Courses offered by American universities are evaluated by the Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education, or CAATE. To gain this accreditation, a program--whether at the undergraduate or postgraduate level--must meet certain standards. These include that the institution in question is itself accredited by the U.S. Department of Education or the Council for Higher Education Accreditation, that the course director and instructors are suitably qualified, that classroom and labs are of a certain standard, and that the program's curriculum is geared toward giving students a grounding for a career in athletic training.
As of the start of 2011, some 344 undergraduate courses offered by institutions across the country meet the minimum standards outlined by the CAATE, including in Hawaii. The states of California, Illinois, Michigan and North Carolina offer the greatest range of study opportunities.
In comparison, the number of institutions offering accredited master's degrees in the field of athletic training is relatively small, at just 23. Texas is the only state to boast two institutions offering courses meeting the CAATE standards.
The specific content of the athletics training courses on offer varies from institution to institution, with students usually free to choose from a range of optional modules on top of core ones. However, the National Athletic Trainers' Association advises that all courses need to focus on human anatomy and physiology, nutrition, strength training and biomechanics as a minimum.
The admission requirements for athletic training courses also can vary markedly between providers. As an example, Carthage College asks prospective students to have a minimum GPA of 2.5 to apply for its program, while the University of Tampa asks for a GPA of 3.0. Prospective students may also be required to have observed an athletic therapist at work for a fixed number of hours and to provide relevant references and even proof of good health and physical well-being.