Requirements for the Athletic Training Major - 69 Credits
Athletic training is practiced by athletic trainers, health care professionals who collaborate with physicians to optimize activity and participation of patients and clients. Athletic training encompasses the prevention, diagnosis, and intervention of emergency, acute, and chronic medical conditions involving impairment, functional limitations, and disabilities. The athletic trainer’s professional preparation is based on the development of specified educational competencies and clinical proficiencies through a combination of formal classroom and clinical instruction and clinical experience. Athletic trainers’ work settings can include high schools, colleges, universities, professional sports teams, hospitals, rehabilitation clinics, physicians’ offices, corporate and industrial settings, military and law enforcement, and the performing arts (NATA, 2008)
ATEP Entrance (Acceptance) Requirements
A student wishing to enter the Athletic Training Education Program must be enrolled in the Department of Movement Science, Sport and Leisure Studies, as an Athletic Training major, and must apply for entrance into the Program. Only students formally accepted into the ATEP may serve as athletic training students, gaining clinical experience in an athletic training setting. The number of students accepted each year will vary in accordance with retention and graduation rates. The ATEP is a minimum 6-semester commitment and, therefore, students are encouraged to apply during their first year. On-campus and off-campus clinical experience is required in addition to the academic requirements. Admission to the Program is competitive and based on the following criteria.
Application Eligibility Requirements
Students interested in applying for entrance to the ATEP must meet the following prerequisite requirements:
- Minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0.
- Successful completion of 14 academic credit hours.
- Completion of MOVP 0102 (Introduction to Athletic Training) and BIOL 0237 (Human Anatomy and Physiology I) with a minimum combined GPA of 2.5.
- Documentation of a current physical examination, including immunization documentation, on file in WSU Health Services.
Application Materials
Students meeting the eligibility requirements must submit the following materials to be considered for admittance into the ATEP. The application, available from the program Director, contains the information and forms necessary for application.
- Completion of a program application.*
- Completion of 35 hours of active observation in the WSU ATEP, including 20 hours in the athletic training room and 15 hours at athletic practices or competitions.
- Submit a typed journal documenting your observations in the athletic training room and at athletic practices/events.
- Submit three favorable recommendations.
- Attendance at a minimum of four WSU ATEP approved colloquia.
- Copy of First Aid and CPR Certification.
- Completion of a Medical History questionnaire, job demands analysis, and musculoskeletal exam.
- Submit a signed copy of the Technical Standards for Admission Form.**
- Submit a signed copy of the Athletic Training Student Agreement Form
- Admission interview. Once the application materials have been completed and are on file in the Program Director’s office, an admission interview with the ATEP Student Selection Committee will be arranged. This committee typically consists of the three members of the program faculty and the three members of the clinical staff. Successful completion of the interview requires a mean score of 2.5.
* The deadline for submission of application materials is April 15th for spring applicants and November 15th for fall applicants. The deadline may be extended for transfer students. All application materials will be kept on file in the student’s portfolio in the program Director’s office.
** Candidates for admission to the ATEP are required to verify they understand and meet the technical standards of the program and its accrediting agency. The technical standards for admission are published in the ATEP Student Manual.
Transfer students will be considered on an individual basis based on college policies explained in the Admission section of the University Bulletin, in addition to courses, clinical education/ experience, and competencies/clinical proficiencies completed at the previous institution. Any courses considered equivalents to the required courses must be presented to the Department chair and/or Program Director for approval prior to application. Bring a copy of the course description, the course syllabus, and proof of your completion with grade for review.
Progression Through the Program
Once accepted into the Athletic Training Education Program, the student will be required to meet the major’s clinical requirements and the academic and professional development criteria necessary to earn intermediate and advanced standing in the department (outlined below). Progression through the Athletic Training Education program will require the student to complete 3 levels of preparation, each requiring an increasing level of proficiency and responsibility. Specific requirements for progression to each level of the program are published in the ATEP Student Manual.
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