Prerequisites

Admissions Inquiry

Before You Apply

Certain classes, approvals, and observation hours are required before seeking admission to the Master of Athletic Training program. There are additional classes that are not required but are strongly recommended.

Requirements & Policies

  • A minimum undergraduate cumulative & prerequisite GPA of 3.0 (weighted on a 4.0 scale)
    • If the undergraduate GPA is below 3.0, a GPA will be calculated based upon the last 60 hours (90 quarter hours) if the student attended a U.S. institution 
  • A C letter grade or better in all prerequisite courses
  • A bachelor degree from a regionally-accredited U.S. college or university
  • Completion of prerequisite courses and observation hours
  • All classes at the post-secondary level

    * No GRE required

Observation/Shadowing Hours

  • Minimum of 50 hours with a certified athletic trainer (ATC)
  • Example: Observation/Shadowing Hours Log Template (PDF)

    * Your observation can be recorded in a format that works best for you and the ATC you are working with, so long as the ATC signs-off on the hours (e.g. letter format, excel spreadsheet, etc.)

Prerequisite Courses

Specific course codes listed below are provided for reference and are not all-encompassing. A variety of courses with alternative names/codes may be considered equivalent. If you are unsure whether a course meets a prerequisite requirement, please refer to the 'Admissions Inquiry' button at the top of this webpage to connect with the MAT Academic Program Manager.

The degree map provided here is an example of what a 4-year undergraduate degree might look like for a student seeking future admission to the MAT program. While the courses listed are specific to the University of Utah, this example can provide a general timeline and structure for students studying at any other institution. 
Example Undergraduate Degree Map

MUST BE COMPLETED & GRADED PRIOR TO APPLYING

    Human Anatomy
    • 1 semester
    • Lecture and lab
    • BIOL2325 (or equivalent) is an ideal prerequisite course

      * If Human Anatomy and Human Physiology are combined, 2 semesters are required
    Human Physiology
    • 1 semester
    • Lecture (lab optional)
    • BIOL2420 (or equivalent) is an ideal prerequisite course

      * If Human Anatomy and Human Physiology are combined, 2 semesters are required

     

     

    . . .

    MUST BE COMPLETED & GRADED BY PROGRAM START DATE

      Biology
      • 1 semester 
      • Lecture (lab optional)
      • Some topics on biochemistry are recommended
      • BIOL1610 (or equivalent) is an ideal prerequisite course
      Biomechanics
      • 1 semester
      • Lecture (lab optional)
      • KINES3093 (or equivalent) is an ideal prerequisite course
      Chemistry
      Exercise Physiology
      • 1 semester
      • Lecture (lab optional)
      • KINES3091 (or equivalent) is an ideal prerequisite course
      Nutrition
      • 1 semester
      • Lecture
      • General nutrition
      • NUIP1020 (or equivalent) is an ideal prerequisite course
      Psychology
      • 1 semester
      • Lecture
      • General psychology
      • PSY1010 (or equivalent) is an ideal prerequisite course
      Physics
      • 1 semester
      • Lecture and lab
      • Class should be algebra / math based, not strictly conceptual
      • PHYS2010/PHYS2015 (or equivalent) are ideal prerequisite courses
      Statistics
      • 1 semester
      • Lecture
      • Some topics on statistical inference are recommended
      • MATH1070 or MATH1040 (or equivalent) are ideal prerequisite courses (MATH1070 is preferred)

      . . .

      Preferred Courses

      These are preferred courses, not prerequisites. These courses will not be required during the application process nor will they be counted toward your prerequisite GPA. However, these courses will give you a better background for material covered in the MAT program. 

       

      The following list of preferred courses begins with those that will be the most relevant to the MAT program:

      1. Intro to Athletic Training / Sports Medicine (i.e. ATSM3300 or equivalent)
      2. Medical Terminology (i.e. H EDU3030 or equivalent)
      3. Physics Lecture & Lab (second semester, i.e. PHYS2020/PHYS2025 or equivalent)
      4. Health Psychology / Psychology of Sport Injury (i.e. PSY3460, KINES4780 or equivalent)
         

      Additional preferred courses, beginning with the most relevant:

      1. Functional Human Anatomy / Advanced Human Anatomy (i.e. BIOL3390, BIOL5315 or equivalent)
      2. Exercise Programming / Exercise Assessment & Delivery (i.e. KINES4465 or equivalent)
      3. Advanced Biomechanics (i.e. KINES6390 or equivalent)
      4. Nutrition for Exercise / Nutrition for Sport (i.e. NUIP3020 or equivalent)