McPHERSON, Kan. — McPherson College is offering a new master’s in athletic training pathway program for students who want a small liberal arts undergraduate experience and the advantage of a graduate degree from a flagship institution. Classes will begin in fall 2027.
Through the new program, students can earn their bachelor’s degree at McPherson College and then pursue a master’s degree in athletic training at one of the college’s partner institutions. McPherson College recently announced a guaranteed admission program for eligible students seeking admission to Wichita State University’s Master of Science in Athletic Training program.
The athletic training pathway is designed for students who love sports and want a career in athletics but have decided not to compete at the college level. The program lets students stay part of a team and gain hands-on experience starting in their first semester.
“Our program has a particular student in mind – one who grew up on the court, on the field or on the track,” said Phil Schoenwetter, head athletic trainer. “Instead of trading athletics for academics, these students can stay on the sidelines of college sports as part of the team.”
Because McPherson College is small, students won’t have to wait behind graduate assistants for clinic experience. They will gain practical experience in real-world settings before many of their future graduate school classmates.
Students will major in exercise science, health science, or a related field at McPherson College. During their first year, they will join the athletic training staff as paid student workers. In their sophomore and junior years, they can complete credit-bearing internships and clinical experience with the McPherson College athletic department.
“McPherson College’s commitment to career-focused education is clearly visible in this new program,” said Aaron Meis, executive vice president. “Each student will be paired with a certified athletic trainer, rather than a single team, and then rotate among the trainers to see a wide range of sports and related therapeutic methods. There will even be opportunities in the summer during the football program’s preseason.”
After earning a bachelor’s degree, students can pursue a master’s degree at partnership institutions such as Wichita State, which reserves five seats per year exclusively for McPherson College graduates.
“Many strong athletes face a hard choice when they graduate from high school,” Schoenwetter said. “For them, it’s continuing to play in college or stepping away from sports altogether. This new pathway offers a third option. Students can stay close to the game while building toward a professional career.”
Learn more about the Athletic Training Master’s Pathway at: https://www.mcpherson.edu/programs/exercise-science/masters-athletic-training/
About McPherson College
McPherson College’s mission is to “develop whole persons through scholarship, participation, and service” within a career-focused liberal arts environment. In 2023, the college secured an unprecedented $1B commitment to its endowment, marking one of the largest single endowment commitments of any small liberal arts college in the U.S. Nationally recognized by U.S. News & World Report, Money Magazine, and the Chronicle of Higher Education’s “Great Colleges to Work For,” McPherson College is renowned for its innovative programs. Its Automotive Restoration program, the first four-year degree program of its kind, made history when a student-restored Mercedes-Benz 300 S earned a class award at the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance – the first time a student-restored car received such an honor at the prestigious Concours. Learn about all of its programs at www.mcpherson.edu.
