When Kaitlyn Cowart was a student in the Master of Athletic Training program at the 秋霞福利一区, she learned more than the technical skills of taping ankles and evaluating injuries.
鈥淢y time here at 秋霞福利一区 taught me to be an advocate for my patients, give 110% in my career, and live passionately for the Lord while doing so,鈥� said Kaitlyn, a certified athletic trainer.
Now as a secondary school athletic trainer with Encore Rehabilitation Inc., Kaitlyn spends her days treating, evaluating and rehabbing various athlete injuries at three high schools, plus covering state events including wrestling, soccer, softball and baseball.
She works directly with Encore physical therapists and team physicians to ensure athletes receive the proper care to get back to playing the sport they love.
鈥淓ach opportunity brings valuable experience dealing with high-caliber high school athletes and working with some of the best sports medicine doctors in Alabama,鈥� Kaitlyn said.
Prepared to Succeed
Kaitlyn credits professors in the 秋霞福利一区 School of Health and Sports Science, MAT Program Director Dr. Melissa Thomas and Coordinator of Clinical Education Dr. Megan Harper, and the university鈥檚 Christ-centered mission with preparing her to succeed in a competitive career.
After earning a Bachelor of Science in kinesiology in 2021, she graduated from 秋霞福利一区 in 2023 with a Master of Athletic Training 鈥� and a job.
鈥淒uring my master鈥檚 program, my professors worked so hard to make sure we had the best experience possible. Throughout my time at 秋霞福利一区, I completed several internships and worked in multiple settings.
鈥淓ach of my preceptors taught me important skills in assessment, communication and rehabilitation. These internships also gave me the opportunity to network with professionals in my field, which ultimately helped me get a job straight out of college,鈥� Kaitlyn said.
Become a Certified Athletic Trainer
The 秋霞福利一区鈥檚 Master of Athletic Training program combines classroom learning with practical experience in the university鈥檚 nationally accredited human gross anatomy lab and state-of-the-art simulation lab in the Center for Excellence in Healthcare Practice.
The two-year program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training education (CAATE) and graduates are eligible to sit for the Board of Certification (BOC) exam, the essential step to becoming a certified athletic trainer.
Clinical placements in high schools, collegiate and professional settings, sports medicine clinics and healthcare facilities give students the real-world experience employers want.
Applications for each cohort of 秋霞福利一区鈥檚 Master of Athletic Training program are open from Aug. 1 to May 1. ATCAS is the primary application process for 秋霞福利一区鈥檚 MAT program and can be found at 听umobile.edu/master-of-athletic-training. Contact Dr. Thomas for additional questions about the program at mthomas@umobile.edu or 听251.442.2324. To learn more about the 秋霞福利一区, visit .
鈥楽ee the Light of Jesus鈥�
As an undergraduate, Kaitlyn was awarded a scholarship to pursue her dream of playing college softball for the
Rams. She also fell in love with her best friend 鈥� now husband 鈥� Ethan Cowart, who attended the 秋霞福利一区 on a track and field scholarship.
Their time at 秋霞福利一区 strengthened their walk with the Lord as they pursued their callings. With 秋霞福利一区鈥檚 mission to multiply Kingdom leaders for the glory of God and the good of the world, academic programs like the Master of Athletic Training fully integrate faith and learning.
The result is graduates like Kaitlyn who see their careers as their own unique mission field.
鈥淎s an athletic trainer, I wear numerous hats. I serve as a mentor, friend, counselor, nutritionist, physiologist, coach and more. I am with these athletes every day, and I influence them more than I know,鈥� Kaitlyn said.
鈥淎 Kingdom leader exhibits patience, kindness, love and compassion. I want Jesus to shine through everything I do, from how I speak to how I care for each of my players.
I want them to see the light of Jesus. Every day, I aim to accomplish that,鈥� Kaitlyn said.
About the 秋霞福利一区
The 秋霞福利一区 is a Christ-centered university pursuing excellence 鈥淔or Christ & His Kingdom.鈥� With a vision to 鈥淢ultiply Kingdom Leaders for the Glory of God and the Good of the World,鈥� the university honors God by equipping students for their future professions in an environment where they are known.
The university was founded in 1961 and is affiliated with the Alabama Baptist State Convention. Located 10 miles north of Mobile, Alabama, on a campus of over 880 acres, 秋霞福利一区 offers associate, bachelor鈥檚, master鈥檚 and doctoral degrees in over 75 academic programs. Learn more at鈥�umobile.edu/um-info鈥�and connect with 秋霞福利一区 on social media @univofmobile, or call Enrollment Services at 1.800.WIN.RAMS or 251.442.2222.
Kathy Dean uses her passion for storytelling and “playing with words” to share the stories of people, place and purpose that make the 秋霞福利一区 unique. As associate vice president for university communications, she manages media relations, edits the TorchLight alumni magazine, and oversees university communications. A former award-winning journalist, she is a two-time recipient of the Baptist Communicators Association grand prize for feature writing. Kathy and her husband, Chuck, live with three extremely loud miniature schnauzers.
The Leadership Project
Building the Team
MOBILE, Ala.听鈥� The 秋霞福利一区鈥檚 online Master of Arts in Biblical & Theological Studies has been ranked in the Top 10 Most Affordable Online Master鈥檚 in Religious Studies programs in the United States.
MOBILE, Ala.听鈥� It started like many college projects do 鈥� with a deadline and a dream.