Bachelor of Science in Athletic Training

Program Contact: Stephen Straub 203-582-8443

The Bachelor of Science in Athletic Training program at Quinnipiac is a four-year undergraduate program preparing students to sit for the national certification exam (bocatc.org), which permits the student to work as a Certified Athletic Trainer (nata.org). This direct-entry program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education (caate.net) and offers a highly personalized learning environment featuring small classes and ready access to faculty, which reflects the university’s commitment to excellence in teaching, as well as support for scholarship and professional development.

The Athletic Training faculty members share a service orientation toward the students and their needs. The program also strives to prepare graduates who manifest critical and creative thinking, effective communication skills, informed value judgments, and who possess an educational foundation for continued growth and development in a changing world of diverse cultures and people.

BS in Athletic Training Curriculum

Preprofessional Component

Examination and an evaluation of high school units presented determine initial placement in the English and mathematics courses. The minimum mathematics requirement is MA 275. Biology and athletic training courses must be completed in the appropriate semesters as indicated. The following courses must be completed with a C- or better and a minimum GPA of 2.67.

Course List

Code	Title	Credits
Required Courses
BIO 101 & 101L	General Biology I and General Biology I Lab	4
BIO 102 & 102L	General Biology II and General Biology Lab II	4
BIO 211 & 211L	Human Anatomy and Physiology I and Human Anatomy and Physiology Lab I	4
BIO 212 & 212L	Human Anatomy and Physiology II and Human Anatomy and Physiology II Lab	4
CHE 101 & 101L	Fundamentals of General, Organic and Biological Chemistry I and Fundamentals of General, Organic and Biological Chemistry I Lab 1	4
CHE 102 & 102L	Fundamentals of General, Organic and Biological Chemistry II and Fundamentals of General, Organic and Biological Chemistry II Lab 1	4
MA 275	Biostatistics	3
Total Credits		27

Where applicable, courses may be used to satisfy University Curriculum requirements. Progression to the professional component occurs in the fourth semester or second year, spring semester.

The following courses must be completed with a minimum of a B- at Quinnipiac and prior to entry into the professional component of the Athletic Training program. All AT courses must be taken at Quinnipiac.

Course List

Code	Title	Credits
AT 114	Introduction to Athletic Training/Sports Medicine	2
AT 115	Introduction to Kinesiology	3
AT 116	Introduction to Fitness and Conditioning	2
AT 214	Care and Prevention of Athletic Injuries	3
AT 216 & 216L	Emergency Management of Athletic Trauma and Emergency Management of Athletic Trauma Lab	3
AT 250 & 250L	Introduction to Evaluation and Treatment of Musculoskeletal Injuries and Introduction to Evaluation and Treatment of Musculoskeletal Injuries	4
Total Credits		17

Professional Component

The Admissions, Progression and Retention Committee for the program in athletic training is responsible for evaluating and screening candidates for the professional component of the program. Program requirements are established in conjunction with the guidelines established by the Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education and are acceptable to the school and university administration. Clinical assignments (clinical practicum I–V) are divided between Quinnipiac and off-campus sites. Students are responsible for transportation to and from all off-campus sites and should plan to have a vehicle by the fourth semester. Most off-campus sites are within 15 miles from the main campus. Students involved in varsity athletics typically require additional semester(s) to complete the program.

The curriculum for the professional courses in the program is subject to modification as deemed necessary to maintain a high-quality educational experience and keep current with best practices in the profession.

Athletic Training Curriculum

Plan of Study Grid

First Year
Fall Semester		Credits
BIO 101 & 101L	General Biology I and General Biology I Lab (UC science)	4
CHE 101 & 101L	Fundamentals of General, Organic and Biological Chemistry I and Fundamentals of General, Organic and Biological Chemistry I Lab 1	4
EN 101	Introduction to Academic Reading and Writing (UC)	3
UC Fine Arts		3
FYS 101	First-Year Seminar	3
	Credits	17
Spring Semester
AT 114	Introduction to Athletic Training/Sports Medicine 2	2
AT 115	Introduction to Kinesiology	3
AT 116	Introduction to Fitness and Conditioning 2	2
BIO 102 & 102L	General Biology II and General Biology Lab II (UC Science)	4
CHE 102 & 102L	Fundamentals of General, Organic and Biological Chemistry II and Fundamentals of General, Organic and Biological Chemistry II Lab 1	4
EN 102	Academic Writing and Research (UC)	3
	Credits	18
Second Year
Fall Semester
AT 214	Care and Prevention of Athletic Injuries	3
AT 216 & 216L	Emergency Management of Athletic Trauma and Emergency Management of Athletic Trauma Lab	3
AT 250 & 250L	Introduction to Evaluation and Treatment of Musculoskeletal Injuries and Introduction to Evaluation and Treatment of Musculoskeletal Injuries	4
BIO 211 & 211L	Human Anatomy and Physiology I and Human Anatomy and Physiology Lab I	4
MA 275	Biostatistics (UC Quantitative Literacy)	3
	Credits	17
Spring Semester
AT 215 & 215L	Therapeutic Modalities and Therapeutic Modalities Lab	4
AT 210	Introduction to Evidence-Based Practice	2
AT 251 & 251L	Evaluation and Treatment of Lower Extremity Musculoskeletal Injuries and Evaluation and Treatment of Lower Extremity Musculoskeletal Injuries Lab	4
AT 290	Clinical Practicum I, Risk Management and Injury Prevention	2
AT 290C	Clinical Practicum I	1
BIO 212 & 212L	Human Anatomy and Physiology II and Human Anatomy and Physiology II Lab	4
	Credits	17
Third Year
Fall Semester
AT 350 & 350L	Evaluation and Treatment of Upper Extremity Musculoskeletal Injuries and Evaluation and Treatment of Musculoskeletal Injuries Lab	4
AT 351 & 351L	General Medical Conditions and Treatment and General Medical Conditions and Treatments Lab	4
AT 390	Clinical Practicum II, Athletic Protective Equipment	2
AT 390C	Clinical Practicum II, Clinical	1
BMS 300 & 300L	The Physiology of Human Performance I and The Physiology of Human Performance I Lab	4
PS 101	Introduction to Psychology (UC social science)	3
	Credits	18
Spring Semester
AT 330	Nutrition for Sport and Fitness	3
AT 352 & 352L	Evaluation and Treatment of Spinal Injuries and Evaluation and Treatment of the Spinal Injuries Lab	4
AT 391C	Clinical Practicum III	1
BMS 301 & 301L	Physiology of Human Performance II and Physiology of Human Performance II Lab	4
PS 272	Abnormal Psychology (UC social science)	3
	Credits	15
Fourth Year
Fall Semester
AT 450	Administration and Management in Athletic Training	3
AT 490C	Clinical Practicum IV	1
UC Electives (2)		6
SHS 420	Integrative Capstone	3
	Credits	13
Spring Semester
AT 491	Clinical Practicum V, Professional and Career Preparation	2
AT 491C	Clinical Practicum V, Clinical	1
UC Elective		3
UC Humanities		3
UC Humanities		3
	Credits	12
	Total Credits	127

¹

Students enrolled in the AT/DPT dual program or interested in certain graduate programs should substitute CHE 110–CHE 111 for CHE 101–CHE 102.

²

These AT courses have a laboratory and/or clinical component.

**Students admitted to the AT/DPT dual major need to take PHY 110 , PHY 111 and MA 141 (total credits 129). Additionally, students must achieve a 3.20 cumulative GPA and a 3.20 average for 46 credits of selected math and science courses at the completion of all credits for admission to the graduate DPT program.

A GPA of 3.00 must be maintained each semester during the professional component; C, D and F grades are unacceptable in the core courses during the professional component of the program.

The Athletic Training program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education (CAATE).

Student Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of the undergraduate degree program in athletic training, students will demonstrate the following competencies:

1. Professional Competence: Engage in quality patient interactions displaying entry-level professional attributes.
2. Clinical Competence: Provide quality patient care and clinical decision-making during all clinical experiences.
3. Clinical Decision-Making: Deliver high-quality patient care and make critical patient care decisions.
4. High-Quality Patient Interaction: Engage in interprofessional collaboration and patient care.
5. Interprofessional Health Care: Collaborate and communicate with professions across the health system.
6. Evidence-Based Practice: Partake in evidence-informed practice by engaging in the development and presentation of a PICO-based question.

Goal: Students will display personal responsibility.

1. Personal Development: Understand and engage as personally responsible professionals during clinical experiences.
2. Adhere to Standards of Professional Practice: Understand and engage within all legal and professional standards for healthcare providers.
3. Professional Presentation: Display personal responsibility, professionalism and subject area specialization to healthcare peers.

Goal: Students will demonstrate critical and creative thinking.

1. Research Appraisal: Effectively appraise and present current evidence for use in patient care decision-making.
2. Education: Engage in creative dissemination of professional attributes and/or health care promotion.
3. Critical Thinking: Demonstrate declarative and procedural knowledge of thinking.
4. Rehabilitation Planning: Create and implement patient care plans that exhibit both critical and creative development. 

Goal: Students will demonstrate entry-level professional competence.

1. BOC Pass Rate: Pass the national certification examination.
2. Senior Level Proficiency: Display entry-level knowledge, skills and abilities within all domains of athletic training via individual assessments.

Departmental and Program Mission Statement

The mission of the Athletic Training Education Program is to provide a quality education program through which students obtain the knowledge and psychomotor skills necessary to practice as athletic trainers certified by the Board of Certification. Importance is placed upon the provision of opportunities within the curriculum for the development of skills encompassing the domains of athletic training. Strong emphasis is placed on the practical clinical experience coupled with specific professional coursework. Recognizing the importance of excellence in teaching and instruction, the faculty, in its commitment to the combination of diverse clinical and intellectual experiences, collaborates in educating students.

The Athletic Training Education Program offers a highly personalized learning environment featuring small classes and ready access to faculty. Reflecting the university's commitment to excellence in teaching, the Athletic Training and Sports Medicine faculty members share a service orientation toward the students and their needs. The program also strives to prepare graduates who manifest critical and creative thinking, effective communication skills, informed value judgments and who possess an educational foundation for continued growth and development in a changing world of diverse cultures and people.

Athletic Training Education Program Goals

The program will:

1. Provide effective clinical placement sites supervised by willing and participatory preceptors.
2. Demonstrate excellence in teaching.
3. Provide professional mentorship to guide students through their undergraduate experience to their selected post-graduate placement.

Direct Entry

The School of Health Sciences is not currently accepting new students into the Bachelor of Science in Athletic Training. 

Candidates applying for admission to the Athletic Training program from high school are recommended to have four years of math and science. Math must include Algebra I & II, Geometry through Pre-Calculus or Calculus. Biology and Chemistry are required and a relevant fourth year of science ( i.e., Physics, Anatomy & Physiology, AP Biology, Advanced Chemistry, Bio II, Human Anatomy). Some observation hours are recommended, with a Certified Athletic Trainer. Prospective candidates also must satisfy general Quinnipiac University admission requirements.

All applications must include three letters of reference. A personal interview may be requested with representatives of the admissions office to discuss program requirements and the applicant’s professional interests and commitments.

Applications are accepted for admission to the fall semester only.

Admission to Quinnipiac University does not guarantee admission to the Athletic Training program, unless officially accepted into the program. Students enrolled in the program (semesters 1–3) must achieve a B- or better in AT 114, AT 115, AT 116, AT 214 , AT 216 and AT 250 and a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.67 upon completion of all program science and math requirements to qualify for advancement into the professional component of the program (D and F grades in the required science and math courses are unacceptable).

All AT courses must be taken and completed at Quinnipiac University. Professional component students (semesters 4–8) must earn at least a B- in all professional component courses and maintain a GPA of 3.00 each semester during the professional component. Students who fail to maintain these grade requirements are subject to dismissal from the program.

Students enrolled in the Athletic Training program, or other majors that provide prerequisite requirements for the graduate DPT program, may apply for entry into the three-year Doctor of Physical Therapy. Please see Entry-Level Dual-Degree Bachelor of Science to DPT for information on application for entry into the three-year Doctor of Physical Therapy graduate program.

Technical Standards for Admission

The Athletic Training program is a rigorous and intense program that places specific requirements and demands on the students enrolled in the program. An objective of this program is to prepare graduates to enter a variety of employment settings and to render care to a wide spectrum of individuals engaged in physical activity. The technical standards set forth by the Athletic Training program establish the essential qualities considered necessary for admitted students to this program to achieve the knowledge, skills and competencies of an entry-level athletic trainer, as well as meet the expectations of the program’s accrediting agency: Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education (CAATE).

All students admitted to the program must meet the established abilities and expectations. In the event a student is unable to fulfill these technical standards, with or without reasonable accommodation, the student will not be admitted or may be dismissed from the program.

Candidates for selection to the program are required to verify that they understand and meet the technical standards or that they believe that, with certain reasonable accommodations, the technical standards can be met. Verification of understanding includes the student reading, signing and returning a copy of the Technical Standards Agreement to the program director during the spring semester of the student’s first year. View a listing of the technical standards and agreement form for the Athletic Training program. It is recommended the student read and understand the agreement form prior to enrollment at the university. Please address any questions to the Office of Student Accessibility.

Background Check and Immunizations

All students entering the Athletic Training program, and the healthcare professions in general, should be aware that most professional credentialing agencies require a background check prior to awarding professional credentials. Visit bocatc.org for information regarding background checks for those seeking to become certified athletic trainers.

For Athletic Training, the affidavit portion of the certification exam application requires candidates to report any felony or misdemeanor conviction along with any judgments of negligence, malpractice or misconduct. During the application process for the national certifying examination, candidates must submit an explanation of the events that led to the conviction(s) and a copy of court document(s), including, but not limited to, an arrest report, sentence recommendation, compliance of all court requirements and proof of payment of all related fines.

Candidates may request a predetermination of eligibility at any time by submitting their documentation prior to their application. The Professional Practice and Discipline Committee reviews all convictions. Candidates are notified in writing of the committee’s decision. Please review the Professional Practice and Disciplinary Guidelines and Procedures for details.

Students enrolled in the Quinnipiac University Athletic Training program will be required to complete criminal and sex offender background checks and submit required health and immunization records (including titer testing) prior to initiation of clinical rotations. The cost of the background checks and all immunization related costs are the responsibility of the individual student. A complete listing of the immunizations is available under "Additional Program Costs."

Additional Program Costs

As a clinical education program, the Athletic Training major requires some expenses that go beyond standard university tuition and fees:

1. Clinical Education Travel (gas, parking, public transportation) – Students will have at least two clinical rotation experiences that take place off campus. For this rotation, the student typically travels 4 to 5 times per week for practice, games and treatments. While a car is not absolutely required, it increases the variety and flexibility of clinical experiences available to the student. These rotations start during the sophomore year. Costs: variable.

2. Immunizations – Consistent with the School of Health Sciences policy, all students must have a full battery of immunizations and in some cases titer affirmation of immunity for common diseases including but not limited to: MMR, HepB, varicella, polio, TDAP, TB, influenza and COVID-19. These must be documented prior to the start of clinical experiences during the sophomore year and must be maintained through the undergraduate education. Costs: variable (please check with your insurance carrier).

3. Background Check – All students must undergo a background check prior to the start of clinical observations in the sophomore year. Cost: Initial background check cost is $63 for all domestic addresses for the past 7 years or $158 for students who have resided in New York state in the last 7 years due to NY state surcharge.

4. Liability Insurance – All students have liability insurance coverage through the university, free of charge, while performing required clinical activity. Students may choose to purchase additional coverage at their own expense.

5. Medical Record Tracking – Consistent with School of Health Sciences policy, students must sign up for and maintain an online account to confirm all required medical records and certifications. This program tracks all student health and safety records, provides documentation to prospective clinical sites and provides notification of impending expiration dates. Cost: approximately $35 per year.

6. Professional Association Membership – Students are strongly encouraged (but not required) to join the professional association (NATA). Cost: approximately $85 per year, depending on home state.

7. BOC Certification Exam – Professional certification is limited to those who pass the BOC certification examination (typically taken during the last semester of enrollment). Cost: $365 for NATA members; $390 for non-NATA members.

8. Appropriate Uniforms/Clothing – Each clinical site determines appropriate dress for their location. The student is responsible for meeting the dress code. Cost: estimated $100 per year.

Transfer Students from Other Colleges and Universities

Transfer students from other colleges and universities may be accepted into the Athletic Training program based on space availability. These students must meet the course requirements, performance standards (GPA of 2.67) and technical standards of the program. The students must complete the general science requirements, AT 114 , AT 115, AT 116, AT 214, AT 216 and AT 250 prior to entry into the professional component of the program or the fourth semester of the course sequence. AT 114 , AT 115 , AT 116, AT 214, AT 216 and AT 250 must be taken at Quinnipiac.

Athletic Training courses from the student’s previous institution will not be considered for replacement of BMS 300, BMS 301 or any of the athletic training courses offered at Quinnipiac.

Transfer Students from Within Quinnipiac

Students currently attending Quinnipiac in another program may be accepted into the Athletic Training program based on space availability and review of qualifications by the program director. Students may apply through the department upon completion of the general science requirements, AT 114, AT 115, AT 116, AT 214, AT 216 and AT 250 prior to entry into the professional component of the program or the fourth semester of the course sequence. These students must meet the course requirements, performance standards (GPA of 2.67) and technical standards of the program.

The Athletic Training education program at Quinnipiac University is accredited by:

The Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education (CAATE.net)

2001 K Street NW, 3rd Floor North
Washington, DC 20006

Phone: 512-733-9700  Toll-free: 844-GO-CAATE (844-462-2283)

The program received a 10-year accreditation (the maximum available) in 2019. The re-accreditation process will commence in June 2028 with the submission of a self-study report to CAATE.

Complete program outcomes can be found at our program link at CAATE_QU

To become a Certified Athletic Trainer, a candidate must pass a national certification examination. The program has a three-year aggregate first-time pass rate of 95 percent. Here are our certification examination results by year:

Student BOC Pass Rate

Student BOC Pass Rate	2019-2020	2020-2021	2021-2022	3 Yr Aggregate
Number of students graduating from program	14	24	24	62
Number of graduating students who took examination	14	23	24	61
Number of students who passed exam on first attempt	14	22	22	58
Percentage who passed exam on first attempt	100	96	92	95
Number of students who passed exam regardless of # of attempts	14	22	24	60
Percentage who passed exam regardless of # of attempts	100	96	100	98