Master of Athletic Training
The Drake University Master of Athletic Training program is accredited through the Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education (CAATE), located at 2001 K Street NW, 3rd Floor North Washington, DC 20006; (512) 733-9700; website https://caate.net/. The program is accredited through the 2025-2026 academic year. A required comprehensive accreditation review will be conducted during the 2025-2026 academic year, with a self-study due date of July 1, 2025, and an on-site visitation scheduled in consultation with the institution.
Program Objectives and Outcomes
- Students will show comprehension of required competencies and proficiencies in athletic training that allows successful completion of the degree program.
- Express competency of pre-requisite scientific knowledge.
- Recall foundational concepts of athletic training.
- Students will successfully enter and matriculate through the graduate program.
- Recruit and develop passionate faculty and preceptors with complementary expertise who will engage students in innovative and demanding didactic and clinical education experiences while providing valuable service and scholarship to the University and profession.
- Faculty will provide a classroom environment that allows students to grow.
- Preceptors will provide clinical education opportunities that allow for growing autonomy as necessary skills are developed.
- Preceptors will assist the students in the discovery and implementation of evidence based medicine in their practice.
- Provide a clinical environment that will empower students to develop the strong skills and independence necessary to practice athletic training in a variety of settings through the recruitment and continuous training of high quality preceptors in a variety of disciplines.
- Employ prevention, diagnostic, treatment and rehabilitation techniques for injuries and illnesses common in active populations.
- Formulate clinical treatment plans using evidence-based medicine.
- Use patient outcomes to determine quality of care.
- Utilize proper medical terminology in effective verbal and written communication.
- Provide students with diverse education that allow them to be active learners, scholars, and future leaders.
- Consume, reflect and summarize evidence based medicine related to athletic training clinical practice.
- Collaborate on and produce independent research.
- Critically think and problem-solve in professional settings.
- Develop the structure of a sound graduate program in athletic training that produces students with the ability to contribute to the profession in post-graduate settings.
- Practice effectively in post-graduate jobs and post-professional settings.
- Achieve timely and appropriate post-graduate placements in clinical and educational settings.
- Continue life-long learning and advocate effectively for the profession.
Admission
Admission to the Drake University Master of Athletic Training (MAT) program is based on academic and personal qualifications that are necessary for successful, competent practice as an athletic trainer. Candidates are evaluated on the basis of the fit between their personal goals and the mission and goals of the MAT program. Prior education, work experience, honors, awards, service to others and leadership activities are also considered in the admission process.
Students can apply to our MAT program by meeting the following requirements. Please note that these are the requirements applicants must meet in order for their applications to be considered complete. Meeting these requirements does not guarantee admission to the MAT program.
- Submit an application through the Centralized Application Service for Athletic Training (ATCAS)
- Complete the required Drake-specific questions within the ATCAS application.
- Complete at least 3 years of undergraduate coursework (92 credit hours)
- No minimum GPA is required, although a 3.0 prerequisite GPA (as calculated in ATCAS) is considered competitive.
- 50 hours of observation or shadowing in an athletic training setting is recommended, but not required. All applicants will be asked to demonstrate their understanding of athletic training settings during the interview process.
- Complete (or be in the process of completing) the prerequisite coursework outlined in the table below. All required courses must be completed by the end of the summer term prior to entering the MAT program.
Athletics Prerequistie Course Work Subject | Credit Hours | Drake Courses |
Anatomy and Physiology: A complete year course sequence in anatomy (one semester) and physiology (one semester) is required. Students may take a combined anatomy/physiology sequence, but they must take both semesters in order to fulfill the requirement. Labs are required. | 8 credit hours (including labs) | HSCI 125/HSCI 125L and HSCI 141/HSCI 141L (PHAR 125 may replace HSCI 125); or BIO 018/BIO 018L and BIO 129 |
Exercise Physiology: A one-semester course in exercise physiology is required. A lab is not required. | 3 credit hours | BIO 134 or HSCI 107 |
Biological Sciences: A one-semester course in the biological sciences is required. Courses may include ecology, evolution, cell biology, heredity, biological diversity or the structure of plants and animals. A lab is required. | 4 credit hours (including lab) | BIO 012/BIO 012L or BIO 013/BIO 013L |
General (Inorganic) Chemistry: A one-semester course in general (inorganic) chemistry is required. The course must fulfill the prerequisite requirements for advanced chemistry courses. A lab is required. | 4 credit hours (including lab) | CHEM 001 and CHEM 003, or CHEM 002 and CHEM 004 |
General Psychology: A one-semester introductory course in psychology is required. This course must fulfill the prerequisite requirements for advanced psychology courses. A lab is not required. Developmental psychology or sports psychology may also be substituted. | 3 credit hours | PSY 001 (4 credit hours) |
Physics: A one-semester course in general physics is required. This may be a course designed for physics, life science or health science majors. A lab is not required. | 3 credit hours | PHY 011 |
Nutrition: A one-semester course in nutrition is required. A course intended for health care majors is recommended. A lab is not required. | 2 credit hours | PHAR 126 |
Statistics: A one-semester course in general statistics is required. Business statistics, psychology statistics or biological science statistics courses are accepted. | 3 credit hours | STAT 060, STAT 071 or HSCI 060 |
Medical Terminology: A one-semester course in medical terminology is required. | 1 credit hour | HSCI 095 |
General Electives: 61 semester credit hours in general electives are required; Drake requires students to complete a minimum of 3 years of undergraduate coursework (at least 92 credit hours) | 61 credit hours | Drake Curriculum Areas of Inquiry: https://www.drake.edu/dc/areasofinquiry/ |
Students must earn a grade of C or higher in order to receive transfer credit and fulfill prerequisite courses. Please see Drake University's Transfer Credit Information page or contact the College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences at (515) 271-3018 for more information. Students who wish to fulfill prerequisites using Advanced Placement (AP) scores must earn a 4 or higher on the AP exam. Please see Drake University's AP, IB and CLEP Credit policy or contact the College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences for more information.
Drake University's Master of Athletic Training (MAT) program operates on a rolling admission process. We will interview and admit students until the A1 class is full and a sufficient number of applicants have been identified for the wait list. We recommend submitting application materials early in order to ensure your application is processed and considered in a timely manner. Students with strong applications and academic credentials will be invited to complete the second phase of the admission process, which includes a scored on-campus interview and a scored writing assessment.
Enrollment Requirements
Upon admission to Drake University's Master of Athletic Training program, students must
- Submit acknowledgement that they have read and understand the program's Technical Standards
- Provide proof of CPR certification
- Pass a criminal background check
- Provide an official health certification
- Submit a copy of immunization record
- Pass a drug screening
- Submit a copy of health insurance
- Complete HIPAA, FERPA, bloodborne pathogen and mandatory reporter training
Curriculum
Course List Code | Title | Hours |
ATHL 201 | ATHLETIC TRAINING SEMINAR I: PERSONAL & PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT | 1 |
ATHL 202 | ATHLETIC TRAINING SEMINAR II: PERSONAL & PROFESSIONAL ADVOCACY | 1 |
ATHL 220 | EMERGENCY CARE FOR ATHLETIC TRAINING | 2 |
ATHL 240 | PATIENT & ATHL ENHANCEMENT | 4 |
ATHL 251 | ORTHOPEDIC EVALUATION & PHYSICAL REHABILITATION I | 5 |
ATHL 252 | ORTHOPEDIC EVALUATION & PHYSICAL REHABILITATION II | 3 |
ATHL 253 | ORTHOPEDIC EVALUATION & PHYSICAL REHABILITATION III | 3 |
ATHL 261 | LEVEL IA CLINICAL EXPERIENCE: FOUNDATIONAL EXPERIENCES | 3 |
ATHL 262 | LEVEL IB CLINICAL EXPERIENCES: TRADITIONAL & EMERGING SETTINGS | 4 |
ATHL 263 | LEVEL IC CLINICAL EXPERIENCE: ADVANCED MEDICAL KNOWLEDGE | 2 |
ATHL 264 | LEVEL IIA CLINICAL EXPERIENCE: ATHLETIC TRAINING IMMERSIONS | 12 |
ATHL 265 | LEVEL II CE: CONCENTRATIONS | 5 |
PHAR 171 | HEALTH CARE SYSTEMS AND POLICIES | 3 |
ATHL 272 | BEHAVIORAL AND SPORT PSYCHOLOGY | 3 |
ATHL 275 | PATIENT-CENTERED APPROACH TO QUALITY HEALTH CARE | 2 |
NURS 172 | NURSING RESEARCH & EVIDENCE BASED PRACTICE | 3 |
ATHL 283 | ATHLETIC TRAINING SEMINAR III: POST PROFESSIONAL PREPARATION | 1 |
ATHL 284 | AT SEM IV: LEAD & LIFE LEARN | 1 |
ATHL 273 | PHARMACOLOGY FOR FUTURE HEALTH PROFESSIONALS | 3 |
PHAR 132 & 132D | PATHOPHYSIOLOGY and PATHOPHYSIOLOGY DISCUSSION | 4 |
| 6 |
Total Hours | 71 |