Accreditation

The Athletic Training (AT) program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education (CAATE).

Introduction

Life University’s Division of Sport Health Science offers a Master of Athletic Training (MAT) degree. This 84 credit hour graduate degree is a two-year full-time professional program.

As a “professional” program, students in the AT program would enter with no or minimal knowledge and experience in athletic training. After completing the requirements for this degree, students would meet and exceed all the minimal requirements to sit for the national Board of Certification (BOC) exam. Students should refer to the appropriate section of the Catalog for graduation requirements.

During this curriculum, the students will be required to conduct a research project but not a formal Master’s thesis. The MAT student will be completing a non-thesis degree program and will be required to take the Master’s comprehensive examination.

Application Requirements Specific to the MAT

Instructions for the graduate school application are found in the Academic Policies section of the Graduate Catalog.

1. Acceptance into the professional graduate MAT degree program occurs on an annual basis (program starts in July of each year). The application process for the Master of Athletic Training degree is highly competitive as the number of students accepted is limited.
2. All admissions requirements should be met, and all official documentation received in the Office of Enrollment 30 days (45 days for all international students) prior to the beginning of the quarter of intended matriculation. Due to the competitiveness of the MAT degree program, application materials should be received by February 1 of each year.
3. Applicants for the Master of Athletic Training degree will also be required to have 75 hours of clinical observation (supervised by Certified Athletic Trainer or appropriate allied health practitioner).

Important Note: The deadline for the MAT application is February 1 or until filled.

Master of Athletic Training Curriculum

Prerequisite Courses (Undergraduate)

• Chemistry I
• Physics I
• Human Anatomy
• Human Physiology

Recommended Courses

• Kinesiology or Biomechanics
• Exercise Physiology
• Statistics
• General Psychology

Admission Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution
• Cumulative Grade Point Average/GPA: 3.00 or higher
• Prerequisite course grades: C or higher
• Letter of Intent expressing your personal statement
• Resume or curriculum vitae with minimum of three references
• GRE 280 cum, 3.5 writing; TOEFL 500-paper, 61-ibt, 173 – comp

Other items:

• $50 application fee
• Clinical Observation = 75 hours (supervised by ATC)
• Physical exam and medical history form
• Drug screen and background check (materials will be provided during new student orientation after acceptance)

Clinical Education (CE): This experience begins annually around August 1. Students must get an average minimum of 15 hours/week and maximum of 25 hours/week for Clinical Education courses (see CE below). Students complete a minimum of 1,200 hours in two years in a variety of sports, patient-types and settings (which includes an additional 50 hours of miscellaneous hours).

Program Director:

Karen Pfeifer, MS, LAT, ATC • Phone: 770-426-2771 • Email: Karen.Pfeifer@LIFE.edu
MAT Program website: www.LIFE.edu./ATEP

Student Learning Objectives in the MAT Program

1. The student will demonstrate both knowledge of evidence-based practice concepts and their application to clinical decision making related to patient/client management.
2. The student will be able to demonstrate knowledge and skills related to prevention principles and strategies for prevention, protective equipment and prophylactic procedures, fitness and wellness, and sports nutrition.
3. The student will be able to demonstrate knowledge and clinical examination skills in order to diagnosis and treat their patients/clients.
4. The student will be able to conduct and utilize techniques and clinical examination procedures of common injuries, conditions, illnesses, and diseases.
5. The student will be able to evaluate and manage acute injuries and illnesses.
6. The student will be able to utilize a variety of therapeutic interventions, methods, modalities, techniques, equipment, rehabilitation methods, and body movements in order to enhance function and human performance.
7. The student will be able to demonstrate knowledge and skills recognizing clients/patients with abnormal social, emotional, and mental behaviors and utilizing psychosocial strategies with client/patient management.
8. The student will be able to demonstrate knowledge and skills related to healthcare administration which may include risk management, healthcare delivery mechanisms, insurance, reimbursement, documentation, privacy and facility management.
9. The student will be able to demonstrate knowledge and skills that facilitate the healthcare practitioner providing quality patient care, functions within the limits of state and federal regulations using sound moral and ethical judgment.
10. The student will be able to apply, synthesize, and integrate the knowledge, skills and abilities necessary for athletic trainers to provide appropriate clinical care for patients/clients.

Clinical Education Hour Requirements

Clinical education experiences are required each quarter in addition to the course load. Students will complete a minimum of 1,200 hours in two years in a variety of sports and patient-type settings.

Clinical education experiences within the profession of athletic training serve to provide invaluable experiences and contacts that will enhance the students’ educational process. Therefore, students are to complete a minimum of 15 hours per week per term but not to exceed 25 hours per week per term as an athletic training student during the clinical educational portion of the AT program; unless it is a holiday or school is on break. The student must have a minimum of one day per week without clinical experiences. The student is expected to document each day. The following hours cannot be counted towards documented clinical hours: time spent traveling with a team, meals, unsupervised time, or academic hours.

Clinical hours completed during winter break or breaks between quarters are optional. Students are NOT required to complete hours during breaks in the academic calendar or during finals week. However, if a student has the opportunity to complete the clinical learning experience during this time frame, one cannot earn more than 25 percent of the clinical hours required for the following quarter. These experiences must be pre-approved by both the clinical preceptor and the clinical education coordinator.

Students must be directly supervised by a clinical preceptor during the delivery of athletic training services. The clinical preceptor must be physically present and have the ability to intervene on behalf of the athletic training student and the patient. At no time is the student allowed to function as a first responder. During a clinical rotation, a student is not allowed to perform skills on a patient/client until the skill has been covered in a course and evaluated by the faculty member or clinical preceptor.

Students can only obtain clinical hours from a pre-approved site that has completed clinical preceptor training and undergone a clinical site evaluation, submitted all necessary documentation (which may include but is not limited to contract, credentials, licensure, BOC cards, emergency action plan, and equipment documentation). At no time will a student be allowed to obtain hours from a non-approved clinical site.

Clinical Education Rotation Plan and Schedule

Students are assigned to their clinical preceptors (CPs) and clinical sites by the Clinical Education Coordinator based on a clinical education rotation schedule through the various sports categories as well as such considerations as the student’s strengths and weaknesses, career interests and goals, and prior experience.

Additional factors, such as availability of CPs and physical capacity of the site, are also considered in assignment of students to clinical ed. rotation sites.

In addition, AT students in the equipment intensive rotation will be scheduled to observe, assist, and compile notes as the physician performs examinations in the athletic training room.

All clinical education experiences off-campus (i.e., general medical, high school, physical therapy clinic, etc.) take priority over all other clinical responsibilities.

If there is a problem with ANY of these clinical education sites or experiences, notify the Clinical Education Coordinator or Program Director immediately.