The Athletic Training Program (ATP) is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education.  In order to sit for the Board of Certification (BOC) exam, students must graduate from a CAATE-accredited Athletic Training Education Program.  Once a student passes the BOC exam and graduates from the CAATE-accredited ATP, he/she will hold the credential of certified athletic trainer (AT).  The ATP providews the educational clinical foundation to prepare students to successfully challenge the BOC exam; however, successful completion of the program does not guarantee that a student will pass the BOC exam.  The program provides students with the knowledge and skills necessary to work with all aspects of injury, illness, and performance associated with physically active populations.

Students apply for acceptance into the ATP during the fall of their sophomore year.  Once accepted into the program, students begin the professional phase of the program.  Students are required to be in the professional phase of the program for a minimum of five semesters.  Because the program is structured with required courses only offered in certain semesters and each semester's content builds on the previous semester(s), students must progress through the program following the designated sequence. 

Each semester students take a clinical education course which includes clinical rotations either on- or off-campus.  During the first semester in the program students will complete three five-week rotations.  In the remaining four semesters, students are assigned to rotations for a sport season in addition to completing rotations in a physical therapy clinic and physician office.  Rotations are assigned to ensure that each student is exposed to a variety of pathologies and populations (i.e., upper extremity injuries, lower extremity injuries, equipment intensive sports, contact, non-contact sports, adolescents, general population, etc.).

Many students elect to pursue graduate studies after graduation from the program.  It is recommended that students wishing to pursue graduate studies maintain a 3.5 QPA or higher.  Students are responsible for determining what pre-requisites are needed for a given graduate program and should understand that those course would be considered university-wide electives.  Furthermore, elective courses/labs cannot conflict with required clinical rotations or courses.  As a result, an additional semester(s) and/or summer school may be needed to complete electives after completion of the ATP.