School of Health and Sports Science

Master of Athletic Training

Statement of Purpose

The University of Mobile has developed a dynamic approach for a student wishing to pursue the Master of Athletic Training and gain the opportunity to sit for the Board of Certification exam. This approach provides opportunities for both traditional and non-traditional students regardless of where the student begins the process.

An incoming freshman can begin work in Pre-Athletic Training or the Pre- Athletic Training Accelerated Bachelor’s Program. The difference between the two paths is the pre-athletic training track is designed to span four years, while the accelerated program allows the student to move swiftly through both undergraduate and prerequisite requirements to apply earlier than the non-accelerated route. Admission to the MAT is not guaranteed, but it does allow the student to complete undergraduate and prerequisite coursework at an accelerated rate.

Students that have previously been granted a degree can also apply once prerequisites are completed and all admission requirements have been met. This two-year program is specifically designed for the highly competitive student interested in a combined liberal arts experience and professional component in athletic training.

Mission of Master of Athletic Training

In keeping with the mission of the University of Mobile and the College of Health Professions, the mission of the Master of Athletic Training is to challenge each student to become their best self: intellectually, spiritually, and culturally. This path to personal growth and an understanding of God’s purpose is designed to lead the student towards being an informed member of society within the athletic training profession.

The ultimate goal for each student is to successfully pass the Board of Certification exam and seamlessly transition into the world of healthcare. It is the hope of the university, faculty and staff that each student will be prepared to collaboratively work with all health care professionals to provide, administer and manage the health care of patients across a lifespan; to participate in research and other activities designed to advance the quality of athletic training services; and to be advocates in building a solid foundation for future professionals, clients and the public regarding the profession of Athletic Training.

Program Goals

Quality Program Design and Instruction

Goal: Present an educational program that meets or exceeds requirements set forth by CAATE, NATA, and the BOC as measured by both formative and summative evaluation results and success on the BOC exam.

Objective: Attain initial CAATE accreditation in 2022, and maintain thereafter.

Objective: Faculty will continually assess course content through course, program, and preceptor evaluations.

Goal: Properly prepare students to succeed on the Board of Certification exam by offering an effective combination of didactic instruction and clinical experience through both formative and summative evaluations.

Objective: Students will be satisfied with their program progression and prepared to take the BOC exam.

Objective: Seventy (70) percent of students within the MAT program will pass the BOC exam on the first attempt.

Goal: Prepare athletic training students to transition from student to entry level professional to gain employment in athletic training settings or similar healthcare settings.

Objective: Graduates will attain successful employment placement within six months of graduation.

Objective: Graduates will be satisfied with job placement tools for resume writing, interviewing, and portfolio.

Recruit and Retain

Goal: Recruit students who are qualified applicants and embody the mission of the program.

Objective: Students will be admitted based on committee decision that will include previous coursework, grade point average, personal statement, statement of Christian affirmation, and an interview process.

Interprofessional Collaboration and Clinical Experiences

Goal: Challenge students through a rigorous plan of study to engage with other medical professionals, faculty, and fellow students.

Objective: Students will be satisfied with the level of interprofessional interaction in both classroom and clinical settings.

Objective: Students will be satisfied with the level of interaction with students and faculty within the College of Health Professions.

Goal: Provide progressively challenging clinical opportunities to expose athletic training students to:

1) injuries and illness of a diverse population of athletes and other physically active individuals

2) developing mastery of entry-level skills for patients

- throughout a lifespan,

- of differing sexes,

- with different socioeconomic statuses,

- varying athletic ability, and

- who participate in non-sport activities.

Objective: Students will be satisfied with progression and placement of clinical sites.

Objective: Preceptors will be satisfied with the student’s placement and preparedness.

Objective: Students will be satisfied with clinical preceptors.

Objective: Students will be satisfied with the various patient interactions from high fidelity simulations to real world patients.

Research and Scholarship

Goal: Encourage students to actively participate in service opportunities within the community to highlight the athletic training profession.

Objective: Students will participate in community focused service projects.

Goal: Encourage research opportunities through professional publications.

Objective: Students will be satisfied with their ability to effectively develop research topics and case studies for submittal within professional publications.

Student Learning Objectives

1. The athletic training student will demonstrate competency in critical thinking, oral communication, and written communication.

2. The athletic training student will demonstrate learning over time for the mastery of athletic training skills by leading students through incremental and progressive didactic and clinical courses.

3. The athletic training student will be exposed to a variety of healthcare professionals throughout both didactic and clinical experiences.

4. The athletic training student will be prepared to successfully pass the BOC exam on the first attempt.

5. The athletic training student will be equipped with the tools needed to become lifelong learners, to apply appropriate professional and ethical practices, and capable of contributing to the profession of athletic training.

Admission Requirements

Undergraduate: Pre-Athletic Training Track (4-year option) or Pre-Athletic Training Accelerated Bachelors (3+2 Option)

Specific to the College of Health Professions/ School of Health and Sports Science

Freshmen applicants must follow the following steps:

1. Admitted into the University of Mobile as an undergraduate student

2. Each athletic training student that enters as a freshman or transfer will sign a memorandum of understanding that states undergraduate program requirements and MAT application processes. The agreement simply creates an understanding between student and advisor.

3. Students that begin either the Pre-Athletic Training track or the Pre-Athletic Training Accelerated Bachelors program do so with the understanding that there is no guarantee that admittance into the Master of Athletic training program will be granted. Regardless of the student’s path, all aspects of the admission process must be followed.

4. Apply through the University of Mobile with completed application and all documents submitted and accepted by posted deadline. Students completing the Accelerated Program (3+2 Option) will apply fall of junior year and students completing the Pre-Athletic Training Track (4-year option) will apply fall of senior year.

Three letters of recommendation- 1 from Certified Athletic Trainer, 1 from Academic Advisor, and 1 from Faculty member within students major
Official transcripts from each college/university attended- transcripts must show a C or above on all prerequisite work (3.0 on prerequisite work is required) as well as a cumulative GPA of 3.0 in all undergraduate coursework.
Total of 100 hours’ observation with a Certified Athletic Trainer in both the clinic setting and sports specific. Should document exactly what skills were observed for each visit.
Curriculum Vitae along with Personal Statement for Admittance detailing personal and professional goals. Personal statement should be at least 1000 words and focus on previous education, experience, professional interests in athletic training, professional goals, and finally what makes your application stand out above the rest of the applicants.

** Only the top four performers of UM’s pre-athletic training track or Pre-Athletic Training Accelerated Bachelors (Based off GPA, curriculum vita, letters of recommendation, type of hours accrued with a certified athletic trainer, and interview process) will be accepted.

Early (Priority) Admission Window: September1^st - November 1^st (deadline)

The application will remain open from September until the program fills all spots. The deadline allows the review of all applications completed until that point and the first set of interviews to begin.

a. During this time all information must be submitted and accepted through the University of Mobile online application by November 1^st

b. Up to seven of the fourteen spots will be granted during early (priority) admission

c. Application review and interviews will be administered during this time

d. A 3 to 4-member MAT Committee will begin application review as applications are accepted.

e. Interviews may be held on campus (at the student’s expense) or via Zoom in November.

f. Once the interview has occurred, the student will be notified within 3-4 weeks if accepted into the program.

** Individuals not selected for early admission or with incomplete applications will be re-considered with regular admission applicants.

** Once selected for admittance into the program, the cost to secure a spot in the program- regardless of early or regular admission- is a 250.00 non-refundable fee that will go directly towards the student’s tuition.

Regular Admission Deadline - February 1^st (deadline)

a. During this time all information must be submitted and accepted through the University of Mobile online application by February 1^st

b. Up to seven of the fourteen spots will be granted during early (priority) admission

c. Application review and interviews will be administered during this time

d. A 3 to 4-member MAT Committee will begin application review as applications are accepted.

e. Interviews may be held on campus (at the student’s expense) or via Zoom as applications are submitted.

f. Once the interview has occurred, the student will be notified within 3-4 weeks if accepted into the program.

** Students will not be allowed to participate in intercollegiate athletics once the Master of Athletic Training program begins, regardless of the sport.

** At this time F1 visas cannot be granted for this program.

Graduate Student Admissions

Specific to the College of Health Professions and School of Health and Sports Science

(The school will accept 14-15 total students per cohort)

Apply through the University of Mobile with completed application and all documents submitted and accepted by posted deadline

Three letters of recommendation- 1 from Certified Athletic Trainer, 1 from Academic Advisor, and 1 from Faculty member within student’s major
Official transcripts from each college/university attended- transcripts must show a C or above on all prerequisite work (3.0 on prerequisite work is required) as well as a cumulative GPA of 3.0 in all undergraduate coursework.
Total of 100 hours’ observation with Certified Athletic Trainer in both clinic setting and sports specific. Should document exactly what skills were observed for each visit.
Curriculum Vitae along with Personal Statement for Admittance detailing personal and professional goals. Personal statement should be at least 1000 words and focus on previous education, experience, professional interests in athletic training, professional goals, and finally what makes your application stand out above the rest of the applicants.

Early (Priority) Admission Window: September1st- November 1^st (deadline)

a. During this time all information must be submitted and accepted through the University of Mobile online application by November 1^st

b. Up to seven of the fourteen spots will be granted during early (priority) admission

c. Application review and interviews will be administered during this time

d. A 3 to 4-member MAT Committee will begin application review as applications are accepted.

e. Interviews may be held on campus (at the student’s expense) or via Zoom in November.

f. Once the interview has occurred, the student will be notified within 3-4 weeks if accepted into the program.

** Individuals not selected for early admission or with incomplete applications will be re-considered with regular admission applicants.

Regular Admission Deadline - February 1^st (deadline)

a. During this time all information must be submitted and accepted through the University of Mobile online application by February 1^st

b. Up to seven of the fourteen spots will be granted during early (priority) admission

c. Application review and interviews will be administered during this time

d. A 3 to 4-member MAT Committee will begin application review as applications are accepted.

e. Interviews may be held on campus (at the student’s expense) or via Zoom as applications are submitted.

f. Once the interview has occurred, the student will be notified within 3-4 weeks if accepted into the program.

Application Review

The MAT application process will involve a review of the student’s overall application packet. This will include, but not limited to, grade point average (cumulative and prerequisites), prerequisites taken, letters of recommendation, observed hours with a certified athletic trainer, personal statement and curriculum vitae. A point system will determine if the student qualifies for an on-campus/video interview. If a campus visit is required for the interview, all costs surrounding the visit, will be the responsibility of the student.

** Cumulative GPA will be figured using all registered college credit courses. This will include courses taken from: dual enrollment, junior college, community college, or universities.

** Students will not be allowed to participate in intercollegiate athletics once the Master of Athletic Training program begins, regardless of the sport.

** At this time F1 visas cannot be granted for this program.

Prerequistes

Required (3.0 on all prerequisite work)

Grade of “C” or better in the following courses:

Human Anatomy and Physiology I with Lab- 4 hour- must include a lab
Human Anatomy and Physiology II with Lab- 4 hour-must include a lab
Introduction/General Psychology- 3 hour
CPR/ First Aid- 3 hour
Kinesiology/ Biomechanics- 3 hour
Exercise Physiology- 3 hour
Personal and Community Hygiene/ Health- 3 hour
Introduction to Nutrition/ Sports Nutrition- 3 hour
Developing Strength and Conditioning- 3 hour
Statistics- 3 hour
Introduction to Sociology- 3-hour course
Research Design I or Research Methodology
General Biology with Lab I and II- 8-hour course- must include a lab
Physics I with Lab- 4 hour - must include a lab
General Chemistry I with Lab- 4 hour- must include a lab

Recommended, but not Required -Grade of “C” or better in the following courses

Medical Terminology
Epidemiology
Pathophysiology

** Course taken more than 7 years from time of application will not be accepted.

Program Accreditation Status

The University of Mobile is currently seeking accreditation for their new Athletic Training program and is not accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education (CAATE).  The institution will be submitting a self-study to begin the accreditation process on July 1, 2021. Submission of the self-study and completion of a site visit does not guarantee that the program will become accredited.  Students that graduate from the program prior to accreditation WILL NOT be eligible to sit for the credentialing examination for athletic trainers and will not be eligible for licensure in most states.

The first class will be accepted in June 2020 with the first graduating class as May 2022.

The accreditation site visit will occur in Spring 2022.