2015-2016 Undergraduate Catalog

Athletic Training

The Athletic Training Program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education (CAATE) and is designed to prepare candidates for the exciting profession of athletic training by preparing them to pass the Board of Certification (BOC) Examination. Athletic trainers are healthcare professionals who collaborate with physicians to optimize activity and participation of athletes and the physically active. The program consists of various academic and clinical experiences. Athletic training candidates are exposed to numerous academic challenges, and are involved in the daily delivery of athletic healthcare to intercollegiate athletes, high school athletes, and other physically active individuals as part of the clinical component of the program. This hands-on experience will better enable the candidates to complete clinical competencies and give them the opportunity to expand the concepts learned in the classroom. These experiences include practice and game coverage, injury evaluation and treatment, implementing injury prevention techniques, as well as designing and implementing long-term rehabilitation and conditioning programs.

Admissions Requirements to the Athletic Training Program

The Athletic Training Program has a limited enrollment. The number of students admitted may be limited to the number of spaces available in the program in order to maintain an appropriate student to Preceptor ratio. Therefore, all candidates must make formal application, be admitted to the program, and follow the prescribed course of study. The following are the requirements for admission to the program:

  • Be admitted to Cumberland University by the Office of Admissions.
  • Complete HHP 230 and HHP 227 with a “B” or higher
  • Have an overall minimum GPA of 2.50
  • Complete 75 clinical observation hours, 50 documented hours for transfer students.
  • Complete an AT Program application.
  • Letter of application
  • Interview with the selection committee
  • Provide documentation of passing a physical examination
  • Provide evidence of completion of the Hepatitis B, MMR, and TB skin immunizations
  • Technical Standards form signed
  • Successful completion of criminal background check, performed annually
  • Provide evidence of NATA membership (must show annually)
  • Pass a drug test, performed annually.
  • Provide proof of personal health insurance (must show annually)

Selection of candidates into the AT Program is made after April 1st for the next academic year. Application materials should be completed prior to this date to be fully considered for admission to the program. Application materials and any additional information can be requested from the AT Program Director. Once the deadline for submission of applications has passed, the selection committee will interview all qualified applicants. The selection committee (consisting of all athletic training faculty members) will then evaluate each applicant according to four criteria using a weighted point system. After this evaluation, the highest-scoring applicants will be accepted into the Athletic Training Program. The criteria and weighting system are as follows:

Grade Point Average

3.50 and higher – 5 points

3.25 to 3.49 – 4 points

3.00 to 3.24 – 3 points

2.75 to 2.99 – 2 points

2.50 to 2.74 – 1 points

Quality of Observation Hours

Outstanding – 5 points

Great – 4 points

Good – 3 points

Fair – 2 points

Poor – 1 points

Quality of Interview

Outstanding – 5 points

Great – 4 points

Good – 3 points

Fair –2 points

Poor – 1 point

Quality of Application and Letter

Outstanding – 5 points

Great – 4 points

Good – 3 points

Fair – 2 points

Poor – 1 point

* All Cumberland University AT Program candidates will be ranked according to the assessment form score. Available slots within the AT Program major will be filled according to this prioritized listing of candidates starting with the top score downward. If there is a tie score and there are not enough positions available within the AT Program, then a tie-breaker will be used. Applicants will be ranked from highest to lowest based on the documented evidence provided in their application file regarding their directed observation clinical experiences for the available slots. AT Program candidates not being accepted may reapply for admission during the next available application period. Specific AT Program application materials are located on the CU website on the Athletic Training link.

Cumberland University’s Athletic Training Program makes no distinction in its admission policies or procedure on grounds of age, sex, religion, race, color, national origin, or physical handicap.

Athletic Training Program Retention Requirements

It is necessary that candidates show excellence in the coursework aspects of the AT Program as well as in the clinical aspect in order to have a reasonable opportunity for professional success after graduation, and in passing the Board of Certification (BOC) exam. Therefore, to remain in good standing in the program, candidates must:

  • Maintain a cumulative grade point average of 2.50 or better on a 4.0 scale
  • Maintain an “AT Program core” grade point average of 3.00 or better on a 4.0 scale
  • Maintain successful completion of the clinical competencies and proficiencies.
  • Maintain CPR certification
  • Maintain NATA Membership status
  • Maintain personal health insurance

Any student who fails to meet one or more of the previous requirements will be placed on probation for the next semester. At the end of that semester, the competencies and/or proficiencies, CPR certification, or NATA membership status must be up to date and/or an improvement in GPA must be made, or suspension from the AT Program will result. The student will remain on probation until such time as the GPA has attained the required level. Students placed on suspension will be withdrawn from the AT Program and will have to reapply for admission into the AT Program.

Student Appeals Process

Athletic training students who disagree with a decision made concerning their academic or professional behavior (such as denial of admission to the AT Program or being placed on probation or suspension from the AT Program because of academic insufficiencies or behavioral problems) have the right to appeal the decision. Athletic training students are encouraged to discuss their concerns or problems with their instructor, supervisor, and/or advisor. If a candidate is unable to resolve an issue with the involved faculty, he/she is encouraged to submit concerns in writing to the AT Program Director and meet with the program director for further discussion and resolution. The AT Program Director and faculty will review the appeal at the department level. The candidate then has the right to appeal at the college level if there is still disagreement following a departmental appeal. This appeal procedure is outlined in the undergraduate handbook.

Athletic Training Handbook

The Athletic Training Program publishes an Athletic Training Handbook detailing policies and procedures for students and staff within the Athletic Training Department and the Athletic Training Program. The regulations contained in this document apply to each student enrolled in the program. The Athletic Training Department Handbook is available on the website and by request from the AT Program Director.

Credit for Athletic Training Courses

Candidates may only receive credit for Athletic Training courses if taken at Cumberland University. Candidates may not receive credit for Athletic Training courses taken at other universities. An exception may be requested for transfer of HHP 230, Care and Prevention of Athletic Injuries and HHP 227, Safety and First Aid, with the approval of the Athletic Training Program Director.

NOTE: This policy will also apply to those students desiring to change their major to Athletic Training after the first 30 hours of academic work.

Clinical Completion Requirements

Candidates must complete Clinical Experience in Athletic Training I-V with a “C” or higher to be eligible for completion of the Athletic Training Program.

Candidates must complete a minimum of 850 clinical hours to be eligible for completion of the Athletic Training Program and to be eligible to sit for the Board of Certification (BOC) examination. In order to meet this hours requirement, there is a minimum of 150 clinical hours required for Clinical Experience I and II (AT 351-352) in Athletic Training, a minimum of 175 hours for Clinical III-IV (AT 353-354), and a minimum of 200 clinical hours for Clinical V (AT 355). If a student fails to complete their clinical hours during any clinical course, the student will be unable to progress to the next level of Clinical Experience in Athletic Training.

A minimum of one semester of Clinical Experience in Athletic Training (AT 351-355) must be completed in both the Fall and Spring semesters. The remaining three semesters may be completed in either the Fall or Spring terms, as approved by the AT Program Director.

Every athletic training student must master the competencies and proficiencies, which are provided in the Athletic Training Educational Competencies which are published by the Professional Education Council of the National Athletic Trainers' Association.

NATA and TATS Membership

All athletic training students are expected to maintain current membership in the National Athletic Trainers’ Association (NATA) and the Tennessee Athletic Trainers Society (TATS). Successful completion of the Athletic Training major prepares the candidate to take the Board of Certification (BOC) Examination and to apply for licensure by the Tennessee Board of Medical Examiners after passing the BOC Examination.

A copy of the student’s membership cards will be kept in the student’s file. NATA membership is required for completion of each clinical experience in Athletic Training.

Degree Requirements

Area I - Foundation Skills - 2 hours

FSL 101Foundations of Scholarship and Learning

2

FSL 101 is required for new and transferring students with less than 24 credit hours. Students must earn a "C" or higher in FSL 101.

Area I - Rhetoric and Communication - 15 hours

ENG 101English Composition I

3

ENG 102English Composition II

3

SPEE 220Fundamentals of Speech

3

SPAN 111Elementary Spanish I

3

SPAN 112Elementary Spanish II

3

Students must earn a "C" or higher in all courses.

Area I - Mathematics - 3-4 hours

MATH 111College Algebra

3

Students must earn a "C" or higher in all courses. MATH 111 and MATH 112, or MATH 121 must be completed as prerequisites to PHY 201 for pre-physical therapy students.

Area II - Arts and Humanities - 3 hours

ART 191Enhancing Art Understanding

3

ENG 210Introduction to Film Studies

3

MU 129Music Listening

3

PHIL 201Introduction to Philosophy

3

THR 100Introduction to Theatre

3

Students must earn a "C" or higher in all courses.

Area II - Literature in English - 3 hours

ENG 215Introduction to Literature

3

ENG 216Topics in Literature

3

Students must earn a "C" or higher in all courses.

Area II - The Social Sciences - 6 hours

PSY 201General Psychology

3

PSY 211Psychology of Human Growth & Development

3

Students must earn a "C" or higher in all courses.

Area II - History - 6 hours

Choose one of two sequences:
HIS 191World Civilization to 1500

3

and

HIS 192World Civilization since 1500

3

or

HIS 201History of the United States I

3

and

HIS 202History of the United States II

3

Students must earn a "C" or higher in all courses.

Area II - The Natural Sciences - 7 hours

BIO 111General Biology I

3

and

CHEM 103Fundamentals of Chemistry

3

CHEM 103LFundamentals of Chemistry Lab

1

or

CHEM 111General Chemistry I

3

CHEM 111LGeneral Chemistry I Lab

1

CHEM 111 and CHEM 111L may be substituted for CHEM 103 for pre-physical therapy students. Students must earn a "C" or higher in all courses.

Required Psychology & Science courses - 11 hours

BIO 213Human Anatomy and Physiology I

4

BIO 214Human Anatomy and Physiology II

4

PSY 205/MATH 205Statistics for the Behavioral Sciences

3

Students must earn a "C" or higher in all courses.

Required for Athletic Training - 67 hours

AT 231Evaluation of Lower Extremity Injuries

3

AT 232Evaluation of Upper Extremity Injuries

3

AT 302Medical Aspects of Sports Injuries

3

AT 304Organization & Administration of Athletic Training

3

AT 351Clinical Experience in Athletic Training I

2

AT 352Clinical Experience in Athletic Training II

2

AT 353Clinical Experience in Athletic Training III

2

AT 354Clinical Experience in Athletic Training IV

2

AT 355Clinical Experience in Athletic Training V

2

AT 401Therapeutic Modalities

3

AT 403Pathophysiology and Pharmacology in Athletic Training

3

AT 404Rehabilitation of Athletic Injuries

4

AT 430Senior Seminar

1

HHP 150Lifetime Fitness

1

HHP 200Foundations of Health, Physical Education, and Athletic Programs

3

HHP 227Safety and First Aid Education

2

HHP 230Care & Prevention of Athletic Injuries

3

HHP 301Physiology of Exercise

3

HHP 311Personal and Community Health

3

HHP 312Nutrition

3

HHP 320Motor Learning and Development

2

HHP 343Essentials in Adaptive Physical Education

2

HHP 370/PSY 370Psycho-Socio Issues of Movement

3

HHP 425Kinesiology

3

HHP 427Research Methods

3

HHP 433Exercise Testing & Prescription

3

Students must earn a "C" or higher in all courses. Exception: HHP 227 and HHP 230 require a grade of "B" or higher to be admitted into the Athletic Training Program.

Required GEC courses (43-45 hours)
Required Psychology and Science courses (11 hours)
Athletic Training courses (67 hours)

121 minimum hours required for graduation.