Athletic Training

APPLYING TO THE MAT PROGRAM

Here at A-State we have a long Athletic Training tradition going back to 1994 as an undergraduate degree. In 2017, we shifted our energy from an undergraduate degree into a brand-new graduate degree in the College of Nursing and Health Professions. Our faculty and staff are here to use our 160 years of combined experience to prepare students to become certified athletic trainers. This 2-year program give students the opportunity to follow their dreams of working with the patients and athletic population that interests them the most.

Arkansas State MAT program is one of the least expensive programs in the country. Applicants who qualify, are eligible for in-state tuition cost. You can receive your master’s degree in Athletic Training for less than $30,000 in tuition cost.

We are the first athletic training program in Arkansas accredited under the new CAATE 2020 standards.

Applications for the SUMMER semester start August 1st,  with a rolling admissions procedure ending April 1st.

Our application process requires several documents prior to consideration. Of the list of requirements, GRE scores are NOT required.

• Transcript of a complete (or soon to be completed) bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution. The MAT program will accept any undergraduate degree however; we recommend that students obtain degrees relating to exercise science and any degree relating to exercise science. Final completed transcript is required prior to start of the program.
• A 3.0 cumulative undergraduate grade point average and a grade of “C” in the prerequisite courses.
• Final transcript MUST show the successful completion and verification of the following courses:
  • Biology (with lab)
  • Chemistry (with lab)
  • Physics (with lab)
  • Psychology
  • Anatomy and Physiology (two courses for 8 hours)
  • Statistics
  • Exercise Physiology
  • Kinesiology and/or Bio mechanics.
  • The program will place special consideration for students who have taken Calculus at any level.
• Submission of the Technical Standards documentation.
• Background check
• TOEFL scores (for international students whose native language is not English)

Applicants will need to apply to the A-State Graduate Program, simply complete the online application here:

https://www.astate.edu/info/admissions/graduate/admission-criteria/

and

https://www.astate.edu/info/admissions/graduate/how-to-apply/

You will be prompted for the program in which you wish to apply for on the application. Look for the degree “Athletic Training” (M.A.T.)

Transcripts/ Immunizations

Official transcripts MUST be sent to A-STATE Traditional Graduate Programs. Please do not send transcripts to the A-STATE Athletic Training Department unless specifically requested to. Transcripts and immunization records for A-STATE Traditional Graduate Programs should be sent to:

A-State Traditional Graduate Programs
PO Box 1570
State University, AR 72467

A-State Graduate Programs' can be contacted at 870-972-2031 or gradadmissions@astate.edu .

The application fee of $50 can be paid online (through your applicant account) or by phone to the Cashier’s Window at 870-972-3847.

A-STATE TRANSCRIPTS

Students who have attended one or more of the A-STATE campuses (i.e. Newport, Beebe, etc.) must still request transcripts from them separately to be sent to A-STATE in Jonesboro. A-STATE campuses are independent of each other in regards to transcripts and can only be verified by the campus where the courses were actually taken.

BACKGROUND CHECKS

Based on recent legislation in Arkansas, students will be required to complete a background check AFTER they receive conditional admission into the program. 

Arkansas State University’s College of Nursing and Health Professions works with Verified Credentials, Inc. to establish an acceptable screening procedure. The cost of the background check is between $50 and $100.

Background Checks for Students Newly Admitted into the AT Program

Students who are conditionally admitted into the AT program must submit an initial background check to complete their admission requirements into the program. View the step-by-step background check guide for new AT students>>>

TECHNICAL SKILLS AND ABILITIES

MAT Program Application Forms

Applicants of the MAT program must complete and submit the forms and information found below before they are enrolled into the program. Please take the time to review the checklist and forms because several forms will require the review of a physician and personal immunization information. Some required information (CPR and First Aid Certification) do not have forms.

1. Application Checklist
2. Technical Standards
3. Criminal Background Check
4. Drug Screening Policy
5. Student Health Record
6. Hepatitis B Vaccination
7. MMR Immunity Report

1. Goal: Prepare students to think critically and apply knowledge to the field of athletic training
   1. Outcome: Scholarly Inquiry:
      1. Critique research in athletic training and related disciplines as a basis for application to clinical practice
2. Goal: Provide students with quality didactic and clinical learning experiences so as to provide excellent medical care
   1. Outcome: Standard of Care
      1. Demonstrate evidence based clinical practice and decision‐making in providing athletic training services
      2. Critically analyze, interpret and apply the results of published research and apply the findings to profession practice.
      3. Synthesize the principles of biomechanics, anatomy, and neurology to develop therapeutic interventions.

3. Goal: Prepare students to successfully transition-to-practice in the field of athletic training and succeed with their professional goals
   1. Outcome: Professional & Personal Growth
      1. Demonstrate the importance of ethical decision-making in patient care decisions.
      2. Effectively communicate with patients, parents, supervisors, physicians, coaches, and peers.
      3. Recognize the role of athletic trainers as a healthcare provider as part of a multi-disciplinary team within the healthcare system.
      4. A minimum of 70% of each cohort of graduates will successfully pass the Board of Certification (BOC) exam the first time they take the exam.

Bachelor’s Degree Required

All applicants must have a bachelor’s degree by the time they begin the program. No particular field of study is required; however students graduating with or possess degrees in fields such as physical education, health, exercise science or kinesiology/biomechanics are encouraged to apply.

Prerequisite Coursework

Satisfactory completion of the following courses with letter grades of C or higher are required for admission to the M.A.T. program.

Increasing Your Admissions Score

Students are encouraged to complete additional preparation courses in the hard sciences beyond the M.A.T. prerequisites to receive additional weighting credit in the application scoring process.

Students are encouraged to complete related specialty certifications such as Emergency Medical Technician, Teaching Certification, Strength and Conditioning Specialist, Corrective Exercise Specialist or Casting Certification prior to the start of the M.A.T. program to enhance the admissions score.

Spanish proficiency also adds points to the overall scoring total.

Athletic Training

* U.S. Residents with a G.P.A. of at least 3.0 may qualify to receive in-state tuition rates

*U.S. Residents with a G.P.A of at least 3.0 may qualify to receive in-state tuition rates. The total estimated program expense is based on in-state tuition rates. It does not include living expenses or charges related to parking on campus.

Course Schedule

The vision of the Master of Athletic Training (M.A.T.) Program at Arkansas State University is to foster collaborative and interprofessional education with students, faculty and alumni to elevate the health care provided to our communities.

Curriculum and degree requirements can be found in the most current Graduate Bulletin.

Visit the bulletins page >>

Student Achievement Information