GRADUATE ADMISSION

Athletic Trainers (ATs) are healthcare professionals who render service or treatment under the direction of, or in collaboration with, a physician, in accordance with their education and training and the state’s statutes, rules, and regulations. As a part of the healthcare team, services provided by ATs include injury and illness prevention, wellness promotion and education, emergent care, examination and clinical diagnosis, therapeutic intervention, and rehabilitation of injuries and medical conditions. *Athletic training is recognized by the American Medical Association (AMA) as a healthcare profession.

*This definition is approved by the Inter-Agency Terminology Work Group and the Athletic Trainer Strategic Alliance.

For more information, please visit https://www.bocatc.org/about-us#what-is-an-athletic-trainer.

Athletic Training Practice Domains:

• Injury and Illness Prevention and Wellness Promotion
• Examination, Assessment, and Diagnosis
• Immediate and Emergency Care
• Therapeutic Intervention
• Healthcare Administration and Professional Responsibility

Professional Preparation:

Students become eligible for BOC certification through an athletic training degree program (bachelor’s or entry-level master’s) accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education (CAATE). Students engage in rigorous classroom study and clinical education in a variety of practice settings, such as high schools, colleges/universities, hospitals, emergency rooms, physician offices, and healthcare clinics over the course of the degree program. Students enrolled in their final semester are eligible to apply for the BOC exam.

Students who become an Athletic Trainer will be entering one of the fastest-growing health professions. Employment of athletic trainers is projected to grow 23% from 2020 to 2030, much faster than the average for all occupations.

Demand for athletic trainers is expected to increase as people become more aware of the effects of sports-related injuries, and as the middle-aged and older population remains active. For child athletes, the effects of concussions are particularly severe and long lasting. Although concussions are dangerous at any age, children’s brains are still developing and are at risk for permanent complications. Some states require public secondary schools to employ athletic trainers as part of their sports programs. Because athletic trainers are usually onsite with athletes and are often the first responders when injuries occur, the demand for trainers in schools should continue to increase.

Sophisticated treatments in injury prevention and detection are projected to increase the demand for athletic trainers. Growth in an increasingly active middle-aged and older population will likely lead to an increased incidence of athletic-related injuries, such as sprains. Sports programs for all ages and for all experience levels will continue to create demand for athletic trainers.

For more information, please visit https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/athletic-trainers.htm#tab-6.

Athletic trainers can be found anywhere there are active people. Traditionally athletic trainers have been working in professional sports, colleges, and high schools, but as the profession grows so do the potential work settings available to certified athletic trainers. Those settings can include the performing arts, military, physician practice, or public safety (police and fire fighters). The National Athletic Trainers’ Association (NATA) has taken the time to compile a variety of resources, including video interviews, to help individuals interested in the profession of athletic training understand what it takes to work in many of these job settings. 

The job settings addressed:

Students enrolled in the Athletic Training Education Program will have access to a variety of facilities here at Hofstra University and in the local area that will assist with the acquisition of the necessary knowledge and skills needed to be a successful athletic trainer upon graduation.

• A majority of Athletic Training major courses will take place in the Hofstra Dome. Along with classrooms that include SMART Board technology, students will have access to the Athletic Training Education Lab and the Exercise Physiology Lab.
• The Athletic Training Education Lab contains evaluation tables, current therapeutic modalities, and other key equipment and supplies.
• The Exercise Physiology Lab contains equipment necessary to assess VO2 max and other fitness assessments.
• Students will also gain clinical experiences within Hofstra University Department of Athletics in their various clinical facilities. There are currently three facilities on campus: Margiotta Hall, the Physical Education Center, and the Mack Sports and Exhibition Complex.

At various times during your enrollment in the Athletic Training Program, you may be required to gain clinical education experience at a local clinical affiliation. The sites could include other colleges, high schools, physical therapy clinics, medical offices, and professional sports teams. Get more detailed information on our current clinical affiliations page.

Students enrolled in the Athletic Training Education Program will have access to a variety of facilities here at Hofstra University and in the local area that will assist with the acquisition of the necessary knowledge and skills needed to be a successful athletic trainer upon graduation.

• A majority of Athletic Training major courses will take place in the Hofstra Dome. Along with classrooms that include SMART Board technology, students will have access to the Athletic Training Education Lab and the Exercise Physiology Lab.
• The Athletic Training Education Lab contains evaluation tables, current therapeutic modalities, and other key equipment and supplies.
• The Exercise Physiology Lab contains equipment necessary to assess VO2 max and other fitness assessments.
• Students will also gain clinical experiences within Hofstra University Department of Athletics in their various clinical facilities. There are currently three facilities on campus: Margiotta Hall, the Physical Education Center, and the Mack Sports and Exhibition Complex.

At various times during your enrollment in the Athletic Training Program, you may be required to gain clinical education experience at a local clinical affiliation. The sites could include other colleges, high schools, physical therapy clinics, medical offices, and professional sports teams. Get more detailed information on our current clinical affiliations page.

Upon graduation from the program, those individuals wishing to practice as athletic trainers must sit for and pass a certification examination. Additionally, maintaining this certification requires that athletic trainers participate in continuing education activities. The ATC (Certified Athletic Trainer) credential, the associated certification examination and continuing education requirements are maintained and monitored by the Board of Certification (BOC). The BOC is the only accredited certification program for athletic trainers.

To be eligible for the BOC Examination, individuals must graduate from a Commission on Accreditation for Athletic Training Education (CAATE) accredited athletic training education program and be endorsed by the athletic training education program’s Program Director. For more specific information regarding the examination, please view the BOC Steps to Become Certified.

Additional Certifications

• New York State Emergency Medical Technician Certification (eligible upon completion of summer MSAT 201 course)
• International Society of Sports Nutrition Certified Sports Nutritionist (eligible upon completion of HPR 230 course)
• NSCA Certified Special Population Specialist (eligible upon graduation and earned BOC Certification)

A majority of states have some form of state regulation that defines the practice guidelines for certified athletic trainers. State regulation for athletic trainers defines the scope of practice (what you can and cannot do) for the state in which professionals are employed. State regulation can be licensure, registration, or certification. New York State has a certification process as well as a specific practice act for athletic trainers. Visit the NYS Office of Professions site for information on practice acts and rules and regulations in New York State. The BOC has information for practice acts and rules and regulations for other states.

Advantages of Hofstra University’s MS in Athletic Training program’s 2-days-a-week class schedule for graduate students:

Optimized Time Management: The condensed class schedule allows students to consolidate their academic commitments into two focused days, freeing up the rest of the week for practical experiences, research, or part-time work. This structure encourages students to manage their time efficiently, promoting productivity and balance between academic and personal pursuits.

Minimized Disruption to Clinical Placements: Many athletic training programs require students to complete extensive clinical placements or internships alongside their coursework. Hofstra’s 2-days-a-week class schedule minimizes disruptions to these placements, enabling students to dedicate more continuous time to hands-on learning experiences in clinical settings without compromising their academic progress.

Increased Cohort Cohesion: Spending extended periods together in class fosters a strong sense of community among students in the program. The 2-days-a-week schedule provides ample opportunity for collaboration, networking, and peer support, enhancing the overall graduate experience and facilitating long-lasting professional relationships.

Reduced Commuting and Resource Savings: Concentrating classes into two days reduces commuting time and transportation expenses for students, particularly those who commute from a distance. This not only benefits students financially but also contributes to environmental sustainability by minimizing carbon emissions associated with daily travel to campus.

Overall, Hofstra University’s 2-days-a-week class schedule offers graduate students in the MS in Athletic Training program a range of advantages, including improved time management, enhanced accessibility for working professionals, and strengthened cohort cohesion, ultimately contributing to a more rewarding and efficient educational experience.