Is the Master of Athletic Training (MAT) program accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education (CAATE)?

Yes, the MAT Program is currently accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education (CAATE) through the 2030-2031 accreditation cycle.  The link to our accreditation information can be found at www.caate.net.

What are the prerequisites for the Master of Athletic Training Program?

Prerequisites for the Master of Athletic Training Program can be found on the website at the following links:
Application Requirements
MAT Program application

Do I have to take the GRE?

Applicants with a cumulative undergraduate GPA of 3.0 are not required to submit GRE scores. All other applicants will need to take the GRE and submit their scores as part of their application.  Further information can be found at the following links:
Application Requirements
MAT Program application

Does the MAT program offer financial aid?

The MAT program currently anticipates offering one program-specific scholarship for a single student per year.  However, other scholarship opportunities are available to all students enrolled both within the HHP department and the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences.  In addition, scholarships will be offered annually through both the Southwest Athletic Trainers’ Association and the National Athletic Trainers’ Association, and students are highly encouraged to apply.  All students are also encouraged to fill out their Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) annually in order to be eligible for additional financial opportunities. 

What does the 50 hours of observation entail as a part of my application process?

Applicants are required to obtain 50 hours of supervised observation with a Board of Certification (BOC) certified athletic trainer, who also holds an appropriate credential as an athletic trainer in the state in which they are employed. An example of their credentials would read “LAT ATC”.  In order for applicants to be exposed to a broad experience, it is highly recommended that the 50 hours of observation be obtained across a minimum of 2 settings (e.g.: college, high school, clinic, etc.).

How many students does the MAT program accept per year?

The MAT program expects to admit between 15-20 quality applicants per year. 

I have submitted my application to the MAT program.  What happens next?

Upon a student’s submission of both their UH application (through ApplyWeb) and their ATCAS application, program administrators will wait for all required components to arrive in order to form a “completed” application.  These additional components can include transcripts, letters of recommendations, etc., that are not required at the time the application is initially submitted.  Once a completed application has been compiled, MAT program faculty will review the application and make a determination of whether to move forward with a formal interview.  Applicants should be aware that the process for receiving all required application materials may take a month or more depending on factors such as the processing of transcripts, submission of letters of recommendation, etc.

What is the application review timeline? 

All applications are due no later than January 15^th for those applicants intending to join the upcoming summer’s cohort.  While January 15^th is the firm deadline for applications, the MAT program does employ a rolling application timeline in which it reviews applications in three phases:

• Priority application review: Completed applications received by November 1st
• Early application review: Completed applications received by December 1st
• Final application review: Completed applications received by January 15th

Because the MAT program operates on a rolling admissions timeline, completed applications will be reviewed as they are received.  Any applicants which the MAT program feels would be a good fit will receive offers prior to the application deadline, and it is possible that the cohort could be filled before the application deadline occurs.  Therefore, applicants are encouraged to submit their application as early as possible after October 1^st. 

When does the MAT program begin?

The MAT program consists of two active cohorts: students who are in their first three semesters of the program (i.e. ‘First-year students’) and students who are completing their last three semesters of the program (‘Second-year students’).  Because the MAT program operates using a cohort-type enrollment, all enrolled students in a cohort will take the same courses and those courses are only offered once throughout an enrolled student’s time in the program.  The MAT program officially begins when the “Summer 1” semester starts in June, which typically falls on the first or second Monday in June, and all admitted students must be available to start the program on this date.  Students who are officially accepted into the program must have all pre-requisites completed prior to this date and must have their final degree transcripts approved prior to this date.

What is the curriculum for the Master of Athletic Training Program?

The curriculum is a two-academic-year, 57-hour degree program. The coursework, description of courses, and credit hours per course can be found at the following link: MAT Curriculum

What is the cost of the Master of Athletic Training Program?

Updated graduate tuition and fees can be found here under the listing of “CLASS 1”.  There are also associated program fees as well as optional costs. For a breakdown of expected costs, please reference the section "MAT Program Financial Responsibilities" in the MAT Program Student Handbook.

Is there a fee required to hold an admission spot?

For any student offered admission to the program, non-refundable deposit of $250 is required to hold the admissions spot.  This non-refundable deposit will be applied toward the initial tuition and fees upon entering the program.  If a student changes their plans and decides not to enter the program, the deposit will not be refunded.  Once the deposit has been paid, the student’s spot will be secured for the upcoming cohort. 

What kind of clinical education experiences can I expect while a student in the Master of Athletic Training Program?

The Master of Athletic Training Program has identified clinical sites that incorporate the following CAATE-required clinical education opportunities:

• throughout the lifespan (for example, pediatric, adult, elderly)
• of different sexes, with different socioeconomic statuses
• of varying levels of activity and athletic ability (for example, competitive and recreational, individual and team activities, high- and low-intensity activities
• who participate in non-sport activities (for example, participants in military, industrial, occupational, leisure activities, performing arts)

These educational opportunities occur throughout the student’s time in the program including during the enrolled student’s clinical immersion. 

How are clinical experiences assigned for students enrolled in the MAT program?

All clinical assignments are determined through the respective cohort’s clinical coordinator.  Factors that affect placement include pending CAATE-required experiences, prior setting experiences, and the educational opportunities at a particular site, among others.   

In order to meet the requirements outlined by the CAATE, enrolled students will rotate through a series of clinical experiences during their time in the program:

• Students enrolled in Summer I will be assigned to three clinical experiences that last through the start of the fall semester
• Students enrolled in Fall I and Spring I will be assigned to two experiences lasting approximately eight weeks each
• Students enrolled in Summer II will be assigned to three clinical experiences
• Students enrolled in Fall II and Spring II will be assigned to one continuous clinical experience

During Summer II, enrolled students will be asked to complete a survey to rank their preferred clinical setting for the upcoming Fall II and Spring II clinical experiences.  These rankings, along with the student’s self-reported career goals, will be used in part to determine the student’s final clinical assignment which typically lasts throughout the Fall II and Spring II semesters.  This extended final rotation is designed to allow students an opportunity to gain extended experience in a setting that matches with their career goals, allowing students an opportunity to work extensively with a specific population while also expanding their professional networking and learning the administrative needs associated with their particular setting.  For the Fall II and Spring II clinical experiences, every effort is made to consider the student’s preferences (e.g. career interests, learning needs, and geographic location); however, a student’s preferred site request cannot be guaranteed due to factors that can include site availability, capacity, and scheduling requirements.

Can I request a clinical site that is not a current MAT program site?

Clinical sites are established by the program using several important criteria that include but are not limited to:  

• unique or diverse quality educational opportunities
• qualified preceptors who are committed to mentoring MAT students
• assurance of appropriate supervision of MAT students
• adherence to existing CAATE standards

The MAT program has existing clinical affiliation agreements with numerous clinical sites throughout the greater Houston area. These existing clinical sites offer broad, high-quality educational opportunities across a variety of patient populations and settings. This approach allows program faculty to closely monitor the learning environment and ensure that each MAT student gains meaningful, well-rounded clinical experiences in a setting that meets program expectations.  In order to ensure that these criteria remain met in accordance with CAATE requirements for clinical education, the MAT program does not seek additional clinical sites upon request from students. 

Where will my clinical experiences occur during my time in the program?

Enrolled students can be assigned to any of our clinical sites during their time in the program, all of which are located within the greater Houston metropolitan area.  It should be noted that the Houston metropolitan area is quite expansive; therefore, enrolled students are required to have reliable transportation to and from their clinical sites. 

When is the MAT program’s clinical immersion?

The clinical immersion is outlined by the CAATE as " . . . a practice-intensive experience that allows the student to experience the totality of care provided by athletic trainers".  During the clinical immersion, enrolled students will be assigned to their clinical site but will not have assigned classes or coursework.  The MAT program’s clinical immersion will begin the Monday after spring break and last through the academic semester for a total time of approximately six weeks. 

Is the UH MAT program research-intensive?

The primary focus of the MAT program is to deliver a high-quality, clinical-based educational experience for each student that both prioritize instruction requirements outlined in the CAATE accreditation standards and provides a vast array of clinical education experiences that prepare students for a career as an athletic trainer.  A research project is not part of the MAT program’s curriculum; however, all MAT students will complete one clinical case report in each of the six program semesters, with the requirement to submit at least one completed case report for publication or presentation at a regional or national conference.  Interested students will also have the opportunity to work with HHP research faculty on specific research projects if they choose; however, this is not a required part of the curriculum.

What kind of faculty and preceptors will I be working with while enrolled in the Master of Athletic Training Program?

The MAT program has aligned itself with a range of athletic trainers and physicians in the Houston area who have taken on the commitment of mentoring future athletic trainers. The diverse array of MAT program preceptors exhibit a range of contemporary expertise that will help facilitate exposure to a broad knowledge base for enrolled students.

Can I work while enrolled in the Master of Athletic Training Program?

The MAT program is a full-time professional program that requires attendance in all classes and at all clinical education experiences.  As such, it will be difficult for enrolled students to maintain steady employment while in the MAT program.  Clinical experience schedules are determined by the student's assigned preceptor and fluctuate throughout each week of the semester.  Should an enrolled student choose to work, at no point can that student’s outside employment interfere with clinical education.   Please refer to the MAT Program Attendance and Outside Employment Policy in the MAT program handbook.

What credentials will I have upon graduating from the program?

Students who graduate from the program will have earned a Master of Athletic Training (MAT) degree and can use the letters “MAT”.  Students who challenge and successfully pass the Board of Certification Exam will earn the credentials “ATC”.  Because the State of Texas accepts the ATC credential as an allowable waiver for taking the written licensure exam, individuals who pass the Board of Certification Exam will be eligible to receive the credential “LAT” in Texas.  It is upon the enrolled student to complete the requirements for the BOC exam application as well as for the LAT credential.