Athletic Training

Admission Criteria

Candidacy Period
All freshman/transfer students that declare athletic training as their major on admittance to the University must meet with the Program Director in an advising group meeting before the start of the first semester. At this meeting, the admission requirements are discussed and the candidacy rotations are set-up.  All students are required to complete 75 hours of observation with a certified athletic trainer prior to the application date of April 1st.  Students are assigned observation rotations, as their schedule allows, and continues until they have completed a minimum of 75 hours.

If students declare athletic training as his/her major at any other time during the fall semester, they will meet with the Program Director and start the candidacy process.  Because of time constraints, any student that declares athletic training as their major after the beginning of the spring semester will be advised to start candidacy in the following fall semester.  Periodic meetings will be held throughout the fall and spring semester with the candidates to disseminate information, review observation expectations, and to provide information for the application process.

Application Period

As mentioned above, the application date each year is April 1st.  At the time of application, students must submit:

• a completed program application form;
• transcripts indicating an overall GPA of 2.5 or higher on a minimum of 25 credits of university level degree work;
• proof of the completion of 75 hours of observation under the direct supervision of a certified athletic trainer;
• evidence of completing and passing a background inspection;
• transcripts indicating completion of KINS 274 or hold a current American Red Cross CPR and First Aid card (or equivalent);
• evidence of being tuberculosis free;
• University Health Services offers TB tests
• evidence of receiving at least two of the three required immunizations in the hepatitis B vaccine series (or a signed hepatitis B immunization declination) and verification of immunization history for measles, mumps, rubella, tetanus, and diphtheria;
• completion of KINS 192 - Introduction to Athletic Training with a grade of "B" (3.0) or higher;
• documentation of compliance with the Athletic Training Education Program Technical Standards for Admission, which are based on the physical, cognitive, and attitudinal abilities that an entry-level athletic trainer must possess (see appendices for Technical Standards document).

 

After the application date, interviews will be scheduled for all candidates with the Athletic Training Education Program Committee, which will consist of the Program Director, one staff athletic trainer, two current athletic training students, and one faculty member from the Department of Kinesiology. Additional committee members may be added at the discretion of the AT program director.

Student admission will be based on the following criteria:
1.         performance evaluations by clinical supervisors – 30%
2.         interview – 30%
3.         cumulative University GPA – 40%

Each student will be given a numerical score for each of the above categories.  The totals for each student will be ranked and the top 12-15 students will be recommended to the Department Chair for admission to the program.  Letters of acceptance status will be sent by June 15th each year.  Students that are not accepted are encouraged to select another major at the University.  Those students that choose to reapply again the following year are reminded that the major is a 3-year course of study once accepted and that reapplying will delay their graduation by at least one year.

Students accepted into the program will have to have a physical examination completed during the summer.  Students will begin their athletic training course work and clinical education/field experiences in the fall.

Any cost incurred with application and acceptance into the program are the athletic training student’s responsibility.  These costs may include, but are not limited to: fees for CPR and First Aid certification; Hepatitis B vaccinations, updates of other immunizations; physical examination, membership in the NATA, athletic training specific clothing, travel to and from clinical sites, and other items need for didactic and/or clinical study.

 

Accreditation
The Athletic Training major was accredited by CAAHEP in September of 2004.  All students that graduate from the ATEP and meet the criteria established by CAATE will qualify to sit for the BOC certification examination. As of July 1, 2006, program accreditation switched to CAATE, which now oversees all educational programs in Athletic Training.

 

Retention
Once admitted into the Athletic Training major, the student must meet the following criteria to remain in the major:

1. maintain a 3.0 GPA overall in all athletic training core courses
2. earn a grade of B- or better in all ATEP core courses. ATEP courses with a grade lower than B- must be repeated.
3. must continue to be in compliance with the Athletic Training Education Program Technical Standards for Admission and the National Athletic Trainers’ Association (NATA) Code of Ethics
4. Satisfactorily complete all clinical experiences and other required program criteria

 

To graduate from this program a student must achieve a 2.75 or higher overall GPA.

Remediation
Students who do not have a B- (2.7 GPA) or better in an ATEP core course may undertake a formal program of remediation in order to raise their grade to a passing level and assure mastery of the course objectives. The opportunity for a student to begin a program of remediation is at the discretion of the course instructor and the program director.

Remediation Procedures:

• Faculty monitors the student’s performance throughout each course.
• Students that find they are having academic difficulty must contact the course instructor and/or program director for additional assistance first.
• Students must show that they have made an honest effort towards the course and are deserving of a remediation program.
• The course instructor, the student, and the program director will design remediation programs collaboratively.
• Each student that undertakes a formal program of remediation will be assigned weekly meeting times with the program director.

 

Transfer Students
Transfer students must meet all application requirements prior to application to the program. KINS 192 Introduction to Athletic Training must be taken on-campus. Those students transferring from another institution with an accredited (CAATE) athletic training program and have taken an equivalent course, may petition the selection committee to accept the course. Transfer students who are interested in the Athletic Training major should inform the Admission Office upon application for admission to the University and contact the Athletic Training Education Program Director.

Special Fall Admission Policy
For first time applicants only, that meet all of the stated admission criteria, may apply by November 1st for admission to the athletic training major. This application period is intended for students that enroll during the spring semester or transfer from another accredited athletic training program. Enrollment will be limited to the number of clinical positions available. Applicants that are considered during the special fall admission period and are not accepted at that time will be considered again during the spring application period.

Student Transportation
Students in the athletic training education program must provide their own transportation to and from clinical experiences.  Some clinical experiences may require travel to other communities.