Manchester launches 5-year master’s program in athletic training

Manchester University announces the start of a five-year dual program leading to a bachelor’s degree in exercise science and fitness and a master of athletic training (MAT) degree.

This bold move is in response to a decision by the Athletic Training Strategic Alliance that will require anyone who wishes to become a certified athletic trainer to first have a master’s degree from an accredited athletic training education program, starting in 2022. 

Manchester’s innovative program offers students the opportunity to complete both degrees in just five years, a process that would normally take six.

Here’s how the 3-2 program works:  Students enter Manchester and declare an undergraduate major in exercise science and fitness with a concentration in exercise science.  They complete requirements for this undergraduate degree on a three-year, accelerated schedule, completing courses in the summer, fall, January and spring sessions each year. 

At the end of the students’ second year, they can apply to the MAT Program.  After graduating with a bachelor’s degree in the third year, MAT students begin graduate studies that summer.  After completing requirements for the two-year MAT master’s degree, students are eligible to take the certification examination leading to the Certified Athletic Trainer credential.

Those getting an undergraduate degree in exercise science and fitness from another school may apply to the Manchester MAT Program.

Manchester’s Master of Athletic Training degree program began in 2010 and is fully accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education. All of its graduates passed the Board of Certification Examination on the first attempt.

After the Fall 2016 semester, Manchester will not accept students to its current undergraduate major in athletic training. This measure is being taken by the University well before the mandated deadline in order to protect the investment and future marketability of its students.

Manchester University, with campuses in North Manchester and Fort Wayne, offers more than 60 areas of academic study to 1,500 students in undergraduate programs, a Master of Science in Pharmacogenomics, Master of Athletic Training and a four-year professional Doctor of Pharmacy.  Learn more about the private, northern Indiana school at www.manchester.edu.

August 2016