Athletic Training, Master of Athletic Training

Offered by Department of Kinesiology and Sport Sciences

Program Information and Admission Requirements

3+2 and Traditional Post-Baccalaureate Application and Acceptance Requirements

The Master of Athletic Training program offers two separate avenues for entry and matriculation through one graduate professional program.  Students will have the opportunity to either complete a 3-year undergraduate plus a 2-year professional (3+2) program pathway or complete a traditional post-baccalaureate 2-year professional program pathway. 

The five-year or 3+2 graduate (professional) degree pathway allows a student to enter UNK as a freshman and obtain a Bachelor of Science degree in Exercise Science or other related area of study with a minor in Athletic Training Foundations.  The minor in Athletic Training Foundations will provide students the opportunity to acquire pre-requisite and professional coursework that will enable them to apply for entry into the Master of Athletic Training professional program.  Students may apply for entrance into the professional sequence at the conclusion of the 6^th semester.  Once accepted into the program, students can begin the professional sequence in the fall of the seventh semester (4^th UG year) allowing them to complete the undergraduate degree while beginning the professional graduate program.  Upon completion of the undergraduate degree, students will then complete their professional program over the following summer, a fall and spring term of one traditional academic year and an additional summer.  

Students applying for the traditional two-year post baccalaureate pathway will be required to obtain pre-requisites for application to the program.  Upon acceptance into the traditional two-year model, students will be afforded the opportunity to complete the professional program over the following two calendar years. 

Admission to degree work is contingent upon:

1. Evaluation of the candidate’s undergraduate transcript
   • Cumulative undergraduate GPA (4 point scale) of 3.0 or higher
   • Successful completion of all Athletic Training prerequisite courses.
     • General Physics                                                         
     • General Chemistry                                                     
     • Human Anatomy and Physiology                              
     • Anatomical Biomechanics                                         
     • Exercise Physiology                                                  
     • Fitness Testing                                                           
     • Sports Nutrition                                                         
     • Foundations of Athletic Training                               
2. Certification in Professional Rescuer CPR
   • Front and back copy of current certification card from either the American Red Cross or American Heart Association
3. Certification in First Aid
   • Front and back copy of First Aid Certification Card
4. Completion of 40 hours of clinical observation under a certified athletic trainer
   • Signed letter confirming observation hours.  Letter should be signed by a BOC Certified Athletic Trainer.
5. Recommendations
   • Three letters of recommendation
6. Submit a cover letter/letter of interest (max. 2 pages)
7. TOEFL or IELTS score (International Students only)
   • Minimum TOEFL score of 550 for the paper version and 79 for the internet version. The minimum IELTS score is 6.5.  Applicants completing a bachelor's degree from a college/university in the U.S. may be exempt from this requirement.
8. Students who are interested in the Master of Athletic Training must complete and submit the application by April 1st for the 3+2 AT sequence students or June 1st for the traditional 2-year AT sequence students. Master of Athletic Training Program accepts the fall admission only.
9. Complete a scheduled interview
   • The ATEP faculty will schedule candidates for interviews once review of applications is complete.

An individual who wishes to pursue formal admission into the Athletic Training Program must submit the application according to university graduate application deadlines.  Acceptance is contingent upon the applicant meeting all application requirements.  Acceptance is not guaranteed and all applications will be reviewed on an individual basis.

Upon submission of required materials to the Office of Graduate Studies and Academic Outreach, all applicant files will be reviewed by the Athletic Training Education Program faculty and an interview will be scheduled.  Each student will be required, as part of the application process, to complete an interview with the Athletic Training Education Program Committee.  The program committee will ultimately grant acceptance.  Interviews will be scheduled during the spring semester for all students who qualify.  Notification of full acceptance into the program will be provided once all qualified applications are reviewed.  Each applicant will be notified, in writing, of his or her status.  All applicants will have their candidacy individually evaluated.  An established number of positions will be available each year for qualified applicants.  The number of available positions is dictated by the number of clinical educators currently present in the program.  Ranked cumulative GPA & successful completion of entrance requirements will contribute to the evaluation process that the program committee will use to consider granting acceptance to any applicant.  The program committee may utilize all aspects of the student’s observation experiences, the results of the interview, TOEFL scores, GPA and grades in pre-requisite courses to assist them in granting acceptance to any qualified applicant.  Those students with the highest GPA and who qualify for acceptance as well as demonstrate excellence in each component of their observation, interview and pre-requisite work will be given first consideration.

Transfer Applicants

Students wishing to transfer from another CAATE accredited graduate program or students wishing to transfer as an undergraduate through the 3+2 pathway will have their transcripts evaluated on an individual basis for proper placement in the program sequence.  All transfer students wishing to be immediately accepted into the MAT must apply for admission and provide proof of certification in Red Cross or American Heart Association CPR for the Professional Rescuer, certification in First Aid and a minimum of a 3.0 cumulative graduate grade point average.

Retention Requirements

A student in good standing will:

• Maintain a 3.0 cumulative GPA. 

• Maintain current certification in CPR for the Professional Rescuer.
• Complete each semester practicum enrollment with a B or better.  Completion of each practicum course includes aspects of clinical instruction, field assignment requirements, field experience evaluations, written and practical promotion examinations, & other specific practicum course requirements.
• Successfully complete (70% composite score) clinical level advancement examinations.
• Maintain a longitudinal score of 70% or higher on each of the program measures (Written scores, practical scores & clinical evaluations).
• Receive program recommendation for advancement to each clinical level.

A student falling short of a 3.0 cumulative GPA after being fully accepted into the program, will be placed on probation in accordance with university policy. A student who is not reinstated after 2 semesters of probation may be removed from the program.  All course grades below a C (2.0) will not be accepted for application to the program of study and the student is subject to university policy on course completion and GPA requirements for graduate work. Students who are placed on probation, will work with their advisor and/or program director to develop a remediation plan in accordance with university graduate school policy.  The supervisor will also outline the types of voluntary clinical experiences or practice that the student will engage in.  These activities will be conducted so as to maintain skill sets while serving the suspension period.

Requirements for graduation & challenging the Board of Certification (BOC) examination

Each student must complete all of the ATEP required courses, program requirements and complete all university graduate requirements in order to be eligible to challenge the BOC exam and to apply for graduation.

A. Traditional (post-baccalaureate) degree Requirements (45 hours required)

B. Non-Traditional (dual enrolled undergraduate and graduate) - (39 hours required)

*Formal application and acceptance are required for both academic pathways of the Master of Athletic Training.
**Non-traditional students will complete PE815P/816P as PE405/406 when they dual enroll.