Brock University is strengthening athletic therapy education in Canada.
The University has launched Canada's first English-based Master of Athletic Therapy (MAT) program, marking an educational milestone for the professional field.
Approved by the Ministry of Colleges and Universities, the program places Brock at the forefront of athletic therapy education in Canada, meeting the needs of students looking to take their expertise to the next level and supporting the need for highly skilled professionals in the industry.
Applications for the program open this August, with the first cohort set to begin classes in May 2026.
Applications open this August for Brock's new Master of Athletic Therapy program. Associate Professor of Kinesiology Nicole Chimera (right), who will lead the program, supervises fourth-year Kinesiology students Rachel Wittie and Emmery Borg through upper extremity anatomy techniques.
"There's been significant and growing interest in athletic therapy, not only in sport but also across sectors such as health care and wellness," says Peter Tiidus, Dean of Brock's Faculty of Applied Health Sciences. "The University's MAT program will help meet this demand, providing students with the critical skills to succeed in a highly competitive and rewarding field while building on Brock's strength in applied health sciences education."
While the University of Quebec at Trois-Rivières offers the only other athletic therapy master's program in Canada, Brock's program is positioned to stand apart as the first of its kind in English.
Associate Professor of Kinesiology Nicole Chimera says Brock's program, which she will lead, will include valuable hands-on learning opportunities that will ensure students have the necessary skills to be fully job-ready upon graduation.
Over the program's six consecutive terms, students will participate in several clinical placements in addition to completing a Major Research Project in areas such as muscle and bone physiology, injury prevention and risk reduction.
"Through a combination of classroom learning, lab-based instruction and immersive clinical experiences, students will develop the skills and expertise necessary to advance the field of athletic therapy," Chimera says. "Our goal is to produce graduates who are prepared to lead in diverse sports settings and health-care environments."
The MAT has received provisional accreditation by the Canadian Athletic Therapists Association (CATA), with graduates eligible for the national certification exam to become Certified Athletic Therapists.
"This provisional accreditation speaks to the calibre of Brock's Master of Athletic Therapy program," says Nota Klentrou, Professor and Chair of the Department of Kinesiology. "The University is preparing students to meet and exceed the association's high standards for professional certification."
The MAT program takes a unique approach to education in integrating biomechanics, rehabilitation and clinical practice into a multidisciplinary framework.
"Our students will not only learn how to treat injuries but also how to optimize recovery and enhance performance using inclusive and evidence-based practices in a wide range of environments," Chimera says.
"Athletic therapy has evolved significantly over the past decade," she says. "In addition to treating professional athletes, the field is now also focused on bringing the best of rehabilitation and injury prevention practices to the broader population."
The MAT program contributes to Brock's mission to provide transformational academic experiences that support create career-ready graduates.
"The MAT program's advanced clinical training is one example of the ways in which Brock sets students up for success in a variety of dynamic fields," says Tiidus. "We look forward to seeing all that our graduates will accomplish as they make meaningful contributions to the world."
More information on the program is available on the Brock MAT web page.
