Master of Athletic Training-Traditional

Welcome to Midland University's Master of Athletic Training (MAT) Program. This program is a traditional full-time program that prepares students to take the Board of Certification (BOC) Examination to become licensed as a Certified Athletic Trainer (ATC). With 32 sports and multiple off-site experiences, Midland provides a diverse educational and clinical experience. 

Midland University's Master of Athletic Training Mission

To provide future Athletic Training professionals with the knowledge, skills, and practice to be successful in a wide range of professional settings.

Program objectives

At the completion of the Midland University MAT program, students are:

• Prepared to take and pass the BOC exam
• Clinically proficient at the level defined by CAATE
• Competent to provide athletic training services in a wide variety of professional settings with diverse patient populations
• Able to synthesize information, make decisions, and act in ways that maximize patient outcomes
• Exhibiting behaviors consistent with those of athletic training professionals

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Applying to Midland University's Traditional Master of Athletic Training is simple. The process includes:

• Complete the free Midland application
• Official transcripts from all colleges and universities showing a minimum overall GPA of 2.75
• Required prerequisite courses completed or currently enrolled include: Anatomy and Physiology with lab (2 sem), Biology with lab (1 sem), Chemistry with lab (1 sem), Exercise Physiology, Kinesiology, Physics with lab (1 sem), Psychology (1 sem), and Statistics
• Completion of observation hours under supervision of a Certified Athletic Trainer (ATC)
• Letter of interest
• Letters of recommendation (1 letter coming from an ATC)
• Signed understanding of the Technical standards

Students who are admitted and enroll in the Midland University Master of Athletic Training program qualify for free housing throughout the duration of their program, provided they:

• Remain in good academic, financial, and disciplinary standing with the university

• Have not previously enrolled at Midland University for any program or degree

• Begin classes in the Master of Athletic Training program no later than June 1, 2021.

Specific housing location will be determined by Midland University as space allows, with preference given to graduate student housing as available. Here is the current housing option available for MAT students. Housing placement will not begin until the student has paid their non-refundable enrollment deposit ($250) for the program. All enrollment deposits must be received by May 1, 2021, unless otherwise specified by the Director of the Center for Graduate & Professional Studies.

Technical Standards Form 

Midland University Master of Athletic Training Program Policy and Procedures Manual

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See the traditional program curriculum overview here.

Course Descriptions

MAT 500 Advanced Emergency Techniques in Athletic Training (2 credits):
The course is designed to prepare students for planning, executing, initial and post care following an emergency. Emergency prevention applications will also be covered in this course. Students will be eligible to take their Basic Life Support (BLS) Certification for Healthcare Providers.

MAT 501 Lower Extremity Evaluation (3 credits): 
The course provides a review of the anatomy and biomechanics, clinical evaluation, pathologies, special tests, and on and off field management of specific injuries of the lower extremity.

MAT 502 Upper Extremity Evaluation (3 credits): 
This course provides a review of the anatomy and biomechanics, clinical evaluation, pathologies, special tests, and on and off field management of specific injuries of the trunk and upper extremity.

MAT 503 Musculoskeletal Review (1 credit): 
This course will review the muscular and skeletal anatomy of the human body.  Emphasis will be put on specific bones and their landmarks, muscles (origin, insertion, action, and innervation), and joints (types, osteokinematics, and arthrokinematics).  This course will prepare students for higher order thinking skills necessary for evaluation of athletic injuries.

MAT 510 General Medical Conditions in Athletic Training (3 credits): 
The course will teach students aspects of non-orthopaedic pathologies as well as inter-professional practice with other students in other Health Care disciplines. 

MAT 520 Topics in Sports Medicine (2 credits):
The course focuses on topics in relation to Professional Development and Responsibility, Legal Concerns and Insurance issues, Fitness and Conditioning Techniques, and Nutrition and Supplements.

MAT 521 Research Methods and Evidence Based Practice in Athletic Training (1 credit):
The course covers the idea of evidence based practice (EBP), what it is and why it is important in health care professions. Clinical appraisal of EBP and application in real life scenarios are covered as well as research statistics and design.

MAT 529 Athletic Training Practicum II (2 credits):
Second semester of supervised clinical experiences in athletic training.  Students will be required to spend a minimum of 160 hours and a maximum of 320 hours, under the supervision of a certified athletic trainer or an MD.  

MAT 600 Therapeutic Modalities in Athletic Training (3 credits): 
The course covers the principles and types of therapeutic modalities, evidence based practice in application, and the why and when for application using case scenarios.

MAT 601 Rehabilitation Methods in Athletic Training (3 credits):
The course includes instruction on foundational concepts in rehabilitation, rehabilitation of the spine and upper and lower extremities, and restoration of athletic performance.

MAT 603 General Medical Applications (3 credits):
In this course, students will learn concepts and apply skills of the following: 1) Opening a vein for drawing blood and intravenous administration of medication, and 2) Wound care and closure (including suturing methods). 

MAT 619: Athletic Training Practicum III (2 credits):
Third semester of supervised clinical experiences in athletic training.  Students will be required to spend a minimum of 160 hours to 320 hours, under the supervision of a certified athletic trainer or an MD.

MAT 620: Organization & Administration in Athletic Training (2 credits): Students will learn concepts regarding program management, facility design and planning, reimbursement services/insurance, legal and ethical considerations, and pre-participation physical examinations and drug testing. 

MAT 628 Seminar in Athletic Training (2 credits):
This course is designed to review and simulate all competencies which have been covered in the preceding semesters to help prepare graduating students to prepare for the Board of Certification (BOC) exam. Topics covered in this course include: study techniques and test taking strategies, information about the exam format, knowledge assessment of the athletic training domains and skills and critical thinking assessment through simulation.

MAT 629 Athletic Training Practicum IV (2 credits): 
Fourth semester of supervised clinical experiences in athletic training.  This course is a minimum of 4 weeks and 160 hours and will not exceed 8 weeks or 320 hours.  This course is an immersive clinical experience, where the student will participate in a practice intensive experience (full time) to experience the totality of care provided by athletic trainers.  

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We understand that the decision to earn your Master of Athletic Training degree represents a serious investment of time and money. The program offered provides invaluable experience, and prepares students to take the Board of Certification (BOC) Examination to become licensed as a Certified Athletic Trainer (ATC).

* Cost per credit hour is effective 6/1/2020 for all students.

The student services fees includes an iPad for learning that students keep upon graduation, all certifications, supplies, uniforms, practice tests for the BOC exam, workshops, conferences, NATA and MAATA membership fees, state student membership dues, and your first attempt at the Board of Certification (BOC) exam.

Students who are admitted and enroll in the Midland University Master of Athletic Training program qualify for free housing at Midland University  throughout the duration of their program, provided they:

• Remain in good academic, financial, and disciplinary standing with the university

• Have not previously enrolled at Midland University for any program or degree

• Begin classes in the Master of Athletic Training program no later than June 1, 2020.

Specific housing location will be determined by Midland University as space allows, with preference given to graduate student housing as available. Housing placement will not begin until the student has paid their non-refundable enrollment deposit ($250) for the program. All enrollment deposits must be received by May 1, 2020, unless otherwise specified by the Director of the Center for Graduate & Professional Studies.

Return to the main Master of Athletic Training page

Midland University's Master of Athletic Training has been approved by the Higher Learning Commission. 

Midland University's Master of Athletic Training (MAT) program recently completed a self-study and submission covering 109 standards to earn a final vote of approval for accreditation by the Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education (CAATE). 

The recently attained accreditation is required for all Midland MAT students to be eligible to take the Board of Certification (BOC) exam to become a certified athletic trainer (ATC) and represent one of three graduate programs accredited by CAATE in the state of Nebraska.

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Under the leadership of Mark Snow, MA, ATC, and Heather Hess, MA, ATC, students will be connected to athletic trainers and medical professionals throughout the Greater Omaha and Fremont areas. This real-world experience and connection will prove even more valuable through the required summer immersive experiences for students, as students explore a dynamic placement based on their own goals.

Explore our MAT faculty's credentials and experiences below.

Mark Snow, Director for the School of Human Performance and Program Director for the Master in Athletic Training
Master of Arts in Kinesiology with a concentration in Athletic Training, San Jose State University

Mark has been a full time faculty member at Midland since 2014.  He received his Masters of Arts degree in Kinesiology with a concentration in Athletic Training at San Jose State University while working as a Graduate Assistant Athletic Trainer at Stanford University. He received his undergraduate degree at Midland University (formerly Midland Lutheran College) in Physical and Education while also participating on the Warrior Football Team.