Master of Athletic Training
The Master of Athletic Training (MAT) program is a 50-hour, entry-level athletic training degree that provides graduate students with the knowledge, skills and clinical education necessary to meet the Board of Certification Inc. (BOC), certification exam. Certified athletic trainers are health care providers who specialize in the prevention, assessment, treatment and rehabilitation of injuries and illnesses. The program is designed for students who have completed an undergraduate degree but are seeking entry into the athletic training profession through a graduate education program, which meets the Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education (CAATE) standards. For more information about the program’s mission, vision, goals and requirements, refer to the program student manual.
Requirements for Admission
MAT program admission is a two-step process.
Step One: Admission to UCO Jackson College of Graduate Studies
- A completed online application for admission.
- Official copies of undergraduate and graduate transcripts from each institution attended with all degrees posted. All transcripts must be from accredited institutions. Undergraduate transcripts must show:
- A minimum 2.75 GPA overall or 2.75 GPA in the last 60 hours attempted; and,
- Completion of at least 41 hours from the following: HLTH 3493, BIO 1114, PHY 1024, CHEM 1014, BIO 2504, BIO 2604, PHED 3503, PHED 3333, HLTH 3412, KINS 2643, KINS 4513, BIO 2102 and PSY 1103. Applicants must have completed these courses within the last 10 years and must have earned a grade of “C” or better for the course. A candidate with a deficient prerequisite course may still gain provisional admission if otherwise qualified. See Admission to Graduate Studies.
Step Two: Admission to the MAT Program
- A completed application reviewed by the selection committee and meeting competitive admission requirements.
- Two letters of recommendation: one letter each from professor/instructor and one from an athletic trainer, physician or allied health provider.
- A statement of goals regarding your athletic training future or philosophy.
- A signed technical standards document verifying that the student can meet or exceed the minimum mental, physical, emotional, communicative and intellectual abilities necessary for athletic training.
- A completed MAT physical form, which requires a signed report from a physical examination by a licensed medical physician, or designee, and a signed release form.
- Immunization records.
- Professional rescuer CPR and first aid certification or equivalent with copies of both sides of the cards.
Courses You'll Take
The Master of Athletic Training program at UCO curriculum includes prevention and health promotion, examination and diagnosis, patient-centered care, therapeutic interventions and a variety of clinicals throughout the program.
The program's philosophy is that each student must be continually and actively involved in every aspect of the clinical program in order to learn, apply and appreciate the art and science of athletic training.
Accreditation
The Master of Athletic Training program is accredited and meets all standards set forth by the Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education (CAATE).
Student Learning Objectives
Students who successfully complete the program will be able to:
- Demonstrate knowledge and clinical skills to become a certified athletic trainer;
- Develop and apply critical thinking, decision-making skills necessary to become an allied health care provider; and,
- Develop and demonstrate ethical leadership and professional behaviors as they relate to health care in a global society.
Facilities
The graduate athletic training program instructional classroom and lab is located in the Education building, Room 212. The space is dedicated to formal and clinical instruction, and all of the athletic training major courses are taught in this room. In addition, the program utilizes six local high schools, two universities and many physical therapy clinics as clinical sites, along with other health care facilities in the area. The Oklahoma City metro offers a wealth of clinical opportunities, and the program is consistently developing new sites based on students’ interests and requests.
Career Opportunities
- Professional sports
- University athletics
- High school athletics
- Clinics and hospitals
Community and Student Organizations
