With the transition to the professional Master’s degree for Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education (CAATE) athletic training education programs, it is important to examine best pre-athletic training preparation. Currently some pre-athletic training Bachelor’s degrees are offered at the university level, but there are also community college program that exist to prepare pre-athletic training students for transfer to CAATE athletic training programs. Specifically, little is known about the California community college athletic training preparation (CCCPAT) programs in regards to athletic training education overall, and no previous research has been conducted on the topic. The purpose of this study was to describe and explore the relevance of CCCPAT programs to athletic training education and student success from the perspective of athletic training graduates who had transferred from CCCPAT programs as well as program directors of California CAATE accredited athletic training programs (ATPs). Using a phenomenological qualitative approach, semi-structured interviews with California ATP program directors and graduates were conducted. A total of 18 interviews were completed, 9 program directors and 9 graduates. Interviews were transcribed, and data were analyzed using an interpretive thematic approach. Results revealed the same 3 themes for each group: CCCPAT programs foster student success, CCCPAT programs can improve and the CCCPAT role in the move to the professional Master’s degree. Study findings suggest that CCCPAT role in the move to the professional Master’s degree. Study findings suggest that CCCPAT programs have a positive effect on student success including: 1) mentorship 2) networking 3) being part of a cohort 4) hands-on clinical experience 5) exposure and understanding of athletic training 6) communication and confidence enhancement 7) a good athletic training foundation and 8) financial savings. Areas of improvement revealed the need 1) to refine CCCPAT program curriculum to improve transfer efficiency 2) to improve the focus o academic performance 3) for more supervision of CCCPAT program students and 4) for more CCCPAT program student support with the transfer to University process and University adjustment. Concerns regarding the role of CCCPAT programs in the shift to the professional Master’s ATPs included financial hardship, a gap in clinical exposure from CCCPAT programs to Master’s programs, and the worry that CCCPAT program roles may decrease. Participants agreed that CCCPAT programs will continue to provide an athletic training foundation, hands on clinical experience, a place to complete prerequisite courses and may possibly play a role in bridging the gap of the upper division junior and senior years of Bachelor’s programs by providing a place to continue hands on clinical experience. University ATP programs and administrators, CCCPAT programs and administrator and students can utilize study findings to better understand CCCPAT programs and refine and improve their programs accordingly.
