1. Criteria for Acceptance
1. Prospective Athletic Training Student
1. Academic 
2. Clinical
Medical
2. Selection Process
3. Interview
4. Notification
5. Equipment and Supplies
2. Required Professional Level Courses
3. Suggested Electives
4. Technical Standards 

Criteria for Acceptance of Students

A "prospective athletic training student" in the Athletic Training Education Program at the University of Mary is a student who desires to enter the athletic training curriculum program. Admission to the upper-level professional program (junior and senior years) is selective. The number of students accepted into its professional phase is based on the availability of clinical experience opportunities and certified staff.

Academic - Minimum criteria for selection include:

1. The prospective student must have successfully completed the following courses with a grade of B or better to be admitted into the professional program. At the time of application to the Athletic Training Education Program, the prospective student must have completed or be enrolled in the following courses:

   ATH 151		Intro to Athletic Taping Techniques
   ATH 238		Prevention & Care of Athletic Injuries
   ATH 243		Intro to Clinical Education in Athletic Training I
   ATH 244		Intro to Clinical Education in Athletic Training II
   ATH 314		Advanced Techniques in Athletic Training
   PED 157		First Aid

2. The prospective student must have successfully completed the following courses with a grade of C or better to be admitted into the professional program. At the time of application to the Athletic Training Education Program, the prospective student must have completed or be enrolled in the following courses:

   BIO 103		General Biology
   BIO 207		Human Anatomy and Physiology I
   BIO 208		Human Anatomy and Physiology II
   NUR 206		Medical Terminology
   PED 159		Personal and Community Health
   PED 360		Biomechanical and Kinesiological Studies

3. Minimum cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 2.5 on a 4.0 scale for required course work (including transfer courses)
   
4. Proof of current First Aid and Emergency Cardiac Care Certification (ECC).  Emergency Cardiac Care Certification must include the following: adult & pediatric CPR, airway obstruction, 2nd rescuer CPR, AED and barrier devices (e.g., pocket mask, bag valve mask). Providers are those adhering to the most current standards of the International Guidelines for Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation and Emergency Cardiac Care. The following courses are examples of those that meet the BOC's requirement:

• CPR/AED for the Professional Rescuer ‐ American Red Cross
• BLS for Healthcare Providers CPR/AED ‐ American Heart Association
• CPR for Professionals ‐ American Safety & Health Institute
• Professional Rescuer CPR ‐ National Safety Council
• First Responder CPR/AED ‐ American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons
• Basic Life Support for Professionals ‐ Medic First Aid
• ACLS ‐ American Heart Association
• Health care Provider CPR/AED ‐ Emergency Response Institute

The prospective athletic training student should have completed a minimum of 75 hours of observation in the athletic training setting at the University of Mary or affiliated sites during the academic year for which he or she is making formal application to the program (in the spring of the sophomore year). The staff will observe the performance of the prospective athletic training student as well as the student’s attitude, desire and dependability. Prospective students will be evaluated for admittance according to:

• Academic performance
• Amount and variety of recorded observation hours
• Performance during observation
• Demonstrated desire to enter the curriculum and pursue athletic training as a career

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Medical

Participation in clinical experiences by athletic training students necessitates that attention be given to protection from contact.

Effective August 1, 1999 all Athletic Training Students are required to have the following on file after being accepted in to the professional education program:

1. A current (within past 12 months) Report of Medical History and Report of Health Evaluation performed by a Physician, Nurse Practitioner, or comparable professional prior to acceptance into the ATEP.

2. Written documentation of a completed or in progress hepatitis B vaccination series

3. A current copy of an immunization certification (measles, mumps and rubella).

4. A Tuberculosis (TB) skin test is not required for acceptance into the ATEP but is strongly encouraged on a yearly basis.

The athletic training student is expected to model a healthy lifestyle for their benefit and for the benefit of the athletes served. The athletic training student has access to health care services on campus from Student Heath Services, which is staffed by a Family Nurse Practitioner. If the student prefers, health care may be obtained from health care provider of their personal choice. All costs for the medical services are the responsibility of the individual student.

General health of the athletic training student will allow them to meet the physical standards of the program. The student must be able to perform these duties outlined in the educational competencies for the field experience courses. The student should be aware they may be required to do moderate to heavy lifting at times when caring for injured athletes, and carrying emergency equipment during practice and game situations. Students must be also aware of the environmental challenges of indoor and outdoor athletic competitions.

Special considerations may be made for individual unique situations. All questions regarding specific situations should be directed to the Athletic Training Program Director. The athletic training staff will work with the athletic training student to ensure a positive learning environment.

Students who use Medcenter One Health Systems for clinical rotations are required to provide proof of the following at least two weeks before arriving at Medcenter One facilities:

1) Two MMR (Measles, Mumps, Rubella) Vaccines or documentation of each illness or lab evidence of immunity

2) One Varicella Vaccine if given at age 13 or before, two doses if given after age 13; or documentation of Chickenpox illness or lab evidence of immunity

3) Two Tuberculosis (TB) skin tests over a period of 1-3 weeks within three months of the start of the clinical rotation. If one negative TB test is documented within the last 12 months, only one additional TB test is required within three months of the start of the clinical rotation.

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Selection Process:

Admission to the upper-level professional program (junior and senior years) is selective. Application material are distributed the semester the student is enrolled in ATH 243 Introduction to Clinical Education in Athletic Training I.     
Applications will be accepted only in the spring semester to start the professional program in the fall. Applications for admission are submitted by February 1. Selection is a twofold process including the Division of Human Performance Sciences and the Athletic Training Education Program. Upon receipt of all materials, the Athletic Training Education Program Admissions Committee will review all applications and decide which applicants will be granted an interview. All prerequisites are strictly enforced. 

The following are minimum standards for receiving an interview:

1. Interest and desire of student to become an athletic trainer as expressed during assigned clinical education opportunities and as documented on the letter of application 
2. Successful completion of all academic required courses and observation hours
3. Minimum GPA of 2.50 on a 4.0 scale (including transfer courses)
4. Positive rating on an objective rating scale based on criteria that will include First Aid and Emergency Cardiac Care Certification, prerequisite and cumulative GPA, positive responses on all three recommendation forms, number and variety of observation hours, and format and content of letter of application
5. All prerequisite and cumulative GPA criteria for courses that are currently in progress will be based on midterm grades
6. Completed application process, which culminates with an application, a letter of application, three recommendations, and personal interview.

The Athletic Training Education Program Admissions Committee reviews all applications for completeness, and the applicant is informed of any deficiency. The applicant has the opportunity for immediate remediation of the deficiency to allow for continuation in the application process.  Applicants with completed application materials are notified of their accepted application with instructions to arrange an interview time. A non-remediated deficiency affects the applicant's continuation in the admission process.

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Interview:

1. The candidate will be interviewed by the Athletic Training Admissions Committee, which includes but is not limited to the Athletic Training Program director, clinical education coordinator, curriculum coordinator, and a minimum of one clinical instructor.
2. The applicant's interests and future goals are discussed, as well as strengths and weaknesses that are considered pertinent to the educational process and an athletic training career.
3. Candidates will also have the opportunity to:

   	•	Discuss previous experiences with athletic injuries.
   	•	Discuss how they acquired an interest in athletic training.
   	•	Clarify or expand on any factors or circumstances candidate determines are essential.

4. Personal interviews with the admissions committee will be held before the end of semester. Dates and times will be announced and are dependent upon number of applicants and their class schedules.
5. Immediately preceding the interview, the applicant is asked to provide a written sample in response to three scenarios. The scenarios ask for responses to ethical situations, professional development, and communications.
6. All applicants are objectively rated for the interview and writing sample using a Likert scale assessment sheet. This objective data is combined with the applicant's objective ratings from the application process to determine a final application score.
7. After review of application materials, the writing sample, and the interview, the Admissions Committee makes a determination of the student's acceptability for the program.

8. If a student meets criteria and demonstrates characteristics indicative of success in the athletic training profession, he/she is accepted.

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Notification:

1. Selection will be made by the Athletic Training Education Program Admissions Committee.
2. All selections are contingent on the following:
   • Successful completion of all academic, clinical, and medical criteria for acceptance.
   • Maintaining a GPA of 2.50 in required courses (including transfer courses).
   • Maintaining current First Aid and Emergency Cardiac Care certification.
3. If all above criteria are met, the Athletic Training Program director will make recommendations for acceptance to the chair of the Division of Human Performance Sciences and the vice president of Academic Affairs.
4. If there are more qualified applicants than there are places in the program, applications are objectively rank ordered according to academic records and individual qualifications using the applicant's final application score.
5. Applicants will be notified of provisional acceptance or nonacceptance to the professional level of the Athletic Training Education Program in writing, prior to the end of the spring semester. Full acceptance to the ATEP is continent on successful completion of spring semester course work. A final notification of full acceptance is mailed to qualified applicants after final grades are posted. Applicants demonstrating deficiencies in academic course work will be notified of their continued provisional acceptance by the program director. The program director will meet with the applicant to discuss a remediation plan to enable the applicant to move to full acceptance.
6. If not accepted, the student will be assisted by the Athletic Training Program director in discussing futures options.
7. All applications become the property of the University of Mary and are maintained in the athletic training student's file.

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Equipment/Supplies:

Once accepted into the Athletic Training Education Program at the University of Mary, it is the responsibility of each student to purchase the following supplies/equipment to allow him or her to properly perform his or her duties:

1. Bandage scissors
2. Fanny pack
3. University of Mary Athletic Training clothing
4. Liability insurance
5. Criminal Background check

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Pre-Admission Courses

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