Athletic Training, BS-MS

Return to: School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences

In Spring of 2021, the bachelor of science degree in Athletic Training was approved to transition to the master’s level. The BS in Athletic Training degree is currently teaching out its last cohort of students and will be terminated at the end of the Spring semester in 2022. Beginning in the fall of 2021, an Accelerated BS-MS in Athletic Training will be offered for students interested in pursuing a degree in Athletic Training. 

The athletic training education degree program earned initial accreditation in 1997 and continuing accreditation in 2004 and 2012 through the Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education (CAATE). Prior to this, the curriculum had been National Athletic Trainers’ Association approved since 1978. The athletic training curriculum is defined by the current Board of Certification, Inc. Role Delineation Study/Practice Analysis, which consists of five performance domains to include: (1) Injury and Illness Prevention and Wellness Promotion; (2) Examination, Assessment, and Diagnosis; (3) Immediate and Emergency Care; (4) Therapeutic Intervention; (5) Healthcare Administration and Professional Responsibility. The curriculum is structured to provide both academic and clinical instruction. The academic curriculum includes such courses as anatomy, kinesiology, human and exercise physiology, injury evaluation, medical and pharmacological principles, administrative aspects, among others. The course work privides a foundation for hands-on clinical experiences provided in the clinical education setting. The students’ clinical requirements include direct patient care with athletes and physically active patients and evaluation of skills by preceptors who supervise each student’s clinical experience. Students rotate through four on-campus athletic training facilitiesand several off-site affiliated settings during the clinical education component acquiring valuable skills under the direct supervision of certified athletic training staff, team physicians and other allied health professionals. Upon successful completion of the program, students are eligible to sit for the BOC, Inc. certification examination. Successful completion of this exam affords the candidate a variety of employment opportunities including athletic training positions at the high school, college, or university level; sports medicine and rehabilitation clinics; and professional athletic teams. Additionally, many students pursue graduate education opportunities in a number of sports medicine-related professions.

For more information, please contact:

Amy E. Aggelou, PhD, LAT, ATC
Program Director, Athletic Training Education
School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences
Department of Sports Medicine and Nutrition
4047 Forbes Tower
412-383-9738
Fax: 412-383-6636
E-mail: aaggelou@pitt.edu

Admission Requirements

SHRS is updating our General Education requirements. Students entering the University of Pittsburgh in Fall 2021 as first-year students, and students currently enrolled at the University of Pittsburgh and external transfer students entering the upper-level programs offered at SHRS in Fall 2023, must complete the new general education requirements before graduating. Our General Education Requirements are included in our upper-level program prerequisites and curriculum requirements; therefore, changes will be reflected in prerequisites and curriculum requirements.

Prerequisite Courses

Requirements for students who entered the University of Pittsburgh as first-year students prior to Fall 2021 applying for Fall 2022 admission:

• Foundations of Biology/Lab (BIOSC 0150/0050 or 0057 or 0058), 4 credits 
• General Chemistry/Lab (CHEM 0110), 4 credits 
• Introduction to Physics (PHYS 0110), 3 credits 
• Mathematics (MATH 0031), 3 credits 
• Statistics (STAT 0200 or STAT 1000), 3-4 credits 
• Psychology (PSY 0010), 3 credits 
• Developmental Psychology (PSY 0310) or other upper level Psychology, 3 credits 
• English Composition (ENGCMP 0200 minimum), 3 credits 
• Writing Intensive Course (ENGCMP 0400 recommended), 3 credits 
• Public Speaking (COMMRC 0520), 3 credits 
• Basic Athletic Training (ATHLTR 1811), 3 credits 
• Basic Athletic Training Lab (ATHLTR 1812), 1 credit 
• Humanities and Social Sciences Electives, 6 credits from: Anthropology, Economics, English Literature/Writing, Foreign Languages, History, Music, Performing and Visual Arts, Philosophy, Religion or Sociology 

Requirements for students entering the University of Pittsburgh in Fall 2021 as first-year students, and students currently enrolled at the University of Pittsburgh and external transfer students entering the upper-level programs offered at SHRS in Fall 2023:

* See the Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences General Education Course Catalog.

Additional Requirements

• Required credits for admission: 60 (Applications may be submitted while prerequisite coursework is in progress).
• Grades of C- or better (C for transfer) in all prerequisite coursework with the exception of ATHLTR 1811 and ATHLTR1812, where a grade of B or better must be earned.
• EMT certification through course for credit or other qualified course leading to EMT credential. Verification of completion of EMT certification must be provided to the program director.
• Minimum cumulative GPA of 2.8 (based on 4.0).
• Submit admissions application including technical standards for admission document.
• Personal interview with athletic training faculty.

The Athletic Training Education Program at the University of Pittsburgh is a rigorous and intense program that places specific requirements and demands on the students enrolled in the program. An objective of this program is to prepare graduates to enter a variety of employment settings and to render care to a wide spectrum of individuals engaged in physical activity. The technical standards set forth by the Athletic Training Education Program establish the essential qualities considered necessaryfor students admitted to this program to achieve the knowledge, skills, and competencies of an entry-level athletic trainer, as well as meet the expectations of the program’s accrediting agency (Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education [CAATE]).

The following abilities and expectations must be met by all students admitted to the Athletic Training Education Program. Candidates for selection to the Athletic Training Education Program must demonstrate:

• The mental capacity to assimilate, analyze, synthesize, integrate concepts and problem solve to formulate assessment and therapeutic judgments and to be able to distinguish deviations from the norm.
• Sufficient postural and neuromuscular control, sensory function, and coordination to perform appropriate physical examinations using accepted techniques; and accurately, safely, and efficiently use equipment and materials during the assessment and treatment of patients.
• The ability to communicate effectively and sensitively with patients and colleagues, including individuals from different cultural and social backgrounds; this includes, but is not limited to, the ability to establish rapport with patients and communicate judgments and treatment information effectively. Students must be able to understand and speak the English language at a level consistent with competent professional practice.
• The ability to record the physical examination results and a treatment plan clearly and accurately.
• The capacity to maintain composure and continue to function well during periods of high stress.
• The perseverance, diligence, and commitment to complete the athletic training education program as outlined and sequenced.
• Flexibility and the ability to adjust to changing situations and uncertainty in clinical situations.
• Affective skills and appropriate demeanor and rapport that relate to professional education and quality patient care.

Application Procedures

Application Deadline: March 15

Pitt Students (including regional campuses)

SHRS is moving to a new application platform. Please visit the SHRS website to access information about applying to enter our programs.

Transfer Student Information

Transfer students must apply to the University of Pittsburgh by completing the Office of Admission and Financial Aid’s Transfer Application and selecting Athletic Training as their intended field of study. International transfer students click here. Transfer students must also provide application materials directly to SHRS.

All admission criteria applies to transfer students in the same way as students enrolled at the Pittsburgh campus. Students with prior athletic training experience seeking to transfer to the University of Pittsburgh for admission to the Athletic Training Education Program must complete the same prerequisite requirements as all other candidates including the Basic Athletic Training (ATHLTR 1811) and Basic Athletic Training Lab (ATHLTR 1812) courses and all observation hours. If admitted to the program, all students must complete University of Pittsburgh core athletic training courses. In some instances, credit may be given for other coursework taken at another institution and will be evaluated on an individual case basis. International transferstudents click here.