athletic-trainer

Master of Athletic Training (MAT)

Athletic Training

The BGSU master's program in athletic training offers a cutting-edge curriculum. Our program develops clinicians through interactive teaching and evidence-based practice. Throughout the MAT program you will work with healthcare clinicians in interprofessional settings to expand your clinical knowledge and skills.

You can expect to become a competent healthcare provider who is qualified to practice in a variety of diverse healthcare settings, using evidence-based practices to improve patient care and clinical outcomes.

Program highlights

  • Expert faculty. Our faculty members are scholars in their respective specialties:
    • Administration
    • Traumatic brain injury/concussion
    • Orthopedic assessment
    • Evidence-based practice
    • Cultural competence
  • Required clinical experiences. Practice your skills in immersive experiences in the community. You’ll be supervised by expert preceptors in diverse settings.

BGSU’s graduate program in athletic training focuses on global healthcare with a curriculum that emphasizes a holistic approach to healthcare.

Career opportunities

MAT graduates are ideally suited for work as certified athletic trainers in clinical or nonclinical settings, such as tactical athlete treatment and healthcare administration.

Some graduates choose to continue their education and earn a doctoral degree in athletic training (DAT) or other related disciplines.

Graduates of our master’s program in athletic training are eligible to challenge the Board of Certification’s athletic training exam, which meets the requirements for state licensure and/or certification.

Career paths

  • Professional sports (NFL, NBA, MLB, etc.)
  • Collegiate athletics
  • Hospital and ambulatory care settings
  • Occupational health settings
  • Sports medicine clinics
  • High schools

Quick Facts from the Bureau of Labor Statistics

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Curriculum

The BGSU graduate athletic training program aims for all students to successfully pass the Board of Certification for Athletic Trainers (BOC) exam and become competent healthcare practitioners.

Immersive clinical experiences and state-of-the-art virtual human dissection table bring lectures to life.

Multiple practicum and clinical experiences allow you to work alongside healthcare professionals in diverse settings with underserved populations. Some of our clinical sites include:

  • Falcon Health Center
  • BGSU Athletics
  • Wood County Hospital
  • Toledo Walleye
  • University of Findlay
  • Bowling Green Fire Division
  • Local high schools

Our students are prepared to:

  • Become a competent healthcare provider in an interdisciplinary healthcare system.
  • Collaborate in interprofessional practice with global healthcare professionals.
  • Integrate research and standards of evidence-based practice and quality improvement in clinical decision-making.
  • Develop a patient-centered plan of care that emphasizes appropriate diagnosis, management and treatment of injuries and illnesses in an active population.
  • Provide athletic training services to medically underserved and diverse populations.
  • Foster effective communication with and between patients, administrators and other healthcare professionals.

Required courses

athletic training

Sample courses

  • Applied Clinical Anatomy
  • Emergency Management in AT
  • Evaluation and Treatment
  • Pathophysiology

Admission to the athletic training graduate program

Admission to the BGSU MAT program is selective. You must complete all course prerequisites.

Current BGSU undergraduates can apply to the accelerated bachelor’s to master’s program in athletic training.

Admission information

BGSU MAT program is a recognized Academic Institutional Member of WFATT

WFATT Proud MemberThe Bowling Green State University athletic training program is a recognized Academic Institution Member of the World Federation of Athletic Training & Therapy (WFATT). The WFATT's vision is to be recognized as an essential part of multidisciplinary healthcare teams worldwide. This designation aligns with the M.A.T. program's mission of developing lifelong learners who provide high-quality, patient-centered care.

BGSU College of Education and Human Development

The master's of athletic training program is part of the School of Applied Human Development in the College of Education and Human Development.

Upon completion of the Masters degree, students in Athletic Training are expected to be able to:

  • Collaborate in inter-professional practice with a variety of global healthcare professionals.
  • Integrate research and standards of evidence based practice and quality improvement in clinical decision making.
  • Develop a patient centered plan of care that emphasizes appropriate diagnosis, management, and treatment of injuries and illnesses in an active population. 
  • Provide AT services to medically underserved and/or diverse populations.
  • Foster effective communication with and between patients, administrators and other healthcare professionals utilizing healthcare informatics.
  • Demonstrate ethical, moral, and legal behaviors of athletic training clinical practice. 
  • Distinguish the profession of athletic training within the broader climate of healthcare.  

Bowling Green State University [BGSU] is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. BGSU has been accredited by the Higher Learning Commission since 01/01/1916. The most recent reaffirmation of accreditation was received in 2012 - 2013. Questions should be directed to the Office of Institutional Effectiveness.

BGSU is seeking accreditation for its Master's of Athletic Training program by the Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education (CAATE). The program is currently not accredited. The institution will be submitting a self-study to begin the accreditation process on July 1, 2021. Submission of the self-study and completion of a site visit does not guarantee that the program will become accredited. Students that graduate from the program prior to accreditation WILL NOT be eligible to sit for the credentialing examination for athletic trainers and will not be eligible for licensure in most states.



Bowling Green State University programs leading to licensure, certification and/or endorsement, whether delivered on-line, face-to-face or in a blended format, satisfy the academic requirements for those credentials set forth by the State of Ohio.

Requirements for licensure, certification and/or endorsement eligibility vary greatly from one profession to another and from state to state. The Master's of Athletic Training program requires professional licensure. More information on professional licensure.

Under the Higher Education Act Title IV disclosure requirements, an institution must provide current and prospective students with information about each of its programs that prepares students for gainful employment in a recognized occupation.

The Athletic Training program is not a recognized occupation that requires a Gainful Employment disclosure.

Updated: 12/15/2023 08:51AM