after the initial review of materials.

Upon acceptance, a non-refundable fee of $500 is required to secure admission into the program. This fee is applied to the first semester’s tuition.

Application Process

The steps below outline the application process for the master of athletic training program. To apply, you are required to submit both an application through ATCAS as well as the Master of Athletic Training Supplemental Form.

Before starting these applications, we recommend that you complete the following checklist:

Obtain student copies of your college transcripts to assist you in completing the coursework section for the application.
Before you begin your application, please review the ATCAS Instructions & FAQs.
Request official transcripts from each institution attended by using the transcript request form in ATCAS. Complete the form, submit it to the registrar’s office of each institution attended, and instruct them to enclose the form with your official sealed transcript. Transcripts must be sent to the ATCAS Transcript Department. ATCAS accepts official transcripts sent directly from the registrar’s office only. Please send transcripts as early as possible and no less than four to six weeks before the application deadline due to the time needed by ATCAS to verify your application.

Send transcripts to:
ATCAS Verification Department
PO Box 1932
Watertown, MA 02471

Pay the initial service fee of $85 when submitting the ATCAS application.
Obtain three letters of recommendation from: 1) current or previous professor; 2) supervisor; and 3) an Athletic Trainer. These letters of recommendation must be submitted through ATCAS. The references should attest to the applicant’s academic ability and potential.
Self-report GRE scores to ATCAS and send official scores to Samford University Code 1779.
Please complete application in its entirety.
If selected, complete an on-campus interview.

ATCAS Customer Service Information
Available Monday through Friday, 9:00-5:00 EST
617-612-2075
atcasinfo@liaisoncas.com

For more information regarding the admission process, please contact:

Dr. Marian Carter
Assistant Dean of Enrollment Management and Student Services
205-726-2611
mwcarter@samford.edu

Time-to-Degree Completion Plan

The program is designed to be completed in two years (six semesters) of full-time study. Cohorts will begin during the summer semester and graduate in at the end the spring semester.

Courses

Kinesiology

NOTE: Additional graduate-level KINE courses can be found in the course listings for the MSE-FYNT program, under the Department of Curriculum & Instruction . Those courses are specific requirements for the physical education teaching field of the Secondary Education, Fifth-Year Non-Traditional (Alt A, Class A Cert) (FYNT) (M.S.E.)