Program Overview
Saint Louis University's Master of Athletic Training (MAT) program prepares students for careers as Certified Athletic Trainers (ATC). The two-year, CAATE-accredited program emphasizes diversity, interdisciplinary collaboration, evidence-based practice, and clinical experience. Graduates are equipped to work in various settings, including sports medicine clinics, professional sports, and education.
Program Outline
The program aims to prepare students for a career as a Certified Athletic Trainer (ATC). The program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education (CAATE).
Objectives:
Graduates of the program will be able to:
- Demonstrate respect for diversity as it relates to the practice of athletic training.
- Demonstrate effective communication strategies necessary for patient-centered care.
- Demonstrate interprofessional collaboration skills that advance holistic patient-centered care.
- Employ evidence-based clinical reasoning in the practice of athletic training.
- Demonstrate the ability to translate athletic training concepts into effective clinical practice.
Outline:
The MAT program is a two-year curriculum, including two summers. The program is divided into five domains of athletic training practice:
Risk reduction, wellness, and health literacy:
This domain focuses on preventing injuries and promoting health and wellness.
Assessment, evaluation, and diagnosis:
This domain focuses on identifying and evaluating injuries.
Critical incident management:
This domain focuses on managing emergencies and other critical incidents.
Therapeutic intervention:
This domain focuses on treating injuries and restoring function.
Health care administration and professional responsibility:
This domain focuses on the business and legal aspects of athletic training.
Course Schedule:
The program includes a variety of courses, including:
- MAT 5125 Therapeutic Modalities: This course covers the use of therapeutic modalities in athletic training.
- EXSC 5121 Clinical Biomechanics: This course covers the biomechanics of human movement.
- MAT 5160X Aspects of Nutrition: This course covers the role of nutrition in athletic training.
- MAT 5250 Musculoskeletal Assessment and Management II: This course continues the study of musculoskeletal injuries.
- MAT 5500 Rehabilitation in Athletic Training I: This course covers the rehabilitation of athletic injuries.
- MAT 5550 Rehabilitation in Athletic Training II: This course continues the study of rehabilitation.
- MAT 5600 Athletic Training Administration: This course covers the administrative aspects of athletic training.
- MAT 5620 Psychology of Sport and Injury: This course covers the psychological aspects of sport and injury.
- EXSC 5241 Clinical Research and Design: This course covers the design and conduct of clinical research.
- MAT 5700 AT Clinical Practicum I: This course provides students with hands-on clinical experience.
- MAT 5900 AT Field Experience: This course provides students with an immersive clinical experience.
- MAT 6010 Contemporary Clinical Practice: This course covers current trends in athletic training.
- MAT 6160 Enhancing Human Performance: This course covers the principles of enhancing human performance.
- MAT 6960 AT Capstone Project: This course allows students to apply their knowledge and skills to a real-world project.
- MAT 6800 Seminar in Athletic Training: This course provides students with an opportunity to discuss current topics in athletic training.
Assessment:
The program uses a variety of assessment methods, including:
- Assignments: Assignments are used to assess students' ability to apply their knowledge and skills.
- Clinical evaluations: Clinical evaluations are used to assess students' clinical skills.
- Capstone project: The capstone project is used to assess students' ability to integrate their knowledge and skills.
Teaching:
The program uses a variety of teaching methods, including:
- Lectures: Lectures are used to introduce new concepts and provide students with a foundation of knowledge.
- Discussions: Discussions are used to encourage students to think critically and engage with the material.
- Case studies: Case studies are used to help students apply their knowledge and skills to real-world situations.
- Clinical experiences: Clinical experiences are used to provide students with hands-on training.
Faculty:
The program is taught by a highly qualified and experienced faculty. Faculty members are actively engaged in research and scholarship, and they provide students with opportunities to participate in research projects.
Careers:
Graduates of the program are eligible to take the Board of Certification (BOC) Examination for the Certified Athletic Trainer (ATC) credential. Upon successful completion of the exam, graduates can work in a variety of settings, including:
- High schools
- Colleges and universities
- Professional sports
- Sports medicine clinics
- Military, law enforcement, tactical teams
- Performing arts
- Occupational/Industrial organizations In addition to providing patient care, athletic trainers also work as clinical researchers, administrators, faculty members, and clinical instructors.
Other:
- SLU's athletic training program has a proven track record of global engagement.
- The program has a curricular track in which students can attend SLU's campus in Madrid, Spain for up to four semesters.
- The program has an international clinical exchange program with universities in Spain and Ireland.
- The program is an institutional member of the World Federation of Athletic Training and Therapy (WFATT).
- SLU is home to the only NCAA Division I athletic program in the city of St. Louis.
- The program offers diverse clinical education opportunities.
- The program has state-of-the-art laboratories and clinical equipment in the Doisy College of Health Sciences.
- The program houses the editorial offices of the Journal of Athletic Training and the Athletic Training Education Journal.
