title: Preparation of the Professional Athletic Trainer: A Descriptive Study of Undergraduate and Graduate Degree Programs.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The examination of the appropriate professional degree for preparation as an athletic trainer is of interest to the profession. Descriptive information concerning universal outcomes is needed to understand the effect of a degree change.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To obtain and compare descriptive information related to professional athletic training programs and a potential degree change and to determine if any of these factors contribute to success on existing universal outcome measures.
  
  
  METHODS
  Cross-sectional study.
  
  
  METHODS
  Web-based survey.
  
  
  METHODS
  We contacted 364 program directors; 178 (48.9%; 163 undergraduate, 15 postbaccalaureate) responded.
  
  
  METHODS
  The survey consisted of 46 questions: 45 questions that dealt with 5 themes (institutional demographics [n = 13], program admissions [n = 6], program outcomes [n = 10], program design [n = 9], faculty and staff [n = 7]) and 1 optional question.
  
  
  METHODS
  Descriptive statistics for all programs were calculated. We compared undergraduate and postbaccalaureate programs by examining universal outcome variables.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Descriptive statistics demonstrated that 33 programs could not support postbaccalaureate degrees, and a substantial loss of faculty could occur if the degree requirement changed (553 graduate assistants, 642 potentially underqualified instructors). Postbaccalaureate professional programs had higher 2011-2012 first-time Board of Certification (BOC) passing rates (U = 464.5, P = .001), 3-year aggregate first-time BOC passing rates (U = 451.5, P = .001), and employment rates for 2011-2012 graduates employed within athletic training (U = 614.0, P = .01). Linear multiple-regression models demonstrated that program and institution type contributed to the variance of the first-time BOC passing rates and the 3-year aggregate first-time BOC passing rates (P < .05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Students in postbaccalaureate athletic training programs performed better in universal outcome measures. Our data supported the concerns that this transition could result in the loss of some programs and an additional immediate strain on current staff due to potential staffing changes and the loss of graduate assistant positions.
authors: School of Physical Therapy and Athletic Training, Old Dominion University, Norfolk, VA.
authors: Julie M
authors: JM
authors: Cavallario
authors: School of Physical Therapy and Athletic Training, Old Dominion University, Norfolk, VA.
authors: Bonnie L
authors: BL
authors: Van Lunen
mesh_terms: D002568:Certification; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004503:Education, Medical, Graduate; D004504:Education, Medical, Undergraduate; D004521:Educational Measurement; D005178:Faculty; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D013177:Sports / Q000193:education*; D013178:Sports Medicine / Q000193:education*; D013334:Students; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014768:Virginia
keywords: athletic training education; entry-level degree; professional education