Master of Athletic Training (MAT)

MAT Opportunities and Outcomes

View program information and outcomes at CAATE.

Where Can I Work?

Athletic trainers can help prevent injuries and reduce health care costs, so demand for athletic trainers is expected to increase significantly over the next decade, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Athletic trainers are also in demand because their skills can be employed in a variety of contexts:

• Schools
• Professional sports
• Hospitals
• Rehabilitation facilities
• Performing arts
• Military
• Industrial

Alumni of Immaculata’s undergraduate athletic training program have been hired as athletic trainers at:

• Philadelphia Union Academy/YSC Academy
• Perkiomen Valley High School
• Springfield High School
• West Catholic High School
• Swarthmore College
• Penn State Harrisburg
• Haverford College
• IM Health
• Orthopedic Associates of Lancaster
• Drexel University
• Penn State Abington
• Nemours Children’s Health
• ATI Physical Therapy
• Comprehensive Injury Prevention Solutions

MAT Program Highlights

• Hybrid course delivery—Summer courses are offered in a hybrid fashion with online coursework and one on campus day per week. In your second year, you will primarily take online courses so that you can be fully immersed in your clinical education settings.
• Specialization electives—You will take at least 3 credits of electives that provide advanced instruction in athletic training trends and practice.  Sample electives include manual therapy techniques, sport nutrition, evaluation and treatment of special populations, and movement analysis.
• Inter-professional education—To prepare you for becoming an integral part of the health care system, you will have opportunities to work with students in other health professions.
• Clinical experiences—Put your knowledge into action during six clinical education experiences in various settings that will expose you to diverse populations and medical conditions. You will gain experience with equipment-intensive sports, orthopedic and general medical conditions, rehabilitation, and more. In your final year of the program, you will participate in two immersive full-time clinical experience in an area of athletic training that interests you. Recent clinical education locations include local high schools and universities, medical facilities including Penn Orthopedics, Nemours, and Grand View Hospital, and immersive experiences featuring the University of Florida, University of Maryland and Philadelphia Union.

MAT Course Overview

Below you will find a two-year course sequence for this program.

1st Year – Summer Semester (9)

• ATP 501 Foundations in Athletic Training (3)
• ATP 503 Structural and Functional Kinesiology (3)
• ATP 504 Emergency Medical Care (3)

1st Year – Fall Semester (11)

• ATP 505 Lower Extremity Assessment (3)
• ATP 508 Therapeutic Exercise (3)
• ATP 551 Clinical I (2)
• GEN 506 Interprofessional Health Care Research (3)

1st Year – Spring Semester (11)

• ATP 506 Upper Extremity Assessment (3)
• ATP 507 Head & Spine Assessment (3)
• ATP 509 Therapeutic Modalities (3)
• ATP 552 Clinical II (2)

2nd Year – Summer Semester (10)

• ATP 510 General Medical Conditions (3)
• ATP 512 Mental Health Strategies (3)
• ATP 513 Manual Therapy/Alternative Treatments (2)
• ATP 553 Clinical III (1)
• ATP 556 General Medical Clinical (1)

2nd Year – Fall Semester (9)

• ATP 511 Athletic Training Administration (3)
• ATP 514 Orthopedic Procedures (3)
• ATP 554 Clinical IV (2)*
• ATP 599 Comprehensive Exam in Athletic Training (0)
• ATP 651 Special Topics (1)

2nd Year – Spring Semester (9)

• ATP 650 Biometric and Physiological Measurements (3)
• ATP 555 Clinical V (4)*
• ATP 651-653 Special Topics (1-3)

*ATP 554 & 555 Clinical courses are immersive experiences.

MAT Student Learning Objectives

The mission of the Athletic Training program at Immaculata University is to provide a comprehensive learning experience within the discipline of athletic training that integrates scientific inquiry, theoretical knowledge, and clinical practice. Grounded in the mission of Immaculata University, students will receive an education rooted in Christian core values, academic rigor and ethical integrity.

The goals of the Athletic Training program are to:

1. Provide students with the knowledge, skills, and clinical integration proficiencies essential for Board of Certification eligibility
2. Prepare students for meaningful careers in athletic training
3. Prepare students for the diverse and changing world of health care
4. Encourage a lifelong commitment to learning and professional excellence.

Learning Outcomes:

Upon completion of the athletic training curriculum, students will be able to:

1. Demonstrate knowledge and practical skills in prevention and risk management of athletic injuries and illness.
2. Demonstrate critical decision making and problem solving skills that are essential in the recognition, evaluation, and management of athletic injuries and illnesses.
3. Design, implement, and assess treatment, rehabilitation and reconditioning protocols.
4. Exhibit ethical decision making, administrative, and leadership skills essential for success in the athletic training.
5. Demonstrate effective written and oral communication skills, and technological skills in academic and professional activities.
6. Apply and synthesize evidence-based athletic training knowledge to current issues in the variety of athletic training settings.

MAT Admissions Requirements

We accept applications for the Master of Athletic Training on a rolling basis. All cohorts begin the program in the summer semester. To apply to the Master of Athletic Training, you must meet the following criteria:

• Cumulative GPA of 3.0 or above
• 50 hours of observation with a certified athletic trainer

You must also have completed the following prerequisite courses:

• Human Anatomy – 4 credits
• Human Physiology – 4 credits (or 8 credits total Human Anatomy & Physiology I & II)
• Biology – 3 credits (in addition to Human Anatomy & Physiology)
• Physics – 4 credits
• Chemistry – 4 credits
• General Psychology – 3 credits

Three (3) credits of the following courses are preferred:

• Kinesiology or Structural/Functional Anatomy/Biomechanics – 3 credits
• Exercise Physiology – 3 credits
• Nutrition – 3credits
• Introduction to Research/Statistics – 3 credits

Six (6) credits from the following courses is recommended: Prevention & Care of Athletic Injuries, Exercise Evaluation & Prescription, Sport Nutrition, Sport Psychology, Health Psychology, Medical Terminology, Community Health, Health Promotion, etc.

You must apply through the Athletic Training Centralized Application System (ATCAS) and submit:

1. Completed application form through ATCAS
2. Two recommendations: ATCAS will provide electronic forms to the recommenders you list.
3. Official transcript(s) from each of the undergraduate and graduate schools you have attended. Send transcripts from the college or university directly to ATCAS.
4. Observation hours: You can submit verification of your 50 hours through ATCAS.
5. Goals statement: Submit this statement in the supplemental application of ATCAS.

As part of the admissions process, you will interview with Immaculata’s program faculty to determine your acceptance into the program.

MAT Tuition and Costs

In addition to Immaculata’s graduate tuition and fees, you will need to pay for the cost of travel to your clinical experiences, clinical attire, criminal background checks, drug screenings, and immunizations.