Admittance Requirements

Athletic Training Education Programs
Election Criteria For Admittance
2005-06

Introduction: Entrance into the Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education (CAATE) ATEP is by selective admission. The number of students admitted into the program is governed by CAATE standards. The following criteria are used for selecting students into the accredited Athletic Training Education Program. A formal application process shall be initiated at the end of the pre-professional or "Rookie" year (the year in which the student is a candidate for the ATEP; typically the freshman of sophomore year) and after successful completion of the following prerequisites:

BASIC ELIGIBILITY: The basic eligibility criteria listed below are the minimal standards a student must meet for potential acceptance into the ATEP.

1. Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA): Each successful Rookie shall have a minimum CGPA of 2.5 (based on a 4.0 scale) OR be making satisfactory progress toward that goal (satisfactory progress represents the achievement of at least a 2.75 semester GPA during the semester of selection consideration;

2. Professional GPA : achievement of at least 2.5 average in the following six courses:

• BI 210 Human Anatomy & Physiology I
• BI 211 Human Anatomy & Physiology II
• AT 115 Introduction to Athletic Training
• AT 116 Seminar in Athletic Training
• HE 140 Safety, First Aid & Emergency Care
• PE 305 Kinesiology

3. Directed Observation: This is an essential part of the selection process and requires a great deal of time commitment on behalf of the applicant. The word "Directed" implies that students applying to the program will receive direction from the clinical instructors and students in the ATEP. Students taking a proactive approach (i.e., asking questions, offering assistance during day to day activities, seeking additional assignment hours, etc.) will undoubtedly have a stronger application than those who do not. Essentially, it is during the directed observation period where the clinical instructors and program students have an opportunity to interact with Rookies on a one-on-one basis, and the Rookie have an opportunity to help determine whether or not athletic training truly fits their career goals;

• General Hours Requirement: Each Rookie shall document at least 100 hours of Directed Observation in the athletic training room by the end of their Rookie year. Within these hours, students will learn the day to day operations of the athletic training room, observe a variety of professional practices of certified and student athletic trainers (i.e., injury evaluation, rehabilitation, etc), as well as use this time to practice skills they acquire from their athletic training coursework;

4. Sports Observation: each Rookie must document at least five weeks of observation of all scheduled athletic training activities associated with at least five different athletic teams;

5. Application: Each Rookie must submit a resume and a completed application form, reflecting qualifying experiences and motivation for seeking admittance;

6. Recommendations:Each Rookie must submit 3 letters of recommendation to support his/her potential and commitment as a future Certified Athletic Trainer;

7. ACI Assessment: Each Rookie receives a numerical rating from all on-campus faculty ATC/ which is considered for admission;

8. Entrance Examinations:

• A minimum score of 70% must be achieved on the written exam;
• a minimum score of 75% must be achieved on the oral/practical exam;

9. Technical Standards: Each Rookie shall meet all Technical Standards established for the ATEP and the profession of athletic training (click on this link or the Athletic Training Student Handbook for a complete listing of technical standards).

Competitive Requirements/Criteria: One of the essential goals of Mount Union's ATEP is to prepare students to successfully challenge the BOC examination upon graduation. To achieve this goal and provide a quality education, Mount Union's ATEP strives to maintain an 8:1 student to clinical instructor ratio. Given this limitation of numbers, it is often impossible to accommodate all qualified students in the ATEP. Competitive selection criteria will be employed if/when there are more qualified candidates than available positions. As such, the following criteria are used on a competitive basis to select candidates.

1. Each Rookie's Cumulative GPA;
2. Each Rookie's Professional GPA;
3. Each Rookie's ACI Evaluations;
4. Each Rookie's performance on the comprehensive written examination;
5. Each Rookie's performance on the oral practical examination;

Options for Students Not Accepted for Admittance to the ATEP

1. Change of Major to Exercise Science (with or without Athletic Training Minor);
2. Change of Major (with or without Athletic Training Minor);
3. Re-apply for admittance during following year.