Ship Exercise Science partners with Messiah University to offer new accelerated program

Shippensburg University and Messiah University have entered an exciting new educational partnership that will provide new accelerated program opportunities for Ship students.

These include both an accelerated bachelor’s + 2 MSAT and a traditional 4 + 2 enrollment agreement. Shippensburg University students can now complete a Bachelor of Science in exercise science at Ship and seamlessly progress to Messiah University’s Master of Science in Athletic Training (MSAT) program.

The new pathway provides Shippensburg students the unique opportunity to complete a combined bachelor’s and master’s degree in five years by enrolling in the MSAT at Messiah after their third year of undergraduate study at Ship and transferring credits from their first year of graduate study back to Shippensburg to fulfill the bachelor’s degree requirements. Messiah University will reserve up to two seats per cohort for qualified Shippensburg students.

The traditional 4 + 2 pathway allows students to complete their full four-year program of study at Shippensburg prior to enrolling in the MSAT at Messiah. Messiah will reserve up to two seats for Shippensburg students on this pathway as well.  For both pathways, additional candidates beyond the reserved seating may apply to be considered for admission through the standard application process.

“We are excited by this this partnership with Messiah University for developing pathways from exercise science at Ship into Messiah’s athletic training graduate program. With options on how quickly they want to progress through their undergraduate major, students will be able to reach their aspirations while still experiencing the best of both high-quality programs. We already have interest from students, so this will hopefully be the start of a productive relationship,” said Dr. Sam Forlenza, associate professor and chair of the Exercise Science Department at Shippensburg University.

With a shared commitment to academic quality, student success and collaboration, interested students will be advised by Ship Exercise Science Department Faculty and have opportunities to interact with Messiah’s MSAT program director prior to applying to either pathway. The agreement includes mutual objectives of attracting qualified students, supporting their transition between institutions, and supporting innovation in higher education.

Interested students can begin the application process as early as their junior year at Shippensburg. With this partnership, Messiah and Shippensburg aim to develop the next generation of skilled athletic trainers while offering options for students that are affordable, efficient and supportive of their educational goals.Shippensburg University, a Gold Status Military Friendly® School