The Kinesiology Department offers the Athletic Training Program leading to a Bachelor of Science degree. This program was the first Athletic Training Program in New York state to be approved by the National Athletic Trainers' Association (NATA) in 1974 and received initial accreditation by the Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education (CAATE) April 27, 1996. Current CAATE accreditation status may be located at on our website. The program is also registered with the New York State Education Department as an Athletic Training license qualifying program.

Students accepted to SUNY Cortland may be admitted directly into the athletic training major, but in order to remain in the major and be accepted into the clinical education portion of the Athletic Training Program, students are required to complete a secondary application process. Applications are accepted only during the fall semester. The number of students admitted into the clinical education portion of the Athletic Training Program is determined in order to comply with CAATE Standards. The program will determine the number of students offered admission in order of their application ranking. Students accepted into the clinical education portion of the Athletic Training Program will begin their clinical education in the spring semester. 

Students that complete the program and meet all the minimum requirements for retention will be eligible to sit for the Board of Certification Examination (BOC). The program's BOC pass rate may be located on our website.

Individuals interested in the Athletic Training Program should contact the program director for additional information.

Secondary Application Process

1. Applications are accepted by the due date of each fall semester. Contact the program director for each fall semester's due date.
2. Students who wish to apply for the clinical education portion of the Athletic Training Program will need to submit the following:
   • Application, which includes questions about your knowledge of, interest in and goals in the profession
   • Official transcript(s) of athletic training major course(s) transferred to SUNY Cortland to the Registrar's Office or with your application, if applicable
   • Clinical Observation Hours Summary Report  
   • Verification of Previous Clinical Hours and a copy of hours log, if applicable
   • Verification of understanding the health requirements and the technical standards for admission
   • Verification of current First Aid and CPR/AED certification that meets Emergency Cardiac Care (ECC) requirements
   • Authorization for release of medical information to obtain immunization records from the Student Health Service
   • Three confidential letters of recommendation from outside the Athletic Training Program submitted on their behalf.
3. Incomplete applications will not be reviewed.
4. Students will complete a personal interview with the Athletic Training Program Selection Committee at their assigned time.
5. The selection committee will review and rank applications based on the following:
   • Overall GPA
   • Major in athletic training GPA
   • Selection committee's rating of:
     • Applications questions
     • Disposition for the profession based on any and all student and staff interactions
     • Observation hours summary questions
     • Personal interview questions
     • Letters of recommendation
     • Previous clinical hours     
6. The selection committee will determine the number of students to offer admission in order of their application ranking.
7. Students will be notified of the selection committee's decision. The committee's decision will be final for that year. Students may reapply the following year. Students are only allowed to apply to clinical education portion of the program two times.
8. Students who are offered admission into the clinical education portion of the Athletic Training Program will be required to attend an orientation meeting, which is usually held one or two days prior to the beginning of the spring semester.
9. Students who agree to comply with all policies and procedures, and complete all the required paperwork will be officially accepted into the Athletic Training Program.       

Admission and Retention Requirements

The following are required for admission into and retention in the clinical education portion of the Athletic Training Program.

1. Completion of 75 directed clinical observation hours in the SUNY Cortland Athletic Training Program
2. Minimum overall GPA of 2.5
3. Minimum major in athletic training GPA of 2.75 as indicated on the Degree Audit Worksheet
4. Minimum grade of C- in all athletic training (ATR) courses
5. Minimum grade of B- in ATR 221
6. Verification of current First Aid for admission
7. Verification of current and ongoing and CPR/AED certification that meets Emergency Cardiac Care (ECC) requirements.
8. Formal blood-borne pathogen training prior to observational or clinical education experiences and annual training thereafter.

Additional Program Expenses

Prospective students must be aware that, upon acceptance into the Athletic Training Program, there will be additional expenses. These expenses will include, but are not limited to, the following: liability insurance, uniforms, CPR mask, small medical kit and equipment, ID badge, travel to affiliated clinical education sites, fingerprinting, professional membership, etc. Additional expenses may arise, if faculty and staff determine the need or accreditation standards dictate.