Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What makes your school's program better or different than any other?
Since  all CAATE-accredited athletic training education programs adhere to specific standards, there are many similarities, especially in terms of academic coursework. However, Chapman's program is perhaps unique because we utilize nearly 30 different affiliated clinical rotation sites, including professional sports teams and elite athletes located in the Orange County and Los Angeles area. Additionally, the clinical education portion of our program is six semesters, which exceeds the national model and provides our students with more opportunities to gain invaluable experience in diverse settings working with various patient populations.

How many students are accepted each year to your program?
We look for high quality students and don't worry about numbers. Currently, we have between 40 and 55 students participating in the clinical education portion of the program (sophomores – seniors). Each year, we typically have between 20 and 25 freshmen and transfer students who apply for official admittance to the ATEP through our second/additional admission process. Not all of these students are admitted to the program due to different reasons, such as not earning the required minimum GPA or deciding to change their major. Ideally, we like to have 15 to 20 students in each cohort/class.

Do I need to declare my major upon entering Chapman, or is it OK to come in undeclared?
We strongly recommend that you declare Athletic Training as your major upon entering the university. This greatly facilitates your placement within the program because you will be assigned to an ATEP faculty advisor— and it makes you eligible to be considered for an ATEP scholarship. Additionally, the plan of study for the major begins with pre-requisite courses that are best taken during your freshman year. Some courses are offered only during alternate semesters (vs. every semester).

How many of your graduates find employment in their chosen field?
Our placement track record is very impressive. During the last eight years, approximately 90% of our graduates successfully entered related graduate school programs (e.g., athletic training, education/teaching credential, physical therapy) or find immediate employment in the profession.

How long is your program typically– four or five years?
It is designed to be a four-year plan of study; however, if you need extra courses for a particular graduate program (e.g., medical school, physician assistant program), it could extend to five years. Keep in mind that the clinical education portion of the program is a minimum of three years, including for transfer students.

Does your program offer internships?
Although the internship route to becoming a certified athletic trainer was eliminated nationally in 2004, our program still includes six semesters of the hands-on "internship" experience. This is achieved via our clinical rotations/laboratory fieldwork courses, which also allow our students to build relationships with healthcare professionals (i.e., potential future employers). In terms of student employment and/or paid "internships," the university offers the federal work-study program to help with your educational expenses, as well as on-campus student jobs. Some students are able to gain work-study hours within the ATEP and/or Chapman Athletics.

What facilities do you have?
Our athletic training facility is 1,600 square feet and well-equipped. We also have a human performance lab and another large multi-purpose room that serves as a clinical lab classroom. In summer 2008, construction of our renovated athletic stadium/field and new aquatics center was completed, which houses additional classrooms, laboratories and a satellite athletic training room.

How can I get more information about the program?
Please email us at atep@chapman.edu. You can also download our program brochure.

May I schedule an on campus tour and/or meet the ATEP faculty?
Yes. Please contact us and allow for at least one week's notice so that we can schedule meetings/tours.