Life as an Athletic Training Major

Pre- Athletic Training Phase

Year 1 (Level 1):

Your first year at Hofstra allows you to focus on becoming a college student and building a sound academic foundation for future athletic training courses.  Students will complete course work in the areas of anatomy, physiology, care and prevention of athletic injuries, sports specific equipment as well core liberal arts courses.  These courses will give you basic knowledge in several key concepts that you will utilize throughout the curriculum and provide you the opportunity to demonstrate basic competence in skills such as CPR, first aid and taping skills that you will use one you begin your clinical education experiences.  These courses also prepare you for application into the Professional Athletic Training Phase of the curriculum.  Students are encouraged to get involved in the Hofstra Athletic Training Society (HATS), a student run organization that coordinates educational and social events for those interested in athletic training.

Students will complete a total of 40 observation hours as part of PESP 169 during the spring semester of the first year in order to gain a better understanding of the profession of athletic training.  Students also complete the necessary application to the Athletic Training Program during this time.  Students must maintain a 2.5 overall GPA and a 2.75 in major GPA to be eligible for acceptance into the Professional Athletic Training Phase.

Professional Athletic Training Phase

Your second year at Hofstra will see your course work increase and become more major specific.  Additionally, students will begin completing clinical education requirements.  Course work will focus on clinical evaluation of injuries and illnesses as well as concepts related to treatment of injuries and illnesses. 

Students will complete PESP 171A and PESP 171B during this first clinical year.  These courses require a minimum of 100 documented contact hours each semester along with experiences interacting with physicians and other health care providers.  The 100 requirement will be broken down into two (2) fifty hour rotations under the direction of an approved clinical instructor here at Hofstra University or at one of our off-campus affiliated sites.  You will average about 10 hours per week.  Most interactions will be with current college or high school athletes.  Students will be expected to demonstrate competence in previously acquired skills on patients under the direct supervision of their assigned approved clinical instructor (usually an athletic trainer). 

During the summer (August) of this year, prior to the start of the Level 3 year, students will likely complete PESP 176, a 100 clinical education course that requires students gain experience with athletic teams during the pre-season period.  Students will be completing a 3-week intensive rotation that will present unique challenges because of the particular demands placed on athletes during this time as they prepare for the upcoming fall season.  If it is not completed during this year, it will be completed prior to the start of the Level 4 year.

To maintain your active status in the Athletic Training Education Program you must maintain the 2.5 overall GPA and 2.75 in major GPA requirements necessary for acceptance into the Professional Athletic Training Phase.  Additionally, those students demonstrating outstanding academic performance may be invited to join our chapter of Iota Tau Alpha, the National Honor Society for Athletic Training Education, at the conclusion of this year.

Year 3 (Level 3):

Your third year at Hofstra will see your academic demands and clinical experience expectations increase as compared to the previous year.  Course work will focus on rehabilitation of injuries and illnesses as well as important administrative concepts related to the profession of athletic training.

Students will complete PESP 171C and PESP 171D during this second clinical year.  These courses require a minimum of 150 documented contact hours each semester along with experiences interacting with physicians and other health care providers.  This requirement is completed as one (1) 150 hour rotation under an assigned approved clinical instructor here at Hofstra University or at one of our off-campus affiliated sites.  The type of patients and clients you interact with will depend on the location of your clinical assignment.  Students will be expected to demonstrate competence in previously acquired skills on patients under the direct supervision of their approved clinical instructor such as injury and illness evaluation and treatment of injuries and illnesses.  Students may be expected to travel if assigned to an athletic team.

To maintain your active status in the Athletic Training Program you must maintain the 2.5 overall and 2.75 in major GPA requirements necessary for acceptance into the Professional Athletic Training Phase. 

Year 4 (Level 4):

Your final year at Hofstra will see your academic demands level off while your clinical experience expectations will increase as compared to the previous year.  Course work will focus providing you opportunities to synthesize all the information and concepts learned in previous semesters into applicable concepts.  This year should be considered your capstone experience where your focus is ‘putting it all together’ in an effort to make appropriate and effective clinical decisions for your patients or clients.

Students will complete PESP 171E and PESP 195 during this third clinical year.  These courses require a minimum of 200 documented contact hours each semester along with experiences interacting with physicians and other health care providers.  This requirement is completed as one (1) 200 hour rotation under an assigned approved clinical instructor here at Hofstra University or at one of our off-campus affiliated sites.  The type of patients and clients you interact with will depend on the location of your clinical assignment.  Students will be expected to demonstrate competence in previously acquired skills with a particular focus on overall clinical decision-making on specific patients under the direct supervision of their approved clinical instructor.  Students may be expected to travel if assigned to an athletic team.

Students enrolled in PESP 195 will be at an off-campus affiliated site as required by the course.  The specific clinical experience/assignment for this course will be made with specific input from the student and his/her anticipated future work setting.  All students will also be expected to complete a 30-hour experience with various medical professionals (cardiologist, internist, orthopedists, etc.) as part of this course.

Students will be eligible to register and sit for the BOC Examination in April of this year (the test date closest to, but before your anticipated graduation).