“We are incredibly proud of our MAT program at 91ֱ��, and we are eager to share the program’s highlights and outcomes with those interested in this field of study,” said Dr. Jay Hoffman, MAT program director at C-SC and Interim Dean of Graduate Studies. “Our comprehensive and supportive program is the reason 100 percent of our graduates have passed the board of certification exam over the last five years. We look forward to helping many others find the same success as they work toward a rewarding career in athletic training.”

C-SC’s MAT graduate program offers 56 credit hours during a two-year curriculum. The first year of study is on-campus instruction, followed by a year of online instruction. Participants will gain professional knowledge in patient/client-centered care, interdisciplinary education and practice, evidence-based practice, information-driven decisions and health care informatics, and quality improvement.

The program is designed to help students secure clinical opportunities in collegiate, intercollegiate, and high school athletics as well as in hospitals and clinics and industrial and corporate settings.

Registration for MAT day at C-SC can be made by visiting 

Master of Athletic Training Visit Day Informational Flyer

“We are extremely excited about our new partnership with William Woods University, ” Dr. Jay Hoffman, Associate Dean of Graduate & Professional Studies and Athletic Training Program Director, stated when sharing the newest articulation agreement at C-SC. He continued, “It is evident that Dr. Middleton and the Exercise Science program (at William Woods) provide an excellent academic program that will prepare students for professional programs in AT. “ Hoffman explained the partnership between Culver-Stockton and William Woods “streamlines the application process and provides a financial benefit to the student.”

As outlined in the agreement, students will begin their degree with undergraduate coursework at William Woods University for the first three years before they transition to C-SC, where they will complete two years of graduate study. These courses will include a variety of clinical experiences in both athletic and hospital/clinical settings. The skill-based opportunities provided to the students at C-SC will take place within the medical communities of Canton, Hannibal, and Quincy.

C-SC also offers required coursework for the Bachelor of Science in Health Science that transitions to the MAT program for any student beginning their education at C-SC. During the last six years, 100% of MAT graduates from C-SC passed the Board of Certification exam. In addition, all MAT students at C-SC attend professional conferences and participate in public relations and professional advocacy events at the state, district, or national level. As a result, graduates enter the workforce with the degree they need to excel in their careers while being prepared professionally through co-curricular opportunities.

Currently the acting Dean of Graduate and Professional Studies, Program Director for Athletic Training, and Associate Professor of Athletic Training and Health Sciences, Hoffman is honored to receive this prestigious recognition and said, “Service and advocacy are extremely important to me. I have been very fortunate to be mentored by dedicated leaders in the athletic training field who have not only modeled those behaviors but also saw it fit to nominate and recognize me for my service to the profession.”

To be eligible for the awards, athletic trainers must be NATA members in good standing, have 20+ years of BOC certification, and have 20+ years of membership in NATA.

Dr. Jay Hoffman, Department Chair of Athletic Training & Health Sciences at C-SC says athletic trainers will need the advanced degree to excel in their field and this partnership will financially reward the students. Hoffman stated, “Athletic Training is one of the fastest growing healthcare professions in the nation, and this partnership will allow students to matriculate even sooner into their healthcare career.”

This partnership opens the opportunity for students at Westminster College to be on the same accelerated masters track as those attending 91ֱ��. For incoming first-year students at C-SC, they complete their entire coursework in five years and graduate with a Master’s in Athletic Training (MAT). The Westminster + C-SC agreement allows Westminster students to complete three years of undergraduate courses on their campus and then transfer to C-SC to complete their studies and confer a MAT degree. These courses include a variety of clinical experiences in both athletic and hospital settings. The skill-based opportunities provided to the students at C-SC will take place within the medical communities of Canton, Hannibal and Quincy.

Culver-Stockton’s MAT is a nationally ranked program, seated at #11, where 100% of graduates passed the Board of Certification exam on their first attempt in the last three years. In addition, all MAT graduates at C-SC attend professional conferences or participate in public relations and professional advocacy events at the state, district or national levels. Graduates are entering the workforce with the degree they need to excel in their profession and their investment will pay dividends. Hoffman exclaimed, “Obtaining a master’s degree in five years represents a substantial tuition savings and an extra year of income that can be worth approximately $70,000 for these focused and conscientious students!”

Hoffman, an associate professor of athletic training and health sciences and director of Culver-Stockton’s athletic training program, recently was selected by the MAATA to receive its Athletic Training Educator of the Year Award for 2020. Members of the MAATA are from Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Oklahoma and South Dakota.

Excellence in athletic training education includes significant contributions to the continuing education of MAATA members, education of students in the classroom or clinical education settings, development of an educational program or through academic presentations and published work that enhance the practice and profession of athletic training.

Hoffman recently incorporated hybrid courses, combining online work with a traditional classroom setting, into the master of athletic training program at C-SC. Under the leadership of Hoffman, 91ֱ�� students consistently perform well in the Missouri Athletic Trainers Association Quiz Bowl, winning the tournament in 2018 and placing second in 2019 and 2020. He also designed a course for his students to attend the annual MAATA meeting while also receiving academic credit.

Hoffman has been a regular presenter at athletic training events at the state, district and national level. He is a trained site visitor for the Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education. He is serving as the public relations committee chairperson for the MAATA and as secretary for the MATA.

Hoffman, a native of Marion, Iowa, joined the Culver-Stockton faculty in August 2008. He develops and teaches athletic training courses on explorations, medical aspects, health assessment, health practicum, Kinesio taping and fitness assessment. He was the recipient of the Walter S. Reuling Faculty Prize for Innovation in Student Learning at C-SC in 2010, and he was the recipient of the President’s Award for exemplary service to the college in 2019.

Culver-Stockton’s master of athletic training (MAT) program prepares students to become certified athletic trainers. Students have access to a state-of-the-art health sciences laboratory and simulator center. Every graduate in the past three years has passed their Board of Certification program on the first attempt, and they all have earned certification in Graston Technique, Kinesio tape, personal training, CPR/AED and psychological First Aid. Learn more about Culver-Stockton’s MAT program at .

CANTON, Mo. — The Master of Athletic Training program at 91ֱ�� recently underwent a comprehensive program review, and a few changes will be made to benefit future students as well as ensuring the program’s continued compliance with national standards.

The number of credit hours that a MAT student must complete during the two year-program has been reduced from 64 to 56. Dr. Jay Hoffman, department chair of athletic training and health sciences and director of the athletic training program, says that reduction was made based in part from student suggestions.

“We believe we can still effectively deliver our program while streamlining the coursework and not diminishing the quality,” Hoffman said. “Along with the comprehensive review, the new CAATE (Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education) standards went into effect in 2020, which supported the need for updates to the curriculum.”

Tuition also is being adjusted to $400 per credit hour.

“We try to take the program review process and make it authentic and transparent for our students,” Hoffman said. “In the end, we want to optimize student learning and do so in a value-based model.”

Culver-Stockton started offering a bachelor’s degree in athletic training in 2005, but the decision to transition that program and only offer a master’s degree was made in 2018. C-SC is one of six schools in Missouri that has a Master of Athletic Training program active and in good standing, according to CAATE.

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The MoATA, a professional organization for athletic trainers in Missouri, serves its members by promoting the profession through communication, education and advocacy. It has 898 members, and it has been highly active in legislative efforts in the capital of Jefferson City during the past two years. Carmichael, who has been the president-elect since 2017 and served a three-year term as secretary, also will serve on the board of directors for District 5 (which consists of seven states) in the National Athletic Trainers Association.

Carmichael has been an athletic trainer at C-SC since 1994. He received his bachelor’s degree in physical education from Northwest Missouri State University in 1990 and a master’s degree in health education from the University of Nebraska-Omaha in 1992, where he also served as a graduate assistant athletic trainer.

His primary sports responsibilities are with the C-SC football and baseball programs. His teaching responsibilities include therapeutic modalities and adjunct responsibilities as needed. Carmichael was named the NAIA Head Athletic Trainer of the Year in 2011 by the National Athletic Trainers Association.

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CANTON, Mo. — A team of athletic training students representing 91ֱ�� took second place in the quiz bowl competition during the eighth annual Missouri Athletic Trainers Association Educators and Student Leadership Conference on Saturday at Central Methodist University in Fayette, Mo.

Students competed against other athletic training programs in Missouri, both graduate and undergraduate, in a two-round Jeopardy-style competition.

Culver-Stockton’s team consisted of:

• Tom Greene, a master of athletic training major from Freeport, Ill..
• Stormy Simons, a master of athletic training major from Mustang, Okla..
• Maryanna Catrine, a senior athletic training major from Springboro, Ohio.

Jay Hoffman, department chair of athletic training and health sciences, is the athletic training program director and the sponsor of the quiz bowl team.

Greene is a graduate of Cornell College, and Simons is a graduate of Hannibal-LaGrange University. Both colleges have athletic training partner agreements with C-SC.

C-SC has finished in the top two in the quiz bowl competition for each of the past three years. C-SC won in 2018 and finished second in 2019.

C-SC and Lindenwood University, which won the MoATA quiz bowl, will represent Missouri in the Mid-America Athletic Trainers’ Association district quiz bowl event on March 19-21 in La Vista (Neb.) Convention Center. Winners of the MAATA competition will compete against schools from across the United States during the National Athletic Trainers Association clinical symposia and expo on June 17-20 at the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta, Ga.

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Students with a bachelor of science degree from Southwest Baptist’s newly developed sports medicine program can seamlessly matriculate into Culver-Stockton’s Master of Athletic Training (MAT) program. The partnership provides graduates from Southwest Baptist priority consideration upon application.

“Our partnership with 91ֱ�� gives students an avenue to a quality educational experience towards being a well-prepared certified athletic trainer,” said T.J. John, athletic training professor and department chair at Southwest Baptist.

The partnership demonstrates continued efforts to expand student opportunities and provide a workforce for athletic trainers in Missouri. Only 51 percent of Missouri high schools have access to athletic training services, compared to 79 percent in Iowa and 61 percent in Illinois, according to the Korey Stringer Institute and the Atlas Project.

Both Culver-Stockton and Southwest Baptist are discontinuing their undergraduate degree programs in athletic training as the result of a mandate by the Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education, which no longer will accredit undergraduate degrees from any college or university starting in 2022.

“While we are disappointed to see high quality undergraduate degree programs disappear, we support the growth and direction of our medical profession and education,” said Jay Hoffman, chairman of the athletic training and health sciences program at Culver-Stockton. “Southwest Baptist has a rich tradition of producing high quality athletic training professionals at the undergraduate level. This partnership will really enrich our program at C-SC.”

Both C-SC and SBU have 100 percent first-time pass-rates on the Board of Certification national exam for athletic trainers.

Students in Culver-Stockton’s Master of Athletic Training program will complete two years of graduate study, including a variety of clinical experiences in both athletic and hospital/clinical settings, that will hone their knowledge and skills within the Canton, Hannibal, and Quincy, Ill., medical communities.

Prospective students can contact Hoffman at jhoffman@culver.edu or 573-288-6534, or John at tjohn@sbuniv.edu or 417-328-1988 for more information. They also can follow program updates at , on Twitter @CulverMAT or on Facebook at .

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HLGU will provide a stream of high quality students to a C-SC program that already boasts a 100% first-time pass-rate and job placement rate over the past three years. The quality and consistency of the program will provide excellent career prospects for these students in a booming athletic training job market. The Bureau of Labor & Statistics announced recently that there is a projected 22.8% increase in athletic training jobs over the next 10 years.

Athletic trainers, who are often confused with personal trainers, are actually certified and licensed health care professionals who collaborate with physicians to provide preventative services, emergency care, clinical diagnosis, therapeutic intervention and rehabilitation of injuries and medical conditions in physically active populations. Rapid growth of athletic trainers in the secondary school setting means students are much more familiar with the profession, creating a strong area of interest for students seeking careers in sport and medicine.

HLGU Chair of Exercise and Sport Science, Clay Biggs, stated, “We are excited about providing our graduates with another option to continue their education and pursue an advanced degree. The background that students receive in HLGU’s Exercise Science degree will complement the MAT program at C-SC very well.”

The Master of Athletic Training students will complete two years of graduate study, including a variety of clinical experiences in both athletic and hospital/clinical settings, that will hone their knowledge and skills in the Canton, Hannibal, and Quincy medical communities.

Contact Dr. Jay Hoffman at jhoffman@culver.edu or Clay Biggs at cbiggs@hlg.edu for additional information, and follow program updates at www.culver.edu/mat/ or on X @CulverMAT.