I’m interested in the athletic training field but want to learn more about the profession first. What should I do?
We encourage students to visit https://ateachmoment.com/, which is an excellent informational resource about AT careers.
When do classes begin?
The Loras MAT program is presented in a cohort format that begins each summer.
What if I’m still finishing up my bachelor’s degree?
Applicants who are undergraduate students in the process of completing a bachelor’s degree may be awarded a provisional acceptance to Loras’s graduate program based on receipt of their in-progress, unofficial transcript and all other application materials; with full acceptance contingent upon receipt of the final, official transcript(s) and the conferred undergraduate degree. If a program has a minimum GPA requirement, the student must meet the minimum GPA at the time the undergraduate degree is conferred for full acceptance.
Is there an option for conditional admission?
A program director may require specific conditions to be completed to meet the program requirements prior to full admission into a graduate program. A student may be awarded conditional admission if the program director recommends the student complete additional undergraduate coursework to achieve a minimum GPA requirement of the program. If a student has not met all program requirements at the time of application, a student may be awarded conditional admission per the discretion of the program director. Refer to the individual program policies and program directors for specific conditional admission policies.
What are the MAT internship experiences like?
In the Loras MAT program, students complete six sequential Clinical Education Experiences (CEE) that are assigned by the MAT Clinical Education Coordinator (CEC), and program faculty. There is one CEE during each term of the program, and student’s CEEs begin during the first term the student is enrolled in the program.
CEE schedules are quite variable, and based on the athletic season, sport, or healthcare clinic or organization the student is assigned to. Students generally attend CEEs daily, in the afternoons and evenings. The minimum number of hours required for each CEE is 50 hours per credit hour, which is the college’s academic policy.
Because the Loras MAT program is an accredited program by the CAATE, CEEs may not be paid, and only hours completed at the assigned Loras MAT site may count toward academic requirements. For complete details regarding CEEs, and associated policies and procedures, please refer to the MAT program handbook link on this webpage.
Do you need a master’s degree to be an athletic trainer?
The Athletic Training Strategic Alliance consisting of the Board of Directors of the National Athletic Trainers’ Association (NATA) and the Commissioners of the Commission on the Accreditation of Athletic Training Education (CAATE) with the support of the Board of Certification (BOC) and the NATA Foundation have jointly acted to establish a master’s-level degree as the professional degree for athletic training. Earning a master’s in athletic training is a requirement to becoming a licensed Athletic Trainer.
Will the accreditation standards for professional program accreditation change?
Yes, in addition to the Standard for the degree, the CAATE has asked their Standards Committee to work to examine and evolve the Standards to reflect the added rigor and other key components of quality healthcare education as we move toward implementation of the degree requirement. This could involve interprofessional education, periods of clinical-only immersion (time when the students do not have any classes but are only in clinical rotations, i.e. working with a college football team), among other changes.
Will the educational content change?
The degree change is part of a broader vision to produce providers who are prepared to meet the challenges our patients will face in the future. The educational content will also evolve to provide our students and ultimately their patients with healthcare knowledge and skills that produce a provider who can function as a mid-level (Level II) provider (i.e. physical therapist, nurse practitioner, occupational therapist). A steering committee comprised of representatives from the NATA, the BOC and the CAATE is beginning to work on the revision of the professional educational content (Competencies). The working group has been charged that the professional knowledge needs to be reflective of professional programs offered at the master’s degree level.
The degree change might not have an influence on the reputation of athletic trainers so why do it?
The perception of Program Directors, who oversee programs at the master’s level is that students at the graduate level show an increase in maturity and commitment to the profession and benefit from a higher quality of clinical experience. This will aid the public’s perception of athletic training with other health care professions. It’s also been shown that the retention of ATs who have a master’s is better than those who don’t. This longevity also impacts reputation.
Will changing the degree level increase salaries?
There is data to prove athletic trainers with a master’s degree earn more than those with a bachelor’s; however, as part of the review process, a health care economist conducted a study specific to athletic training education. The research shows degree level alone is not a strong indicator of salary increase. But, years of full-time employment plus an advanced degree can lead to an increased salary. In addition, ATs who have a master’s are more likely to stay in the profession and again that is one of the components that lead to increased salary.
Where can I work with an athletic training degree?
Certified Athletic Trainers can find jobs in colleges, universities, high schools, clinics, hospitals, and many other non-traditional settings (ie: industrial, fine arts, military).
Visit the following sites for additional frequently asked questions:
http://caate.net
http://www.nata.org/degree-change-frequently-asked-questions
