Kinesiology with Sports Medicine Concentration (B.S.)

The Sports Medicine concentration prepares students for Master’s level studies in various allied health fields, including, but not limited to Athletic Training (AT), Physical Therapy (PT), Physician Assistant (PA), and others. In addition to the academic curriculum, students take part in an immersive semester-long internship in their chosen allied health setting. Upon graduation, students will be well prepared to enter graduate studies in the allied health setting and will have a competitive edge over students who did not complete an undergraduate program with a concentration in Sports Medicine.

Admission Requirements

Admission to the Sports Medicine concentration is required to enroll in any of the 3000 and 4000 level SPMD classes (except SPMD 3200, which should be in progress at the time of application). A student must complete a minimum of 40 semester hours of credit in order to begin the application process. Admission is highly competitive and admission status is determined upon completion of ALL required application materials and an interview process. To maintain a high level of clinical learning experiences, space is limited to 24 students in this concentration.

To be eligible for admission into the Sports Medicine concentration, a student must submit all of the following:

1. Current transcript showing a minimum of 40 semester hours of credit completed. 
2. Transcript showing a 2.75 or better overall grade point average at the time that the concentration begins. Additionally, a minimum of a 2.75 GPA must be maintained throughout time in the concentration.
3. Current transcript showing all Area A classes, BIOL 2120K, and BIOL 2130K with a C or higher and SPMD 2335 receiving a B or higher (BIOL 2130K and/or SPMD 2335 may be in progress at the time of application).
4. A completed online Application for the University of North Georgia Sports Medicine concentration.
5. A completed University of North Georgia Sports Medicine Observational Hours in Athletic Training Form signed by a BOC certified athletic trainer. Fifty Athletic Training Observational hours are required at the time of application.
6. Proof of current Basic Life Support (American Red Cross or American Heart Association) certification and additionally must also provide proof of basic First Aid certification. 
7. Two letters of recommendation, one from a certified athletic trainer/faculty and one from non-familial sources. Faculty that are part of the SPMD application committee may not write a letter of recommendation for applicants.  
8. Professional letter of application stating why the student wants to enter the concentration. Please address the letter to the SPMD Admission Committee.

Note: Some items will need to be completed before the internship course in the spring of the student’s senior year; health insurance, a background check, and liability insurance. Students will also need to purchase a nametag which will be provided to them.

All forms required for admission can be obtained by accessing the University of North Georgia SPMD website or by contacting the SPMD coordinator. Please utilize the online application to complete these materials.

The deadline to submit admission packages is the first Friday of October in the Fall semester for admission the following Spring semester. Incomplete applications will not be considered. Please see the admissions page for details regarding deadlines for application.

Completed packets will be reviewed to determine if all admission criteria have been met. Applicants will be contacted during the first week in November to schedule an interview with the SPMD admissions committee (when applicable). Interviews will be conducted during the month of November. Once all interviews have been completed the committee will meet to select students for admission into the SPMD concentration. The student’s interview and all other admission requirements are the basis for acceptance into the concentration. Students will receive a letter indicating their status within the SPMD concentration. Students meeting the requirements but not selected for admittance into the concentration will be placed on the waiting list.

A student’s acceptance will be withdrawn if prerequisite course grade(s) do not meet minimum requirements. Students will be notified of this possibility at the time of admission.

Retention Standards:

1. Compliance with the rules and regulations prescribed for all students at the University of North Georgia;
2. Adherence to the National Athletic Trainer’s Code of Ethics;
3. Adherence to prescribed rules and regulations set forth by the Sports Medicine concentration;
4. Clear background check and fingerprinting;
5. Completion of all courses in the academic major with a grade of a C or better;
6. Demonstration of competence in the use of oral and written language by way of writing samples in SPMD/KINS courses;
7. Current CPR certification (Basic Life Support from American Red Cross / American Heart Association);
8. Maintenance of an overall grade point average of 2.75 for all coursework attempted.

Suspension

Failure to meet any of the retention standards can result in the student being suspended from the SPMD concentration. A student who fails to meet the retention standards because of illness or other non-academic issues may receive special consideration as his or her case merits.

Caveat

For the most recent information on current SPMD policies and procedures, please see the North Georgia SPMD concentration website.