Master of Athletic Training

Earn your Master of Athletic Training at an NCAA Division I school

The Master of Athletic Training (M.A.T.) program at ACU provides entry-level comprehensive coursework, diverse clinical experiences and hands-on laboratory classes for those seeking knowledge in the field of athletic training.

Upon graduation, you will be able to apply your athletic training skills and knowledge in areas such as evidence-based practice, prevention and health promotion, clinical examination and diagnosis, acute care of injury and illness, and therapeutic interventions.

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Athletic trainers walking with players

Possible employment settings as a Certified Athletic Trainer:

  • High schools      
  • Colleges or universities
  • Industrial health care clinics
  • Military base
  • Professional sports
  • Sports medicine clinics
  • Physician offices or hospitals
  • Fine arts
  • Athletic training education programs
  • Admission Requirements
    • Applicants must complete an ATCAS (Athletic Training Centralized Application Service) application. NOTE: There is a one-time, $85 application fee charged by ATCAS. In addition to completing the ATCAS application, ACU requires an application to the ACU Graduate school. Fortunately, all your information from ATCAS is automatically uploaded to the ACU Graduate school after you submit your ATCAS application. The ACU Graduate school fee is still required. Please click here to pay the ACU Graduate Application fee (which is separate from the ATCAS fee).
    • Bachelor’s Degree – Completion or near completion of a bachelor’s degree at an accredited college or university. Applicants must submit official transcripts for review. Admissions are made on the assumption that applicants (except ACU KATP 3+2 applicants) will have the bachelor’s degree by the time of matriculation, and if not, the MAT program admission is void. 
    • Prerequisite Coursework – All prerequisite courses must be completed prior to matriculation and must be three to four credit hours each. Click here to see the Prerequisite Policy. Prerequisites are: 
      • Biology
      • Chemistry
      • Human Anatomy (or A&P I)
      • Human Physiology (or A&P II)
      • Physics
      • Psychology
      • Exercise Physiology
      • Kinesiology/Biomechanics
      • Statistics (basic)
      • Nutrition
    • GPA – An overall GPA of 3.0 is suggested to apply. Prerequisite and general science course grades will be reviewed.
    • Letters of Recommendation – Each applicant must obtain three letters of recommendation. Letters of recommendation should be completed by individuals who: (a) have supervised observation hours during any health care-related volunteer or paid work; (b) are previous or present instructors and/or advisors; (c) are previous or present employers; and (d) are health care professionals. Letters of recommendation should include elements demonstrating the applicant’s: (a) willingness to learn; (b) integrity; (c) perseverance; and (d) ability to interact with patients/clients. Letters of recommendation are submitted online through the ATCAS Application (see link below).
    • Personal Statement – A written statement (600-800 words) describing how professional goals, interests, and faith all led you to apply to the Master of Athletic Training Program at ACU.

    Please note that additional information will be required upon admission to the M.A.T. program at ACU. This includes:

    • Fifty hours of observation directly supervised by a certified and licensed athletic trainer in the spring semester prior to enrollment at ACU. Observation hours must be documented and signed by the supervising athletic trainer on this required form.
    • A complete physical with medical history
    • Proof of immunizations (including TB test)
    • Drug test
    • Criminal background check
    • Proof of professional liability insurance
    • Proof of Health Insurance

    Your admission to the program is not final until all the post-admission requirements are met. They must be completed by June 1.

  • Clinical Education

    Each M.A.T. student will have the opportunity to work with multiple sports teams as well as gain traditional clinic setting experience during their 6 semesters at ACU. Additionally, each student will complete at least one 4 - 6 week immersion experiential learning experiences where he or she is required to commit all time and effort (no classes during this time) to their experience. Some clinical experiences may include:

    • NCAA DI - football, men’s and women’s basketball, indoor and sand volleyball, men’s and women’s golf, men’s and women’s tennis, track and field, cross country, women’s soccer, women’s softball, baseball
    • NCAA DIII - football, men’s and women’s basketball, women’s volleyball, baseball, softball, track and field, cross country, men’s and women’s golf, men’s and women’s soccer, men’s and women’s swimming, and men’s and women’s tennis
    • UIL 6A High School - football, girls’ volleyball, girls’ softball, boys’ baseball, boys’ and girls’ gymnastics, boys’ and girls’ swimming, boys’ and girls’ powerlifting, boys’ and girls’ tennis, boys’ and girls’ golf, boys’ and girls’ soccer, boys’ and girls’ track, boys’ and girls’ cross country
    • UIL 5A High School - football, girls’ volleyball, girls’ softball, boys’ baseball, boys’ and girls’ gymnastics, boys’ and girls’ swimming, boys’ and girls’ powerlifting, boys’ and girls’ tennis, boys’ and girls’ golf, boys’ and girls’ soccer, boys’ and girls’ track, boys’ and girls’ cross country
    • Physical Therapy Clinic
    • Outreach Athletic Training Clinic
    • WNBA
    • MLB Class AA
    • Rodeo
  • Curriculum

    Core Courses
     

    Year One (Summer)-------------------------------

    *** MATP 611 - Basic Sports Medicine  Credit Hours: 3 
    *** MATP 613 - Care and Prevention of Athletic Injuries  Credit Hours: 3 
    *** MATP 614 - Care and Prevention of Athletic Injuries Lab  Credit Hours: 1 
    *** MATP 690 - Field Experience I  Credit Hours: 1

    Year One (Fall)-------------------------------

    *** MATP 621 - Research Methods  Credit Hours: 3 
    *** MATP 622 - Therapeutic Modalities  Credit Hours: 3 
    *** MATP 623 - Orthopedic Evaluation of Lower Extremity  Credit Hours: 3 
    *** MATP 624 - Orthopedic Evaluation of Lower Extremity Lab  Credit Hours: 1 
    *** MATP 690 - Field Experience I  Credit Hours: 1

    Year One (Spring)-------------------------------

    *** MATP 631 - Organization and Administration in Athletic Training  Credit Hours: 3 
    *** MATP 632 - Pharmacology  Credit Hours: 3 
    *** MATP 633 - Orthopedic Evaluation of Upper Extremity  Credit Hours: 3 
    *** MATP 634 - Orthopedic Evaluation of Upper Extremity Lab  Credit Hours: 1 
    *** MATP 690 - Field Experience I  Credit Hours: 1

    Year Two (Summer)-------------------------------

    *** NUTR 629 - Nutrition and Integrative Medicine  Credit Hours: 3 
    *** MATP 643 - Head, Neck, and Spine Assessment of Injury  Credit Hours: 3 
    *** MATP 644 - Head, Neck, and Spine Assessment of Injury Lab  Credit Hours: 1 
    *** MATP 691 - Field Experience II  Credit Hours: 1

    Year Two (Fall)-------------------------------

    *** MATP 651 - Strength Training in Rehabilitation  Credit Hours: 3
    *** MATP 652 - Medical Conditions Seminar  Credit Hours: 2 
    *** MATP 653 - Therapeutic Exercise  Credit Hours: 3 
    *** MATP 654 - Therapeutic Exercise Lab  Credit Hours: 1 
    *** MATP 691 - Field Experience II  Credit Hours: 1

    Year Two (Spring)-------------------------------

    *** MATP 661 - Seminar in Athletic Training  Credit Hours: 3 
    *** MATP 662 - Psychology of Injury in Athletics  Credit Hours: 3 
    *** MATP 691 - Field Experience II  Credit Hours: 1

    Total Major Hours: 55

Accreditation

ACU is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education 

CAATE Accreditation Seal
Mission

Mission
The mission of the Master of Athletic Training program is to offer students a dynamic, respected program that challenges them to grow intellectually, academically, emotionally, and spiritually while preparing them for successful careers as athletic trainers.

Program Goals & Outcomes

Goals
Graduates will apply their athletic training skills and knowledge in the areas of evidence-based practice, prevention and health promotion, clinical examination and diagnosis, acute care of injury and illness, therapeutic interventions, psychosocial strategies and referral, healthcare administration, professional development and responsibility to improve the quality of professional medical care in their community while reflecting Christian values.

Outcomes
The program will prepare graduates to:

  1. Integrate faith and learning while offering athletic training services to those in need through schools, churches, hospital outreach, and other settings.
  2. Obtain employment in athletic training or related field.
  3. Assume leadership roles in the workplace and/or professional organizations.

Goals & Outcomes Details

Student Achievement Measures

The M.A.T. at ACU will graduate its first class in May of 2020. Once CAATE accreditation is gained, graduates will be allowed to sit for the BOC exam. Once data is gathered, it will be posted here.

Student Achievement Measures

Degree Details


Required Hours

Program length: 24 months; begins in June

Credit hours: 55

Current tuition per credit hour: $850


Example Coursework

Care and Prevention of Athletic Injuries

Lower Extremity Assessment of Injury

Nutrition and Integrative Medicine

Pharmacology


Department

Kinesiology and Nutrition


Application Deadlines

Priority Review: March 1

Standard Review: May 1 (Deadline may extend if space is available)