MAT Program Meeting the Need for Athletic Trainers
The first two graduating classes of Cedarville University’s Master of Athletic Training (MAT) program achieved a 100% pass rate on the Board of Certification (BOC) exam and 100% job placement.
With the demand for athletic trainers projected to grow 13% over the next decade, according to the , Cedarville University is meeting the need with excellence. The first two graduating classes of the university’s Master of Athletic Training (MAT) program achieved a 100% pass rate on the Board of Certification (BOC) exam, including an 83% first-attempt rate, and 100% job placement.
All 11 graduates from the first two graduating classes in 2024 and 2025 passed the national certification exam and accepted professional positions across the country. The class of 2024 includes Elizabeth Breedlove of Big Island, Virginia; Mason Cooksey of Cincinnati, Ohio; Katie Hall of Stow, Ohio; Dennis Kistulinec of Dayton, Ohio; and Noah Sherr of Dayton, Ohio. The class of 2025 includes Lauren Barnes of Williamsport, Ohio; Jacob Bonville of Xenia, Ohio; Michael Butcher of Knoxville, Tennessee; Kyler Conn of Washington Court House, Ohio; Kara (Hodson) McNamara of Cedarville, Ohio; and Sarah (Lagan) Nedungadi of Monrovia, Maryland.
Launched in 2022, Cedarville’s MAT program equips students with real-world clinical experiences in sports, health care and educational environments. Through immersive placements, students work alongside credentialed, practicing clinicians who are dedicated to both professional training and faith-based mentorship.
“In the MAT program, we view athletic training as both a profession and a ministry,” said Dr. Ken Blood, program director. “Our goal is not only to prepare students for success through rigorous training and clinical experience, but also to cultivate in them a heart to serve patients and athletes.”
He recently shared about his internship with the NFL’s Indianapolis Colts on the , before weeks later, becoming the assistant athletic trainer for the University of Kansas’ men’s basketball and baseball programs. His master’s thesis on emergency action planning for collegiate athletics earned him the National Athletic Trainers’ Association (NATA) Foundation’s top national award in May 2025.
"Cedarville University's MAT program offers students a comprehensive experience with a variety of clinical sites, preceptors and professors,” said Conn. “The MAT program pushed me out of my comfort zone, allowing me to grow in my clinical skills and patient interaction. The vast connection network of the program faculty, as well as Cedarville's athletic training department, places students in an optimal position to land jobs in their preferred environment."
Elizabeth Breedlove, a 2024 graduate, now serves as an athletic trainer at Ohio Valley Surgical Hospital while also mentoring student-athletes at a local high school. Her dual roles reflect the growing demand for highly trained professionals who can serve in both clinical and educational settings.
“Breedlove was an outstanding student who displays great intellect and professionalism while simultaneously providing great care for each patient she comes in contact with,” said Blood. “Her dedication and passion for athletic training exemplify the success of the MAT program and the vastness of where our students can serve.”
As the need for athletic trainers grows nationwide, Cedarville’s MAT program is already producing highly skilled professionals who are deeply committed to serving others — in both career and calling.
Cedarville University, an evangelical Christian institution in southwest Ohio, offers undergraduate and graduate residential and online programs across arts, sciences and professional fields. With 7,265 students, it ranks among Ohio's largest private universities and is recognized by The Wall Street Journal as being among the nation’s top three evangelical universities. Cedarville is also known for its vibrant Christian community, challenging academics and high graduation and retention rates. Learn more at cedarville.edu.