Athletic Training Major (B.S.)

Frequently Asked Questions regarding the Degree Change in Athletic Training

CAATE standards

Q: What is the last 1^st year/freshman class to be admitted to the Bachelor of Science (BS) Athletic Training major at UNH?

• Fall 2019 is the LAST 1^st year/freshman class to be admitted to the BS Athletic Training major at UNH.

Q: I am NOT CURRENTLY a BS Athletic Training major at the University of New Hampshire, but I am another major/undeclared at UNH and/or attending another institution. I want to enter the BS Athletic Training Major at UNH, what are my options?

• In all of the following scenarios, interested students should contact the Athletic Training major coordinator for specific information.
• If you are CURRENTLY an Athletic Training major at a different college/university, you MAY be eligible to transfer to the UNH Athletic Training major up through and including admission for Fall 2021. You would have to be admitted to the UNH Athletic Training major no later than Fall 2021.
• If you are currently enrolled in another major or undeclared major at UNH, you MUST BE ENROLLED in BMS 507 & 508 and AT 506/507 during the 2019-2020 academic year to be eligible to enter the AT major for Fall 2020.
• If you are NOT CURRENTLY an Athletic Training major at a different college/university, you MAY be eligible to transfer to the UNH Athletic Training major up through and including for Spring 2020. You MUST BE ENROLLED in (or have completed) a human anatomy & physiology class (with lab) for Fall 2019. You would have to be admitted to the UNH AT major no later than Spring 2020.
• Regardless of student status, all students have to participate in the competitive secondary admissions process (see Earning Full-Time Status) to continue in the major towards graduation.

Q: I will be a high school senior during 2019-2020 and I want to attend UNH for Athletic Training. What are my options?

• You can be one of the first students to graduate from UNH with a Master of Science Degree in Athletic Training! (pending CAATE Accreditation approval)
• You would apply to UNH for Fall 2020 and select Health Sciences as your major
• The Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences will provide you will the prerequisite course work that will make you eligible for post-graduate study in athletic training, physical therapy, physician assistant, and many other medical/health related professional programs of study.

Q: Why should I attend UNH to pursue my Master of Science degree in Athletic Training?

• The proposed design of the entire program of study will be:
  
  • Years 1-3 in Health Sciences program
  • Year 4 (senior year)
    
    • Finishing requirements for Health Sciences degree
    • Apply for and earn ‘conditional’ admission to Master of Science in Athletic Training
    • Begin taking coursework in Master of Science in Athletic Training
    • At conclusion of 4^th year, formally apply for and earn admission to Master of Science in Athletic Training
  • Summer between Year 4 and Year 5 “immersive” clinical experience in athletic training
  • Year 5 complete coursework and clinical experiences for Master of Science in Athletic Training AND eligible to take BOC Exam for professional practice as an athletic trainer.
• You will graduate with a Master of Science degree in Athletic Training in 5 years. This means you only have to pay graduate tuition for 1 year.
• Athletic Training education at UNH has a long and rich tradition that dates back to the early 1990s.
• Faculty who are experienced, knowledgeable and experts in profession; clinical preceptors with many years of practical experience in athletic training and educating students
• Division I Athletics program; many teams compete, annually, in post-season and NCAA Championship events

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The Athletic Training Major at UNH is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education (CAATE). The program has been placed on Probation as of February 1, 2019, by the CAATE, 6850 Austin Center Blvd., Suite 100, Austin, TX 78731-3010. The Athletic Training Major at the University of New Hampshire is in non-compliance with CAATE Standard 11 with a three year aggregate first-time BOC exam pass rate of 61% (the CAATE minimum rate is 70%). The Athletic Training Program will have its next comprehensive review during the 2027-2028 academic year.

University of New Hampshire is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education (CAATE). Students gain clinical experience in University Athletics, local high schools and other off-campus clinical sites. Successful completion of the entire program, including supervised clinical experience, qualifies students to take the Board of Certification (BOC) certification exam. Students who wish to pursue both BOC certification and public school teacher certification should also see the Department of Kinesiology Physical Education Option. This double course of study will require between five and six years.

Students are admitted to the University in Athletic Training with conditional status. Specific competitive criteria for earning full-time status must be met during the student’s first year before he or she may apply for full-time status in the major, which is awarded only to students demonstrating exemplary performance in classes and directed observation. Additionally, Major Technical Standards establish the qualities considered necessary for students to achieve the knowledge, skills, and competencies associated with the program. Candidates for full-time status will be required to verify they understand and meet these technical standards or that, with reasonable accommodation, they can meet them. Interested students should consult with program director, Dan Sedory, regarding entry criteria and the technical standards.

Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education (CAATE)
6835 Austin Center Blvd., Suite 250
Austin, TX 78731-3101, (512) 739-9700.

Information current as of 7/10/2019

Program Employment/Placement Rate
(Number and percentage of students within 6-months of Graduation)
Graduating Class by Academic Year (AY)

Program Graduation Rate
(Students who complete their degree within 150% of “normal time” for completing program)
Graduating Class by Academic Year (AY)

* The CAATE requires programs to report statistics as defined by the CAATE (i.e, students admitted versus students who graduate – a student who leaves the AT Major to transfer to a different major or school is still ‘counted’ as being in the AT Major)

• For 2018-19, the 2 students who “did not” graduate from the AT Major DID GRADUATE ON-TIME from other majors at UNH
• 100% of the students who reach their Senior Year in the UNH Athletic Training Major graduate ‘on time’
  
  • Some students even graduate ‘early’ (4 in 2015-16 class, 3 in 2016-17 class, and 1 in 2017-18 class, 3 in 2018-19 class)

Program Retention Rate
(Students enrolled in program who return to the AT Major each academic year)
Student Cohort by Year ENTERING Program/AT Major
Graduating Class by Academic Year (AY)

* 5 students from this class are graduating ‘early’ (September 1, 2019) and are not returning for their Senior Year (they entered the Major at the beginning of their Junior Year and completed the Major in 5 semesters)     

The Board of Certification, Inc. (BOC) provides a certification program for entry-level Athletic Trainers.

The exam contains a combination of 175 scored a2nd unscored (experimental) questions, and candidates will not know which questions are experimental. Candidates have a total of four hours to complete the exam. Candidates are presented with the multiple-choice, stand-alone (drag-and-drop, multi-select, hot-spot, etc.) and focused testlet (scenario followed by five key/critical questions related to that scenario) items in one part. Candidates have the ability to move forward or back throughout the exam.

The Role Delineation Study/Practice Analysis (current edition) (RD/PA) defines the current entry level knowledge, skills and abilities required for practice in the profession of athletic training. The RD/PA serves as the blueprint for determining the content of the exam.

For more information, visit the BOC Exam website.

University of New Hampshire Results

Programs are required by the Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education to meet or exceed a three year aggregate of 70 % first-time passing rate on the BOC exam. The UNH Athletic Training Major is in non-compliance with CAATE Standard 11 with a three year aggregate first-time passing rate on the BOC exam of 61%.

Requirements for Full-Time Status in the Athletic Training Major

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Following are the criteria which will determine who may be admitted to the CAATE Accredited Athletic Training Major (Full-Time Status) at the University of New Hampshire. Effective for all students admitted to UNH, their admission to the Athletic Training Major is on a conditional basis. (College of Health and Human Services Undecided and Internal/External Transfer students are also bound by these criteria).

1. No student in the Athletic Training Major (conditional basis) is guaranteed the opportunity for Full-Time Status in the Major (i.e., to gain clinical experience in the UNH athletic training rooms). The numbers of Full-Time Status students in the Major are limited by CAATE Standards and by available clinical experiences at UNH.
2. All students (First-year, CHHS Undecided, Internal/External Transfers) desiring Full- Time Status in the Athletic Training Major at UNH must meet the following criteria:
   
   1. Meet with the Program Director to review policies and procedures. Should be completed prior to attempting the following criteria:
   2. Complete AT 506, Concepts of Athletic Training for the Professional, and AT 507, Concepts of Athletic Training for the Professional Laboratory, with grades of "C" (2.00) or better. (NOTE: BMS 507 is a prerequisite for AT 506)
   3. Participate in shadow/observation experiences as defined in the Syllabus for AT 506/507.
   4. Complete BMS 507-508, Human Anatomy and Physiology, with grades of "C" (2.00) or better.
   5. Minimum overall G.P.A. of 2.00.
   6. Have the following materials in the Program Director’s office BY APRIL 15:
      
      1. Program application form – including verification of having read and understand the Athletic Training Major First-Year Student Handbook
      2. Signed program requirements contract
      3. Signed Technical Standards document
      4. Proof of current physical and immunizations on record at UNH Student Health Services
      5. Signed verification of having viewed and read Athletic Training Major First-Year Student Handbook (specifically sections on HIPAA, confidentiality, etc.)
      6. Letters of reference (2 required)
      7. Student essay
3. Determination of Rank Order Score:
   
   1. Overall G.P.A.: 20%
   2. Required courses score (grades in AT 506 & 507, BMS 507 & 508): 65%
   3. Letters of reference (2 required): 5%
   4. Student essay and interview: 10%
4. The students' Rank Order Scores will establish an order of students attempting entry to the Major. If the available openings for the upcoming year are "X", then only the top "X" in the rank order will be admitted to Full-Time Status.
5. A student who fails to receive permission to gain Full-Time Status may reapply for permission to enter the Major up to 1 more time (2 total) or before their Junior (3rd) year, whichever comes first, at the end of each Spring semester.

Athletic training students gain clinical experience in athletic training under the direction of clinical instructors (Certified Athletic Trainers). Students are required to complete five semesters of supervised clinical experience – at least one semester with an 'equipment intensive' sport (football, ice hockey, men's lacrosse), at least one semester at a local high school and at least one semester/experience with an opposite-sex sport.

The primary opportunity for clinical experience is through the NCAA Division 1 Athletics Program at the University of New Hampshire. Students can gain experience with the following sports teams, which are usually ranked near/at the top of their respective conferences and/or nationally:

• Men's & Women's Basketball
• Men's & Women's Cross Country
• Women's Field Hockey
• Football
• Women's Gymnastics
• Men's & Women's Ice Hockey
• Women's Lacrosse
• Men's & Women's Soccer
• Women's Volleyball

UNH Campus Recreation is another opportunity for clinical experience with the Club Sports Teams and in providing athletic training services for students participating in intramural and recreational sports and activities.

Local high schools provide an opportunity for athletic training clinical experience in the Seacoast of New Hampshire and Maine. All the high school experiences are under the supervision of Certified Athletic Trainers.

The Athletic Training Major is an academic program where all individuals involved in, and associated with, the program should feel comfortable and free from any intimidation. Hostile or offensive activities, or actions that would in any way impede or interfere with instruction and learning, dialogue and mentoring, and the expression of thoughts and ideas will not be tolerated.

When anyone, at any time, feels harassed or intimidated or otherwise uncomfortable, on the basis of her or his race, ethnic, or cultural background, sex, or sexual orientation, or for any other reason, they are encouraged to report this to the Athletic Training Program Director, the Director of UNH Sports Medicine (the Head Athletic Trainer), their respective supervisors (Chair, Dept. of Kinesiology for AT Major / Director of Athletics for UNH Sports Medicine), or the appropriate authorities at UNH.

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Only course work earned from CAATE Accredited Athletic Training Major will be considered in transfer for meeting UNH Athletic Training Major graduation requirements.

A maximum of 200 clinical experience hours, from the student's originating institution, will be accepted towards meeting UNH Athletic Training major graduation requirements. Only those clinical experience hours meeting CAATE and BOC standards will count for the 200 hours.

Students who are currently in the “professional phase” of an athletic training curriculum at their originating institution (has successfully transitioned through a secondary admissions process) will be eligible for transfer directly into a similar level in the UNH Athletic Training major. The determination of what “level” a student will assume will be made by the Athletic Training Program Director in consultation with other athletic training faculty.

Students begin the process for transfer application by going to the Office for Admissions.