Skip to main content
  • Admissions
  • Academics
  • Research
  • Illinois State University Home
  • Student Life
  • Athletics
  • About
Masters

Athletic Training

  1. Home
  2. Academics
  3. Graduate
  4. Athletic Training

Overview

Athletic trainers are highly qualified, multi-skilled health care professionals who render service or treatment under the direction of, or in collaboration with, a physician in accordance with the state’s statutes, rules, and regulations. As part of the health care team, services provided by athletic trainers include patient care in five domains of clinical practice: prevention; clinical evaluation and diagnosis; immediate care; treatment and rehabilitation; and organization and professional health and well-being.

The Master of Athletic Training is designed for individuals who did not earn an undergraduate degree in Athletic Training or did not earn certification as an Athletic Trainer in their undergraduate major.

  • Graduate Student Admissions
  • Course Requirements (Catalog)
  • Meet Our Faculty
  • Our Community

Point of Pride

The professional athletic training program has been accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education (CAATE) since 2001 and was granted 10 years of continuing accreditation of the Master of Athletic Training (MAT) program in 2023. Historically, it has been the largest producer of athletic trainers in the state.

Graduate Advisor

Justin Stanek
(309) 438-5862
McCormick 251E

Schedule a Visit

Discover what life as an Illinois State graduate student is like.

Register for a Graduate Student Visit

How to Apply

University Admission Requirements

A student applying to this program must:

  • Have earned a four-year bachelor's degree or its equivalent from a college or university that is accredited by the appropriate regional accrediting association, or do so by the time of program matriculation.
  • Submit unofficial transcripts from each college or university other than Illinois State at which graduate, undergraduate, or non-degree credit was earned. The unofficial transcript should be easily readable and clearly indicate degree(s) awarded, courses and course grades for each term.
  • If admitted, official domestic transcripts can be emailed from the university to GraduateAdmissions@IllinoisState.edu or mailed in a sealed envelope to: Illinois State University, Graduate School, 208 Hovey Hall, Campus Box 4040, Normal, IL 61790-4040.
  • If admitted, official international transcripts can be emailed directly from the international institution to InternationalAdmissions@IllinoisState.edu or mailed in a sealed envelope to: Illinois State University, International Admissions, Campus Box 6180, Normal, IL 61790-6180.

International students can learn more about specific application requirements by visiting the Graduate School Admission Requirements.

Additional Program Admission Requirements

To be considered for this program, you must meet the following requirements.

GPA

You must have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale for either the last 60 hours of your undergraduate coursework or any previous work in a Master's program.

The Grade Point Average (GPA) of all undergraduate credentials earned in the United States that are used for graduate degree admission evaluation is calculated by the last 60 hours of undergraduate work. International credentials are evaluated by using cumulative GPA (CGPA) in lieu of the GPA from the last 60 hours of undergraduate work.

Prerequisite Courses

You must have a grade "C" or better in the following undergraduate prerequisite courses:

  • General Biology
  • General Physics
  • General Chemistry
  • Human Anatomy
  • Human Physiology
  • Exercise Physiology
  • Psychology
  • Nutrition

Resume

Submit your current resume that outlines your education and work history.

Goal Statement

Submit a goal statement with the following information:

  • Your motivations for pursing graduate school
  • Your career aspirations when you complete your degree
  • How you feel an Illinois State Athletic Training degree will help you reach your goals
  • Any additional information you'd like to share about your interest in our program

Reference Contact Information

Provide the name and email addresses of three references for letters of recommendation (preferably one from a licensed health care provider)

Formal Interview

Invited applicants will be contacted by the graduate coordinator to have a formal interview with Athletic Training program faculty.

Observation Hours (recommended)

While not required for admission, you are strongly encouraged to complete a minimum of 30 observation hours with an athletic trainer prior to applying to the Master of Athletic Training program.

Health and Safety Compliance

Upon acceptance into the program, you will be required to meet health and safety compliance requirements. These include:

  • Technical Standards
  • Criminal background check
  • Proof of immunization requirements
  • FERPA and HIPAA training

Fees

View all associated program fees for the successful completion of the program.

Apply with ATCAS

A student applying to this program must complete an application through Athletic Training Centralized Application Service (ATCAS), submit all required documentation to this platform, and pay the ATCAS application fee. You will receive an email from Illinois State about 24 hours after you submit your ATCAS application with the next steps. Once you do, create your Illinois State University account from the instructions to review your application status.

Application Deadlines

  • Summer Term — November 15; A rolling admission process will occur after this deadline until all cohort spots are filled.

Apply Now

Graduate Assistantships

The University provides graduate assistantships as a means of financial support. They are intended as a way to facilitate a student's progress to degree while providing important professional development.

Eligibility

To be eligible for an assistantship a student must, generally,

  • be admitted unconditionally as a degree-seeking student into a graduate academic program, or have a minimum of 120 undergraduate hours if in an integrated degree program
  • be in good-standing
  • be enrolled full-time (typically at least 9 credit hours during the fall or spring semesters, or at least 6 hours during the summer session).

Benefits

Graduate assistants receive

  • monthly wages paid in the form of either a stipend or an hourly wage
  • a waiver for 100% of tuition during a semester of appointment
  • a waiver for up to 12 credit hours of tuition for the summer term immediately following a fall or spring appointment

Costs & Funding

See Student Accounts for information on tuition and fees. Funding for graduate students is available from several different sources. Students who have been admitted from contiguous states including Iowa, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Missouri, and Wisconsin will receive in-state tuition.

I Want to Learn More

Request Information Form

Loading form...

Contact Information

  • School of Kinesiology and Recreation
  • (309) 438-8661
  • McCormick 250
  • College of Applied Science and Technology

Commonly Used Links

Illinois State

  • Milner Library
  • Technology Support Center
  • Maps and Directions
  • Search/A-Z
  • Academic Calendar
  • Safety and Security
  • Download ISU Mobile Apps

Students

  • My.IllinoisState.edu
  • Student Jobs
  • Catalog
  • Canvas
  • Undocumented Students, DACA, or Dreamers
  • Veterans and Military Services

Alumni

  • Alumni Association
  • Redbird Gear
  • Events
  • Magazine
  • Traditions

Faculty and Staff

  • Work at Illinois State
  • iPeople
  • Email and Office 365
  • Center for Integrated Professional Development
  • Shared Governance and Administration

© 2025 Illinois State University, Normal, IL USA | Contact Us

Privacy Statement | Cookie Statement | Identity Standards | Appropriate Use Policy | IBHE Online Complaint System | ISU Complaint Resolution | Accessibility | CARES Act Reporting

  • I. S. U. Facebook
  • I. S. U. Twitter
  • I. S. U. Instagram
  • I. S. U. Youtube
  • I. S. U. LinkedIn
  • I. S. U. TikTok
Closing menu Closing Menu
  • Close Menu
  • My
  • Contact
  • A to Z
  • Admissions
  • Academics
  • Research
  • Student Life
  • Athletics
  • About Us
  • Apply
  • Visit

Getting Started

  • Incoming Freshman
  • Transfer Students
  • Graduate Students
  • International Students
  • Out of State Students
  • Military Veterans
  • Returning to ISU
  • Homeschooled Students

Non-traditional

  • En Español
  • Undocumented Students
  • Visiting Students
  • Second Bachelor's Degree
  • Parents and Families
  • Academics Overview
  • Academic Support
  • Majors
  • Minors
  • Graduate Programs
  • Pre-Professional
  • Interdisciplinary Studies
  • Research Overview
  • Milner Library
  • Redbird Scholar
  • Student Life Overview
  • Housing
  • Dining
  • Student Organizations
  • Athletics Overview
  • GoRedbirds.com
  • About Us
  • Contact us
  • Administration
  • Our Community
  • Metrics of Excellence
  • Diversity and Inclusion
  • Traditions
  • Facility and Space Use
  • Learn How to Apply
  • What You Need Before You Apply
  • Deadlines
  • Fee and Waiver
  • Check Your Application Status
  • Disciplinary and Criminal Activity Disclosures
  • International Application Information
  • Schedule a Visit
  • Department Meetings
  • Driving Directions
  • Open House
  • Group Visits

University Resources

  • My Illinois State
  • Map
  • News
  • Events
  • Giving
Closing menu Closing Menu