Athletic Trainers primarily work with sports teams and athletes on injury prevention and recovery, although opportunities for work outside of the sports world are growing. Students interested in enhancing the physical fitness of athletes (e.g., strength and conditioning) should consider our Human Performance & Fitness Concentration instead.
The 3+2 Athletic Training Program allows students to complete a Master’s degree in Athletic Training in combination with a Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science in only 5 years. The first three years are completed at Shippensburg University and the two additional years are completed at an affiliated University. Currently, we have agreements with Lock Haven University and Jefferson University.
Students choose a graduate program during their first year of study and will be guaranteed admission to that program if they meet their admissions requirements. This concentration prepares students to meet those requirements, along with all General Education and Exercise Science coursework (at least 96 credits during their first 3 years). The remaining 24 credits will be completed at the selected athletic training graduate program and transferred back to Shippensburg. In the spring of their fourth year, students will graduate from Shippensburg University with a Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science with a Concentration in Pre-Athletic Training, and in their fifth year will graduate from their chosen graduate program.
Admission Requirements:
Students transferring from another major or another university should consider transferring to the Allied Health Pre-Professional Concentration as it will be difficult to complete the required coursework in less than 3 years. Students transferring to the Allied Health Pre-Professional Concentration must meet the following criteria:
- Completion of at least 15 credits with a GPA of 2.50 or above
- Completion of BIO 161, BIO 162, or BIO 237 (or their equivalents) with a grade of C or higher
Note: It is strongly recommended that transfer students complete (or are scheduled to complete) BIO 237: Anatomy & Physiology I and BIO 238: Anatomy & Physiology II (or their equivalents) with a grade of C or better prior to transferring to Exercise Science. Both courses are necessary to progress through the major and not having them may delay your progress and/or graduation semester if you are transferring as a sophomore or higher.
High school students interested in the Allied Health Pre-Professional Concentration must meet the following criteria:
- Top 50% of graduating class and overall high school GPA of 3.40 or better