New partnership offers guaranteed admission to athletic training graduate school for Roanoke students

Roanoke College students can earn guaranteed admission into Radford University’s master degree program in athletic training, streamlining their path into a field expected to grow by double digits. 

Under a new partnership, Radford will reserve two spots per year for Roanoke students in its competitive graduate school program. Nationwide, athletic trainers are in demand as versatile health care practitioners who work for sports teams, schools, fitness centers, hospitals, Fortune 100 companies and more.  

The field is expected to see a 13% rise in job opportunities over the next decade, according to federal projections, significantly outpacing average job growth forecasts for all occupations. 

Earning a master’s degree is required for professionals to be board certified as athletic trainers. Radford was the first public university in this part of the state to launch a Master of Science in Athletic Training program. 

“Athletic training isn’t just about sports — it’s about helping people move, heal, and thrive,” said Keith Doolan, director of sports medicine for Roanoke. “With guaranteed admission into a respected master’s degree program, our students will be empowered to turn their passion into a meaningful, impactful career.” 

The guaranteed admission partnership takes effect immediately. Radford offers a two-year program with extensive clinical preparation, state-of-the-art lab, and free textbooks and course supplies.  

The program is open to students of all majors but requires completion of undergraduate prerequisites, including: biology, chemistry, physics/biomechanics, psychology, human anatomy/physiology, statistics, exercise physiology, kinesiology/pathomechanics, and nutrition. 

Radford’s commitment to reserve two seats per year for Roanoke is a significant step, given that its program operates with small classes capped at 16 students per cohort. The agreement speaks to the strong skillsets of Maroon graduates. Roanoke offers a health and exercise science undergraduate degree and a mentoring and advising program for students interested in a career as an athletic trainer. 

“We appreciate our colleagues at Radford working with us to provide this opportunity for our students interested in becoming athletic trainers,” said Professor and Director of the Center for Heath Careers Len Pysh. “The guaranteed admission to Radford’s program is an excellent addition to Roanoke’s academic partnerships and provides a straightforward pathway for students to achieve their professional goals.” 

To learn more about the guaranteed admission partnership, Roanoke students should contact Professor Pysh at pysh@roanoke.edu.