Studies examining the impact interpersonal communication skills have on patient satisfaction, outcomes, and patient compliance have been conducted in healthcare. In addition, athletic training research suggests communication is a top attribute observed when hiring, yet many athletic trainers are deficient in their ability to communicate effectively. Although communication skills are highly important in athletic training, little research exists on how to teach such skills in athletic training programs. This was a mixed methods treatment randomized baseline post-test control group study designed to determine the effectiveness of a six-week communication skills training on athletic training students' interpersonal communication skills during initial patient encounters, whether athletic training students utilize effective interpersonal communication in the athletic training clinical education setting, and to understand athletic training students' perceptions of their interpersonal communication skills. Data were collected from 8 (n=8) athletic training students enrolled in an athletic training professional program during fall 2018 using a modified Calgary-Cambridge Observation Guide-Medical Skills Evaluation during patient encounters with a standardized patient. Results indicated athletic training students improved their communication skills over time by a mean score of 10 points out of 120 points once taught communication skills. Students perceived their communication skills to improve by a mean of 24.38 points out of 120 points, which research suggests this may be due to the student being less confident in a skill. Athletic training students' communication scores improved by a mean score of 23.75 out of 120 points when provided an opportunity to apply the skills learned in clinical practice. [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://bibliotheek.ehb.be:2222/en-US/products/dissertations/individuals.shtml.]