Joliet, Ill. – The University of St. Francis (USF) College of Arts & Sciences and Aurora University (AU) are pleased to announce a partnership that connects qualified USF students with an opportunity to pursue a Master of Science in Athletic Training degree at AU.

The partnership is designed to establish a cooperative educational affiliation between AU and USF for qualified applicants. USF will provide the basic science and general education components of the pre-professional curriculum culminating in a bachelor’s degree to its enrolled students, at which time AU then guarantees placements in the Masters of Science in Athletic Training (“MSAT”) Program for up to ten qualified USF students per year. Once in AU’s MSAT program, students will experience immersive clinical opportunities, cutting-edge curriculum, and medical board exam preparation.

“USF Biology majors may select from nine different pre-professional options, one of which is pre-athletic training. This agreement offers a streamlined pathway to a master’s degree through the relationship the department of Natural & Health Sciences has developed with athletic training at AU,” said Elizabeth McDermott, Ph.D., Dean of the USF College of Arts & Sciences.

“This is an amazing partnership that allows USF students a direct path to earning the Masters of Science in Athletic Training, which is now the degree required for all new athletic trainers. Partnering with this program also allows students the option to remain within the Will County community as they complete their clinical experiences and pursue job opportunities near to home,” added Jacqueline Wittke-Thompson, Ph.D., USF Professor of Biology.

Learn more about the USF department of Natural & Health Sciences here: https://sites.libsyn.com/514338/natural-sciences-department.

To learn more, contact Megan Beard, Director of the Master of Science in Athletic Training program at Aurora University, at 630-844-7841 or mbeard@aurora.edu.

USF Partnership with Silver Cross Hospital

Earlier this year, USF announced a partnership with Silver Cross Hospital in New Lenox that helps to develop the next generation of healthcare workers while offering loan forgiveness of up to $10,000 for qualified participants. Learn more at https://stfrancis.edu/usf-and-silver-cross-hospital-partner-for-loan-forgiveness-program/.

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The University of St. Francis, in Joliet, Ill., serves close to 3,000 students nationwide and offers undergraduate, graduate, doctoral and certificate programs in the arts and sciences, business, education, nursing and social work. There are over 53,000 USF alumni across the globe. For information, call 800-735-7500 or visit stfrancis.edu.

University of St. Francis: Bigger thinking. Brighter purpose.

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