The Master of Athletic Training (MAT) program is designed to enable students to demonstrate, in the classroom and during clinical experiences, that they have achieved levels of comprehension, competency, and proficiency expected of entry-level athletic trainers.
The program's classroom component is divided into two sections: athletic training theory and practice, and clinical experiences. The courses are designed to expose students to information through multiple didactic, laboratory, and clinical experiences. These courses incorporate the Curricular Content Standards set forth by the Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education (CAATE).
All students are required to complete the curriculum in the established sequence of courses.
By combining excellence in teaching, the latest technologies available in education, and outstanding clinical site affiliations, graduates of the program are fully prepared to take and pass the comprehensive Board of Certification (BOC) exam and start their careers as athletic trainers.
The MAT degree program is a two-year full-time professional master's program. The courses are taken in a prescribed sequence over 6 semesters, including 18 credit hours of clinical practice. Clinical practice occurs under the direct supervision of a certified and licensed athletic trainer.
Mission
The Master of Athletic Training program prepares graduates to advance the quality of healthcare provided to physically active people through interdisciplinary patient-centered education. The Program is committed to providing students with enriching didactic, clinical, and research experiences that foster communication, critical thinking, leadership, and collaboration. Graduates of the Program will understand the role of the athletic trainer as a member of the healthcare team and will advocate for the advancement of the profession.
Vision
The Master of Athletic Training program aspires to be a nationally recognized leader in athletic training education where diverse students, faculty, and preceptors advance healthcare through innovation in education, research, and clinical practice.
Values
The Master of Athletic Training program faculty values initiative, integrity, compassion, inclusion, and altruism.
The program is fully accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education (CAATE) through 2026-27. This program has potential ties to professional licensure or certification in the field. For more information on how this program may prepare you in that regard, please view the licensure disclosure for the Athletic Training MAT program.
Program Prerequisites
Completion of prerequisite coursework outlined below with a minimum grade of "C" (2.0) is required. Candidates with all prerequisites completed at the time of application may be given preference over those still completing courses. Courses older than 10 years will not be accepted.
General Bio/Biology - A minimum of 4 credits (including a lab) for science majors - Biology courses for non-science majors and non-human biology courses are not acceptable.
Human Anatomy and Physiology - A minimum of 8 credits (including two labs) for science majors - Anatomy and physiology courses for non- science majors and non-human anatomy and physiology courses are not acceptable.
Option 1: One semester of Human Anatomy with lab and one semester of Human Physiology with lab Option 2: Two semesters of Anatomy and Physiology combined courses with a lab each (A&P-I and A&P-II)
Statistics - A minimum of 3 credit hours
Human Nutrition /Clinical Nutrition - A minimum of 3 credit hours for science or health/medicine/nursing majors
General Psychology - A minimum of 3 credit hours - Any course taken within a psychology department/unit will be acceptable.
Exercise Physiology - A minimum of 3 credit hours
Biomechanics or Kinesiology - A minimum of 3 credit hours
General Chemistry/Chemistry I - A minimum of 4 credits (including a lab) for science majors
Physics I - A minimum of 4 credits (including a lab) for science majors
Degree Requirements
Required Courses
65 Total Credits
- Complete all of the following
Summer 1 - Semester 1- Complete the following:
- ATR5016 - Foundational Behaviors of Athletic Training Practice I (1)
- ATR5106C - Prevention of Injury and Illness in Athletic Training Practice (2)
- ATR5206C - Functional Human Anatomy for Athletic Trainers (3)
- ATR5117C - Acute Care in Athletic Training Practice I (3)
Fall 1 - Semester 2- Complete the following:
- ATR5017 - Foundational Behaviors of Athletic Training Practice II (1)
- ATR5219C - Musculoskeletal Evaluation and Diagnosis in Athletic Training Practice I (3)
- ATR5306C - Therapeutic Interventions in Athletic Training Practice I (3)
- ATR5406C - General Medical Conditions in Athletic Training Practice I (2)
- ATR5617 - Athletic Training Research I (1)
- ATR5815L - Practicum in Athletic Training I (2)
Spring 1 - Semester 3- Complete the following:
- ATR5217C - Musculoskeletal Evaluation and Diagnosis in Athletic Training Practice II (3)
- ATR5307C - Therapeutic Interventions in Athletic Training Practice II (3)
- ATR5516 - Healthcare Administration in Athletic Training Practice I (2)
- ATR5825L - Practicum in Athletic Training II (2)
- ATR6407C - General Medical Conditions in Athletic Training Practice II (2)
Summer 2 - Semester 4- Complete the following:
- ATR6218C - Musculoskeletal Evaluation and Diagnosis in Athletic Training Practice III (3)
- ATR6308C - Therapeutic Interventions in Athletic Training Practice III (3)
- ATR6618C - Athletic Training Research II (1)
- ATR6835L - Practicum in Athletic Training III (1)
Fall 2 - Semester 5- Complete the following:
- ATR6309C - Therapeutic Interventions in Athletic Training Practice IV (3)
- ATR6845L - Practicum in Athletic Training IV (9)
Spring 2 - Semester 6- Complete the following:
- ATR6517 - Healthcare Administration in Athletic Training Practice II (2)
- ATR6505 - Athletic Training Seminar (1)
- ATR6118L - Acute Care in Athletic Training Practice II (1)
- ATR6619C - Athletic Training Research III (4)
- ATR6855L - Practicum in Athletic Training V (4)
Comprehensive Examination
0 Total Credits
- Passing a comprehensive examination with a grade of 80 percent or better is a requirement for continued progress in the Master of Athletic Training degree. This examination will be given to every student at the end of the third semester (mid-point of the program). Students must take the exam at that time and will be allowed a maximum of three (3) attempts. Failure to pass the examination in 3 attempts will result in a review by the AT Program Progression and Retention Committee and may result in dismissal from the program.
Grand Total Credits: 65
Application Requirements
Application Deadlines
Financial Information
Graduate students may receive financial assistance through fellowships, assistantships, tuition support, or loans. For more information, see the College of Graduate Studies Funding website, which describes the types of financial assistance available at UCF and provides general guidance in planning your graduate finances. The Financial Information section of the Graduate Catalog is another key resource.
Fellowship Information
Fellowships are awarded based on academic merit to highly qualified students. They are paid to students through the Office of Student Financial Assistance, based on instructions provided by the College of Graduate Studies. Fellowships are given to support a student's graduate study and do not have a work obligation. For more information, see UCF Graduate Fellowships, which includes descriptions of university fellowships and what you should do to be considered for a fellowship.
Equipment Fee
Students enrolled full-time in the Master of Athletic Training degree program pay an estimated Equipment Fee of $56 each semester they are enrolled.
Additional Program Costs
Current expenses for tuition fees and other university fees are listed on the UCF Student Accounts website(https://studentaccounts.ucf.edu/tf-graduate/). Additionally, several MAT courses include Material and Supply fees which are listed in the UCF Graduate Catalog. Students in the MAT program are also expected to pay for the following: nametags, CPR/First Aid/AED certification, appropriate clinical attire, transportation costs, and background checks/fingerprinting.
Independent Learning
All students in the Master of Athletic Training program are required to engage in independent learning, a process in which individuals take the initiative, with or without the help of others, to attain knowledge, skills, and professional behaviors. Activities such as case studies, critical analysis of literature, research/capstone projects, and clinical practica provide important independent learning experiences that give students ample opportunity to demonstrate and develop independent learning skills.
