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AMHERST, N.Y. – ˿����Ƶ College’s 2015 athletic training graduates have achieved a 100 percent first-time pass rate on the National Athletic Trainers’ Association Board of Certification exam, a rate that significantly surpasses the national average of 81 percent.

“We are proud of our newest athletic training graduates for attaining such a notable pass rate on this rigorous national certification exam, an achievement that’s a testament to the caliber of our students and the quality of excellence of our athletic training program,” said ˿����Ƶ President Gary A. Olson.

Dr. Nicole Chimera, athletic training program director and assistant professor, noted, “The hallmark of ˿����Ƶ’s athletic training program is the valuable clinical experience our students receive in a variety of professional settings. This high pass rate reflects the strength of our educational program and our dedicated faculty who successfully prepare our students for the national certification exam and to go on to become exceptional athletic trainers.”

˿����Ƶ 2015 athletic training graduates who earned a 100 percent first-time pass rate  on the exam include Cleon Clayton of Buffalo; Kyle Clifford of West Seneca; Jared Contreras of Arcadia, Calif.; Danielle Dorchak of Buffalo; Kerry Guerin of Brewerton; and Jeremy Plochko of Buffalo. Since graduating in May, they have all secured positions in the field as athletic trainers.

Currently, to become a certified athletic trainer, a student must graduate with a bachelor’s or a master’s degree from an accredited professional athletic training education program and pass the exam administered by the BOC. However, the national Athletic Training Strategic Alliance recently announced the professional degree requirement to become a certified athletic trainer will be changed to a master’s degree.

In a statement released by the alliance, it was emphasized, “A critical link to acceptance in the broader health care arena is the athletic trainer’s level of professional preparation. This decision to shift the degree level is essential to ensuring our future ability to meet the expectations of the health care team, to continuing to improve patient outcomes, and to keeping our profession sustainable for generations to come.”

Established in 2008, ˿����Ƶ’s athletic training program, which is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training (CAATE), is one of only two in New York State and among 40 in the U.S. offered at the master’s level.

“The athletic training program was designed as a master’s degree to best incorporate into the curriculum the fundamental knowledge, practical skills and experience for students to successfully pursue professional certification and a career as an athletic trainer,” said Dr. Michael Brogan, vice president for academic affairs and dean of the college. “As an established master’s level program, we are well-positioned for the upcoming transition to the new educational requirements for athletic training.”

Athletic trainers specialize in the prevention, evaluation and rehabilitation of orthopedic injuries and conditions. According to the U.S. Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of athletic trainers is expected to grow 21 percent from 2012-2022, which is faster than the average for all occupations.

Given the increasing demand, Chimera emphasized ˿����Ƶ’s graduate-level program is poised to become a top choice for students who wish to pursue a career as a certified athletic trainer.

“At a time when the educational standards will be changing, we are already in good standing with a nationally-accredited program in place to meet this advanced academic requirement,” she said. “The rigor and quality of ˿����Ƶ’s athletic training program greatly benefits our students and makes them more marketable when they enter the workforce.”

To learn more about ˿����Ƶ’s athletic training program, email nchimera@daemen.edu or call 839-8413.