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.
If you are already certified or have an undergraduate degree in Athletic Training, view our Master of Science in Kinesiology and Recreation (Athletic Training) program.
Point of Pride
The Master of Athletic Training (MAT) program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education (CAATE) and prepares graduates to become eligible to sit for the Board of Certification (BOC) exam to gain the Certified Athletic Trainer (ATC) credential.
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How to Apply
University Admission Requirements
A student applying to a master's 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 within one academic year
- present 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 accepted, official transcripts can be emailed from the university to GraduateAdmissions@IllinoisState.edu or mailed in a sealed envelope to: Illinois State University, Graduate School, 209 Hovey Hall, Campus Box 4040, Normal, IL 61790-4040.
International students can learn more about specific application requirements by visiting the Office of Admissions.
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.
Prerequisite Courses
You must have a grade "C" or better in the following undergraduate prerequisite courses:
- General Biology with lab (4 semester hours)
- General Physics with lab (4 semester hours)
- General Chemistry with lab (4 semester hours)
- Human Anatomy with lab (4 semester hours)
- Human Physiology with lab (4 semester hours)
- Exercise Physiology (3 semester hours)
- Psychology (3 semester hours)
- Nutrition (3 semester hours)
- Statistics (3 semester hours)
- Medical Terminology (3 semester hours)
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 HIPPA training
Fees
View all associated program fees for the successful completion of the program.
Application Deadlines
- Summer Term — This is a new program starting in summer 2021. Applications will be available September 1, 2020. Deadline to apply is December 15, 2020.
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.