Athletic Training and Exercise Physiology

Admission Requirements
Retention
Technical Standards for Admission

Athletic Training Program
Programs and Courses

Michael Olson, Chair (D.L. Ligon Hall 215)
Professor: Wyatt
Associate Professors: Olson
Instructors: Diehm, Ervin, Lyons, Poston
Professors Emeriti: Gillespie, Henderson

The Department of Athletic Training and Exercise Physiology offers degree programs which prepare students for a variety of jobs in sport-related and allied health fields. An Athletic Training major is offered for the individual desiring a career in sports medicine. An Exercise Physiology major is offered for the individual desiring a career in this allied health field. Students who complete the Exercise Physiology major will also satisfy prerequisite course requirements for entry into Physical Therapy degree programs.

Admission Requirements

Students interested in Athletic Training should seek advisement from the athletic training education program faculty. The athletic training pre-professional program is open to any beginning freshman or transfer student who has been admitted to MSU. The pre-professional curriculum consists of a minimum of 24 hours including the following courses: ATRN 1171 , 1173 , 2211 , 2213 , and BIOL 1134 , plus an additional 12 hours of coursework. It is highly suggested that the additional 12 hours include: ATRN 1203 and BIOL 1234 . Every pre-professional student will be required to complete clinical observations as assigned by the AT clinical coordinator. Selection for admission into the professional phase of the athletic training education program is made in April. Selection is competitive and completion of the minimum requirements does not guarantee admission into the professional program of athletic training. To be considered for admission into the AT program, the applicant must:

Maintain a cumulative 2.5 GPA*.
Have completed a minimum of 24 hours of college course work including a “C” or better in ATRN 1173 , 1171 , 2211 , 2213 , and BIOL 1134 .
Have documented clinical observation under a Certified/Licensed Athletic Trainer.
Submit the following to the Athletic Training Selection Committee: AT application and 3 letters of recommendation.
Complete an admissions interview with a committee composed of the Program Director, Clinical Education Coordinator, Head Athletic Trainer, Assistant Athletic Trainer, outside representative (faculty, preceptor), and an Athletic Training Student Representative currently in good standing with the program.
Upon acceptance into the AT program, student must supply proof of current CPR for professional health care provider and First Aid certification, submission of completed shot records, physical exam, and technical standard documents.

*If a student has attempted a course multiple times at other institutions, the Athletic Training Education Program will consider only the highest grade. The lower grades will not be considered in the Cumulative GPA.

Retention

Once admitted into the AT program, the student must maintain a cumulative GPA of at least 2.5 and must receive no grade lower than a “C” in all major and associated courses. A student who does not maintain a 2.5 GPA will be placed on probation with the AT program for a semester. If after one semester the student has not achieved a cumulative GPA of at least 2.5, he/she may be dismissed from the program or allowed to continue for a maximum of one additional probationary semester. The latter condition will be granted only with permission from the AT Program Director, Clinical Education Coordinator, and the Chair of the Department of Athletic Training and Exercise Physiology. A student who receives a grade lower than a “C” in ATRN courses, will be on probation until able to repeat that course.

AT Clinical courses: Students who receive grades lower than “C” will not be allowed to progress onto the next level of ATRN clinical courses until the clinical course has been repeated and the grade has been replaced with a “C” or better. If a student fails to achieve a “C” or better during the second attempt in any ATRN course, the student will be dismissed from the AT program.

Technical Standards for Admission

The Athletic Training Program at Midwestern State University is a rigorous and intense program that places specific requirements and demands on the 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. The technical standards set forth by the Athletic Training Program establish the essential qualities considered necessary for students admitted to this program to achieve the knowledge, skills, and competencies of an entry-level athletic trainer. The following abilities and expectations must be met by all students admitted to the Athletic Training Program. 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 exam.

Candidates for selection to the Athletic Training Program must demonstrate:

the 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 the assessment and treatment of patients;
the 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;
the ability to record the physical examination results and a treatment plan clearly and accurately;
the capacity to maintain composure and continue to function well during periods of high stress;
the 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; and
affective skills and appropriate demeanor and rapport that relate to professional education and quality patient care.

Candidates for selection to the Athletic Training Education Program 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 Disability Support Services Office will evaluate a student who states he/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/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 as to 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.

Athletic Training Program

Clinical and Field Experience: Due to the strong practical component of the AT program, clinical supervision by MSU athletic training preceptors provides for unique educational experiences. This clinical instruction and supervision will occur in a variety of athletic training settings including collegiate, secondary, clinical, hospital, and rehabilitative. These experiences are provided in conjunction with ATRN 1211 , ATRN 2901 , ATRN 3111 , ATRN 3911 , ATRN 4801 , and ATRN 4911 .

Financial Information: Fees associated with the program include, but are not limited to, coverage of annual liability insurance premiums, uniforms, and personal equipment necessary for clinical experience, immunizations and screenings, transportation, and meals associated with off-campus clinical experience, and professional memberships.

Graduation: The completion of a Bachelor of Science in Athletic Training (BSAT) degree with a major in Athletic Training requires 120 semester credit hours. This degree is exempt from the University’s minor requirement. Students may pursue additional major or minor areas of study to complement the program, realizing that additional course work and time will be necessary. A teaching certificate is recommended for those students wishing to seek employment in secondary school settings upon graduation.

Careers in Athletic Training: Following graduation, attainment of BOC certification and proper state licensure, the athletic trainer may practice in a variety of settings including secondary schools, colleges and universities, professional athletics, sport medicine clinics, fitness/wellness centers, and corporate/industrial settings.

Board of Certification (BOC) Endorsement: Endorsement for the national Board of Certification (BOC) exam must be earned by completion of cohort level specific “gameday” exams, practice exams and mock BOC exams with a score of 80% or higher. Failure to achieve an 80% score on the cohort level specific “gameday” exams, practice exams and mock BOC exams will result in a student not being endorsed for the national BOC exam. Students will still be eligible for the State of Texas AT licensure exam.

Programs and Courses

Programs

Major

Minor

Cycling Performance Minor

Courses

Athletic Training

The following courses do not require acceptance into the Athletic Training Education Program: ATRN 1073, 1203, 2433.

Exercise Physiology