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.

Tennessee Promise Requirements to the Athletic Training Program

All TN Promise students who are interested in majoring in Athletic Training must complete all of the admission requirements for the Athletic Training Program. (See above section for Athletic Training Admission Requirements) TN Promise student applicants that are selected for admission into the Athletic Training Program will be on a provisionary status until the completion of their Associates in Arts degree. If the AA degree is not completed within two semesters of their provisionary acceptance, they will be suspended. All TN Promise Students must meet the Athletic Training Program Retention Requirements (See below section for Athletic Training Program Retention Requirements) to remain in good standing with their provisionary status.

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, preceptor, 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

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

Students must complete a minimum of 850 clinical experience hours to be eligible for completion of the Athletic Training Program. In order to meet this requirement, there is a minimum of (150) clinical experience hours required for Clinical I and II (AT 351-352) in Athletic Training, a minimum of (175) for Clinical III-IV (AT 353-354), and a minimum of (200) clinical experience hours for Clinical V (AT 355). If a student fails to complete their clinical experience hours during any clinical course the student will fail the clinical course.

A minimum of one (1) 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 Athletic Training Program Director.

Each Clinical Experience in Athletic Training (AT 351-355) have a maximum of (50) hours limit over there minimum requirement. Any Athletic Training Student that goes over the maximum hour limit with be immediately removed from their clinical site and addressed by the AT Program Director.

Every athletic training student must master the competencies and proficiencies, which are provided in 5th edition of the Athletic Training Educational Competencies which was published in 2011 by the NATA Education Council.

All Athletic Training Students are REQUIRED to have one day off per seven day work week. They must indicate on their weekly time sheet which is their day off.

NATA and TATS Membership

All athletic training students are expected to maintain current membership in the National Athletic Trainers’ Association, (NATA), the Southeast Athletic Trainers’ Association (SEATA) and the Tennessee Athletic Trainer’s Society, (TATS). To fulfill all five (5) clinical requirements it is mandatory that student obtains membership to the NATA, SEATA, and TATS. A copy of the card must be provided at the beginning of each semester. Copies of the membership cards will be kept in the student’s file. To obtain information on membership dues, go to www.nata.org.

Required GEC courses (43-45 hours)
Required Psychology and Science courses (12 hours)
Athletic Training courses (64 hours)
General Elective (0-1 hour)

120 minimum hours required for graduation.