Graduate Kinesiology

Faculty

John K. Petrella, Chair, Professor
Robert W. Hensarling, Jr., Professor
Alan P. Jung, Professor
Mallory R. Marshall, Associate Professor
Christopher G. Ballmann, Assistant Professor
Courteney L. Benjamin, Assistant Professor
Allison J. Jackson, Assistant Professor
Thomas J. Kopec, Assistant Professor
J. Patrick Marsh, Assistant Professor
Justin R. Moody, Assistant Professor
Joseph A. Pederson, Assistant Professor
Rebecca R. Rogers, Assistant Professor
Tyler D. Williams, Assistant Professor

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

Samford University is currently accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education (CAATE), 6850 Austin Center Blvd., Suite 100, Austin, TX, 78731-3101. The program has chosen to voluntarily withdraw its CAATE accreditation effective August 27, 2021.

Graduate Programs and Requirements

Degree
Master of 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.)

IMPORTANT NOTE: This program is being phased out and is closed to new admits.

Transfer Credit

At this time, students may not transfer in any credit to count towards the masters in athletic training program.

Time Limit

Samford University will voluntary withdraw accreditation of the master of athletic training program effective August 31, 2021. Current students have been informed of the plans for program withdrawal, including notice that if their graduation is delayed past the effective withdrawal date, they will not be able to sit for the Board of Certification examination.

Progression Policies

In order to progress in the graduate program in athletic training, the student must:

Have completed health and immunization forms and on file with the MAT program.
Submit negative results on drug screen and background check.
Have achieved a passing grade of greater than or equal to 80% HIPAA, OSHA, and Bloodborne Pathogens Quizzes.
Students must maintain a grade point average greater than 3.00, earning B’s or higher, with no more than two C+ course grades during the two-year MAT program.
A student who earns two C+ course grades or one course grade lower than a C+ in the MAT is at risk of being dismissed from the program.
Students must be aware that matters of plagiarism, unethical, unprofessional, or unsafe conduct may result in immediate dismissal from the MAT program.

In the event a student earns a grade of C+ in two MAT classes, one course grade less than a C+, or their GPA drops below a 3.00, the student is at risk of being dismissed from the program. Dismissed students may reapply to continue their course of study the following year. Remedial courses may be required on a case-by-case basis prior to readmission. Determination for readmission will be made by the MAT program faculty, with the approval of the chair of the kinesiology department and the dean of School of Health Professions. There is no guarantee that a student will be readmitted. For students readmitted to the MAT program, tuition, fees and other costs will be at the rate in place at the time of readmission.

No student will be able to successfully complete a didactic, lab, or clinical course with a grade of less than 80% on an exam in the course. Should a student score less than 80% on an exam, the student will be required to schedule a meeting with the faculty member to receive feedback and remediation on their first attempt, and take a retake exam with the instructor of record. In the event 80% is not achieved on the retake, remediation will occur until a score of 80% is achieved. A minimum of 72 hours is required between attempts. The time of the retake(s) is at the discretion of the course instructor. The retake will be calculated starting at 80% and the average of the retake(s) and first attempt will be recorded as the exam grade. All coursework must be complete before progressing to the next semester with requests for exceptions made to the PD for extenuating circumstances.

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.

Programs

Master

Athletic Training (M.A.T.)

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.)