Welcome to the College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences' MAT FAQ page. This will address common questions that we receive from students who are interested in applying to our MAT program.
The Drake University Master of Athletic Training program is accredited through the Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education (CAATE), located at 2001 K Street NW, 3rd Floor North Washington, DC 20006; (512) 733-9700; website https://caate.net/. A required comprehensive accreditation review will be conducted during the 2025-2026 academic year.
Admission to the Drake University Master of Athletic Training (MAT) program is based on academic and personal qualifications that are necessary for successful, competent practice as an athletic trainer. Candidates are evaluated on the basis of the fit between their personal goals and the mission and goals of the MAT program. Prior education, work experience, honors, awards, service to others and leadership activities are also considered in the admission process.
If you encounter problems with any of the links on this page, or if you have suggestions for additional questions we should address on this page, please contact the College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences at (515) 271-3018 or drakeat@drake.edu. If you do not find the answer to your question here, please contact us for more information.
We expect to enter an incoming A1 class of approximately 10 students each year.
Students wishing to apply for the MAT program should have a strong academic background to be able to meet coursework demands within the program. No minimum GPA is required, but a 3.0 prerequisite GPA (as calculated by ATCAS) is considered competitive. Candidates are evaluated on the basis of the fit between their personal goals and the mission and goals of the MAT program. Prior education, work experience, honors, awards, service to others and leadership activities are also considered in the admission process.
50 hours of observation in an athletic training setting is recommended, but not required. All applicants will be asked to demonstrate their understanding of athletic training settings during the interview process.