UK Partners with Asbury University for 3+2 Pre-Athletic Training Program
This fall, Asbury will launch the new Pre-Athletic Training concentration within the Exercise Science major, offering Asbury students the 3+2 Program option in partnership with the University of Kentucky’s (UK) Master of Science (M.S.) in Athletic Training program.
“We are excited at the opportunity for Asbury students in the Exercise Science department to now be able to complete a bachelor’s degree from Asbury and M.S. in Athletic Training from UK in as little as five years,” said Associate Professor of Exercise Science Dr. Elise Kearns, who serves as chair for the Department of Exercise Science. “Athletic trainers are needed members of the health care team, and we are pleased to partner with the University of Kentucky to increase the number of highly trained athletic trainers in Kentucky and beyond.”
Undergraduates in the Pre-Athletic Training concentration within the Exercise Science major will study at Asbury University for the equivalent of three years of specific coursework and then will apply to be admitted to U.K’s M.S. in Athletic Training. (Admission to the M.S. in Athletic Training program at UK is not guaranteed.)
“We are thrilled to announce this amazing partnership with Asbury, as it will advance the workforce needs of athletic trainers in the Commonwealth,” said Scott Lephart, PhD, and Dean of the College of Health Sciences. “This is a wonderful example of the importance of building relationships across the region to help the people of Kentucky and beyond. Now more than ever, we must come together to face our healthcare crisis, and this is the kind of cooperation that will help us succeed.”
“We are very excited to have partnered with Asbury University on this accelerated initiative. Asbury has a very strong Exercise Science department that provides students with a robust undergraduate education to prepare them to pursue their professional education in a variety of healthcare disciplines,” said Dr. Johanna Hoch, the Program Director of the Professional Master of Science in Athletic Training Program at the University of Kentucky.
Dr. Matt Smitley, Assistant Professor in UK’s athletic training program added, “The 3+2 opportunity created through this partnership not only accelerates students’ time to graduation, but also substantially reduces their overall cost of attendance — lessening the financial strain that often comes with extended time in school. By entering the workforce sooner and with less debt, students gain a clear and affordable pathway to a meaningful career. As athletic trainers, they’ll step into a unique health care role—one rooted in dynamic environments, close patient relationships, and the ability to deliver immediate, impactful care to Kentucky’s active populations. Our faculty are excited to welcome Asbury students as they take this final step toward their professional goals.”
The UK Master of Science in Athletic Training Program is a six-semester professional athletic training program accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education. The faculty responsible for the didactic instruction are nationally known athletic trainers for their areas of research and teaching expertise. The clinical education portion of the program includes two immersive experiences and traditional clinical education experiences in and around the Lexington region including but not limited to: UK Athletics, the Lexington Sporting Club and Fayette County Public Schools. For more information about the athletic training program at the University of Kentucky: https://chs.uky.edu/athletic-training/professional.
The Shaw School of Sciences recently announced five new departments including Biology & Chemistry, Equine Studies, Exercise Science, Mathematics & Computer Science, and Nursing. The Shaw School of Sciences offers 14 majors and six minors, including biology, chemistry, and physics. The Walt and Rowena Shaw Collaborative Learning Center (Shaw CLC) offers 11 laboratories, with spaces dedicated to eDNA research, cell and molecular biochemistry, ecology and environmental science, physics, organic chemistry, inorganic chemistry, instrumentation, biology preparation, chemistry preparation, and collaborative innovation.