MAT Mission

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 becoming 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. 

Vision

University of Mobile’s Master of Athletic Training program is committed to enriching the field of athletic training through the development of future world changers who embody the spirit of Christ.

Core Principles

• Professionally competent
• Academically sound
• Critical Thinker
• Communicator

 Program Goals

1. Develop an athletic training program that will provide a curriculum that is academically focused with a Christian emphasis.
2. Develop graduate athletic training students who can make immediate contributions to healthcare as a whole and serve as advocates for the athletic training profession.
3. Develop graduate athletic training students who are critical thinkers and develop a love of learning over a lifetime.  
4. Develop graduate athletic training students who can promote the athletic training profession through written and oral communication.

Program Highlights

• State-of-the-art Center for Excellence located on campus that houses 10 high fidelity manikins used for patient encounters
• Gross anatomy class offered in the second semester
• Students enter as a cohort every June and move as a unit throughout the program
• Maximum cohort is 14 per class, which allows for a 1:14 student to teacher ratio
• 62 credit hour program
• On campus and online courses available
• Variety of clinical sites located within 15-20 miles of the university
• Clinical sites available in high schools, sports medicine clinics, surgery centers, physical therapy clinics and emergent sites
• Multiple clinical immersion opportunities

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 be accepted in June 2021 with the first graduating class as May 2023. The accreditation site visit is anticipated to occur in Spring 2023.

Requirements:

1. Completion of a Baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited college or university
2. Preferred overall undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or better (effective 8/1/2021- no lower than 2.75 will be accepted)
3. Preferred C or better on all prerequisite coursework
4. Minimum of 50 hours of observational hours with an athletic trainer (effective 07/01/22)
5. Current CPR card
6. Completion of Technical Standards
7. Three letters of recommendation- through ATCAS
8. Provide Official transcript for all college/university
9. Curriculum vitae/resume
10. Complete personal statement

The student should submit information for application through Athletic Training Centralized Application System (ATCAS). ATCAS simplifies the athletic training application process by allowing the student to apply to multiple programs with only one application. The application includes sections on biographical information, educational history and record, work and observation experiences, and a personal statement.

Steps for Application

1. Complete an ATCAS application and formally apply to UM-  https://atcas.liaisoncas.com/applicant-ux/#/deeplink/programSearch/organization/5567509477217972368 with completed application and all documents submitted and accepted by posted deadline.
   • Provide Official transcripts and enter courses taken from each college/university attended through ATCAS
   • Three evaluations (ATCAS generated) - one evaluation must be from a Certified Athletic Trainer, one from Academic Advisor or Faculty member, one personal or professional contact.
   • Complete the Technical Standards form on ATCAS.
   • 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 other applicants
   • Submittal of Current CPR (Professional or BLS card).
   • Submit a minimum of 50 hours’ observation with a Certified Athletic Trainer. The hours must reflect the experiences the student obtained (i.e. sports covered, athletic training room, physician's office, industrial setting, and clinic).
   • Complete supplemental questions on ATCAS.
     

2. ATCAS will verify the student’s transcripts and complete a review.
3. UM's MAT admission committee will review the applicant’s submission and decide if the applicant meets the requirements for an interview.
4. Notification for interviews will be sent via email or by phone. (Interviews are invitation only).
5. The student will meet either in person or via Zoom for the formal interview with the MAT admission committee.
6. The student will be made aware of the MAT admission committee’s decision via email.
7. Once selected for admittance into the MAT 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 for Term I.

Admission Timeline

• ATCAS application process will open August 1^st
• Admission Deadline – April 15th (deadline)
• Rolling Admission until all 14 program spots are filled- closes May 1st

POINT OF ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

  Graduate Student

** Completion of a Bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university

(The school will accept 14 total students per cohort)

1. Apply through ATCAS https://atcas.liaisoncas.com/applicant-ux/#/deeplink/programSearch/organization/5567509477217972368 with completed application and all documents submitted and accepted by posted deadline.

** Students will not be allowed to participate in intercollegiate athletics once they are a current student within the Master of Athletic Training program, regardless of the sport.

Graduate International Students

Students who are not citizens or legal residents of the United States of America are considered international students.

International applications must submit the following:

• completed international application;
• non-refundable application fee;
• financial affidavit;
• photocopy of the following, if transferring from an institution located in the United States: SEVIS I-20, I-94, a valid passport, and transfer eligibility form;
• a degree that is equivalent to the B.S. or B.A. at a United States institution;
• official transcript(s) from institutions attended;
• evaluation and English translation of transcripts from colleges or universities not located in the United States;
• official TOEFL score of 550 or better on the paper-based test, 213 or higher on the computer-based test, or 79-80 or higher on the internet-based test;
• the appropriate official satisfactory test score before enrolling in a graduate level class; and
• a trial schedule as full-time student (9 hours) for graduate students. 

Coursework Taken at International Institutions

Undergraduate coursework taken at an international institution must be evaluated for U.S. institution equivalence. International coursework must be evaluated by one of the services listed below. The applicant should contact one of these services.

World Education Services, Inc.
Bowling Green Station
P. O. Box 5087
New York, NY 10274-5087/USA
(212) 966-6311
http://www.wes.org/

Josef Silny & Associates, Inc.
International Education Consultants
7101 SW 102 Avenue
Miami, FL 33173/USA
(305) 273-1616
http://www.jsilny.com/html/about-us.htm

Educational Credential Evaluators, Inc.
P. O. Box 514070
Milwaukee, WI 53203-3470/USA
(414) 289-3400
http://www.ece.org/

International Education Evaluations, Inc.
7900 Mathews-Mint Hill Road, Suite 300
Charlotte, NC 28227
(704)772-0109; Fax: (704)545-2484
www.foreigntranscripts.com

Post Admission Requirements

Upon acceptance into the MAT program, students will be required to submit the following documents to complete their admission packet:

1. Payment of a placeholder fee of 250.00- the cost to secure a spot in the program. This non-refundable fee will go directly towards the student’s tuition for Term I (summer).
2. A graduate record will be established once the placeholder fee has been obtained and all application documents have been transferred to the graduate admissions committee.
3. The student will receive a UM student ID and email address.
4. The student will be advised for summer and fall term and registration will open once student ID is obtained. (All official transcripts with date of graduation conferral must be on file by May 20^th for summer enrollment)
5. The student will be added to the MAT orientation class through Canvas- there is no cost for this course. (must be completed by May 30^th)
6. Once orientation is complete the student will be added to Typhon and be advised to add the following documents to the system for review. (All documents must be loaded prior to May 31^st into Typhon)

• Technical Standards form
• Current CPR/ AED card- Adult/ Child/Infant/AED- submitted to ATCAS at time of application.
• Upload Fingerprinting report (15.00)
• Background Check (10.00) through Mobile Police Department or any facility that can validate. Should include the following information. (Effective 10/1/2021)
• 7-year Criminal History for each County of Residence
• National Sexual Offender Registry- Free- https://www.fbi.gov/scams-and-safety/sex-offender-registry
• Upload proof of primary health insurance
• Submit a clean 10-panel drug screen- at student’s expense- must not be beyond 30 days of starting Term I.
• Immunization form and verification of records for
  • (MMR) Rubella, Measles, Mumps,
  • Varicella,
  • Hepatitis B,
  • Tetanus, Diphtheria, and Acellular Pertussis (Tdap),
  • Tuberculin Skin Test (TST/PPD)
  • Annual flu shot (only for clinical experiences during flu season).
  • Waivers of immunizations can also be attached.

The Master of Athletic Training curriculum includes patient care experiences that begin early in the curriculum and culminates into clinical immersion rotations that allow students to participate in the full scope of athletic training clinical practice. Clinical rotations are sequenced based on professional knowledge progressions presented in the didactic component of the curriculum. The clinical curriculum is designed to ensure that students are optimally prepared to provide patient care across the lifespan in both traditional and nontraditional athletic training practice settings. The ultimate goal of clinical education is that the student will utilize critical judgment, problem solving, clinical reasoning, and evidence-based decisions in the delivery of patient care and enhancement of patient/client health and well-being.

First Year

Summer- Term I- 7 hours Lecture

Fall- Term II- 15 hours

The clinical immersion occurs for a duration of two (2) weeks prior to the start of the fall term.

Spring- Term III- 12 hours 

***Content Exam I- Administered Day after final exams complete for spring courses

1. After the completion of the 3^rd semester, Content Exam I will be administered.
2. Students must score a 80% to pass the exam.
3. Three chances will be allowed. There must be at least 14 days between one test and the other.
4. Remediation will begin after the 2^nd failed attempt. This remediation will include individualized assistance with the program director and student.
5. Summer enrollment/participation will continue while student completes remediation requirements.
6. Three unsuccessful attempts will result in the student being placed on academic probation for the fall semester.
7. Students will be directed to the MAT probation policy- If probation is due to failing to meet the 80% threshold on Content Exam I- the student must meet both the 3.0 semester GPA AND successfully complete Content Exam II in AT 555 to be removed from probation.

 Second Year

Summer- Term IV- 10 hours

Fall- Term V- 11 hours

***Content Exam II-

During the BOC Preparation class (AT 555), the Content Exam II will be administered. This test requires a passing score of 80% or better to complete the BOC preparation course. The exam will be a written exam with 150 questions followed by an oral/practicum with 10-12 skills. The student will have three opportunities to pass the exam. Remediation will begin after the 1^st failed attempt. This remediation will include individualized assistance with the program director and student.

After 3 failed attempts the student will receive an F for the course and must repeat the course the following Fall.

Spring- Term VI- 7 hours

**Due to accreditation site visit occurring spring 2023, the first class will not be allowed to sit for the BOC exam until approval from CAATE on accreditation status.

(62 total program hours)

PREREQUISITES REQUIRED

** Courses are evaluated based on catalog course descriptions and course syllabi. The final decision for approval of a prerequisite being approved lies with MAT faculty.

** Courses taken more than 7 years from time of application will not be accepted.

** Effective 8/1/2021

• Sociology- 3 hours- will be removed for 2022 admission cycle
• Research - 3 hours- will be removed for 2022 admission cycle

** Effective 8/1/2022 - Biology II will no longer be required.

https://caate.net/program-info/703/