Athletic Training

TLU offers a two-year professional program in Athletic Training that leads to a Master of Athletic Training degree. Undergraduate TLU students have access to a five-year educational experience resulting in concurrent completion of a Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology and a Master of Athletic Training degree. Students who are on track to complete TLU general education requirements and program prerequisites in three academic years can apply to the Master of Athletic Training program. Students that complete the program are eligible to become nationally certified athletic trainers through the Board of Certification (BOC) and for Texas state licensure.

The mission of the TLU Athletic Training Program is to provide students foundational education and clinical experiences within the 5 domain areas delineated in the Board of Certification Practice Analysis, 7th edition, giving graduates the knowledge and skills necessary to pursue a career in athletic training. The program will emphasize students’ development of clinical decision making skills, effective communication and professional behaviors through didactic and clinical curricula grounded in the five IOM core competencies. Students are routinely placed in hands on learning situations to encourage the development of knowledgeable and resourceful healthcare professionals. The program strives to prepare students to become BOC certified (ATC) athletic trainers who will work and be an active participant in the athletic training profession.

Master of Athletic Training Program (MAT)

TLU’s graduate level Athletic Training Program is intended for students who have chosen to pursue a career in the athletic training field. Academic and clinical components are designed to cover content leading to proficiency within the 5 domain areas delineated in the Board of Certification Practice Analysis, 7th edition. The program consists of four traditional semesters and three mandatory summer sessions resulting in a Master of Athletic Training degree.

Criteria for Admission

Admission to the Professional Program with concurrent Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees

Materials needed to complete one’s application file include:

A concurrent graduate student application provided by the Office of Admissions.
Official transcripts from all institutions attended not listed on the TLU transcript.
One academic and one professional recommendation letter.

Direct Admission to MAT program

Materials needed to complete one’s application file include:

TLU Application at apply.tlu.edu.
Official transcripts from all institutions attended.
Supplemental Program Form: This includes an essay on your professional goals.
Graduate addendum.
One academic and one professional recommendation letter.

Applications are due March 1st for students beginning the ensuing summer semester. All applicants who wish to be considered for the MAT program must also:

Complete an interview with the TLU Athletic Training Program Faculty.
Have a minimum of a 3.0 cumulative GPA on a 4.0 scale for all college coursework.
Complete TLU’s general education and Kinesiology Major requirements OR a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited university before beginning program coursework.
Complete, with a C or higher, the TLU equivalent of the following coursework:
1. BIOL 235 - Principles of Nutrition
2. BIOL 245 - Human Anatomy and Physiology I
3. BIOL 246 - Human Anatomy and Physiology II
4. KINS 238 - Fndtns of Athletic Training
5. CHEM 147 - Principles of Chemistry
6. PHYS 141 - General College Physics I
7. PSYC 131 - Introduction to Psychology
8. KINS 335 - Physiology of Exercise
9. KINS 476 - Biomechanics
10. STAT 374 - Statistics

Students whose application file meets the admission criteria will be reviewed by the Athletic Training Admission Committee. Applications will be evaluated and ranked based on the above criteria. Students accepted into the MAT program will be required to sign a technical standards document and submit a general medical physical completed by a medical doctor before beginning the clinical portion of the program.

Retention in the MAT Program

Students must meet the following criteria to maintain involvement in the MAT program:

Athletic training students must maintain a minimum graduate cumulative GPA of 3.0. If a student falls below the minimum cumulative GPA requirement, that student will be placed on academic probation for a period of one semester. If the student is able to raise their cumulative GPA to the required level, their probationary status will be removed. If the student is unable to raise the cumulative GPA to the required level, that student will be suspended from the MAT program. Those students who are suspended must reapply and be accepted back into the MAT Program.
Students must obtain a minimum grade of a C in all MAT program courses. Students that fail to earn the minimum grade will be suspended from the MAT program. Those students who are suspended must reapply and be accepted back into the MAT program
Students must complete all course assignments with a 70% of better, regardless of the number of attempts. Students that earn less than a 70% on an assignment will receive a grade of zero on the assignment until the minimum grade is earned. Once the minimum grade is achieved, the assignment grade will be changed to reflect the score earned on the student’s first attempt. Students who do not earn a minimum 70% on all course assignments in graduate coursework by the start of the next semester will not be retained within the MAT program.
Students must receive positive evaluations from clinical preceptors. Students who receive poor evaluations will be expected to create an action plan for improvement by their next evaluation. Failure to correct performance problems may be cause for disciplinary action.
Students must be in compliance with procedures of evaluation on clinical Touchstones by a preceptor. This includes following the schedule for evaluation of individual Touchstones, obtaining the minimum score, and making progress on areas of deficiency. Failure to comply with these policies will result in suspension from the MAT program. Specific policies can be found in the Clinical Athletic Training Touchstones (CATT) document provided to program students prior to beginning clinical education.
Students must have on time attendance at all required program meetings and clinical assignments. Notification is expected as soon as possible for any absences or late arrival to such assignments.
Students must foster and maintain professional working rapport with athletic training staff, fellow MAT students, patients, and other staff.
Students should be a positive representation of the MAT Program across campus, and in the community.
Students must comply with the Technical Standards of the program.
Students must be in compliance with policies and procedures outlined in the MAT Student Manual.

The Program Director and program faculty will review student progress following each semester to determine if retention criteria are being met. Compliance with these standards serves as the primary criteria for retention. Additional information may be obtained through the MAT Program director.

Programs

Graduate Programs

Major in Athletic Training, M.A.T.

Courses

Athletic Training