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Some research exists relative to the personnel relationship between athletic training education programs (ATEPs) and intercollegiate athletic departments, yet little research has examined program directors' general perceptions of coupling or coupling related to the Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education (CAATE) standards of physical resources, financial resources, and personnel. The first purpose of this study was to determine CAATE-accredited undergraduate athletic training education program directors' perceptions of the nature of coupling between the ATEP and the host institution's intercollegiate athletic department. Weick's (1976) concept of loose coupling served as the guiding framework for this research. The second purpose of this study was to determine program directors' perceptions of the nature of coupling between ATEPs and intercollegiate athletic departments based on the CAATE standards related to personnel, physical resources, and financial resources. The third purpose of this study was to determine the perceived differences in the nature of coupling between ATEPs and intercollegiate athletic departments, based on personal characteristics of the program director. The final purpose of this study was to determine the perceived differences in the nature of coupling between ATEPs and intercollegiate athletic departments, based on institutional characteristics. A researcher-developed survey instrument with five-point Likert scale items was used to collect data from program directors regarding their perceptions of coupling between ATEPs and athletic departments. The survey items were organized into five subscales: general perceptions, equipment, facilities, personnel, and financial resources. Analysis of the composite subscale means revealed that program directors perceived a moderate degree of generalized coupling between ATEPs and athletic departments. Program directors perceived a moderate degree of coupling relative to equipment and personnel, with slight degrees of coupling specific to facilities and financial resources. Significant differences in program directors' perceptions of coupling were noted based on years of accredited program direction experience and role orientation. One-way analyses of variance (ANOVAs) indicated that institutional athletic affiliation and school affiliation are significant predictors of program directors' perceptions of coupling between the ATEP and the athletic department. Independent paired samples t tests indicated that program directors' perceptions of coupling were significantly different based on the institution's funding source. [The dissertation citations contained here are published with the permission of ProQuest LLC. Further reproduction is prohibited without permission. Copies of dissertations may be obtained by Telephone (800) 1-800-521-0600. Web page: http://www.proquest.com/en-US/products/dissertations/individuals.shtml.]