Admissions: 2-year Professional MAT Program
The MAT Program admits up to 20 qualified students into each cohort, to begin classes in the summer semester. Students enrolled in the accelerated 3+2 program and students at universities with articulation agreements that meet the 3+2 criteria are guaranteed admission. The following are admission requirements to the Gannon MAT Program at Erie Campus:
- Baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university
- Cumulative prerequisite course at a C or better. Grades below a C are not acceptable.
- Overall undergraduate QPA of 2.75 or better (4.0 scale)
- Applicant demonstrates the ethical, personal, and professional qualities to fulfill the roll of the athletic trainer as determined by review of the applicant’s references
- Qualified applicants will be offered optional attendance at in informational session with faculty and current MAT students
- Meets Technical Standards of the athletic trainer
- Successfully pass background checks as required
- International Students: IELTS score of 6.5 or higher, or a TOEFL score of 79 or higher
- Rolling admissions
No otherwise qualified individual, by reason of their disability alone, shall be excluded from admission to the program in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. Students must complete the Technical Standards for admission. It is the policy of Gannon University and the GU MAT Program to affirmatively implement equal opportunity to all qualified applicants. In administering its affairs, the University and MAT Program shall not discriminate against any person on any basis prohibited by law. All aspects of student affairs and education of students including recruitment, admissions, financial aid, placement, access to facilities, student discipline, student life, and student employment conform to this policy.
The following are program prerequisite courses required for the MAT program:
- One semester biology (100 level course)
- 200 level social/behavioral science (Gannon students are recommended take PSYCH 222 but other courses are acceptable)
- One semester of physics (100 level course with or without lab is acceptable)
- One semester of chemistry with lab
- Exercise physiology with lab (3 or 4 credit depending on syllabus) *may be 3-credit with lab component embedded in course
- 2 semesters of 3-4 credits of anatomy and with physiology – lab required (may have a 3-credit course if syllabus identifies a lab component) OR 1 semester of anatomy and 1 semester of physiology
- Statistics
The above requirements cannot be waived. Prerequisites must be completed with five years preceding entrance to the graduate program and prior to the beginning the summer start of the year entering the graduate program.
Recommended Courses:
- Kinesiology with lab
- Nutrition
- Research Methods
Master's in Athletic Training 3+2: Internal Candidates
Students that enter the accelerated 3+2 program will be enrolled in an undergraduate degree and will begin the MAT professional phase of the program the summer after their junior year.
Students will be transitioned from an undergraduate student to a graduate student after their junior year.
- Gannon applicant completes the Gannon University graduate application.
- Once application is complete, the applicant’s information is reviewed by the Admissions Committee and identifies any area of concern, such as a letter of recommendation that identifies a concern.
- If a concern is noted in a letter of recommendation, the individual writing the letter is contacted for further information to clarify the concern.
- Admissions Committee provides acceptance decisions.
- Letter is mailed to the applicant offering spot in cohort. 2-6 weeks are provided for $300 non-refundable deposit and acceptance of seat in class.
- An alternative candidate list is developed, as needed, as a space opens in this cohort.
- Seats are only offered based on a cohort size of 20 students.
Master's in Athletic Training: External Candidates
- Applicant completes ATAS application at https://atcas.liaisoncas.com. Application includes college course completion, grades earned, prerequisite information, demographic information, three letters of recommendation, and additional required information.
- Once application is verified, ATCAS provides applicant information to Admission Committee, and appointed core faculty.
- Graduate Admissions Office seeks additional information, as necessary, to complete MAT applications.
- Graduate Admissions Office ensures a complete application.
- Admissions committee reviews applicants for any red-flag concerns, such as a letter of recommendation which identifies a concern.
- If a concern is noted in a letter of recommendation, the individual writing the letter is contacted for further information to clarify the concern.
- Admissions Committee provides acceptance decisions to those based on the number of seats available in the cohort. 2-6 weeks are provided for $300 non-refundable deposit and acceptance of seat in class.
- An alternate candidate list is developed, as needed, as a space open in this cohort.
- Seats are only offered based on a cohort size of 20 students.
Undergraduate MAT Tracks: Erie Campus
Gannon University prepares students for acceptance into the MAT Program. Students are accepted into one of the following programs: Applied Exercise Science, or any student that has met prerequisite criteria. The recommended curriculums for these undergraduate programs are detailed in the Gannon University undergraduate catalog.
Students meeting either of the admission criteria below have a guaranteed position in the MAT Program. Inability to maintain the required criteria, however, will result in removal from this program option.
3+2 Program
- SAT total of 1090 (ACT score of 21 or higher)
- High school GPA of 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale
*Due to COVID-19, the MAT program will not require SAT scores for those students that were not able to take the exam due to the pandemic. Students should refer to the undergraduate admissions office for further details regarding this exemption.
Students offered this guaranteed position must also maintain the following criteria while enrolled in the Undergraduate Program at Gannon:
- Overall GPA (no rounding) of 3.0 or higher in Gannon undergraduate courses by end of senior/4th year
- A grade of “C” or higher must be earned in all pre-requisite courses
- Students are allowed to repeat up to 4 credits of pre-requisite course work
- Students can only replace up to 2 prerequisite course grades if the original grade was a “C”
Additional Admission Requirements
- Three letters of recommendation
- The ability to meet the technical standards of an athletic trainer related to the physical, emotional, intellectual and communication standards.
- Successful completion of background checks
- Physical examination and immunization records
- Proof of health Insurance
Tuition and Fees
Tuition for the 2021-2022 academic year = $670/credit
Program Fees = $900
- National Athletic Training/Association (NATA) membership fee. Non-certified students $65/year for new members, and $85/year for renewing members. Each student will have to be renewed yearly.
- Board of Certification exam - First time $300, re-take candidates fee $400
- Physicals and Immunizations - costs vary, student's responsibility
- Drug testing depending on clinical placement - costs vary, student's responsibility
- Travel to and from clinical placement - costs vary, student's responsibility
- Health insurance - student/family responsibility and is required for the program
- Gannon University - Master of Athletic Training program has partnered with CastleBranch, one of the top ten background check and compliance management companies in the nation to provide you a secure account to manage your time sensitive school and clinical requirements.
- After full acceptance Compliance Tracker purchase: $78
- International Background Checks: Approximately $65
- *prices for CastleBranch subject based on current background check costs
- Optional: Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist Exam - $340 for NSCA members, and $475 for non NSCA members
Please note that costs sometimes change and these costs are estimates based on available information. Background clearances that are needed are:
- PA Response for criminal record check (Act 34) – costs may vary year to year
- PA Child Abuse History Clearance (Act 151) - costs may vary year to year
- FBI Federal Criminal History (Act 114) - costs may vary year to year
- Child Abuse Reporting Training (Act 126) – free
- Arrest/Conviction Report and Certification form (Act 82) - free