Dr. Ky Kugler was appointed as an associate professor and the program director of Chapman University’s athletic training education program (ATEP) in 2002. He dedicated his first two years at the university to writing the athletic training education program’s self study and leading the program through its initial accreditation in 2004. In 2009, Dr. Kugler was appointed as assistant dean of undergraduate education and now oversees both the new integrated educational studies (IES) major and the ATEP. Additionally, he led re-accreditation efforts that resulted in the ATEP being awarded Continuing Accreditation for a 10-year period by the Commission on Athletic Training Education (CAATE).

Dr. Kugler has been a member of two national education committees of the National Athletic Trainers' Association (NATA) and recently completed a six-year term serving as the treasurer for the Far West Athletic Trainers’ Association. In June 2009, his talent for managing budgets (and people) landed Dr. Kugler in the role of treasurer for the California Athletic Trainers' Association.

Prior to joining Chapman’s faculty, Dr. Kugler taught athletic training education courses at New Mexico State University; California State University, Fullerton and California State Polytechnic University, Pomona. His background as a certified athletic trainer has included experience at the high school level, Olympic international level, professional sports and in NCAA Division I and II athletic programs.

Dr. Kugler’s research interests include curriculum development and instructional strategies relating to athletic training education, as well as sports psychology. He has been a contributor to The Princeton Review: Guide to Careers in the Health Professions and an author and reviewer for numerous publications and textbooks with FA Davis Company and with the Athletic Training Education Journal of the NATA.

Dr. Kugler grew up in New Mexico and became a certified athletic trainer in 1979. He is married with two children and is actively involved in coaching both of them in a variety of youth sports.

Credentials

• Doctor of Education– Curriculum and Instruction, New Mexico State University, 1994
• Master of Arts– Educational Administration, New Mexico State University, 1979

Curriculum Vita