Innovative Curriculum

Through innovative classes, you will study clinical evaluation and diagnosis, therapeutic interventions, health care administration and more. In our state-of-the-art labs, you'll learn clinical skills through mock evaluations and integrated simulations using a manikin-patient. Our faculty and clinical staff bring a diversity of experiences to exemplify excellence in teaching, professional service, cutting-edge research and textbook development for classroom teaching.

Curriculum Course Sequence

The Master of Science in Athletic Training degree is a 57 credit-hour program that is completed in five semesters with clinical experience. Year one of the program focuses on practical and hands-on knowledge that can be implemented into clinical experiences. Year two of the program focuses on professional knowledge and skills through online instruction and full immersion experiences. The clinical experience requirements occur during the two-year period. View course details the Graduate Catalog.

Summer Year One

  • KNAT 500 Principles of Athletic Injury and Illness Management and Emergency Care
  • KNAT 501 Foundations of Athletic Training

Fall Year One

  • KNAT 501 Foundations of Athletic Training
  • KNAT 502 Clinical Physical Examination and Diagnosis in Athletic Training I
  • KNAT 503 Clinical Physical Examination and Diagnosis Lab I
  • KNAT 520 Integrated Therapeutic Interventions in Athletic Training I
  • KNAT 521 Integrated Therapeutic Interventions in Athletic Training Lab I
  • KNAT 551 Athletic Training Clinical Experience I

Spring Year One

  • KNAT 504 Clinical Physical Examination and Diagnosis in Athletic Training II
  • KNAT 505 Clinical Physical Examination and Diagnosis Lab II
  • KNAT 522 Integrated Therapeutic Interventions in Athletic Training II
  • KNAT 523 Integrated Therapeutic Interventions in Athletic Training Lab II
  • KNAT 552 Athletic Training Clinical Experience II

Fall Year Two

  • KNAT 519 Athletic Training Clinical Administration
  • KNAT 550 Research Methods and Evidence Based Practice in Athletic Training
  • KNAT 553 Immersive Athletic Training Clinical Experience I

Spring Year Two

  • KNAT 515 Special Topics and Culminating Experience in Athletic Training
  • KNAT 560 Professional Preparation in Athletic Training
  • KNAT 650 Directed Research and Applied Evidence Based Practice in Athletic Training
  • KNAT 556 Immersive Athletic Training Clinical Experience II

Clinical Experiences

Part of the curriculum within the athletic training Program at NIU will include four semesters of clinical education. The clinical experience courses during year one will have a minimum of 200 hours each and be more structured in nature within the practical phase of the program.

The clinical experience courses during year two will have a minimum of 300 hours each and be more immersive in nature within the professional phase of the program. The program will strive to maintain a diverse clinical experience which will include intercollegiate athletics, high school athletics, orthopedic setting, general medicine, and rehabilitation. These experiences will occur at both on-campus and off-campus locations.

Contact Us

Department of Kinesiology and Physical Education
Anderson Hall 221
DeKalb, IL 60115
P: 815-753-1407
F: 815-753-1413
knpe@niu.edu

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