The Master of Athletic Training at Southern Utah University is a full-time, intensive program spanning typically two academic years (six semesters). It is structured to provide a comprehensive medical-based education, emphasizing a skills-based approach in both the classroom and clinical settings. Students are trained across the five domains of clinical practice recognized in athletic training: prevention; clinical evaluation and diagnosis; immediate and emergency care; treatment and rehabilitation; and organization and professional health and well-being. A primary objective of the program is to prepare students to successfully sit for the Board of Certification (BOC) Examination, which is a requirement for licensure in most states. The program requires completion of 60 approved credit hours, including a non-thesis research project, and clinical experience each semester.
CAATE Accredited: A defining and critical feature of Southern Utah University's Master of Athletic Training program is its accreditation by the Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education (CAATE). CAATE is the only accrediting agency for athletic training education programs recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) and the U.S. Department of Education. This accreditation is vital as it signifies that SUU's program meets rigorous national standards for curriculum, faculty, clinical education, and institutional resources. This ensures that graduates are eligible to take the BOC examination, which is a prerequisite for state licensure and professional practice as an athletic trainer in the vast majority of U.S. states.
Curriculum: The 60-credit MAT curriculum at SUU is comprehensive, designed to integrate theoretical knowledge with extensive practical application. Coursework covers core athletic training content areas such as the evaluation of lower and upper extremity injuries, therapeutic modalities, therapeutic exercise and rehabilitation, general medical conditions, and emergency care. Key courses include "Psychosocial Aspects of Sports Performance," "Evaluation of Lower Extremity Injuries," "Care and Management of Emergent Conditions," "Therapeutic Modalities," and "Athletic Training Management." A significant emphasis is placed on clinical instruction, with students participating in clinical experiences every semester. The curriculum also includes a non-thesis research project, such as critically appraised topics, interrelated series of research proposals, or an empirical study, each requiring an extensive writing component.
Research Focus: Research and evidence-based practice are integral to Southern Utah University's Master of Athletic Training program. The curriculum explicitly includes components that develop students' research capabilities, with required non-thesis research projects and courses like "Analyzing the Problem and Proposing a Solution" and "Evaluating the Solution." The program's learning outcomes include the ability to develop relevant clinical questions, access, appraise, and apply current literature in athletic training practice, and measure, assess, and adapt treatment plans based on patient and clinical outcomes. Faculty members, such as Dr. Mark DeBeliso, director of the Master of Sports Conditioning program, conduct research in sports medicine and athletic performance, often involving student participation and co-authorship, fostering a strong culture of inquiry.
Industry Engagement: Southern Utah University's Athletic Training program maintains robust ties with the athletic training profession and the broader healthcare industry. The program emphasizes "hands-on experiences" and "learning by doing," facilitated through required clinical experiences each semester. Students are exposed to diverse environments through varied clinical settings and patient populations. The Department of Kinesiology and Outdoor Recreation, which houses the MAT program, promotes strong student-faculty relationships, and faculty members are often involved in research that connects directly to industry needs. The program's mission to prepare students for BOC certification success and post-graduate opportunities implies strong links to employment outcomes and professional networks within the athletic training field.
Global Perspective: Southern Utah University's Master of Athletic Training program implicitly fosters a global perspective by preparing students to excel in diverse environments and work with varied patient populations. While specific international clinical rotations might not be a primary focus, the program's emphasis on culturally competent communication skills ensures graduates are prepared to serve a broad spectrum of individuals regardless of their background. The core principles of athletic training, emergency care, and rehabilitation are universally applicable, and the program's comprehensive medical-based education provides a foundation that can be adapted to different healthcare systems and cultural contexts worldwide. SUU also has a diverse international student population, which contributes to a more globally aware campus environment.
