Programs
Study Abroad: Master of Athletic Training (M.A.T.)
What is athletic training?
Athletic Training professionals are highly skilled health care providers who work with physicians to deliver preventive care, emergency treatment, clinical diagnosis, and rehabilitation of injuries and medical conditions.
College: College of Nursing and Health Professions
Department: Athletic Training
The Master of Athletic Training program at Arkansas State University (A-State) is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education (CAATE).
Our Mission
The mission of the Master of Athletic Training (MAT) Program at Arkansas State University is to prepare athletic training professionals to provide patient-centered care as members of an interdisciplinary team that emphasizes evidence-based practice, and to enhance and enrich the quality of life for all individuals and communities in the Mississippi Delta region. Meet the faculty, staff, and alumni of A-State AT.
APPLYING TO THE MAT PROGRAM
At A-State, we have a long tradition in Athletic Training, dating back to 1994 as an undergraduate degree. In 2017, we redirected our energy from the undergraduate degree to a brand-new graduate degree within the College of Nursing and Health Professions. Our faculty and staff are here to draw on our combined 160 years of experience to prepare students to become Certified Athletic Trainers. This two-year program gives students the opportunity to pursue their dream of working with the patients and athletic populations they care about most.
Arkansas State's MAT program is one of the most affordable in the nation. Eligible applicants may qualify for in-state tuition. You can earn a Master's degree in Athletic Training for under $30,000 in tuition.
We are the first athletic training program in Arkansas to be accredited under the new 2020 CAATE standards.
Applications for the SUMMER term open on August 1, with a rolling admissions process that closes on April 1.
Our application process requires several documents before review. Among the list of requirements, GRE scores are NOT required.
- Transcript from a completed (or nearly completed) bachelor's degree from an accredited institution. The MAT program will accept any undergraduate degree; however, we recommend that students pursue a degree related to exercise science or any field related to exercise science. A final, complete transcript is required before the program begins.
- A cumulative undergraduate GPA of 3.0 and a grade of "C" or better in prerequisite courses.
- The final transcript MUST show successful completion and verification of the following courses:
- Biology (with lab)
- Chemistry (with lab)
- Physics (with lab)
- Psychology
- Anatomy and Physiology (two courses totaling 8 hours)
- Statistics
- Exercise Physiology
- Kinesiology and/or Biomechanics.
- Special consideration will be given to students who have completed Calculus at any level.
- Submission of Technical Standards documentation.
- Background check
- TOEFL scores (for international students who are not native English speakers)
Applicants will need to apply to the A-State Graduate Program by simply completing the online application here:
https://www.astate.edu/info/admissions/graduate/admission-criteria/
and
https://www.astate.edu/info/admissions/graduate/how-to-apply/
You will be prompted to enter the program you wish to apply for on the application. Look for the "Athletic Training" (M.A.T.) degree.
Enter the agent code VNI in the International Application section so that the Vietnam Office can support you with your application and the subsequent process.
Transcripts/Immunizations
Official transcripts MUST be sent to the A-STATE Traditional Graduate Programs. Please do not send transcripts to the A-STATE Athletic Training Department unless specifically requested. Transcripts and immunization records for the A-STATE Traditional Graduate Programs must be sent to:
A-State Traditional Graduate Programs
PO Box 1570
State University, AR 72467
You can contact the A-State Graduate Program at 870-972-2031 or gradadmissions@astate.edu.
The $50 application fee can be paid online (through your application account) or by phone to the Cashier's Window at 870-972-3847.
A-STATE TRANSCRIPTS
Students who have attended one or more A-STATE campuses (e.g., Newport, Beebe, etc.) must still request separate transcripts from those campuses to be sent to A-STATE in Jonesboro. A-STATE campuses are independent of one another with respect to transcripts and can only be verified by the campus where the coursework actually took place.
BACKGROUND CHECK
Based on recent Arkansas law, students will be required to complete a background check AFTER they receive conditional admission to the program.
Arkansas State University's College of Nursing and Health Professions partners with Verified Credentials, Inc. to establish an accepted screening process. The cost of the background check ranges from $50 to $100.
Background Check for Newly Admitted AT Program Students
Students conditionally admitted to the AT program must submit an initial background check to complete the program's admission requirements. See the step-by-step background check instructions for new AT students >>>
TECHNICAL STANDARDS AND SKILLS
MAT Program Application Forms
Applicants to the MAT program must complete and submit the forms and information below before being enrolled in the program. Please take time to review the checklist and forms, as some will require a physician's review and personal immunization information. Some required items (CPR and First Aid Certification) do not have a corresponding form.
- Application Checklist
- Technical Standards
- Criminal Background Check
- Drug Screening Policy
- Student Health Record
- Hepatitis B Vaccination
- MMR Immunity Report
Program Goals & Outcomes
Goal: Prepare students to think critically and apply knowledge within the field of athletic training
Outcome: Academic Research:
Critique research in athletic training and related disciplines as a foundation for application to clinical practice
Goal: Provide students with quality clinical and instructional learning experiences to deliver excellent health care
Outcome: Standards of Care
Demonstrate evidence-based clinical practice and decision-making in the delivery of athletic training services
Critically analyze, interpret, and apply published research findings, and apply these findings to professional practice.
Synthesize principles of biomechanics, anatomy, and neuroscience to develop therapeutic interventions.
Goal: Prepare students for a successful transition into athletic training practice and success in achieving their career goals
Outcome: Professional and Personal Development
Demonstrate the importance of ethical decision-making in patient care decisions.
Communicate effectively with patients, parents, supervisors, physicians, coaches, and colleagues.
Recognize the role of the athletic trainer as a health care provider within a multidisciplinary health care team.
A minimum of 70% of each graduating cohort will pass the Board of Certification (BOC) exam on their first attempt.
Prerequisites
Bachelor's Degree Required
All applicants must hold a bachelor's degree by the start of the program. No specific major is required; however, graduates or students holding degrees in fields such as physical education, health, exercise science, or kinesiology/biomechanics are encouraged to apply.
Prerequisite Courses
Satisfactory completion of the following courses with a grade of C or better is required for admission to the M.A.T. program.
- Anatomy & Physiology I & II (including lab)
- Chemistry
- Physics I (including lab)
- Biology
- Psychology
- Statistics
- Kinesiology and/or Biomechanics
Boost Your Admission Score
Students are encouraged to complete additional hard science preparatory coursework beyond the M.A.T. prerequisites to receive additional weighted credit during the application scoring process.
Students are encouraged to complete relevant professional certifications such as Emergency Medical Technician, Teaching Certification, Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist, Corrective Exercise Specialist, or Casting Certification before starting the M.A.T. program to boost their admission score.
Proficiency in Spanish also adds points to the overall score.
Tuition and Fees
Athletic Training
| Costs | |
|---|---|
| In-State Tuition (per credit hour) | $381.00 |
| Out-of-State Tuition ( per credit hour) | $698.00 |
| International Tuition (per credit hour) | $698.00 |
| Required Hourly Fees | |
| Athletic Fee | $23.00 |
| CONHP Graduate Support Fee | $65.00 |
| Total Per Credit Hour: | $88.00 |
| Required Term Fees | |
| Student Activity Fee (3 or more hours) | $25.00 |
| The student activity is only charged in Fall & Spring terms. | |
| Estimated Additional Expenses | |
| Pre-Admissions Background Check | $93.00 |
| A-State Application Fee | $30.00 |
| Graduation Fee | $45.00 |
| BOC Exam | $330.00 |
| Liability Insurance | $35.00 |
| CPR | $35.00 |
| TB | $5.00 |
| Books | $750.00 |
| Blood Borne Pathogen | $25.00 |
| AATA Dues (annually) | $10.00 |
| NATA and SWATA Dues (annually) | $80.00 |
| Hepititis B Vacination | $90.00 |
| Uniforms, name tags | $100.00 |
| Travel | varies |
| TOTAL: | $1,628.00 |
*US residents with a GPA of at least 3.0 may be eligible for in-state tuition
| Total Expenses | |
| Total Estimated Program Expenses | $31,785.50 |
*US residents with a GPA of at least 3.0 may be eligible for in-state tuition. Total estimated program expenses are based on in-state tuition rates. This does not include living expenses or campus parking fees.
Read more information at: https://www.astate.edu/college/conhp/departments/athletic-training/
This article was translated from Vietnamese and is being reviewed by our admissions team.
