Master of Athletic Training

Why pursue a Master of Athletic Training degree at North Central College?

The CAATE accredited Master of Athletic Training Program at North Central College prepares athletic trainers for fast-paced careers in a wide variety of settings, including competitive athletics, occupational health, clinical healthcare settings, and performing arts environments. You'll develop the skills required to deliver the highest quality patient‐centered and evidence‐based healthcare to your patients. We know you’ll be practice-ready when you graduate because we integrate personal and professional development into your education, while our curriculum ensures you are fully prepared for certification as an athletic trainer. Your five semesters of clinical experience will prepare you to be a curious, engaged, ethical, and purposeful citizen and leader in healthcare. Our unique curriculum ensures you will gain hands-on experience managing athletic injuries and illnesses in both simulated and actual patient care formats. Our expansive alumni network, expert clinical preceptors, and dedicated faculty can help you realize your athletic training goals.

As a student of North Central's Athletic Training Program you will;

• Complete a Quality Improvement project related to an athletic training topic
• Have access to online textbooks and medical databases for the most up-to-date information
• Gain nearly 1000 hours of clinical experience to help you solidify and apply your classroom knowledge
• Become part of a community of scholarly clinicians who work together for maximal student growth

The Changing Healthcare Environment

The skills and knowledge you develop in the Master of Athletic Training (MAT) program will help carry you from your first job to your dream job and translate to a wide range of settings. Telemedicine, healthcare informatics, and a deep exploration of athletic training practice are all part of the entry-level curriculum, and prepare you for employment in any of these settings:

• Hospitals and Healthcare Systems
• Medical Clinics
• High School and Club Sports
• Colleges and Universities
• Industrial or Occupational Settings
• Performing Arts

Our accredited program has a long history of successfully preparing future health professionals for the Board of Certification (BOC) Exam to become certified athletic trainers.

By incorporating forward-thinking curricular content and providing intensive clinical experiences in a variety of settings, the Master of Athletic Training degree will equip you with the skills needed for a rewarding career in healthcare. Whether it’s caring for the health and safety of athletes on professional sports teams or keeping active employees on the job, you’ll be practice-ready as an athletic trainer upon graduation.

The Master of Athletic Training degree is a 55 credit-hour program that extends over 6 consecutive semesters, beginning with a summer semester. The program runs continuously for 24 months.

Summer Year One

• MATR 515 - Foundations of Athletic Training (4 hours)
• MATR 530 - Principles of Musculoskeletal and Medical Assessment (3 hours)

Fall Year One

• MATR 500 - Clinical Experiences in Athletic Training I (1 hour)
• MATR 541 - Diagnosis and Management for Athletic Trainers I: Upper Extremity, Head, and Neck Injuries and Conditions (4 hours)
• MATR 550 - Medical Aspects of Athletic Training (4 hours)
• MATR 525 - Therapeutic Interventions in Athletic Training I (4 hours)

Spring Year One

• MATR 505 - Clinical Experiences in Athletic Training II (1 hour)
• MATR 540 - Diagnosis and Management for Athletic Trainers II: Lower Extremity and Spine Injuries and Conditions (4 hours)
• MATR 535 - Therapeutic Interventions in Athletic Training II (4 hours)
• MATR 551 - Administration and Management in Athletic Training (4 hours)

Summer Year Two

• MATR 600 - Clinical Experiences in Athletic Training III (1 hour)
• MATR 620 - Principles of Nutrition and Strength and Conditioning for Athletic Training (3 hours)

Fall Year Two

• MATR 605 - Clinical Experiences in Athletic Training IV (2 hours)
• MATR 625 - Psychosocial Aspects of Athletic Training Practice (4 hours)
• MATR 640 - Special Topics in Athletic Training (4 hours)
• MATR 655 - Applied Research Project (2 hours)

Spring Year Two

• MATR 610 - Clinical Experiences in Athletic Training V: Immersive Experience (4 hours)
• MATR 650 - Decision Making in Athletic Training (2 hours)