Athletic Training (MAT)

Program Overview

In the MAT program, you will join a community of students who come from a variety of backgrounds and educational experiences. The MAT program includes students from all over the United States as well as international students.

The MAT program provides you with exposure to a variety of learning environments and experiences, including:

• Traditional classroom work.
• Laboratory time to practice learned skills.
• Clinical experiences (including immersive experiences) in a variety of settings that integrate classroom and lab work into practice (college, high school, outpatient clinic, physician's office, etc.)
• Interprofessional education opportunities and shared courses.

The program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education (CAATE) and designed to prepare you to meet national and state requirements to practice athletic training.

Program Highlights That Set Us Apart

• We are housed in the Health Sciences Center!
• Integrated Classes with other Health Professions Students.
• At least 24 weeks of Immersive Clinical Education Experiences.
• Individually tailored clinical experiences to student professional goals.
• Opportunity to obtain your Emergency Medical Technician certification.
• Full cadaver anatomy experience.
• Engaged and Clinically Active faculty.
• Over 450 MAT Alumni located around the globe.
• Cost of attendance well below the average of other MAT programs.

Becoming a Certified Athletic Trainer

As athletic training has evolved into a recognized allied health profession, the profession has solidified and strengthened the requirements to work in the field. After graduating from an accredited professional education program, athletic trainers must pass the Board of Certification (BOC) exam and/or meet the requirements of individual states, to practice athletic training. Additional credentialing requirements for athletic training vary from state to state. 

• For the past three years, 100% of all TTUHSC students in the MAT program passed the BOC Examination.
• For the past three years, 100% of MAT students found employment as an athletic trainer within six months of graduation.

For more information, please reach out to the Office of Admissions and Student Affairs at (806) 743-3220 or health.professions@ttuhsc.edu.

Admissions Requirements

Official GRE Scores
The GRE is not required for the MAT program. Applicants for the MAT program must complete both the ATCAS Application and your personalized SHP supplemental application.

Bachelor's Degree
A Bachelor's Degree is required for admission in addition to the specific prerequisite courses listed.

Minimum GPA
For the entering class of 2027 and beyond: A minimum cumulative, prerequisite, and last 60-hour GPA of 2.8 is required to be considered for admission. A grade of "C" or better is required in all prerequisite courses.

Essay
An essay is required as part of the application. 

Observation Experience
Applicants must have completed a minimum of 50 observation hours of athletic training experience. Post-high school experience can be gained through volunteer work, observation or paid employment with an ATC or LAT. When filling out the ATCAS application, you will list your athletic training experience hours. There is not a specific, printable form to submit; we suggest tracking your hours on a personal spreadsheet. 

Letters of Recommendation
Two letters of recommendation are required for an application to be complete. At least one letter should be from an athletic trainer or physician. Letters of recommendation are submitted online through the ATCAS Application. A recommender's name and email address will be required. Your recommender will receive an email with a link to our recommendation form for them to submit electronically.

International Applications
If you are not a citizen/permanent resident of the United States, please refer to our International Applicants webpage for the additional requirements needed for your application.

Prerequisite Coursework

All prerequisite courses must be completed prior to matriculation. If prerequisite courses have not been completed in the last seven years, program director approval for acceptance of courses may be required. AP and CLEP credit will not be accepted for any science prerequisite course.

Recommended Course: Technical Writing

Application Process

Applications are considered on a rolling basis for acceptance into the professional program. Individual applications are reviewed once materials have been received; therefore, it is in the applicant's best interest to complete their application, including submission of required documentation, as early as possible. Fulfillment of the basic requirements does not guarantee admission.

Applicants who meet the above-listed requirements and are deemed competitive candidates for admission will be invited for an interview. The admissions committee selects the most qualified applicants for admission by considering the following: cumulative GPA, prerequisite science GPA, last 60-hour GPA (entering class of 2027), interview scores, student essay, letters of recommendation, and other factors.

Interviews

Admission interviews are granted by the MAT admissions committee by invitation only. Invitations to interview are based on a holistic evaluation of their application and supporting documents.

Essential Functions/Technical Standards

A student admitted into the Athletic Training program must meet essential functions/technical standards that are necessary to be able to obtain employment. These are established minimum physical and mental guidelines necessary for the MAT program. Prior to matriculation, all students must submit verification of their ability to perform at or above the minimum physical and mental guidelines established by the Department of Rehabilitation Sciences. A list of the essential functions for the MAT program can be found in the MAT section of the School of Health Professions catalog or obtained from the MAT program director. Please familiarize yourself with the essential functions document.

Application Submission Checklist

1. ATCAS Application
2. TTUHSC Supplemental Application
3. Application Fee
4. Letters of Recommendation - Two required
5. Observation Experience

Questions regarding the application process should be directed to the Office of Admissions and Student Affairs. Please contact our office by phone at 806-743-3220 or email at health.professions@ttuhsc.edu.

Tuition & Fees 

The following information is not intended to be comprehensive and is subject to change. Tuition, fees, and charges are subject to change by administrative, legislative, or regent action, and changes become effective on the date enacted. The following tuition information should be used only as a guideline for estimating charges.

Estimate Tuition & Fees

Scholarships & Financial Aid

Our goal is to make obtaining a college degree within reach by supporting you with financial aid and scholarships programs. TTUHSC relies on a variety of financial aid sources to increase the university's affordability. This may include scholarships, grants, student loans, and waivers. As a student, please know that you and your family have a dedicated financial aid advisor who can assist you with this process.

Apply for Scholarships  Apply for Financial Aid

Additional Expenses

In addition to tuition and fees, additional expenses (i.e. travel, clothing, Criminal Background Check, etc.) associated with the program and clinical experiences are the responsibility of the student.

The TTUHSC Master of Athletic Training (MAT) program is accredited by the Commission on the Accreditation of Athletic Training Education (CAATE), 2001 K Street NW, Third Floor North, Washington, DC 20006. The MAT program’s next comprehensive review is during the 2029-2030 academic year.

Program Information and Outcomes

The Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education (CAATE) makes certain information on the effectiveness of the program available publicly. These measures of performance include retention, graduation, certification examination results and employment information for a three-year period. View all current TTUHSC MAT program information and outcomes.

A Note About BOC Pass Rate

Successfully passing the Board of Certification (BOC) exam is a critical step to practicing athletic training legally in most states in the US. The BOC pass rate is calculated by dividing the number of graduates taking the exam by the number of graduates who pass the exam both on the first attempt and otherwise. First-time pass rate is considered one of the most important measures of program effectiveness and this value demonstrates the degree to which those who complete the program are prepared to successfully challenge the certification exam.

Since program inception, over 90% of all TTUHSC program graduates have passed the BOC on the first attempt, including a streak of 100% pass rate for five consecutive years from 2011-2015 and six out of seven from 2011-2017. For reference, since 2004, BOC national first-time pass rate has ranged from 39.1%-83.9% with the TTUHSC MAT program outpacing the national mean by an average of 22% since 2004.