Dee Higgins, Ph.D.
Department Chair, Program Director and Professor of Athletic Training
Every patient and every student is inherently good, is worth time, effort and care, and deserves your best efforts.
Athletic Training
Bachelor of Science
Clarke University’s Athletic Training major helps athletic trainer students develop an understanding and appreciation of the many dimensions of humans – structural, functional, psychological, emotional, and spiritual. Our college level Athletic Training program also emphasizes the development of critical thinking and problem-solving skills, which are vital for a competent practitioner in today’s evolving health care environment.
In Clarke’s Athletic Training program, you’ll earn your bachelor’s in athletic trainer degree studying under the supervision of a licensed physician and administer immediate emergency and follow-up care. You’ll develop athletic injury prevention, treatment, and rehabilitation programs using your knowledge of biomechanics, anatomy, and pathology. The certified athletic trainer students that emerge from Clarke University’s Athletic Training program are medical professionals specializing in preclusion, evaluation, healing, therapy, and recovery.
Tools in an athletic trainer’s medicine box include therapeutic exercises, ultrasound, and electrical stimulation. Athletic trainers tend to like working closely with people, whether they’re soccer players or health administrators, and always have the satisfaction of helping people heal and achieve their body’s full potential. Students that study athletic training are patient and caring individuals who learn to be gentle with people under their care because pain and stress can be involved.
Clarke Athletic Training Society
Clarke University athletic trainer students working to achieve their BS in athletic training have access to a very active student organization, Clarke Athletic Training Society (CATS). The organization helps spread the awareness of the athletic training profession and develop professional skills among students in the field. Athletic trainer students also participate in the Physical Active Lifestyle Solutions Program (PALS). This program helps children ages five to seventeen who are facing nutritional and lifestyle challenges. Clarke athletic training students engage by:
- Introducing and reinforcing active, healthy lifestyles.
- Instructing in proper techniques of physical activities and nutrition.
- Providing resources and guides.
- Maintaining positive interactions and influences with adolescents while having fun during physical activity.
Interested in health and fitness as a career? Want to see first-hand how our athletic training students learn? Take a visit to scenic Dubuque, Iowa, and visit the Clarke University campus. We will walk you through all the details of becoming a certified athletic trainer.
Program Details
In Clarke’s Athletic Training program, you’ll study a variety of subjects, including chemistry with lab, psychology, ethics, anatomy, and research. The athletic trainer degree Capstone course focuses on discipline-specific topics, such as administrative principles, current issues, and management practices necessary for obtaining and working in an athletic training career. You will also complete hands-on clinical experiences supervised by licensed and certified athletic trainers and/or clinical faculty/preceptors.
Athletic trainer classes that make an impact
Here is a sampling of the types of classes you’ll explore as a Clarke University Athletic Training student:
CLINICAL EDUCATION IN ATHLETIC TRAINING I — Students have the opportunity to go to Clarke University-affiliated athletic training facilities to practice skills specific in injury assessment.
CARE & PREVENTION OF INJURIES — You’ll gain knowledge of the basic science relationship to the prevention, care, and recovery of injuries.
PRINCIPLES OF PHARMACOLOGY— Learn about the role of pharmaceuticals in restoring health, preventing illness, and enhancing life with this exciting course.
Athletic Training Rotations
Clarke’s Athletic Training students complete clinical rotations with Dubuque, Iowa, and other area high schools, college teams, physicians, health care facilities, and health services offices, including:
- Clarke University
- University of Dubuque
- Senior High School
- Hempstead High School
- Wahlert Catholic High School
- East Dubuque High School
- Medical Associates Clinic
- Tri-State Dialysis Clinic
Athletic Training Board Pass Rates
Clarke University students overall Athletic Training Board Pass Rates for the past six years for those with an athletic trainer degree have been between 90-100%, with 72-100% of those students passing the first time. In addition, last year, all Clarke AT graduates secured a job in their field or enrolled in graduate school by August.
Clarke University has received full accreditation for its Athletic Training Program (Bachelor of Science) for the maximum of 10 years from CAATE (Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education). With this successful accreditation review, Clarke University intends to move toward the offering of a Masters in Athletic Training.
Admission to Clarke University
Students apply for admission to the Athletic Training Program during the spring semester of their freshman/first year. Qualified Clarke University students will be given priority for the (approximately) 12 openings in the program per year. Some qualified applicants may not be accepted due to space limitations.
Applicants are considered on an individual basis. Apply to Clarke today to begin your journey.
- Application to Clarke
- Admission & Progression Requirements
- Clarke Scholarships & Awards
- Athletic Training Department
Coming soon! Master’s in Athletic Training
After receiving notice of successfully achieving the maximum 10-year continued accreditation from the Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training (CAATE), Clarke is setting its sights on launching the Master’s of Athletic Training (MAT) in the near future. The MAT is the new entry-level standard of preparation for athletic training students. Clarke aspires to continue its tradition of preparing industry leading athletic trainers to the ever growing and changing healthcare system.
Program in Pictures
Careers in Athletic Training
Athletic Training degree students work on each other with feux injuries to practice proper techniques.
Athletic training students are given hands-on experience in each class.
Deann Petitgout, MA
Instructor of Athletic Training; Director of General Education
Each student is unique, and therefore we must do our best to meet their specific needs. We must prepare students to be life-long learners in an ever-changing world.
There’s more to college than going to class.
The Classroom and Beyond
Study Abroad
Clarke University Athletic Training students study abroad as part of their degree. Study abroad destinations have included Spain, Scotland, Ireland, and Japan.
Clubs & Organizations
Clarke’s athletic training major has a very active student organization, Clarke Athletic Training Society (CATS). Members promote and encourage participation in athletic health care through community involvement. CATS helps spread awareness of the profession of athletic training and develops professional skills among students in the field.
The Clarke Compass
Through your Clarke experience, you will be involved in many different activities that will guide you on your college journey. By your senior year, you will have a résumé of all your awesome involvements packaged and ready for your first interview.
Careers in Athletic Training
What can I do with a degree in this major?
But don’t take our word for it…
Our Students & Alumni
Jeremy Houtakker
Athletic Training '03
The on-the-field training with a variety of high school and collegiate athletic teams greatly prepared me for any type of career within sports medicine and rehabilitation.
Lucas Fangman
Athletic Training '17
One day while working at Sundown Mountain Resort, I was the first person on the scene when a snowboarder crashed. I had to stabilize his neck. To be able to apply what I am learning in the classroom to a real-life experience is amazing.
Emily Grant
Athletic Training '18
I just finished my first clinical rotation with the women’s soccer team. I am always hungry for information and am striving to learn everything about the human body.
23
%
Job growth
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, percent the athletic training workforce will grow through 2022.
100
%
Job placement
Percent of Clarke athletic training graduates who secured a job in their chosen field or enrolled in graduate school by August.
$
47,510
Yearly salary
The current median annual wage for athletic trainer degree holders.
Accreditation
In order to practice athletic training, students must pass the BOC certification examination. As described on The Board of Certification, Inc. (BOC) website, the BOC “was incorporated in 1989 to provide a certification program for entry-level Athletic Trainers (ATs). The BOC establishes and regularly reviews both the standards for the practice of athletic training and the continuing education requirements for BOC Certified ATs. The BOC has the only accredited certification program for ATs in the US.”
Clarke was most recently completed an accreditation review in 2017-2018 and received the maximum reaccreditation of 10 years.
The most recent Clarke athletic training student BOC pass rates are:
- 2011 graduating class 1st time pass rate of 90.90% (10/11) and an overall pass rate of 100% (11/11).
- 2012 graduating class 1st time pass rate of 100% (10/10).
- 2013 graduating class 1st time pass rate of 76.92% (10/13) and an overall pass rate of 92.31% (12/13).
- 2014 graduating class 1st time pass rate of 87.5% (7/8) and an overall pass rate of 100% (8/8).
- 2015 graduating class 1st time pass rate of 75% (9/12) and an overall pass rate of 91.66% (11/12).
- 2016 graduating class 1st time pass rate of 83.3% (10/12) and the overall pass rate is of 91.6% (11/12).
- 2017 graduating class 1st time pass rate of 75% (6/8) and the overall pass rate is of 87.5% (7/8).
- 2018 graduating class 1st time pass rate of 80% (12/15) and the overall pass rate of 100% (15/15).
- 2019 graduating class 1st time pass rate of 75% (6/8) and overall pass rate is 87.5% (7/8) at this time.
The most recent Clarke athletic training student three-year aggregate BOC pass rates:
- 2019, 2018, 2017 aggregate 1st time pass rate of 77.4% (24/31) and the overall pass rate is 93.54% (29/31) at this time.
- 2018, 2017, 2016 aggregate 1st time pass rate of 80% (28/35) and the overall pass rate is 94.28% (33/35).
- 2017, 2016, 2015 aggregate 1st time pass rate of 78.1% (25/32) and the overall pass rate is 90.63% (29/32).
- 2016, 2015, 2014 aggregate 1st time pass rate of 81.25% (26/32) and the overall pass rate is 93.75% (30/32).
- 2015, 2014, 2013 aggregate 1st time pass rate of 78.78% (26/33) and the overall pass rate is 93.75% (30/32).
Clarke University is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education Programs (CAATE). CAATE is recognized by Council for Higher Education (CHEA) as an accrediting agency.
Other Programs to Explore
Experience Clarke Athletic Training for Yourself