program information

Accreditation

Candidates sitting for the BOC Examination must graduate from a CAATE-accredited professional AT program. CAATE-accredited professional AT programs provide the student with the appropriate formal classroom instruction and clinical experience necessary to succeed as an entry-level allied health professional. For a detailed list of AT Programs accredited by CAATE, visit the CAATE website, https://caate.net.

Program Outcomes

Student BOC Pass Rate

For the 2015-2018 cohort, 60 program graduates sat for the Board of Certification (BOC) Examination for Athletic Trainers.  Fifty-two of these graduates passed the examination on the first attempt, resulting in a 3-year first time BOC pass rate of 87%.  59 (98%) of these students passed the examination, regardless of the number of attempts. PPlease visit the CAATE website for additional information on national BOC pass rates.

Metric	2011-2012	2012-2013	2013-2014	2014-2015	2015-2016	2016-2017	2017-2018	3 year aggregate
Number of Students Graduating from Program	18	17	18	19	14	21	25	60
Number of Students Graduating from Program Who Took Examination	18	17	18	19	14	21	25	60
Number of Students who Passed the Examination on the First Attempt	13	15	18	19	14	18	20	52
Percentage of Students who Passed the Examination on the First Attempt	72	88	100	100	100	86	80	87
Number of Students who Passed the Examination Regardless of the Number of Attempts	18	17	18	19	14	21	24	59
Percentage of Students who Passed the Examination Regardless of the Number of Attempts	100	100	100	100	100	100	96	98

Student Retention and Graduation Rates

Retention represents the students originally admitted as part of a cohort who return as part of the professional program the following academic year.
Graduation represents the students originally admitted as part of a cohort who complete their degree within 6 years.  It excludes students who have a medical leave of absence or who are deceased.      

Metric	2011-2012	2012-2013	2013-2014	2014-2015	2015-2016	2016-2017	2017-2018	3 year aggregate
Number of Students Admitted who Return the Following Fall Semester	19	17	18	19	16	21	28	65
Retention Rate	100	100	100	100	94	100	97	97
Number of Students Graduating from Program	18	17	18	19	14	21	25	60
Student Graduation Rate	95	100	100	100	82	100	86	90

Student Employment/Placement Rate

Employment/placement data represent students employed or placed within 6 months after graduation.  It includes those employed as an athletic trainer or those employed as an athletic trainer and enrolled in a degree program.  It excludes those enrolled in other post-graduate degree programs.   

Metric	2011-2012	2012-2013	2013-2014	2014-2015	2015-2016	2016-2017	2017-2018	3 year aggregate
Number of Students Employed Within 6 Months of Graduation	18	16	13	17	13	17	18	48
% of Students Employed Within 6 Months of Graduation	95	94	72	89	93	81	69	79

Expenses

In addition to the expenses common to all UA students, there are other costs which are specific to the AT Professional Program. These expenses are described here with estimates to help with planning. They are subject to change from year-to-year.

• Background Checks – Professional program students are required to undergo a series of annual background checks through CastleBranch.com.
• Clinical Clothing – Students should be prepared to purchase clothing, including khaki pants, appropriate length khaki shorts, collared shirts and inclement weather gear for use in their clinical experiences. All students must have a watch with a second hand. Professional program students are required to abide by the AT Program dress code.
• Drug Test – A 10 panel urinalysis drug test is required annually. This is facilitated through CastleBranch.com.
• Health Insurance – Affiliation Agreements with clinical sites may require students to provide evidence of adequate health insurance to cover long-term and emergency treatment or to be prepared to pay for such services. The Office of Student Affairs sponsors a health insurance policy for eligible students.
• Immunizations – Professional program students must provide evidence of 2 doses of vaccine for Measles, Mumps and Rubella or laboratory evidence of immunity for all 3 components; 2 doses of vaccine or positive history and lab evidence of immunity for Varicella; a documented dose of Tetanus, Diphtheria & Acellular Pertussis within the last 10 years; 3 doses of vaccine (or initiation of the vaccination process) or laboratory evidence of immunity or signed declination waiver of Hepatitis B before beginning their first clinical placement. An influenza vaccination for the current flu season or a signed declination waiver are also required before October of each year.
• Incidental Costs – Students are responsible for the cost of fees incurred throughout the professional program courses, including establishing an account with CastleBranch.com.
• NATA Student Membership– Professional program
• Physical Examination – A physical examination from a Medical Doctor or Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine is required annually.
• Physical Examination & Intervention Equipment & Supplies – Students are required to purchase equipment & supplies for patient examination & intervention as they progress throughout the professional program. The first purchase is associated with ATR 258 – Clinical Fundamentals in AT.
• Professional Liability Insurance – Students are encouraged to purchase their own personal, professional liability insurance. Affiliate partners with the NATA offer discounted policy premiums to NATA members.
• TB Skin Test – Students must undergo 1-step TB skin testing annually.
• Travel Expenses – Athletic Training Students assume individual responsibility for their transportation to clinical sites. The amount of travel varies with each clinical course and each clinical site. Students are encouraged to form carpools whenever possible. Students should not transport patients in their cars. Most automobile insurance policies deem transporting patients as a service and, therefore, will not provide coverage in the event of a crash.

ITEM	COST	FREQUENCY
Background Checks	$40.00	annual
Clinical Clothing	$100.00	annual
Drug Test	$50.00	annual
Health Insurance	variable	annual
Immunizations	$150.00; $50.00	one time; annually
NATA Student Membership	$80.00	annual
Physical Exam	variable	annual
Physical Examination & Intervention Equipment & Supplies	$200.00	over the course of the program
Professional Liability Insurance	$50.00	annual
TB Skin Test	$20.00	annual
Travel Expenses	variable	annual

History

In 1987, funding for the preliminary development of an AT Program at The University of Alabama was obtained through grants from The University of Alabama, AMI West Alabama Hospital, and DCH Regional Medical Center. Athletic Training is currently recognized as a major leading to the Bachelor of Science in Athletic Training degree within the College of Human Environmental Sciences, Department of Health Science. The National Athletic Trainers’ Association Professional Education Committee approved the AT Program in July 1991 and the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Programs accredited the program in 1996 and 2001. In March 2008, the Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education (CAATE) awarded the AT Program continuing accreditation through 2018.