What is a Master of Athletic Training?
Posted: July 10, 2020 | Author: Grace Thorkelson | Read Time: 3 minutes
Athletic trainers are vital to helping athletes of all kinds prevent injuries along with assisting in rehabilitation in an effort to help the athletes get back to full health as soon as possible. Graduates of Southern Utah University’s Master of Athletic Training program become competent and effective athletic trainers and are contributing members to the allied health professional field of athletic training.
According to Gradschools.com, “athletic training graduate programs teach advanced techniques to treat and prevent sports-related trauma. Athletic training schools may have classes on physical therapy and emergency care methods to address athletic injuries. Courses may also explore techniques such as stretches and training measures to help avoid problems in the future.”
When athletes experience injuries, it is common for them to feel discouraged or even frustrated with their inability to move and perform normally. Athletic trainers can play a large role in supporting and encouraging these individuals, motivating them to regain their abilities and strength, ultimately getting them back to health as quickly as possible.
Attend an Accredited School
Attending an accredited program is paramount for students who desire to enter the field of athletic training for many reasons, the main one being that you can’t take the Board of Certification exam without attending a CAATE accredited program. SUU is CAATE accredited (Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education), meaning that they meet the professional athletic training standards that are recognized by the Council for Higher Education.
Clinical Rotations
Another aspect of Master of Athletic Training programs are the clinical rotations. Although traditional classroom training is helpful and necessary, practical experience working with high school and college athletes, family practitioners, and other healthcare professionals will more fully prepare you for your career in athletic training. Master of Athletic Training programs around the nation partner with local schools and medical practices in an effort to help current MAT students gain the experience they need to succeed upon graduation. SUU has several clinical rotations that students are engaged in throughout the program.
SUU’s Master of Athletic Training Program
SUU’s Master of Athletic Training program focuses on three diverse teaching approaches that help prepare students for the execution of professional athletic training techniques and overall proficient performance in the field. These three approaches are didactic instruction, research investigation, and hands-on application of evidenced based practice.
MAT Learning Outcomes include:
- Properly apply prophylactic taping and bracing to active individuals for the purpose of injury prevention.
- Employ techniques for clinical evaluation and diagnosis of athletic injuries and illnesses
- Explain and demonstrate appropriate emergency procedures and immediate care of life threatening conditions common to physical activity
- Explain and apply theoretical and practical application of therapeutic modalities
- Utilize the concepts of range of motion, strength, power, endurance and return to activity for implementation of rehabilitation programs for the injured patient
- Understand and administer necessary policies and procedures while effectively communicating with athletes, coaches, administrators and other healthcare professionals
Produced by SUU Graduate Studies
SUU's Graduate School draws from a prestigious heritage and allows students to pursue a quality education. The master's degree programs offer students the chance to further their professional and educational careers on campus or online.
If you are interested in earning your Master’s degree in Athletic Training at SUU, contact Dr. Nathan Slaughter at nathanslaughter@suu.edu or call 435-586-7823.
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