Athletic Training Major, B.S.

Athletic Training Major

Athletic training is designed to prepare students in the content areas utilized in the practice of athletic training. The content areas include: (1) evidence-based practice, (2) prevention and health promotion, (3) clinical examination and diagnosis, (4) acute care of injury and illness, (5) therapeutic interventions, (6) psychosocial strategies and referral, (7) healthcare administration, and (8) professional development and responsibility. The program was developed to prepare students to meet the Board of Certification requirements.

The Samford University Athletic Training Education Program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education (CAATE). The program has met the nationally-recognized Standards for Entry-Level Athletic Training Education that were established with support of the following sponsoring organizations: the American Academy of Family Physicians, the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine, and the National Athletic Trainer’s Association, Inc.

Admission Requirements and Procedures

1. Accepted for admission to Samford University.
2. Make a written request for an Athletic Training Education Program application packet to: Director of Athletic Training Education, Samford University, Birmingham, Alabama, 35229.
3. Complete an application and obtain three letters of recommendation, three reference forms, and official transcripts from all high schools and higher education institutions attended. Submit materials to: Director of Athletic Training Education, Samford University, Birmingham, Alabama 35229.
4. Priority consideration will be given to prospective students who meet the following academic standards:
   1. Achieve a composite score of 21 on the ACT or 900 on the SAT.
   2. Graduate from high school with a GPA of 3.00 or above.
   3. Transfer to Samford University from another institution with a GPA of 3.00 or above.
5. Approved by the Athletic Training Admissions Committee (ATAC). The ATAC reviews all application packets and makes a report to the director of athletic training education regarding eligibility for admission to the program.
6. After eligibility status has been approved, the applicant must interview with the ATAC.
7. Must demonstrate technical standards for admission. (See Technical Standards for Admission box below.)
8. In order to be admitted to the Athletic Training Education Program a student must have completed a course in CPR (Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation) and AED (Automatic Electronic Defibrillator). Documentation of completion of this course must be included with application materials.
9. All students entering the Athletic Training Education Program must have reviewed the OSHA/Blood Bourne Pathogens Guidelines included in the application packet. Upon review of the materials, the student must sign the statement indicating that they have reviewed and understand the materials. During athletic training student orientation a quiz regarding this material will be given after a brief review of the materials.
10. All students entering the Athletic Training Education Program must be immunized for Hepatitis B. Proof of this vaccination must be provided in the application materials.
11. Prospective students should sign the confidentiality statement included with the application materials. This statement informs the students that they may see or hear medical information regarding the health and welfare of a student athlete. Athletic training students are not allowed to discuss medical information with anyone other than the athletic training and sports medicine staff.
12. Upon completion of all interviews, recommendations are made by the ATAC concerning admission to the program. In order for the student to be admitted, there must be an available position so that the clinical instructor-to-student ratio guidelines are not violated. Students selected for admission into the program will be notified in writing by the director of athletic training education.
13. Any student who, in the opinion of the ATAC, is judged to have characteristics that are deemed to be undesirable for the profession of athletic training may, with proper review, be denied admission to the athletic training program.
14. Applicants who do not meet the stated criteria may be considered on an individual basis for conditional status admission. The ATAC will stipulate the terms of the conditional status admission in writing to the applicant. Students admitted under conditional status must carefully follow the stipulations set forth by the ATAC. If the student is unable to follow the said stipulation, he/she will be dismissed from the program.

Transfer Policy Information

1. Transfers are considered to be students who come to Samford University from other schools or who are currently enrolled at Samford but change their major to athletic training.
2. Transfer students must follow the guidelines of the University to be admitted to the program. This information may be found in the Transfer Student Applicant  section of this catalog.
3. A student who is transferring will be given priority consideration if he/she has a 3.00 GPA from the institution that they formerly attended.
4. Transfer students will follow the academic and clinical progression as a sophomore in the program, and enter the sophomore cohort. Attempts will be made to maintain course sequencing as is possible pursuant to the classes offered across the curriculum.

Retention Requirements

1. Athletic training students must maintain academic requirements set forth by Samford University. In addition, each student must maintain an overall GPA of 2.00.
2. Should a student’s GPA fall below the required level, he/she will be placed on probation by the director of athletic training education. Should a student be placed on probation, he/she must make satisfactory progress within two semesters. Should he/she be unable to do so, the student will be dismissed from the program. In the event that the student’s GPA rises to the acceptable level after being dismissed from the program, the application process is the same as for any other student.
3. Students making less than a C- in a required athletic training course will be required to repeat the course. These courses are: KINE 232 , KINE 246 , KINE 250 , KINE 274 , KINE 275 , KINE 277 , KINE 303 , KINE 304 , KINE 345 , KINE 374 , KINE 375 , KINE 376 , KINE 398 , KINE 451 , KINE 473 , KINE 476 , KINE 477 , KINE 478 , KINE 479 , KINE 485 , KINE 486 , KINE 498 , and KINE 499 .
4. A student may repeat only one required course (see list above) in which a grade of less than C- was received. Failure to make at least a C- in two required courses or one course twice will result in dismissal from the program.
5. Any student who, in the opinion of the ATAC, is judged to have developed characteristics that are deemed to be undesirable for the profession of athletic training may, with proper review, be dismissed from the program.
6. A student must be able to demonstrate technical standards to continue in the program.
7. Athletic training students are required to submit a current CPR/AED certification card at the beginning of each academic year. The certification must be current through the end of that school year.
8. Students will attend a basic review of OSHA guidelines and complete a quiz regarding the information discussed in this review.
9. All athletic training students must abide by the disciplinary rules of Samford. Any student not abiding by the rules will be subject to University discipline.
10. All athletic training students are subject to random drug testing in accordance with Department of Athletics rules. All discipline will be carried out in the appropriate manner as specified and defined in the Department of Athletics drug testing policy and procedures statement.
11. Appeals regarding any of the retention rules and requirements will be heard by the director of athletic training education, the chair of the Department of Kinesiology, and the dean of the School of Health Professions. All appeals must be made in writing and submitted to the director of athletic training education.

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Admission Scoring System

Information (20 Points Needed for Unconditional Acceptance)

Application Scoring: 3 = excellent 2 = good 1 = average 0 = poor

Three (3) Reference Forms and/or Letters of Recommendation Scoring: 3 = excellent 2 = good 1 = average 0 = poor (Reference #1) Scoring: 3 = excellent 2 = good 1 = average 0 = poor (Reference #2) Scoring: 3 = excellent 2 = good 1 = average 0 = poor (Reference #3)

Application Essay Scoring: 3 = excellent 2 = good 1 = average 0 = poor

Interview Scoring: 3 = excellent 2 = good 1 = average 0 = poor

Grade Point Average Scoring: 3 = 3.50-4.00 2 = 3.00-3.49 1 = 2.50-2.99 0 = less than 2.50

ACT or SAT Equivalent Scoring: 3 = 25+ 2 = 22-24 1 = 20-21 0 = below 20

CPR/AED Training Scoring: 1 = YES 0 = NO

Hepatitis B Vaccination Scoring: 1 = YES 0 = NO

Technical Standards Agreement Scoring: 1 = YES 0 = NO

Confidentiality Agreement Scoring: 1 = YES 0 = NO

Technical Standards for Admission to the Athletic Training Education Program

NOTE: A formal version of the following is included in the admissions materials for the Athletic Training Education Program. The official form requires the student’s signature. The Athletic Training Education Program at Samford 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 Education 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, as well as meet the expectations of the program’s accrediting agency. The following abilities and expectations must be met by all students admitted to the Athletic Training Educational Program. In the event a student is unable to fulfill these technical standards, with or without reasonable accommodation, the student will not be admitted to 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 Athletic Training Educational 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 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. 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 advisor for students with disabilities will evaluate a student who states he/she could meet the program’s technical standards with accommodation and confirm that the stated condition qualifies 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 whether the accommodations requested are reasonable, taking into account whether accommodation would jeopardize clinician/patient safety, or the education process of the student or the institution, including coursework, clinical experiences, and internships deemed essential to graduation. I certify that I have read and understand the technical standards for selection listed above, and I believe to the best of my knowledge that I meet each of these standards without accommodation. I understand that if I am unable to meet these standards I will not be admitted into the program. Alternative statement for students requesting accommodations: I certify that I have read and understand the technical standards for selection listed above, and I believe to the best of my knowledge that I can meet each of these standards with certain accommodations. I will contact the advisor for students with disabilities to determine what accommodations may be available. I understand that if I am unable to meet these standards with or without accommodations, I will not be admitted into the program.

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