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2016-2017 Undergraduate Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]
Athletic Training B.S.
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Major in Athletic Training
(Major Code: 113)
The Athletic Training Program (ATP) is a selective and competitive admissions allied-health program. Students successfully completing the 120-hour program, including both didactic and clinical education courses, will receive bachelor of science degrees in athletic training. The ATP faculty is dedicated to provide all students with academic and clinical experiences that meet requirements of Competencies in Athletic Training and prepare students for the profession of athletic training and meeting health-care needs of the physically active.
The primary goal of the bachelor of science degree in athletic training program at WTAMU is to prepare the student in instructional and clinical settings to utilize current and emerging health-care skills for athletic training. This program is designed to prepare professionals in:
- Development of specified health-care skills in risk management and injury prevention,
- Development of specified health-care skills in pathology of injury and illnesses, recognition and evaluation of athletic injuries/problems,
- Development of specified health-care skills in implementation of acute care, therapeutic modalities, therapeutic exercise,
- Development of specified health-care knowledge of pharmacology and nutrition as related to athletic performance,
- Development of organizational and administrative skills for operation of athletic facilities,
- Development of educational and counseling skills and knowledge of professional development for athletic trainers, and
- Preparation for application of state licensure and the Board of Certification Inc. (BOC) certification.
Basic Program Requirements
Athletic Training Program (ATP) Admission
Admission to the undergraduate Athletic Training Program (ATP) is selective and competitive. Preference is given to WTAMU pre-athletic training students. Applications are due by April 1 for admission into the following fall ATP class. One class is admitted each year. An interview will be scheduled for finalists with the Athletic Training Admissions Committee prior to May 1. The student completes 50 hours of observation experience in the WTAMU athletic training clinical education facility. Student acceptance will be confirmed by June 15. Prerequisite ATP admission course includes ATTR 2371 .
Minimum admission criteria include:
- Minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.75.
- Completion with a minimum grade of “B” in ATTR 2371 .
- Complete application.
- Complete minimum of 50 hours observation experience in the WTAMU ATP Clinical Education Facility.
- Complete formal interview.
- Meet the criteria of minimal technical standards.
Application materials may be requested from the director of the ATP in the Virgil Henson Activities Center, Room 217, or by calling 806-651-2370.
The completed application and an official copy of all college transcripts must be returned prior to April 1 for consideration. Return all items to:
Lorna Strong, M.S., A.T.C., L.A.T.
Program Director, Athletic Training Program
West Texas A&M University
WTAMU Box 60216
Canyon, Texas 79016-0001
Applicants are accepted for admission by ranked order using the formula listed below.
| Academic performance-cumulative GPA and prerequisite GPA |
40% |
| Athletic training observation evaluation |
10% |
| Application and committee review |
50% |
| Total |
100% |
All applicants must complete a formal personal interview. An interview will be scheduled with the ATP Admissions Committee prior to May 1. Preference is given to applicants who will complete all required prerequisite courses and requirements at completion of the admission semester. All prerequisite courses and requirements must be completed prior to the fall semester of admission to the ATP. Student acceptance will be confirmed by June 15. Applicants to the ATP may be admitted under the following conditions:
- Full Acceptance-A student may be accepted to the ATP upon completion of all stated WTAMU ATP admission requirements without any deficiencies.
- Provisional Acceptance-A transfer student may be accepted to the ATP having met all admissions requirements and documenting previous athletic training experience not at WTAMU. Provisional acceptance allows the student to complete the required 50-hour observation prior to the beginning of the academic year.
- Probationary Acceptance-A student applying to the ATP with a cumulative GPA of 2.5 may be accepted into the ATP on a probationary admissions status if all other application requirements have been met. A student accepted under probationary admission will have one academic year to improve the GPA to the required level. Failure to correct the GPA after one academic year will lead to suspension from the ATP.
Applicants not selected may reapply for admission the following year.
Transfer Student Policy
The WTAMU ATP encourages the application of transfer students. Transfer students are encouraged to visit the WTAMU campus and meet with the program director. The transfer student must meet all admissions criteria of the University.
The ATP program can only grant transfer credit for ATTR 2371 -Athletic Training, BIOL 2401 -Anatomy and Physiology I, BIOL 2402 -Anatomy and Physiology II and SES-prefixed courses, provided the course work is equivalent to the WTAMU course. A transfer student with prior collegiate athletic training experience under the supervision of a certified athletic trainer can be provisionally admitted to the ATP and complete the required 50 hours of observation in the program prior to the beginning of the academic year. The transfer student must provide signed documentation of the experience and hours completed from his or her supervising certified athletic trainer. Upon successful completion of the required hours and evaluation by WTAMU preceptor, the transfer student will be granted full admission status to the ATP. The student will have a minimum of six required semesters prior to eligibility for graduation from the ATP.
Course sequencing for a transfer student will be developed on an individual basis with consideration of course work transferred into the University. All transfer students will follow course sequencing for all athletic training (ATTR) courses as outlined for the athletic training major once admitted into the ATP.
Pre-Athletic Training Program (directly from high school and transfer students not meeting AT)
The Pre-Athletic Training Program is for students attending West Texas A&M University who are pursuing a degree in athletic training but not admitted into the Athletic Training Program. All students entering the Pre-Athletic Training Program directly from high school and all transfer students are subject to admission procedures and standards of WTAMU. All students entering the Pre-Athletic Training Program must meet with either the program director or clinical coordinator and submit an application for selection into the Pre-Athletic Training Program. Pre-Athletic Training Program application materials are available by request from the program director by calling 806-651-2370.
A completed application and meeting must take place prior to beginning any observational experience. Pre-athletic training students will be assigned to a clinical supervisor but will not be allowed to complete tasks that take opportunities away from students in the undergraduate ATP Program and are not guaranteed admission into the ATP. Selection and participation in the Pre-Athletic Training Program does not guarantee admission into the ATP.
Minimum admission criteria include:
- Admitted fully to WTAMU.
- A meeting with either the ATP Program Director or Clinical Coordinator prior to beginning any observational experiences with the WTAMU ATP.
- Completed Pre-Athletic Training Application prior to beginning any observational experiences with the WTAMU ATP.
University Core Curriculum (42 hours)
Athletic Training Major Requirements
Athletic Training Didactic Course Work in Physical Education/Athletic Training (55 hours)
Didactic Course Work in Other Departments (8 hours)
Athletic Training Clinical Experience Course Work (11 hours)
ATP Technical Standards for Admission
The WTAMU Athletic Training Education Program (ATP) is a rigorous and intense program that places specific requirements and demands on students enrolled in the program. An objective of this program is to prepare graduates to enter a variety of employment settings and to render care to a wide spectrum of individuals engaged in physical activity. Technical standards set forth by the ATP establish essential qualities considered necessary for students admitted to this program to achieve the knowledge, skills and competencies of an entry-level athletic trainer, as well as meet the expectations of the program’s accrediting agency (Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education [CAATE]).
All students admitted to the ATP must meet the following abilities and expectations. In the event a student is unable to fulfill these technical standards, with or without reasonable accommodation, the student will not be admitted into the program. Compliance with the program’s technical standards does not guarantee a student’s eligibility for the BOC certification exam.
Candidates for selection to the ATP must demonstrate:
- Mental capacity to assimilate, analyze, synthesize, integrate concepts and problem solve to formulate assessment and therapeutic judgments and to be able to distinguish deviations from the norm.
- Sufficient postural and neuromuscular control, sensory function and coordination to perform appropriate physical examinations using accepted techniques, and accurately, safely and efficiently use equipment and materials during assessment and treatment of patients.
- Ability to communicate effectively and sensitively with patients and colleagues, including individuals from different cultural and social backgrounds; this includes, but is not limited to, the ability to establish rapport with patients and communicate judgments and treatment information effectively. Students must be able to understand and speak the English language at a level consistent with competent professional practice.
- Ability to record physical examination results and treatment plan clearly and accurately.
- Capacity to maintain composure and continue to function well during periods of high stress.
- Perseverance, diligence and commitment to complete the athletic training education program as outlined and sequenced.
- Flexibility and the ability to adjust to changing situations and uncertainty in clinical situations.
- Affective skills and appropriate demeanor and rapport that relate to professional education and quality patient care.
Candidates for selection to the ATP will be required to verify they understand and meet these technical standards or that they believe that, with certain accommodations, they can meet the standards.
The WTAMU Disabled Students Services will evaluate a student who states he or she could meet the program’s technical standards with accommodation and confirm that the stated condition qualifies as a disability under applicable laws.
If a student states he or she can meet the technical standards with accommodation, then the University will determine whether it agrees that the student can meet the technical standards with reasonable accommodation; this includes a review of whether the accommodations requested are reasonable, taking into account whether accommodation would jeopardize clinician/patient safety, or the educational process of the student or the institution, including all course work, clinical experiences and internships deemed essential to graduation.
Post-Admission Requirement for ATP Students
Upon acceptance into the ATP, students are to present a completed medical history and physical completed by a physician, documentation of the first and second of the series of three hepatitis-B vaccinations and a signed Technical Standards Agreement. The third of the hepatitis-B vaccination series may be completed after the start of the academic year. If a student declines the hepatitis-B vaccination series, a signed Declination Statement must be on file with the program director. Students are to annually present documentation each August of (1) CPR/AED for professional rescuer certification from the American Heart Association or American Red Cross valid throughout the school year, and (2) negative-TB skin-test results valid through the academic year.
Students admitted to the Athletic Training Program will be required to purchase student National Athletic Trainers’ Association (NATA) membership for access to ATrack. Students may be annually responsible for purchase of required uniform items. Details can be obtained from the program director. Athletic training students involved in off-campus clinical experiences or clinical observations will have the responsibility to provide his or her own transportation to any placement and will be responsible for any costs incurred.
All Athletic Training students will be required to participate in pre-season annual in-service training workshops. The date will be determined and distributed to all students prior to July 1 each summer. Any Athletic Training student, who is unable to attend, must provide written documentation of absence prior to August 1 and must schedule a separate in-service workshop with the Program Director prior to the first day of University class instruction.
Retention, Probation and Suspension Policies
Retention Policy-Retention in the WTAMU Athletic Training Program (ATP) for all athletic training students is based on the following criteria:
- Minimum cumulative GPA of 2.75 on a 4.0 scale.
- Minimum GPA of 2.75 on a 4.0 scale required in major. Minimum grade of “B” in all athletic training didactic and clinical education course work and a minimum grade of “C” in all athletic training related course work.
- All required ATP course competencies and proficiencies must be evaluated and successful completion documented prior to completion of the semester. The ATS not completing all competencies will be given an incomplete for the semester and will not be allowed to progress in the ATP until the competencies are completed and proper documentation is on file with the ATP program director and University registrar.
- Minimum semester clinical experience performance evaluation score of 2.75 on a 4.0 scale.
- Provide annual updated documentation each August of (1) CPR/AED for Professional Rescuer Certification from the American Heart Association or American Red Cross valid throughout the school year, (2) negative TB skin-test results valid through the academic year and (3) student NATA membership for access to ATrack.
- Adherence to codes of moral/ethical conduct as outlined in the Code of Ethics of the National Athletic Trainers’ Association.
Probation Policy-An ATS will be placed on probation if he or she fails to meet any of the retention standards. The ATS will receive written notification from the program director or clinical coordinator indicating the probationary status. The ATS must meet with the program director or clinical coordinator where a written contact will be developed and signed with a time line and specific requirements that must be made to remove the probationary status.
Suspension Policy-An ATS will be suspended from the ATP if he or she fails to meet each of the assigned probationary requirements. A student on suspension from the program will not be allowed to take any athletic training courses other than to repeat courses in which he or she earned less than a “B.” In addition, a student on suspension will not be assigned clinical experiences or responsibilities within the program. The student may reapply for admission to the ATP.
Expulsion Policy:
An ATS will be expelled from the ATP if he/she is found to have committed an extreme violation of ATP policy, University procedure/rule, NATA Code of Ethics or Federal statute. Students expelled from the ATP are not eligible for re-admission. Refer to Code of Student Life.
Advising Services Degree Checklist and Curriculum Guides
Degree Checklist and Curriculum Guide (suggested course sequence) are available through linking to Advising Services Degree Checklists.
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