Prerequisites

Admissions Inquiry

Before You Apply

Applicants must fulfill certain prerequisites, requirements, and policies in order to be considered for admission to the Master of Athletic Training program. The information below includes items that are not required but are strongly recommended.

Requirements & Policies

1. Minimum undergraduate cumulative/overall GPA of 3.0.

  • GPA is weighted on a 4.0 scale. 
  • Applicants must meet this requirement at the time of application and must maintain this requirement if there is coursework planned/in progress.
  • If the undergraduate cumulative/overall GPA is below 3.0, the GPA will be calculated based upon the last 60 hours (90 quarter hours) if the applicant attended a U.S. institution.

2. C letter grade or better in all prerequisite courses.

  • Applicants must meet this requirement at the time of application and must maintain this requirement if there is coursework planned/in progress. 

3. Bachelor's degree from a regionally-accredited U.S. college or university.

  • Bachelor's degree may be in progress at the time of application, and must be completed by the program start date.

4. Completion of prerequisite courses, taken at the post-secondary level.

  • Biology, biomechanics, chemistry, exercise physiology, human anatomy, human physiology, nutrition, psychology, physics and statistics.
  • Human anatomy and human physiology must be completed and graded at the time of application. All other courses may be planned/in progress.
  • Please refer below for additional clarification and details regarding prerequisite courses.

5. Completion of 50 (minimum) observation/shadowing hours with a certified athletic trainer (ATC).

  • ATC must verify and sign-off on hours.
  • Hours can be recorded in a format (letter, excel spreadsheet, etc.) best suited to the applicant and ATC.
  • Example Observation/Shadowing Hours Log.

* No GRE required

 

Prerequisite Courses

The specific course codes listed below are provided for reference only and are not all-encompassing. A variety of courses from institutions with alternative names/codes may be considered equivalent and will fulfill prerequisite course requirements. 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 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 by the 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 better prepare applicants for material covered in the MAT program. 

      Preferred courses, beginning with the most relevant:
       

      1. Intro to Athletic Training / Sports Medicine 
        E.g. ATSM3300 or equivalent course
         
      2. Medical Terminology
        E.g. H EDU3030 or equivalent course
         
      3. Physics Lecture & Lab (second semester)
        E.g. PHYS2020/PHYS2025 or equivalent course
         
      4. Health Psychology / Psychology of Sport Injury
        E.g. PSY3460, KINES4780 or equivalent course
      Additional preferred courses, beginning with the most relevant:
       
      1. Functional Human Anatomy / Advanced Human Anatomy
        E.g. BIOL3390, BIOL5315 or equivalent course
         
      2. Exercise Programming / Exercise Assessment & Delivery
        E.g. KINES4465 or equivalent course
         
      3. Advanced Biomechanics
        E.g. KINES6390 or equivalent course
         
      4. Nutrition for Exercise / Nutrition for Sport
        E.g. NUIP3020 or equivalent course