Athletic Training Major B.S.

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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.

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 KIN 506, Concepts of Athletic Training for the Professional, and KIN 507, Concepts of Athletic Training for the Professional Laboratory, with grades of "C" (2.00) or better. (NOTE: BMS 507 is a prerequisite for KIN 506)
   3. Participate in shadow/observation experiences as defined in the Syllabus for KIN 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 KIN 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.

Frequently Asked Questions regarding the Degree Change in Athletic Training

CAATE standards

Q: When does UNH anticipate moving the current, undergraduate (BS), Athletic Training Major to the master’s degree?

• Sometime after the 2017-18 academic year

Q: Do you know the exact date/year when this transition will occur?

• At this time, no. It will likely be 2-3 years after the end of the 2017-18 academic year

Q: Why is UNH delaying the implementation of the master’s degree program?

• Partially, it is because the first priority is attaining continuing CAATE accreditation of the BS program, which expires at the end of the 2017-18 academic year.
• Partially, it is because the CAATE has not yet announced what the Standards and Curriculum Content for the master’s degree programs will be; the CAATE is still putting together draft versions for public and professional comment.
• UNH does not feel it is prudent to create a master’s degree program without all the appropriate information.

Q: Can I graduate from a college/university with a BS degree in athletic training (up to and including Class of 2026) and be qualified for a state license to practice athletic training?

• Yes; this change only affects athletic trainers who graduate ‘in the future’ – there are and will be many practicing athletic trainers who ‘only’ have a BS degree and will be eligible for a state license for many, many years.

Q: Can I graduate from a college/university with a BS degree in athletic training (up to and including Class of 2026) and be qualified for employment as an athletic trainer (i.e., get a job)?

• This change only affects the degree earned by future graduates. It DOES NOT force or require employers to change their requirements for a position/job.
• There are many current and future athletic trainers who ‘only’ possess a BS degree and they will be able to keep their jobs in the future
• This is no different than what happened in, say, physical therapy. Just because the required degree is now the DPT, there are many, many PTs working with a BS or MS degree.

Q: Can I graduate from a college/university with a BS in athletic training (up to and including Class of 2026) and go on to earn a master’s degree in athletic training (or related); and as a graduate assistant AT?

• This is more complicated and less certain – so be aware the following could change at any time
• According to the CAATE website (FAQs) “it is anticipated that there will still be a demand for Post-Professional programs at the master’s degree level for several years to accommodate the students who will be graduating with a bachelor’s degree”
• It is a ‘fact of life’ that many colleges/universities use graduate assistant ATs to complete their athletic training staff. It is unlikely these same schools will suddenly be able to convert these positions to full time staff positions. Thus, some schools may still offer graduate assistant positions even when all graduates have a master’s degree in AT.

Q: What would happen to a student who enters UNH as a degree candidate in the BS program when UNH transitions to the master’s degree?

The student would have the option of:

• Graduating with the BS degree being eligible for the BOC Exam and employment as an athletic trainer, OR,
• Continuing on to complete their MS degree in athletic training at UNH
  • The MS degree will be very similar in content and requirements as the just-completed BS program; however, the student will have the MS degree, in addition to their BS degree.
  • There is no guarantee a BS degree student will be admitted to the UNH MS degree program; the MS program will have a separate admissions process from the BS program.

Q: What is the final date someone could graduate with a bachelor’s (baccalaureate) degree (BS) in athletic training and be eligible for the Board of Certification (BOC) Exam?

• A student enrolled into an undergraduate athletic training program (BS) after the start of the Fall Term 2022 WILL NOT be eligible for the BOC Exam
• Students enrolled in an athletic training program (BS) for Fall 2022 (and before) WILL be eligible for the BOC Exam (Class of 2026 – see below)

Q: What if I’m enrolled for Fall Term 2022 but I don’t graduate for 5 (or 6 or 7, etc.) years; will I still be eligible for the BOC Exam upon graduation?

• Yes; the relevant date is WHEN you start your degree, not when it is completed.

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.

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 restricts programs to report statistics as defined by the CAATE (i.e, students admitted versus students who graduate)

• UNH reports actual graduation rates based on the students who remain in the Athletic Training Major for the entire duration of the program
  
  • As can be seen from the following table, some students leave the Athletic Training Major before they reach their Senior Year (e.g., desire a different course of study, financial reasons, etc.)
• 100% of the students who reach their Senior Year in the 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)

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)

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.