Master of Athletic Training

About the Master of Athletic Training (MAT)

The University of Utah approved the new entry-level professional Master of Athletic Training degree in August 2019. The Master of Athletic Training will provide students graduate-level didactic knowledge and clinical skills in preparation for their future career in athletic training.

Department Chair: Dr. Lee Dibble, PT, PhD, ATC, FAPTA

Program Director: Dr. Justin Rigby, PhD, LAT, ATC

Reasons for attending the University of Utah for the Master of Athletic Training:

Advanced curriculum using resources at University of Utah Health's academic medical center.
Interprofessional education with programs across all of University of Utah Health (Medicine, Pharmacy, Nursing, Dentistry, PA, PT, OT, Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology).
Various clinical rotations from PAC-12 Division I sports, high schools, healthcare clinics, professional sports, and many others.
Interaction within University of Utah Health, which is a medical partner with the United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee, Utah Jazz, community high schools, and many others.
Approximately 25 weeks of full-time clinical immersion experiences.
Successful faculty recognized nationally for their clinical, research, and professional backgrounds.
See the MAT Admissions page for more information.

Our Mission

The University of Utah Master of Athletic Training program's mission is to admit individuals from varied backgrounds and experiences to create a vibrant learning experience that highlights each individuals' contributions. This dynamic learning environment is aimed to create better athletic training clinicians that care for and understand their patients better. The following values, attributes, and characteristics are values in our admissions process.

Compassionate
Respecting the rights of others
Welfare and dignity of others
Advocate
Best possible patient care at all times
Seek evidence-based practice patterns
Integrity
Promote the highest quality of health care

Values, attributes, and characteristics were adapted from the National Athletic Trainers' Association Code of Ethics and Manifesto.

We recommend applicants share how they hold these values, attributes, and characteristics through the following means in their application.

Life experiences: Compassion, respect, welfare, dignity, and advocate for others.
Volunteer and community service, experience with diverse populations, and employment history.

Educational background: Promote evidence-based practice patterns and highest quality of health care.
Research activities, history of health care employment or volunteer, undergraduate major, science and non-science academic merit.

Cultural background: Advocate and best possible patient care at all times.
Multicultural and international experiences. Bilingual/multilingual.

Socioeconomic background: First-generation college graduate, self-supporting.

To ensure we are properly able to assess these values, attributes, and characteristics, all qualified applicants are invited for an interview.

College of Health Commitment to Diversity Excellence in Admissions

The University of Utah College of Health strives to promote diversity and inclusion among its students, faculty, and staff with the realization that diverse perspectives and life experiences strengthen our academic community in multiple ways. By creating a welcoming and supportive environment that encourages academic excellence and diverse perspectives, we work toward the creation of opportunities for all to learn from one another by sharing our wealth of talents and histories. Each of our departments offers degrees in professions focused on health, wellness, and research. With the increasingly rich complexity of our population, we recognize the need for our graduates to reflect on the diversity of our community. Furthermore, we also recognize the strong and positive impact a diverse collection of faculty, staff, students, and alumni can have on issues of health equity and the valuable role our College can play in reducing health disparities for all populations.

Accreditation & Outcomes

The University of Utah Athletic Training program is accredited through the Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education (CAATE). See Program Information and Outcomes as published by CAATE.