Gain expertise in prevention, recognition, evaluation, diagnostics, and therapeutic interventions for a wide variety of musculoskeletal, orthopedics, and general medical illnesses and injuries for an active population.

Pursuing a Loras Master in Athletic Training (MAT) degree and a Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology will prepare you for a career incorporating healthcare, sport, wellness, and an overall focus on an active population.

All students complete hands-on clinical experiences in various sports medicine and healthcare settings starting your first semester in the program.

Loras College’s

3+2 Accelerated Dual Degree

Complete the majority of the Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology requirements during your first three years of study. In your fourth year, you will begin the Master in Athletic Training (MAT) graduate portion of your studies.

Loras has a strong history of providing quality athletic training education and is proud to offer the region’s first 3+2 Athletic Training degree. In this unique, CAATE-accredited program, you’ll develop the knowledge, skills, and professional rapport necessary to sit for the Board of Certification exam and become a Certified Athletic Trainer.

CAATE Accredited &
AATE Member

The Loras MAT program is accredited through the Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education (CAATE) and is also a proud member of the Association for Athletic Training Education (AATE).

CAATE-AATE Accreditation

We proudly report our CAATE Athletic Training program outcomes and Board of Certification Exam (BOC) pass-rate information.

Research & Awards

All students design and implement original research projects resulting in posters and presentations at the local, state, or national level and in publication.

Loras students are recognized annually for winning numerous statewide and national athletic training academic competitions. 

Clinical Experiences Right Away

Starting your first semester in the program, you will get hands-on clinical experiences in various settings.

Quick Highlights

  • Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology
  • Master in Athletic Training
  • On-campus, in-person daytime classes
  • 60 credit graduate coursework
  • Transfer students encouraged to apply

ADMISSION CRITERIA & ELIGIBILITY

To apply for the 3+2 Athletic Training program, you will first apply for undergraduate, new freshman admission to Loras College (please select “3+2 Athletic Training” as the academic program of interest on the Loras online application). In your junior year, you will apply for admission into the graduate portion of the 3+2 program.

Eligibility

Acceptance into the kinesiology major and completion of at least 30 credits of coursework accepted toward the kinesiology major.

When applying for the the Master in Athletic Training graduate portion in your junior year, you must show:

  • Strong academic ability, evidenced by a cumulative undergraduate GPA of at least 3.0.
  • Completion of the following prerequisite course requirements before the start of the program:
    • Principles of Biology I
    • General Chemistry I
    • Anatomy & Physiology I
    • Anatomy & Physiology II
    • Nutrition
    • Biomechanics
    • Statistics
    • Physics I
    • Exercise Physiology
    • General Psychology
      (additional psychology coursework recommended)

Questions?

If you have questions about eligibility or program curriculum, please contact Dr. Molly Figgins at molly.figgins@loras.edu.

If you have questions about the application requirements and admission process, please contact Megan Henderson at megan.henderson@loras.edu.

For transfer student information, contact Molly Figgins at molly.figgins@loras.edu or 563.588.7995.

Application Instructions for MAT

Book a Chat

Schedule a personalized visit or a video chat to learn more about the curriculum, internships, outcomes, and the enrollment process.

Get in Touch

Megan Henderson 

Graduate Admission

Tuition & Aid

If you choose the 3+2 pathway, you will be charged undergraduate tuition and financial aid until you complete your undergraduate requirements. Once complete, you will be considered a graduate student and pay the graduate tuition and associated financial aid. The predicted number of undergraduate credits for a 3+2 student is 128, including general education and major requirements. The anticipated number of graduate credits for a 3+2 student is 35.

Eligibility for full-time undergraduate status during the fourth year requires that the student take at least 12 credits per semester. If fewer credits are taken, financial aid will be proportionately decreased. Institutional aid from Loras College is awarded to undergraduates for up to four years. Federal and state aid for undergraduates is based on undergraduate eligibility and Satisfactory Academic Progress requirements.

Straight Talk From a Duhawk

The athletic training professors care about you as a person and a student, and if you are involved in sports they also love to cheer you on.

— Caitlyn (’26)

Athletic Training FAQ

What are the MAT clinical education experiences like?

In the Loras MAT program, you complete six sequential clinical education experiences (CEE) that are assigned by the MAT clinical education coordinator (CEC), and program faculty. There is one CEE during each term of the program, beginning during the first term of enrollment.

Schedules for CEEs are quite variable and based on the athletic season, sport, healthcare clinic, or organization you are assigned to. Students generally attend CEEs daily, in the afternoons and evenings. The minimum number of hours required for each CEE is fifty hours per credit hour.

CEEs may not be paid because the Loras MAT program is accredited by the CAATE, and only hours completed at the assigned Loras MAT site may count toward academic requirements. For complete details regarding CEEs, and associated policies and procedures, please refer to the MAT program handbook.

Do you need a master’s degree to be an athletic trainer?

A master’s-level degree is the professional degree for athletic trainers and a requirement to becoming a licensed athletic trainer, jointly established by the Athletic Training Strategic Alliance consisting of the board of directors of the National Athletic Trainers’ Association and the commissioners of the Commission on the Accreditation of Athletic Training Education with the support of the Board of Certification and the NATA Foundation.

Where can I work with an athletic training degree?

Certified athletic trainers can find jobs in colleges, universities, high schools, clinics, hospitals, and many other non-traditional settings including the military, performing arts, and industrial settings.

What is the advantage of going through the Loras 3+2 program?

There can be significant financial advantages. Students in the 3+2 program will be charged undergraduate tuition and receive undergraduate financial aid until you complete you undergraduate degree requirements—even if that goes into the fourth year when they’re completing graduate coursework.

Once you have completed you undergraduate degree requirements, you will be considered a graduate student and will pay the graduate tuition rate —with associated graduate financial aid. Please see more details in the Tuition & Fees section above.

Additional questions

Visit the following sites for additional frequently asked questions:

CAATE

NATA

Graduate Programs FAQ

What if I’m still finishing up my bachelor’s degree?

Applicants who are undergraduate students in the process of completing a bachelor’s degree may be awarded a provisional acceptance to Loras’ graduate programs based on receipt of your in-progress, unofficial transcript and all other application materials.

Full acceptance is contingent upon receipt of the final, official transcript(s) and the conferred undergraduate degree.

If a program has a minimum GPA requirement, you must meet the minimum GPA at the time the undergraduate degree is conferred for full acceptance.

Is there on-campus housing for graduate students?

Loras-owned housing is available for graduate and postbaccalaureate students in Smyth Hall. Smyth is an alternative residence hall located in the center of campus. Smyth is comprised of single and triple rooms, and is also home to the religious studies and theology faculty. Amenities include:

  • Free laundry facilities (washers and dryers)
  • Free wifi
  • Kitchen (stocked with pots, pans, baking sheets, etc.) on B level

Room Information

  • Rooms contain a bed/dresser/desk unit, desk chair, and wastebasket
  • Beds are XL Twin sized, so students are encouraged to bring extra-long sheets
  • Students may bring a mini-fridge under five cubic feet
  • Heat is included, but A/C is not, so students are welcome to bring their own window air conditioning unit (must be 5000 BTU or less) or else a portable A/C unit.
  • Basic cable is not provided, but students are welcome to bring a streaming device of their choice to use in Smyth.

View current housing costs.

Can I take some courses as a non-degree student?

Individuals who would like to take some graduate courses for professional development, continuing education credits, or just personal enrichment may take up to 9 graduate credits as a non-degree “Special” student.

Special Student Application

Special students may not enroll in practicum, clinical, or internship courses without approval from the program director.

In order to enroll in the course(s):

  1. Complete the free Loras College Special Course Application. Select “Graduate Course” as the Course Registration Type. You will need to upload copies of your unofficial transcript(s) from each college/university attended before submitting the application.
  2. The transcripts will be evaluated by the Program Director to ensure that any necessary pre-requisite course requirements have been met.
  3. After review of the transcript(s), the Registrar’s Office will be in touch with information about your next steps.
    • Please note that enrolled degree-seeking students have registration preference if a course is full.
    • After the completion of 9 non-degree credits, a student must then apply for formal admission into the graduate program in order to move forward and take additional courses.
    • Graduate courses completed by a Special student with a grade of B or better may be applied to a future graduate degree at Loras College with the approval of both the program director and the academic dean.
    • Financial aid is not available to non-degree Special students.
    • Students interested in any of Loras’ Professional Development programs should refer to the individual program webpage for application and enrollment instructions.

Is there an option for conditional admission?

A program director may require specific conditions be completed to meet the program requirements prior to full admission into a graduate program.

You may be awarded a conditional admission if the program director recommends the you complete additional undergraduate coursework to achieve a minimum GPA requirement of the program.

If you have not met all program requirements at the time of application, a student may be awarded a conditional admission per the discretion of the program director. Refer to the individual program policies and program directors for specific conditional admission policies.

What is a maximum course load per semester?

You are considered a full-time graduate student when enrolled in 6 credits per term. Please note,  you only need to take at least 3 credits per term to be eligible for federal financial aid.

May I play a sport while in graduate school?

Graduate students must be enrolled in a degree-seeking master’s program to be eligible to participate in NCAA athletics at Loras.

Student athletes enrolled in one of our degree-seeking master’s programs need to have full-time status (taking at least 6 credits per term) during the semester(s) you’re practicing or competing in the sport. You also need to be making satisfactory progress towards your degree.

If you wants to participate in athletics while being enrolled less than full-time, you will need to work with your coaches to determine if you are eligible for a waiver.

Please note that while 6 credits per term is considered full-time for graduate students at Loras, you only need to take at least 3 credits per term in order to be eligible for federal financial aid.

Meet Your Professors

Sharon Feld

Sharon Feld  EdD LAT ATC

Assistant Professor of Athletic Training
Athletic Training Clinical Education Coordinator

Molly McDonald Figgins

Molly M. McDonald Figgins  PhD ATC

Associate Professor of Athletic Training
Athletic Training Program Director

Adam Susmarski  DO

Loras Head Team Physician
Master of Athletic Training Medical Director