HELP [ARCHIVED CATALOG] Athletic Training Major BS Print-Friendly Page

The Department of Health and Human Performance has a long history of providing educational opportunities for students in the field of athletic training. In 2001, the university recognized athletic training as a major field of study. The Athletic Training Education Program (ATEP) is responsible for the admission criteria, advisement and administration of the athletic training major. The program goals are:

1. To provide quality educational opportunities for students in the knowledge, skills and values necessary to become a superior allied-health provider in the field of athletic training
2. To prepare students for success on the National Athletic Trainers Board of Certification (NATABOC) and State of Texas Athletic Training Licensure Examinations
3. To provide educational opportunities to a wide variety of students and to teach superior ethics and responsibility when providing health care to the physically active.

The ATEP is accredited through the Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education (CAATE). Students wishing to pursue NATABOC certification must graduate from a CAATE Accredited program. Contact the program director for more information.

Program Description

All students admitted to the Athletic Training Education Program must be athletic training majors. Upon completion of the curriculum, students will graduate with a Bachelor of Science degree. The athletic training major is a non-teaching major consisting of a four year program of academic and clinical course requirements. Graduation requirements for a major in athletic training include:

1. 47 semester hours of University Studies courses
2. 38 semester hours of athletic training major courses
3. 18 semester hours of health minor courses
4. 25 semester hours of supporting field courses for a total of 128 semester hours

Course and lab fees may be applied to the major courses and are listed in each semester schedule of courses.

Athletic Training majors are required to participate in directed clinical field experiences as part of the clinical program, dependant on their professional development level. The clinical program consists of four professional development levels: Pre-Professional, Professional Level I, Professional Level II and Professional Level III. The clinical plan requires students to progress through eight laboratory and six clinical experience at AT courses related to the professional development levels. The academic and clinical course objectives of the program are developed from the competencies of athletic training as prescribed by the Education Council of the National Athletic Trainers’ Association. Eight laboratory courses provide formal clinical instruction and evaluation of the required skills necessary for entry-level athletic trainers. Students must demonstrate a level of skill mastery to progress to the next professional level. All skill-based proficiencies are evaluated by a NATABOC Certified Approved Clinical Instructor. Basic knowledge and skills will be taught and evaluated in the pre-professional level before entering the directed field experiences of the clinical experience AT courses.

In directed field experiences, each student will be required to observe, participate, and document up to 20 hours per week within the athletic training and/or health care facilities affiliated with the program. Transportation will be required to travel to off campus facilities at the student’s expense. The clinical experience in AT courses require students to be involved with the care of athletes under direct supervision by an Approved Clinical Instructor or Clinical Instructor. The student must participate in the practice and game preparation for a variety of men’s and women’s sports. Students will apply their integrated knowledge and skills in the supervised clinical environment. The clinical experience in AT courses begin during the second year in the program and are related to the four required areas of lower extremity, upper extremity, equipment intensive and general medical.

Admission Requirement

Competitive Admission is required for the Athletic Training Education Program. Athletic training is an allied health care profession that requires full mental, physical, emotional and intellectual capacities to provide care for athletes and the physically active. Each student will be required to understand and meet the specific demands of an athletic trainer and sign the Technical Standards Form outlining these requirements. There are two levels of program admission, (1) Initial Acceptance and (2) Full Admittance. Due to the requirements of the clinical program, only a finite number of students may be admitted in the program. Being initially accepted into the program will not guarantee full admittance into the professional development levels.

Initial Acceptance Criteria

The annual deadlines for applying for initial acceptance to the Athletic Training Education Program are posted on the ATEP web page and program flyers each year. Generally, applications for the ATEP are submitted in the spring and summer for initial acceptance during the fall with initial acceptance or denial provided prior to the fall semester. Application requires:

1. An official ATEP application form including the essay portion
2. Verification of current adult CPR/FA/AED certification
3. Verification of current bloodborne pathogen training
4. Verification of hepatitis B vaccination (HBV) or signed HBV declination form
5. Verification of current physical exam performed by a MD/DO/NP/PA which includes review of medical history and immunization records
6. Official high school transcript(s) for incoming freshman - or - college transcript(s) for transfer students
7. Three original letters of recommendation
8. Signed ATEP technical standards form
9. Interview with program director, review of selection requirements
10. Declare major as Athletic Training and obtain academic advising

Full Admittance Criteria—Clinical Education Program

The annual deadlines to apply for full acceptance to the Athletic Training Education Program are posted on the ATEP web page and program flyers each year. Competitive admission requirements for full admittance include:

1. Complete all necessary steps to meet the initial acceptance requirements
2. Must be beyond freshman year—approximately 24 semester hours
3. Have an overall GPA of 2.5 on 4.0 scale
4. Documented completion of a minimum of 225 hours of clinical observation experience:
   • Must complete 75-100 hours of documented clinical observation for HHPA 140 and 150-200 hours of documented clinical observations for HHPA 214.
   • Hours may be transferred from another institution if they are documented by a certified/licensed athletic trainer. All hours completed outside the university must be verified by the program director

5. Have earned a “C” or better in each of the following courses:

   • HHPA 140 - Introduction to Athletic Training
   • HHPA 213 - Prevention and Care of Athletic Injuries.
   • HHPA 214 - Preventative Techniques in Athletic Training
   • Students may transfer these courses—see “Transferring Athletic Training Courses” below.
6. Have taken at least one anatomy/physiology course (HHPH 172, BSC 251⁴)
7. Meet ATEP Technical Standards requirements
8. Become recertified in adult CPE/FA/AED and complete a bloodborne pathogen training course annually
9. Selection Committee interview (15-30 minutes)

The Selection Committee is chaired by the program director and composed of the members of the Athletic Training Education Committee which includes one current athletic training student member. Formal acceptance into the ATEP is required for participation in the clinical education program. Approximately 10-15 students per year will be fully admitted. This number may vary depending on the availability of the number of approved affiliated sites and the ratio of Approved Clinical Instructors to current students enrolled in ATEP.

Competitive Admission Ranking Scale

1. Overall Grade Point Average (GPA), 60%
2. Pre-professional athletic training and science courses GPA, 10%
3. Interview with selection committee, 10%
4. Athletic Training instructor(s) recommendation, 10%
5. Completed observation hour forms, 10%

Meeting the minimum requirement for “Competitive Admission” does not guarantee selection for full admittance into the program. Each student denied admittance will be notified in writing within two weeks of the culmination of the selection process at the end of spring semester (Month of May). Annual deadline and notification dates are posted on ATEP webpage.

Selection Committee Grievance Policy

If a student is denied full admittance to the ATEP, they have the right to meet with the program director.  The program director will discuss the Selection Committee’s findings with the student.  The student has the right to re-apply for full admittance the next year.  If the student feels their application has been handled inappropriately, they have the right to appeal to the department head of Health and Human Performance.  The department head has the right to overrule or accept the Selection Committee’s finding.  If the student is not satisfied, they have the right to appeal to the dean of the College of Education and Human Services.  A written letter of explanation is to be sent to the dean within two weeks of the department head’s ruling.  The dean will make the final decision regarding the student’s request.  If the student has a grievance other than the selection proces, consult the ATEP Grievance Policy for details which is located in the ATEP Manual or the University’s Greievance Policy in the Student Guide Book.  Additional assistance regarding students’ non-academic complaints is provided from the Dean of Students Office.

Transferring Athletic Training Courses

A transferring student must meet all admission requirements for the University and ATEP. The University may accept transferred academic courses related to the athletic training major but the courses may not meet the criteria as an acceptable course by the ATEP. HHPA 140 - Introduction to Athletic Training, HHPA 213 - Prevention and Care of Athletic Injuries, and HHPA 214 - Preventative Techniques are the only courses that may be transferred and only if the course(s) meet the requirements listed below. For the ATEP to accept transferred athletic training courses, each course must meet the same criteria for CAATE accreditation as required for the ATEP major courses:

1. Course must be assigned a specific Course Title and Prefix.
2. Course must be assigned an academic load.
3. Course must have a specific course syllabus listing course objectives, grading scale and semester course outline.
4. The Athletic Training courses must be taught by a NATABOC certified athletic trainer in good standing. All clinical observation/experience must also be supervised by a certified athletic trainer and adequately documented.
5. If the transfer student does have acceptable documentation of the proficiencies, evaluated by a NATABOC certified athletic trainer, the course instructor/ACI with program director’s approval, will only accept the evaluated proficiencies that applied directly to ATEP assigned proficiencies in the HHPA 214 course only. Demonstration of competency will be required. Re-evaluation of the 214 proficiencies will take place in the HHPA 249 Clinical Experience in AT. It must be understood that the transfer student must enroll in all other AT major’s courses and the proficiencies must be re-demonstrated, ACI evaluated and recorded on the ATEP’s clinical forms.

On an individual basis, the program director will evaluate each student’s transcript during the application process. Students will be informed of the above criteria and the possibility of having to repeat courses that do not meet the above standards.

Progression/Retention Criteria

1. Must be in “Good Standing” academically with the University;
2. Must maintain a cumulative GPA of 2.5 in athletic training major required courses;
3. Must earn a “C” or better in major courses;
4. Must demonstrate a satisfactory level in the required clinical proficiencies for that level of the clinical education program. All clinical proficiencies assigned to the specific clinical course MUST be completed before a course grade is given. A grade of “I”—Incomplete will be recorded if student did not attempt to complete the assigned proficiencies. The student will not be allowed to enroll in the next clinical course until the Incomplete is removed.
5. Must meet the minimal hour requirements for the Clinical Experience in AT courses of 250- 300 hours in clinical education and ACI directed field experience.
6. Must be enrolled in 12 semester hours or be considered a full time student;
7. Maintain yearly CPR/FA/AED certification and blood borne pathogen training.

Probation and Suspension

Students with deficiencies in progression or retention requirements will be placed on probation for a minimum of one semester. The program director will outline a plan to complete the deficiencies. The athletic training curriculum has a course rotation every other semester. If deficiencies are not met by one year from time of probation, the student will be suspended from the program. A student on probationary status is not allowed to enroll in the clinical courses applicable to the student’s professional development level. They will be required to attend and complete all major’s supporting field courses until probationary status is rescinded. The ATEP Manual provides details for probationary status requirements. Probation will extend the completion date of the clinical program.

Students suspended from the ATEP will only be allowed to retake the courses in which they have earned a grade less than a “C.” Students have the right to appeal suspension via the Academic Appeal Process and Grievance Policy. See ATEP Manual for details.

Basic Financial Obligation, Scholarship and Work Study within the ATEP

Approximate ATEP costs are listed below but may vary depending on location of affiliated site(s). See program director for details.

1. The University charges course fees for each lecture and clinical course. Typically the assessed fees range from $5.00 to $15.00 per course. These fees are utilized in the purchase of educational supplies. Refer to the university Schedule of Classes for specific course fee amounts.
2. Clothing not supplied by the university—$200.00
3. Yearly CPR/FA/AED training—$5.00-$10.00
4. Yearly blood borne pathogen training—$35.00
5. Private physical examination—$75.00
6. Private Hepatitis B Vaccination—$150.00
7. Private liability insurance—$40.00 (The ATEP provides a general policy for all students while enrolled in classes)

Transportation to off-campus clinical sites, doctor offices, hospitals, outreach observations and educational seminars related to the clinical program are the responsibility of students. Access to transportation is required to complete the clinical courses. Semester transportation costs are estimated at approximately $400.00 per semester.

Each year the Athletic Foundation awards a scholarship in the name of Delmer Brown to a deserving Athletic Training Student. All current, fully admitted junior, senior or graduate athletic training students in good standing with the program and university are eligible. The award is based on overall GPA, service to the Athletic Department and personal character. Specific selection criterion can be found in the ATEP manual or by contacting the director of sports medicine. The award is given yearly at the end of the fall semester and presented at the Athletic Awards Banquet.

All work-study opportunities are related to financial aid eligibility and handled through the Financial Aid Office on campus. See the director of sports medicine for work related employment opportunities which are serviced-based and not related to the Athletic Training Education Program. Currently the athletic department offers no athletic training scholarships beyond the Delmer Brown Scholarship.