August 25, 2022

SLU AT Program Welcomes Back Dr. Nathan Jarman as Teaching Faculty


The Saint Louis University Athletic Training Program is excited to welcome back Dr. Nathan Jarman as an instructor in our program.  He is here as a part of a collaboration between SSM Health Sports Medicine and the Doisy College of Health Sciences.  He will be course coordinator for MAT 5100 - Kinesiology in the Fall and MAT 5500 - Rehabilitation in Athletics Training I in the spring and will collaborate with other courses as well as continuing education activities.


Nathan is a native Missourian from Holden.  He earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Exercise Science with an emphasis in Athletic Training from the University of Central Missouri.  He then obtained his Master’s Degree in Athletic Training from Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center.  Nathan has 14 years of clinical practice experience, predominately in the high school setting, but has also worked in the collegiate setting.  He is an active member of the NATA and the Missouri Brain Injury Association and has presented post-professional courses in anatomy, concussion, hip pathology and lumbo-pelvic dysfunction.  Nathan completed his PhD in Rehabilitation Sciences from Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center.  His research concentration is concussion, posturography and musculoskeletal conditions.  His wife, Severyn, is a SLU alumnus and Physician Assistant in orthopedics.

August 18, 2022

SLU AT Student Experiences Rich Learning Environment in Industrial Setting at the Kennedy Space Center

SLU AT Clinical Site Spotlight - RehabWorks/NASA, Kennedy Space Center
By: Muharem Komic (MAT Class of 2023)

This summer I have had a great opportunity to gain clinical experience with RehabWorks at NASA Kennedy Space Center in Florida. I was fortunate enough to be working with Mary Kirkland ATC and Nicole Yacobino ATC everyday at the clinic. They are great preceptors and share their knowledge of the profession extremely well. They have shown me and taught me so much, allowing me to gain knowledge in assessment, documentation, rehab, and modalities. I was not the only student here, there were two other students from other universities here as well. One of them left before I began, but it was nice to work with other students who have had similar experiences to the ones that SLU offers. We shared our experiences and learned from each other and being able to do that was great.


It has been an interesting adjustment going from rehabbing young high school and collegiate athletes, to rehabbing older industrial athletes. Understanding doctor referrals and protocols and implementing them into the patient's treatment plan, especially if the patient is post operative. Along with being able to apply my own knowledge from past experiences and be able to implement them. A typical day consists of preparing for a patient's care or for a new patient. After treatments we make sure that everything is clean and ready for the next patient.

My days consisted of observing and performing assessments and treatments. I have also been documenting every single day and have been improving that skill profoundly. Something that I have observed and learned is a new modality called the cold laser. The laser has no thermal effects and can be stimulatory, promoting healing effects, or inhibitory, reducing pain. Being exposed to patients with limited mobility was new and learning new exercises to assist them has been educational.

Being able to work with this staff and these patients has given me a great experience that has allowed me to grow in the profession as an Athletic Training Student. Every day feels different and I did not know what to expect coming in and now my expectations have been passed then I could imagine. My favorite thing so far is witnessing patient progression and them being happy. This has been a great experience so far and I am looking forward to what the rest of the rotation will bring.

Students in the Saint Louis University Athletic Training Program have an immersive field experience in the summer between their two professional years in the program. This blog post details a student's reflection on their experience.

August 17, 2022

SLU AT Student Develops Skills in Patient Care Collaborating with Preceptor/Alum at Bluetail Medical Group


SLU AT Clinical Site Spotlight - Bluetail Medical Group
By: Stacie Galo (MAT Class of 2023)

This summer I had the wonderful opportunity to gain experience at Bluetail Medical group! I had previously completed a general medical rotation during the spring semester there, and knew I wanted to go back to gain more insight into what it was like working in an orthopedic office as an Athletic Trainer. My preceptor, Brianna (LaBarbera) Diab MAT, ATC, was a SLU grad so it was great to be able to connect with her. She works with Dr. Christopher Wolf DO who specializes in concussion assessment as well as evaluating workers compensation patients. Bluetail is known for their non-operative treatments, with Dr. Wolf performing musculoskeletal manipulations as well as performing PRP and stem cell regenerative treatments. 


To name a few, Bri’s role was to perform initial evaluations, do follow up interviews, and assist with treatments such as preparing the equipment and performing some of the injections to assist Dr. Wolf. She was very eager to show me her role in the office and walk me through her responsibilities.

Initially I was mainly observing these treatments, and going in with Bri to do initial evaluations or follow ups, but when I gained the confidence to do it myself, I was the one who would room patients, do their initial intake, perform any evaluations I deemed necessary, and then report my findings back to the doctor before we both went back in to do the final assessments and treatment plans for the patients. Dr. Wolf utilized ultrasound to assist with the PRP treatments, as well as to confirm or explore possible musculoskeletal diagnosis. 

Although my time at Bluetail was short, I really enjoyed my experience. I felt my biggest improvements this summer were gaining more confidence with patient interactions as well as my initial evaluation skills, I also gained a lot more insight in concussion and TBI assessment and treatment. I am excited to translate these into my future practice as a PY2 and in the future as an Athletic Trainer!

Students in the Saint Louis University Athletic Training Program have an immersive field experience in the summer between their two professional years in the program. This blog post details a student's reflection on their experience.

August 12, 2022

SLU AT Program Announces New Scholarships and Grants for Graduate-Entry Students


Welcome! Bienvenidos! Bienvenue! 

Now located in one of the greatest sports and medical cities in the United States, the Saint Louis University Athletic Training Program is welcoming new graduate students in St. Louis, Missouri. New scholarships are available. Accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education (CAATE) since 2010, 

SLU is among the most established Athletic Training programs in the world and preparing U.S. and international health professionals. You will join numerous Saint Louis University Athletic Training alumni in the world today – carrying forward a mission of interprofessional excellence and service to others to improve the health of individuals and communities.

At SLU, you can count on your wellness and academic achievement being supported by faculty and staff. Since we started, our program has an overall 100% pass rate the Board of Certification (BOC) Examination. You can also benefit from the University’s recent investments in student well-being, such as recreational programs, mental health supports, and more. 

You will be part of an academic medical center community. The medical center campus includes top-rated schools – School of Medicine, School of Nursing, College for Public Health and Social Justice, and Doisy College of Health Sciences (Department of Physical Therapy and Athletic Training, where the SLU AT Program resides). You will be mentored by physicians, athletic trainers, and other health professionals through clinical experience, classes, research projects and voluntary service learning. While you practice new skills, you will be supporting the athletic training needs of professional athletes, college programs, high schools, and community events across the region. 

The SLU Athletic Training Program is committed to placing students with sites and preceptors who love teaching and offering students hands-on experience. Click here to learn more about Saint Louis University and your opportunities as a student in the Master of Athletic Training Program: http://www.slu.edu/doisy/degrees/graduate/athletic-training-mat.php

Scholarship Support and Tuition

You will be joining a University and College that will invest in you – literally. All graduate students starting in 2023 are eligible for up to $12,000 in scholarship awards 
  • $10,000 Sports Medicine Scholarship 
  • $2,000 Magis Community Service Grant
  • Other scholarship awards may be available from the University as well 
  • All admitted students are considered for research assistantships and teaching assistantships. 
The total tuition for the 2-year Master of Athletic Training program is fixed at $55,000. With full scholarship support, your net cost is $43,000 (or an average of $21,500 per year) or less. The program is eligible for federal student loan support and our Office of Student Financial Services will guide you through loan options. With fixed package pricing at Saint Louis University, there is no cost increase in your second year. 

Admission Requirements 
  • Most successful applicants have an undergraduate grade point average of 3.00 or better on a 4.00 scale. 
  • Completion of prerequisite college coursework.
  • GRE scores are not required 
Applicants that do not meet the regular requirements, but who demonstrate the potential for success in the program and field may still be admitted on a case-by-case basis. 

Admission Deadlines
  • Priority deadline: January 1st Second deadline: April 1st 
  • The program begins in May 2023. 
  • The number of students selected each year is limited. 
Prerequisite Coursework 
  • One semester biology with lab 
  • One semester chemistry with lab 
  • One semester physics with lab 
  • Two semesters anatomy and physiology or equivalent 
  • Exercise physiology
  • General psychology 
  • Statistics 
  • Medical terminology
SLU offers admission to applicants who still need to finish prerequisite courses. These situations are handled on a case-by-case basis 

Contact the SLU AT Program 

August 03, 2022

SLU AT Student Values Opportunity to Reconnect with Preceptor at Edwardsville High School


SLU AT Clinical Site Spotlight - Edwardsville High School
By: Alex Davis (MAT Class of 2023)

For my summer field experience, I am back at Edwardsville High School with preceptor Katie Hamilton ATC. This clinical experience is a little different than when I was with her in the fall, but in some ways, it is still the same. I have been getting there at around 6:30 every morning to help with 7am football practice which happens Monday through Friday. But besides getting up very early in the morning, it is great to be there working with the athletes and Katie again. 


I have been taking on more evaluations and taping I can take just for more practice. I have even started to learn about the administrative side of being an athletic trainer. While it is not as fun as doing some of the other things, it is still an important side to learn about the job. 

This was a great experience for me because I was able to display how my skills have grown while still learning from Katie. I will continue at Edwardsville High School for the rest of July and then I will be moving on to my fall clinical placement. Overall this time around, I am more confident in my abilities and Katie has even noticed it as well. 

I am happy to be here and excited about working on my craft with Katie once again!

Students in the Saint Louis University Athletic Training Program have an immersive field experience in the summer between their two professional years in the program. This blog post details a student's reflection on their experience.