We would like to hear from you.

Jayne Kitsos
Program Coordinator
BSAT Program
HPRJMK@hofstra.edu

Heather Clemons
Clinical Coordinator
BSAT Program
HPRHLC@hofstra.edu

HOFSTRA UNIVERSITY
PESP Department
220 Hofstra University
Hempstead, New York 11549

Telephone Number
(516) 463-5808

The Curriculum

The B.S. with Specialization in Athletic Training is designed to prepare students for employment in the profession of athletic training. It focuses on the application of anatomy and physiology in terms of physical conditioning, preventative and rehabilitative treatment for athletes. The program is designed to prepare students for the Board Of Certification (BOC) exam for athletic trainers.

Course Work

To complete the undergraduate athletic training education program, a student must complete 128 credit hours under advisement of the Program Coordinator. Sixty-four credits are housed in liberal arts and sciences and 64 credits within professional preparation courses. Students who pursue the athletic training major will have a strong background in the natural sciences, including work in human anatomy and physiology, physiology of exercise, and human nutrition. In addition, students will gain a strong foundation in kinesiology, basic athletic training, evaluation of athletic injuries, therapeutic modalities, therapeutic exercise, pharmacology, pathology, and organization and administration of athletic training.

Should a student wish to pursue a post baccalaureate degree in an allied health field, it is recommended that the student be prepared to complete courses in chemistry, physics, general biology, abnormal psychology, calculus and statistics.

Clinical Education

In addition to completing traditional classroom experiences, students enrolled in Hofstra University's Athletic Training Education Program will also complete a variety of "hands-on" experiences. To be eligible for graduation, each student will complete 13 credits of clinical experience courses which require a minimum of 1000 hours (maximum of 1350 hours) of field experience dispersed over three years of clinical course work.

First Year of Clinical Education
Clinical Education Course Title	Credits	Minimum Hours	Maximum Hours
PESP 171A Clinical Experience in Athletic Training	1	100	150
PESP 171B Clinical Experience in Athletic Training	1	100	150
Second Year of Clinical Education
Clinical Education Course Title	Credits	Minimum Hours	Maximum Hours
PESP 171C Clinical Experience in Athletic Training	2	150	200
PESP 171D Clinical Experience in Athletic Training	2	150	200
Second or Third Year of Clinical Education
Clinical Education Course Title	Credits	Minimum Hours	Maximum Hours
PESP 176 Clinical Experience in Athletic Training for Pre-season Activities	1	100	150
Third Year of Clinical Education
Clinical Education Course Title	Credits	Minimum Hours	Maximum Hours
PESP 171E Clinical Experience in Athletic Training Activities	3	200	250
PESP 195 Fitness Experience in Sports Medicine Activities	3	200	250

Students engaging in clinical experiences will be directly supervised by a certified athletic trainer who serves as an Approved Clinical Instructor for the academic program. A majority of the student's total clinical experience hours are completed at Hofstra University working directly with our Division I varsity athletic programs. Each student will have clinical education with both men's and women's team sports, upper and lower extremity injuries, general medical conditions and equipment intensive sports. Students will also gain experience in practice, game and travel situations. In addition, we use other affiliates' sites such as high schools, other colleges and physicians' offices.

Frequently Asked Questions

1.          How do I apply to the University?

The best way to apply to Hofstra University is to contact our Admissions Office and ask them to send you application information. In addition, you may want to ask the Admissions Office to send you the latest Hofstra University Bulletin. This is our comprehensive book that provides more detailed information about Hofstra University including: financial aid, costs, academic departments and academic programs.

When completing the application form for the University, you should identify your major as athletic training. This will ensure that your initial academic advisor will select the courses you will need for your initial semester at Hofstra University. That advisor should also advise you to seek out the Athletic Training Program Coordinator who is within the Physical Education and Sport Sciences Department.

Apply to University

You can contact our Admissions Office by calling (516) 463-6700.

2.       How do I apply to the Athletic Training Education Program?

You will begin academic course work toward the athletic training degree as a freshman, but in order to begin your clinical education experience, you must apply to the program. 

Acceptance into the clinical education portion of the academic program is a competitive process.

Students interested in pursuing an athletic training degree must apply during the spring semester of their freshman year.  Acceptance into the clinical education component is based on the following requirements:

• Completion of Human Anatomy & Physiology I & II, First Aid & Safety, and Sport Safety & Use of Protective Equipment in Athletics.
• An overall GPA of 2.5 or higher.
• An in-major GPA of 2.75 or higher.
• Completed application materials include an essay, two (2) letters of recommendation, official transcripts, proof of current CPR and first aid certifications, completed technical standards form, interview with Program Coordinator and other members of the program staff, and completed clinical observation hours.  
•  All materials must be submitted by a published deadline.
  

3.        How do I get assigned for clinical education experience?

The athletic training education Program Coordinator and the Clinical Coordinator assign each student to an Approved Clinical Instructor for each clinical experience course.

There are specific guidelines that outline how each student must accrue clincial experience hours under the direct supervision of an Approval Clinical Instructor; each candidate must accrue various experiences with upper and lower extremity injuries, equipment intensive sports and general medical conditions. Additionally, each student must have experience with men's and women's athletic teams.

4.        How do I get evaluated on my progress?

The athletic training students are evaluated throughout their tenure at Hofstra University. Prior to each clinical rotation, athletic training students are asked to complete a goal sheet which outlines what their individual goals are for that clinical experience. The student then meets with their Clinical Instructor and discusses their goals for the experience. In addition, the Clinical Instructor outlines what their expectations are for the individual student. At the conclusion of the clinical experience, as well as at the mid-semester point, both the athletic training student and Clinical Instructor complete evaluation forms. The athletic training student completes a form regarding their experience with their Clinical Instructor, and the Clinical Instructor completes an evaluation on the student and their progress towards completing the competencies delineated by the JRC-AT. Both the student and Clinical Instructor meet and discuss the form completed by the Clinical Instructor. The form is signed off by both parties and forwarded to the Clinical Coordinator who reviews the form, signs it, and files it in the student's individual file. The evaluation form completed by the student on the Clinical Instructor is done anonymously. The Clinical Coordinator collects, tabulates and interprets results from all athletic training students, and, when need be, makes recommendations to individual clinical instructors.

The athletic training student's academic process is also closely monitored by the Program Coordinator. All students meet with the Program Coordinator for academic advisement each semester. During that time, the Coordinator and the student "map out" the courses the student needs to complete in the upcoming semester.

The Program Coordinator will inform any student who is in noncompliance with academic or clinical standards via written word.

5.        Where can I find further information on the profession of athletic training?

A good resource for an individual to use regarding information on the profession of athletic training is our national organization called the National Athletic Trainer's Association (NATA). You can visit their Web page at www.nata.org.

6.         What is the Board of Certification Examination?

This is an entry-level certification examination to establish standards for entry into the profession of athletic training. Additionally, the BOC has established the continuing education requirements that a certified athletic trainer must satisfy in order to maintain current status as a BOC-certified athletic trainer.

7.        Who is eligible for the BOC Examination?

There are certain course requirements in addition to clinical experience requirements that must be fulfilled before one is eligible to take the BOC Examination. For further information on this topic, contact the Board of Certification at www.bocatc.org.