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.

Post Baccalaureate students that have previously been granted a degree can also apply once prerequisites are completed and all admission requirements have been met.

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 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.

Inter-professional 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 inter-professional 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:

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. Students will develop integrative and analytical thinking skills as evidenced by written and oral communication skills.

2. The graduate athletic training student will demonstrate learning over time through mastery of program competencies.

3. The graduate athletic training student will understand the role of various healthcare specialties.

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

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

6. The graduate athletic training student will understand moral and ethical principles and dilemmas from an athletic training profession perspective.

7. The graduate athletic training student will be able to deliver quality healthcare that assists patients, communities, and populations with ever-changing needs across the life span in health promotion, injury recognition and evaluation, rehabilitation.

8. The athletic training student will understand the role of health informatics and the impact on the a healthcare system.

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. Only the top six 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.

4. Apply through ATCAS https://atcas.liaisoncas.com/applicant-ux/#/login 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.

Transfer Undergraduate Students

All transfer students wishing to pursue the Pre-Athletic Training Track at the University of Mobile must complete all steps related to admission requirements for the university and the College of Health Professions to be considered for the Masters of Athletic Training. Regardless of the time of admittance into the university, transfer students must complete all prerequisites prior to admission. The Pre-Athletic Training Accelerated Bachelors program is only offered to those students that enter as a first year freshmen.

Specific to the University

Transfer applicants must submit the following:

1. completed application for admission;

2. non-refundable application fee;

3. final official college transcript (two official transcripts if seeking teacher certification), mailed directly to the admissions office from each college previously attended, whether or not credit was earned;

4. official ACT scores report stating a minimum composite score of 21, or comparable test scores report; (Applicants twenty-three years of age or older, or students who have earned 15 or more acceptable semester hours at regionally accredited colleges or universities with GPAs of 2.0 or higher are exempt from this requirement);

5. official high school transcript reflecting date of graduation, with at least a 2.75 un-weighted GPA or GED score report with a score of at least 50 (test date prior to 2014) or at least 170 (test date 2014 and beyond), mailed directly to the admissions office; (Transfer applicants and applicants not applying to the nursing program who have earned 15 or more acceptable semester hours at regionally accredited colleges or universities with GPAs of 2.0 or higher are exempt from this requirement. See Criteria for Accepting Transfer of Credits for more information about acceptable transfer credits.);

6. Immunization certificate for measles, mumps, and rubella. Applicants age 23 or older are exempt from immunization requirement

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

Transfer applicants must follow the following steps:

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

2. Meet with advisor and MAT program director to determine the Pre- Athletic Training track for completion of degree requirements and prerequisites.

3. As with any route the student takes to apply for the Masters of Athletic Training- all prerequisites must be gained along with any core courses. Regardless of the student’s path, all aspects of the admission process must be followed.

Junior Year (Fall Semester)

1. Apply through ATCAS https://atcas.liaisoncas.com/applicant-ux/#/login 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.

Graduate Student

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

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

Admission Timeline

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

Regular Admission Deadline - February 1^st (deadline)

Rolling Admission until all 14 program spots are filled- closes April 30th

Regardless of the Point of Entry- Required Documents

1. Three letters of recommendation- one from Certified Athletic Trainer, one from Academic Advisor, and one from Faculty member within students major

2. Official transcripts from each college/university attended- transcripts must show a cumulative GPA of 3.0 on all college courses, grade of C or better on all prerequisite work, 3.0 Prerequisite GPA required.

3. 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.

4. 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.

Regardless of the Point of Entry- Process after Application Submittal and All Materials Received

Individuals not selected for early admission or with incomplete applications will be re-considered with regular admission applicants.
Up to seven of the fourteen spots will be granted during early (priority) admission
A 4-5 member MAT Admissions Committee will begin application review as applications are accepted.
Interviews may be held on campus (at the student’s expense) or via Zoom within 3 weeks of applicants submittal of all materials
Once the interview has occurred, the student will be notified within 2 weeks if accepted into the program.
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.

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

For Undergraduate and Graduate International Students

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

Required Prerequisites

(GPA 3.0 Cumulative Prerequisite Work)

Grade of C or better

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 to 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

Physics I with Lab- 4 hour - must include a lab

Statistics- 3 hour

Introduction to Sociology- 3-hour course

General Biology with Lab I and II- 8-hour course- must include a lab

Research Design

General Chemistry with Lab- 4 hour- must include a lab

Recommended, but not Required

Medical Terminology

Epidemiology

Pathophysiology

** Course taken more than 5 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, 2022. 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 begin in June 2021 with the first graduating class in May 2023.

The accreditation site visit will likely occur in Spring 2023.