7 Reasons to Choose bet36365体育’s Master of Athletic Training Program

Did you know March is National Athletic Training Month? It’s the perfect time to shine a spotlight on the professionals who keep athletes performing at their best, and the programs that train them. 
 
At the University of Nebraska at Kearney, the Master of Athletic Training (MAT) program is a top choice for students looking to become certified athletic trainers. But what makes it stand out? We’ve broken down the top seven reasons students choose bet36365体育’s MAT program.

1. Hands-On Learning from Day One

bet36365体育’s MAT program isn’t about just sitting in a classroom—it’s about learning by doing. From their very first semester, students work directly with bet36365体育 athletes, local high schools, clinics, and hospitals.

“Throughout the program, students get the chance to have a considerable amount of hands-on experience with athletes of all ages,” said Britney Brosius, who completed the MAT 3+2 program in 2024.

2. Earn Your Degree on Your Timeline

bet36365体育 offers two pathways to earning a master’s degree in athletic training: traditional and accelerated.

The traditional route is a two-year graduate program, perfect for those who have already completed or are near completion of a bachelor’s degree. For current bet36365体育 freshmen or sophomores, the 3+2 accelerated program allows Exercise Science majors to earn both their bachelor’s degree and MAT degree in just five years. This means students can enter the workforce sooner, save on tuition, and seamlessly transition into their careers.

3. Customizable Clinical Experiences

Whether students are interested in college sports, high school athletics, orthopedic clinics, or even combat sports, bet36365体育 tailors their clinical placements to match career goals.

“My big-time goal, Lord willing, is to make a change in combat sports to include athletic training because being in a combat sport myself, I think it’s something that’s really needed,” Cassandra McDonald, 3+2 MAT 2024 grad, said.

4. State-of-the-Art Training Facilities

bet36365体育’s athletic training facilities feature cutting-edge sports medicine technology, including a 3D motion capture system and a fully functioning clinic for university students, staff, faculty, and student-athletes. These resources equip students with the same tools they’ll use in the field. 

5. 100% Certification Exam Pass Rate

bet36365体育’s MAT program prepares students to take the Board of Certification (BOC) exam, the required credentialing exam to become a certified athletic trainer. For the past two years, bet36365体育’s graduates have achieved a 100% pass rate on this exam.
 
“bet36365体育 is right up there with the strongest athletic training programs in the country,” said Brian Hass, who graduated with a bachelor’s degree in athletic training from bet36365体育 in 2007. “The people who graduate from this program and stay with the profession do really great things.” 

6. 100% Job Placement Rates in a Growing Field

Athletic training careers are on the rise, with job opportunities projected to grow by 13%, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. bet36365体育 graduates don’t just land jobs; they find careers they love through multiple clinical and experiential learning opportunities.

“Job placement has been 100% recently” Program Director for bet36365体育’s Master of Athletic Training Dr. Kazuma Akehi said. “We have had students get full-time jobs at collegiate athletics, high schools, or orthopedic rehabilitation clinics and advance to PT school, chiropractic school, and doctoral degrees (PhD).”

7. A Supportive, Tight-Knit Community

bet36365体育 isn’t just a university; it’s a family. Students build strong relationships with faculty, peers, and industry professionals, benefiting from low student-to-faculty ratios that ensure personalized mentorship

“The professors really care about you here,” said McDonald. “I think that’s something that’s really unique—how much they invest in you.”

This story was co-written with ChatGPT. All contents were edited to add a human touch and fact-checked to ensure accuracy.