UB Programs At-A-Glance

Athletic Training

Department of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences
School of Public Health and Health Professions
405 Kimball Tower
South Campus
Buffalo, NY 14214-3079

Phone: 716.829.2941
Fax: 716.829.2428
Web: sphhp.buffalo.edu/ens/

John X. Wilson
Chair

About the Department

Athletic training, often referred to as “sports medicine,” is the prevention, care and rehabilitation of injuries to athletes. UB’s Athletic Training program recently transitioned from an undergraduate internship-route program to an accredited B.S./M.S. combined program. As of January 2004, any student who wishes to sit for the Board of Certification examination in athletic training must graduate from an accredited program.

Degrees Offered

Combined: B.S./M.S.

About Our Degrees

The Exercise Science program for athletic training is a CAAHEP accredited, five-year program in which the student graduates with a combined B.S./M.S. degree. This program not only offers an accelerated pathway to master’s–level training, but also combines exercise science and athletic training into one curriculum, making it the only program of its kind in the country.

Students acquire a strong knowledge base in the physiological, biomechanical, and nutritional aspects of human physical activity as well as extensive training in the prevention, care, and rehabilitation of injuries to athletes.

Acceptance Criteria

To be eligible for admission to the Athletic Training program, students must have a “C” or better in all prerequisite courses, a minimum prerequisite GPA of 2.8, and 50 hours of clinical work in an athletic training room.

Acceptance Information

Deadline: February 15
Number of applicants (2003): 12
Number of accepted majors (2003): 9
Total number of majors currently enrolled: 17

Degree Requirements

Please see the Undergraduate Catalog.

Transfer Policy

Transfer students should contact the Athletic Training Program Director at 716-829-2941, ext. 405, to ensure that pre-requisite courses taken at other colleges or universities satisfy program prerequisites.

Transfer students must apply in two stages. The initial application is to the State University of New York (SUNY). SUNY applications are available at SUNY campuses and most high schools in New York State. Applications may also be obtained by writing to the Office of Admissions, 15 Capen Hall, State University of New York at Buffalo, Buffalo, New York 14260, or by calling 716-645-6900. SUNY applications must be received at the processing center in Albany by December 15.

Applicants should request that a copy of all official transcripts be sent from each previous college to the Office of Admissions.

A second application, specific to the Athletic Training program, must be made online. The application is available at www.athletic-training.buffalo.edu. Letters of reference must accompany the online application. Reference forms are also available at the above website.

About Our Courses

Students learn in both traditional lecture and laboratory courses, as well as through daily clinical experiences with our certified athletic trainers. Students complete clinical rotations each semester starting in the junior year. The clinical hours are completed with the university’s Division I-A athletic teams as well as with local high schools, clinics, physicians, and other health care professionals. In aulition, students complete a full-semester off-campus internship during the final semester.

Some exercise science lecture courses may have 100-200 students; however, most athletic training courses and labs, as well as the advanced exercise science courses, have only 10-15 students.

For course descriptions, please see the Undergraduate Catalog.

Special Academic Opportunities

Practicums and Internships are a required part of this program. Many students find employment as a direct result of the internship experience. Independent studies and aulitional research experience are highly recommended.

Extracurricular Activities

See the UB Student Association.

Advising Information

Students interested in pursuing the Athletic Training program are strongly encouraged to contact the Program Director to ensure that the correct pre-requisite courses are being taken. Refer to www.athletic-training.buffalo.edu for more details about the program and its admission process.

Career Information

Upon graduation, students are eligible to sit for the national certifying examination for athletic training. Once certified, graduates from this program may be employed as athletic trainers in high schools; at colleges or universities; in clinics; with professional teams; in corporate settings; or in non-traditional settings such as the military, rodeo, X-Games or NASCAR. Students in this program are also eligible for positions in the fitness/wellness industry.

All of our graduates who have sought athletic training positions have obtained employment. Approximately 70 percent of our graduates seek employment immediately after graduation while the remaining graduates pursue aulitional education in related areas such as medical school, physical therapy, or physician’s assistant school.

Although a master's degree is not required for employment in this field, many employers seek applicants with a degree beyond the bachelor's. Most athletic trainers in colleges and universities or with professional sport teams are required to have a master’s degree. Students seeking employment in athletic training education will also be required to have a master’s degree.

Links to Further Information About This Program