Master of Athletic Training

BOC Exam and Programmatic Outcomes

We're proud to say that we've achieved a 100% anytime pass rate every year of our graduate program's history. Our structured board exam support program gives you the guidance you need to be successful on the BOC exam. 

The Master of Athletic Training program outcomes, including our BOC exam pass rates, and employment, graduation, and retention rates, can be found by clicking HERE.

In addition to preparing you for BOC certification, the MAT program at North Central pursues three primary goals that steer our programmatic activities:

Goal 1: We prepare students for fulfilling professional lives through athletic training by integrating personal and professional development throughout the program.

It’s not enough just to survive in a healthcare career. We want you to thrive. So that you are prepared to handle the social and emotional challenges that come your way as an Athletic Trainer, our program incorporates personal development skills like time management strategies and teaches you how to use productivity systems and technology. We also enable you to recognize and avoid the healthcare provider burnout that is so common today by giving you skills to advocate for yourself and the profession. 

Goal 2: We develop competent candidates for the Board of Certification exam through a unified approach to didactic and clinical development.

The clinical education component of your curriculum is where your knowledge will be solidified. You’ll be engaged in clinical experiences consistently for five of the six semesters of the program. Your faculty will connect these experiences to your learning through a deep understanding of the preceptors you’ll be learning from and the places you’ll be. Having faculty who understand and are active in clinical practice and clinical preceptors who understand your curriculum, you’ll be able to maximize your professional growth. Our strong BOC exam success rate is supported by the intentional relationship between the academic and clinical aspects of the program.

Goal 3: In keeping with the mission of the College, we prepare graduates to be curious, engaged, ethical, and purposeful citizens and leaders in healthcare.

Our alumni are leaders and learners in the industry across a wide array of professional settings. You can take advantage of opportunities to refine your leadership skills by being active in campus, state, or district athletic training organizations, clubs, and committees. The AT faculty members at North Central are active members of the state and national athletic training community and can help you decide how to become involved. Your curiosity about AT will be fueled through the opportunity to direct your own learning experiences, conduct research and quality improvement studies, and learn from and with faculty and students from multiple healthcare programs. Whether you decide to present your work on campus or to a state, district, or national audience depends on your goals for your time at NCC.

Accelerated 3+2 Degree Options

These accelerated pathway programs are designed for North Central undergraduate students who complete a specially designed pathway program for the first three undergraduate years of a B.S. degree in Exercise Science or a B.S. in Health Science, followed by two years in the Master of Athletic Training Program. Interested students must apply and be accepted to the pre-professional pathway in athletic training. Accepted students will be awarded their B.S. in Exercise Science after the fourth year (pending successful completion of course requirements), and will continue on to complete their MAT degree after the fifth year. This plan is accelerated, however students can also choose a traditional 4+2 timeline. Student-athletes who wish to compete for four-years and become athletic trainers are encouraged to speak to the program director early about your ideal timeline.

Where do I find the Accelerated Plans? 

Contact the Athletic Training Program Director to receive the 3+2 plans, or contact your Student Success Coach to learn more. You can view the 3+2 requirements for the Exercise Science pathway HERE and the Health Science pathway HERE. 

When do I apply to the MAT program? 

Interested students can apply to the Pre-Professional Pathway in Athletic Training as a high school senior beginning October 1st each year until May 1st. Current North Central College students apply no later than October 1st and (pending open seats) February 1st each year. The MAT program has a capacity of 16 students per year. Students must meet all retention criteria to continue into the Professional (Graduate) Athletic Training Program. 

How do I find out more details? 

Click HERE for the Pre-Professional Pathway in Athletic Training Handbook. 

Master of Athletic Training Curriculum

The Master of Athletic Training degree is a 55 credit-hour program that extends over 6 consecutive semesters, beginning with a summer semester. The program runs continuously for 24 months. 

• Master of Athletic Training Course Descriptions (PDF)

Summer Year One

• MATR 515 - Foundations of Athletic Training (4 hours)
• MATR 530 - Principles of Musculoskeletal and Medical Assessment (3 hours)

Fall Year One

• MATR 500 - Clinical Experiences in Athletic Training I (1 hour)
• MATR 541 - Diagnosis and Management for Athletic Trainers I: Upper Extremity, Head, and Neck Injuries and Conditions (4 hours)
• MATR 550 - Medical Aspects of Athletic Training (4 hours)
• MATR 525 - Therapeutic Interventions in Athletic Training I (4 hours)

Spring Year One

• MATR 505 - Clinical Experiences in Athletic Training II (1 hour)
• MATR 540 - Diagnosis and Management for Athletic Trainers II: Lower Extremity and Spine Injuries and Conditions (4 hours)
• MATR 535 - Therapeutic Interventions in Athletic Training II (4 hours)
• MATR 551 - Administration and Management in Athletic Training (4 hours)

Summer Year Two

• MATR 600 - Clinical Experiences in Athletic Training III (1 hour)
• MATR 625 - Psychosocial Aspects of Athletic Training Practice (3 hours)

Fall Year Two

• MATR 605 - Clinical Experiences in Athletic Training IV (2 hours)
• MATR 620 - Principles of Nutrition and Strength and Conditioning for Athletic Training (4 hours)
• MATR 640 - Special Topics in Athletic Training (4 hours)
• MATR 655 - Applied Research Project (2 hours)

Spring Year Two

• MATR 610 - Clinical Experiences in Athletic Training V: Immersive Experience (4 hours)
• MATR 650 - Decision Making in Athletic Training (2 hours)

Athletic Training Faculty

Spearheaded by a faculty with experience as clinicians as well as educators, you’ll be able to learn from instructors who can draw from practical experience. Our faculty are passionate advocates for the athletic training profession who are active in state and local professional organizations. See their profiles below to learn more about each faculty member. 

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Applying to The Master of Athletic Training Program

If you are applying to the MAT program as someone who is completing your bachelor's degree outside of NCC or already holds your bachelor's degree, you'll following the timeline and process below: 

Important Dates

As a prospective student of North Central's Athletic Training Program, your admission depends on the successful completion of the following:

• July 1, 2026 - Application for the summer semester is available through Athletic Training Central Application Service (ATCAS)
• Rolling Application Process - Submit materials to ATCAS; priority admission visits begin in the fall
• October 1, 2026 - ATCAS priority application deadline. All qualified applicants who apply by this date will receive consideration. The class will be filled as applications are received after October 1. 
• May 1, 2027 - ATCAS standard application deadline.
• June 1, 2027 - Classes begin

Admission Requirements 

To be considered for full admission, applicants must have a 3.0 overall GPA or higher and have earned a bachelor's degree by the start of the program. Applicants with a GPA between 2.99 and 2.75 are considered for conditional admission. Conditional admission slots are limited. 

All prerequisite coursework must be complete by the beginning of the program and must be completed with a grade of C or above. Prerequisites may be in progress when you apply. We do not accept advanced placement credit to fulfill prerequisite coursework. The prerequisite courses are:   

• Biology: 3-4 credit-hour course
• Chemistry: 3-4 credit-hour course
• Physics: 3-4 credit-hour course
• Psychology: 3-4 credit-hour course
• Human Anatomy: may be part of a two-semester sequence or 3-4 credit course in Human Anatomy
• Human Physiology: may be part of a two-semester sequence or 2-4 credit course in Human Physiology

Application Process

1. Begin your ATCAS Application: All applicants apply online via the online application service ATCAS.  Review all ATCAS and North Central College specific instructions prior to completing the application process.
2. Submit the following to ATCAS:
   • Verification of completion of a minimum of 25 observation hours under the supervision of one or more certified athletic trainers.  Download the observation form and upload to your ATCAS application. You may also use any other alternative documentation form.
   • Professional Resume
   • Official transcripts from each institution attended. An earned, four-year bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university prior to the program start date is required.
   • Two Letters of Reference; one from a healthcare provider.
3. Application Review and Admission Decisions:  Applications are reviewed throughout the admission cycle. Applications must be completed before full admission into the program. Accepted candidates will be notified through ATCAS on a rolling basis. Accepted candidates are encouraged to schedule a campus visit to learn more.  Applications must be verified for full matriculation into the program.

International Applicants

Applicants who are not United States citizens and/or who graduated from a college or university in a country other than the United States must also submit the following to be considered for admission:

• Official course-by-course evaluation of foreign transcripts by WES (World Education Service) or ECE (Educational Credential Evaluators). Athletic training students may be required to submit additional academic documentation/information.
• Official results of the TOEFL or IELTS. The minimum TOEFL score is 80 or IELTS band score of 6.5 or higher. 

1. What is Athletic Training?

Athletic Training is a healthcare profession focused on the prevention, assessment, treatment, rehabilitation, and return-to-activity management of injuries and illnesses. Athletic trainers work with physically active individuals across a variety of settings, including schools, colleges, clinics, hospitals, physician practices, military settings, and professional sports. You can learn more about the profession here: https://www.athletictrainers.org/at4me

2. What degree will I earn?

Students who successfully complete the program earn a Master of Athletic Training (MAT) degree. Graduates are eligible to take the Board of Certification (BOC) examination to become a Certified Athletic Trainer (ATC) and will be eligible for licensure in Illinois and other states.

3. How long does it take to complete the program?

The program spans two years of full-time study. The curriculum includes classroom instruction, skill development sessions, simulation experiences, clinical education, and immersive clinical experiences designed to prepare students for professional practice.

4. What will my schedule be like in the program?

Our classes are held in the mornings, typically Monday-Thursday. Students schedule their assigned clinical experiences in communication with their preceptors during the afternoons, evenings, and/or weekends. We have short breaks in October, December, March, May, and August. Considering the time commitment of classes and clinical experiences, this is a full-time program.

5. What are the admission requirements?

Prospective students should review the program's “How to Apply” page for current requirements and deadlines.

6. Do I need prior athletic training experience to apply?

No. Prior athletic training experience is not required. However, a minimum of 25 hours observing an athletic trainer is required for admission.

7. What clinical experiences are available?

Out students complete supervised clinical education experiences over 5 semesters with a wide variety of patient populations and healthcare settings. There are two opportunities for immersive semesters. We work closely with students to identify their interests while ensuring exposure to a variety of populations and conditions. Possible clinical placements may include:

• Colleges and universities
• High schools
• Physician practices
• Orthopedic clinics
• Industrial/Occupational Settings
• Rehabilitation settings
• Industrial, military, or emerging practice settings

8. Where do your alumni find employment?

100% of the alumni of NCC’s Master of Athletic Training Program have found employment in an athletic training setting, including:  

• Secondary schools
• Colleges and universities
• Professional sports organizations
• Hospitals and clinics
• Physician practices
• Industrial and occupational health settings

9. What is the Board of Certification (BOC) exam?

The BOC examination is the national credentialing exam for athletic trainers. Graduates of accredited athletic training programs are eligible to take the exam. Passing the exam is typically required for state licensure and professional practice. North Central College’s program has obtained a 100% anytime pass rate five years in a row, each year that we’ve been at the master’s level. 

10. What makes this program unique?

Built on a rich history of leadership and mentorship from our founding program director and IATA Hall of Fame member Heidi Matthews, we educate our students with the knowledge that they will be providing care for the communities we live and work in. With a desire to elevate athletic training practice in our region, we teach our students to practice at the top of their license and to advocate for themselves and their patient populations. Our full-time program combines rigorous academic preparation, hands-on clinical experiences, close faculty mentorship, and opportunities to work with diverse patient populations. Students learn through classroom experiences that mimic real-world clinical problems and clinical experiences that prepare them for success as healthcare professionals.

11. How can I learn more or schedule a visit?

Prospective students are encouraged to attend an open house, schedule a campus visit, sit in on a class, and/or meet with program faculty to learn more. Visit the Admission’s webpage to learn more: https://www.northcentralcollege.edu/admissions/visit