Athletic Training B.S.

Major in Athletic Training

(Major Code: 113)

The Athletic Training Education Program (ATEP) 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 ATEP 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

Admission Requirements

Athletic Training Education Program (ATEP) Admission

Admission to the undergraduate Athletic Training Education Program (ATEP) 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 ATEP 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 ATEP admission course includes .

Minimum admission criteria include:

Minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.5.
Completion with a minimum grade of “B” in .
Complete application.
Complete minimum of 50 hours observation experience in the WTAMU ATEP Clinical Education Facility.
Complete formal interview.
Meet the criteria of minimal technical standards.

Application materials may be requested from the director of the ATEP 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 Education 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 ATEP 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 ATEP. Student acceptance will be confirmed by June 15. Applicants to the ATEP may be admitted under the following conditions:

Full Acceptance—A student may be accepted to the ATEP upon completion of all stated WTAMU ATEP admission requirements without any deficiencies.
Provisional Acceptance—A transfer student may be accepted to the ATEP 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 ATEP with a cumulative GPA of 2.0 to 2.49 may be accepted into the ATEP 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 ATEP.

Applicants not selected may reapply for admission the following year.

Transfer Student Policy

The WTAMU ATEP 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 ATEP program can only grant transfer credit for —Athletic Training, —Anatomy and Physiology I, —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 ATEP 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 ACI, the transfer student will be granted full admission status to the ATEP. The student will have a minimum of six required semesters prior to eligibility for graduation from the ATEP.

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 ATEP.

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 Education 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 ATEP Program and are not guaranteed admission into the ATEP. Selection and participation in the Pre-Athletic Training Program does not guarantee admission into the ATEP.

Minimum admission criteria include:

Admitted fully to WTAMU.
A meeting with either the ATEP Program director or clinical coordinator prior to beginning any observational experiences with the WTAMU ATEP.
Completed Pre-Athletic Training Application prior to beginning any observational experiences with the WTAMU ATEP.

Course Requirements

University Core Curriculum (42 hours)

Athletic Training Major Requirements

Athletic Training Didactic Course Work in Physical Education/Athletic Training (55 hours)

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