M a s t er of At hl e t ic T r a i n i ng:
a co n t i n u e d r evo lu t i o n
With the addition of the Master of Athletic
Training (MAT) degree, of which there are only
approximately 35 similar programs around the
world, Life University is the only institution
offering both the MAT degree and a Doctor of
Chiropractic degree. LIFE has set out to create
a unique program that would accommodate any
prospective student so that they could interact
with the other healthcare disciplines and help
graduates to be more marketable after graduation.
LIFE’s MAT degree program is one of only three
in the Southeast and the only one in Georgia.
This 76-credit hour graduate degree is a two-year,
full-time professional program that has national
accreditation with the Commission on Accreditation
of Athletic Training Education (CAATE).
The Profession
Athletic Training (AT) is recognized as a healthcare
profession that provides comprehensive care to the
athletic or physically active population. A Certified
Athletic Trainer (ATC) engages in interdisciplinary
collaboration to provide healthcare services. These
services include the prevention, assessment, treatment
and rehabilitation of injuries. In addition, they also
have responsibilities in administration, education
and counseling. An ATC works under the direction
of a licensed healthcare provider and in cooperation
with other healthcare workers, athletic coaches,
administrators and parents.
The ATC may be employed in high schools, colleges,
sports medicine or PT clinics, chiropractic offices,
professional sports programs, corporations and other
healthcare settings.
8 | GRADUATE STUDIES | Life University
Preparation & Background
LIFE’s MAT program is highly competitive, and as
such, it is recommended that prospective students
have a strong background in biology, human anatomy
and physiology, chemistry, physics and mathematics,
along with good writing and interpersonal
communication skills. Clinical athletic training
experience (not as an athlete) under the direct
supervision of an ATC is also encouraged. This
experience would give the prospective student a
better understanding of what the profession entails.
Two-Year Curriculum
This MAT program is only for those students who
have already completed a bachelor’s degree (in any
major other than athletic training). It is intended for
those who may want to change careers, athletes who
did not major in athletic training as undergraduates
and international students who want to pursue an
athletic training career.
Our clinical education involves hands-on application
of skills, including Life University’s athletic teams
and the LIFE Sport Science Institute (LSSI), other
collegiate athletic teams, high school athletic teams,
sports medicine or PT clinics, chiropractors’ practices
and others. As part of the MAT program, students
are required to obtain a minimum of 1,200 clinical
education hours while directly supervised by an
ATC. Students will need two full academic years to
complete these hours and their graduate classes. The
two-year MAT program has its annual enrollment in
July and can accept up to 20 students per year. The
deadline for applying is February 1 of each year.
Students may start the Master of Athletic Training
curriculum each summer only.
Careers At a Glance
• Administration
• Education
• Counseling
• Injury Prevention
• Specialist at Wellness Clinics
• Rehabilitation
• Sports Medicine
• Physical Therapy
• Chiropractic Practices
• Corporate Wellness
• Team ATC and more