Aug 9, 2018
Partners in Education

As athletic training heads to a professional model, colleges nationwide are deciding how to respond. Mount Marty College and Augustana University recently teamed up to offer a joint solution.

According to the Yankton Daily Press & Dakotan, the partnership will allow exercise science and athletic training students at MMC guaranteed acceptance to the master’s in athletic training program at Augustana. The students will still need to fulfill admissions requirements, but the program will offer a seamless transition for pursuing a career in athletic training.

“This is an important partnership between two great South Dakota institutions, and it is an exciting development for Mount Marty students who want to become athletic trainers,” Marc Long, President of MMC, said. “I’m very thankful that MMC faculty member Daniel Flahie identified this opportunity and worked with his colleagues at Augustana to make it happen.”

Things got underway for the partnership after Flahie, MSEd, CSCS, FMS, Instructor of Exercise Science at MMC, met with James Day, PhD, Assistant Professor of Athletic Training at Augustana.

“We both agreed it would be a great fit for both institutions,” Flahie said.

For students who complete a bachelor’s degree at MMC, they can head to the two-year master’s in athletic training program at Augustana. Upon completion, graduates will be able to sit for the Board of Certification athletic training exam.

“For many high-level jobs in the exercise science field, a master’s degree is a requirement,” Flahie said. “As undergraduate programs for athletic training are being phased out, it is increasingly important for students to have direct access to quality graduate programs, and the partnership between MMC and AU will provide that access.”

The partnership, which will officially begin in the fall, is also expected to increase students’ experience in both programs. Students will be able to work in several hands-on clinical environments. This will be guided by their career plans, allowing a variety of options upon completion.

“I think it’s important to give the students as many potential career paths as possible,” Flahie said.




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