Staff Writer- Linnea Noeldner
Beginning at 11:30 a.m. on Oct. 16th, 2025, the Athletic Training department will be hosting both in-person and online open houses for students to learn more about the field of athletic training and all the aspects that go into it. Following the first open house in October, there will be other sessions scheduled throughout the year for students to attend, which can be found on the Gustie Happenings page on the Gustavus website.
The times for the continued open houses will vary from morning to evening, but the overall message is the same throughout all of them: professors and program directors will answer questions relating to what athletic trainers are, where they work, and how to become one. This is in addition to addressing the fees and tuition, the classes, and the clinical experiences.
Athletic training is for students drawn to the intersection of sports, medicine, and human performance and Gustavus’s Master’s of Athletic Training program offers a comprehensive and supportive path. Through immersive academics, mentorship, and professional experience, Gustie athletic training students are pushing to graduate not only with degrees but with the tools needed to improve health and wellness in communities.
Gustavus’s liberal arts education provides the physiology and human anatomy aspect of Athletic Training, honing critical thinking skills before students move on to the Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT) program.
Athletic Training Program Director Mary Westby is one of the main people Gusties can connect with if they have any questions about going into the degree or the program.
The MAT program runs differently from a typical liberal arts degree, where one can graduate in four years. There are two different options in the program: the 4-year baccalaureate degree and the 2-year master’s degree, as well as the accelerated 3-year baccalaureate degree with the 2-year master’s degree.
For the six-year duration, the student applies for the MAT program in their senior year. However, with the five-year duration, they would apply in the fall of their sophomore year. Both programs would involve the Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education (CAATE), which monitors and encourages the quality of the education around the degree.
Within the accelerated program, students will participate in an additional two-year program after their third year and begin their master’s courses and clinical experiences. Upon graduation, students will come out with a Bachelor’s and a Master’s. They will be able to work right after graduation.
“Our aim is to make sure students have the opportunity to explore the wide variety of job settings. Those clinical immersives in the second year are meant to give students a realistic view of the day-in and day-out responsibilities and tasks of an athletic trainer in that particular setting.” Westby said.
There are different places of work that Gusties may be interested in going forward with. In the second year of the MAT program, students get to interact with the clinical immersive experiences. This can include, but is not limited to, the Minnesota Twins, Hamline University, Bloomington Kennedy High School, Heartland Orthopedics in Alexandria, Shattuck-St. Mary’s School, TRIA Orthopedics, and St. Thomas University.
“They start really examining a few settings they want more experience in during their second year. They can feel as prepared as possible to enter the workforce and work autonomously upon graduation and feel confident that they know the area(s) of athletic training they want to work in full time.” Westby said.
Along with the Athletic Training department at Gustavus, co-chair and program director of athletic training, Karl Larson, encourages students to inquire about the opportunities coming to the different areas of the department as well.
“In addition, our department also includes Public Health, which has a brand new major beginning this year,” Larson said.
Interested students can learn more about upcoming open houses and added majors by visiting the college website or contacting program directors Mary Westby, Wade Green, and Karl Larson directly. The department chairs are more than happy to help with structuring course plans and ensure the best possible four years at Gustavus.
“If I have the opportunity to have current students present, they can give their perspective. If it is an in-person session with current Gustavus students, I potentially meet one on one with them to design a 4-year plan to help them be prepared for completing the 6-year or 5-year route of entry.” Westby said.
The Gustavus MAT program prepares graduates to meet those demands by blending science, connection, and hands-on expertise to shape the next generation of leaders in sports medicine. Gusties already practice the “Go Beyond” school motto, and the opportunities provided by athletic training will ensure they continue to do just that.