Guided by our mission and vision, the GVSU MAT Program provides students with a comprehensive, evidence-based education that prepares them to become confident, highly skilled healthcare professionals. Through a combination of engaging classroom instruction, hands-on laboratory experiences, simulation-based learning, and diverse clinical education, students develop the knowledge, clinical reasoning, and technical skills needed to prevent, evaluate, treat, and rehabilitate injuries and medical conditions across a variety of patient populations. Small class sizes, experienced faculty, and a collaborative learning environment provide individualized mentorship and meaningful opportunities to learn alongside other healthcare professionals.

The curriculum is intentionally designed to integrate academic learning with clinical practice. During the first year, students complete coursework in the mornings and apply what they have learned during afternoon clinical experiences. In the second year, students participate in a fully immersive clinical experience during the fall semester while completing online coursework, followed by a hybrid winter semester that includes the opportunity for a second immersive clinical placement.

Throughout the program, students gain expertise in a broad range of athletic training and healthcare topics, including:

• Assessment & Evaluation
• Treatment & Rehabilitation
• Emergency & General Medical Care
• Psychosocial Intervention and Referral (Mental Health)

• Pharmacology
• Evidence-Based Practice
• Advanced Techniques in Athletic Training
• Interprofessional Collaboration

• Clinical Experiences
• Business Management
• Statistics

For a culminating experience, each student will complete an Athletic Training Graduate Project under the mentorship of a MAT Faculty Member.  This scholarly project allows students to apply evidence-based practice to a topic of interest while developing research and professional skills, with opportunities to present or publish their work.

GVSU MAT program was the second program established within the state of Michigan in 1977 by Doug "Doc" Woods. Doug "Doc" Woods was a native of Ottawa, OH, and received a Bachelor of Science from the University of Toledo. There, he started his career in athletic training, going from a student assistant to an assistant athletic trainer.  He then went on to receive his Master of Education at GVSU. In 1976, Doug "Doc" Woods became the Head Athletic Trainer for Grand Valley State University, holding the position for 22 years, and helped found the Michigan Athletic Trainers Society. During that time in the '70s, Doc was ahead of the times, putting the first college in Michigan to have women athletic trainers work with the GVSU football team (with permission and help from President Arend D. Lubbers and Athletic Director George MacDonald). In 1976, Doc was not only busy treating athletes, but he also established what is now one of the most successful Accredited (in 1977) Athletic Training Programs in the country. In 1996, Doc and some students created the Doug and Linda Woods Excellence in Athletic Training Scholarship.  By 1998, Doc had decided to step down from being the Head Athletic Trainer. That year, Todd Jager was hired, who lost his battle to cancer in 2007. Followed by Mark Stoessner held the position of Head Athletic Trainer for the GVSU Athletics Department until his retirement in November of 2022. The current Head Athletic Trainer is Jim Winkler.  

After Doc stepped down as the Head Athletic Trainer, he continued teaching for the Movement Science Department, as well as coaching the GVSU Lakers Softball team in 1991. In 1999, Doc decided to step down from program director but continue teaching within the Athletic Training Program and continue to be the Head Softball Coach. Doc was inducted into the MATS Hall of Fame in 2008 for his dedication and passion for the field of Athletic Training. He retired from coaching in 2014 after 24 years and 888 wins. After 40 years of service to both GVSU and the Athletic Training Program, Doug Woods retired from teaching in April 2016.

In 1999, Dr. Shari Bartz-Smith (pictured left) was hired as the Program Director. In 2002, Shari led the program through a degree declaration from a Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science with an athletic training emphasis to a Bachelor of Athletic Training. On May 20, 2015, the Commissioners of the CAATE (Commission of Accreditation of Athletic Training Education) and the Board of Directors of the NATA (National Athletic Trainers' Association), with the support of the BOC (Board of Certification) and the NATA Foundation, announced the change to a professional degree in athletic training at the master’s level. On April 27th, 2018, Dr. Shari Bartz-Smith, with the support of her colleagues, made the announcement that the GVSU Board of Trustees had given approval to move the program from the bachelor's level to the Master of Athletic Training (MAT).  In August of 2019, the GVSU Athletic Training Program accepted its first MAT graduate cohort. On July 1, 2021 the GVSU Athletic Training Program left the Department of Movement Science in the College of Liberal Arts and Science on the Valley Campus to move to the Department of Physical Therapy and Athletic Training in the College of Health Professions located on the Health Campus on the medical mile in Grand Rapids, MI. 

Tuition Costs:

For more information on tuition and fees, please visit the costs portion of the GVSU Financial Aid website. For financial support, scholarship search, and filing for FAFSA, please visit the GVSU Financial Support website.

Note: Grand Valley does not charge a higher tuition rate based on residency. Tuition is based on the program in which you chose to enroll.

Estimated Program Costs:

• Undergraduate and Graduate Tuition costs = Please go to Office of Financial Aid & Scholarships
• Students will be responsible for the costs associated with required immunizations managed through Viewpoint Screening ($25 one-time fee)
• Physical Exam ($85), Blood Titers ($48), and Tuberculosis Testing ($20/test), the total estimated costs will be $153 (if completed at GVSU Family Health Center). Prices will vary at other healthcare facilities and are dependent on required immunizations and current market pricing.
• Annual TB Test = $20/test (if completed at GVSU Family Health Center)
• Background checks = $35
• Drug screenings = $45
• Basic Life Support (CPR/AED) and First Aid Certification = $75
• Travel to and from clinical/immersive experience (varies based on assignment)
• Grand Valley Athletic Training Polo = $24.50
• Student membership to ATrack = $90/year (includes forever record access after graduation).
• All textbooks and supplemental materials are required for each course.
• Additional costs may be associated depending on the clinical/immersive experience location.

All costs listed above are estimated as of June 2026.