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Are you ready for the challenge?
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.
Are you ready to make a difference? Talk to us today or apply now.
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 Structure
Master of Athletic Training
These are the important details you will need to keep in mind as you prepare your application and degree plan.
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 for Exercise and Sport.
Pharmacology
Department
Kinesiology and Nutrition
Application Deadlines
Priority Review: February 1
Standard Review: May 1 (Deadline may extend if space is available)
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
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 observation hours 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.
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
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:
- Integrate faith and learning while offering athletic training services to those in need through schools, churches, hospital outreach, and other settings.
- Obtain employment in athletic training or related field.
- Assume leadership roles in the workplace and/or professional organizations.
Please click the below link to see our Student Outcome Measures