Athletic Training Program, B.S.A.T.

ATP Mission

The mission of the Texas Wesleyan University Athletic Training Program is to develop athletic training students into quality healthcare professionals who are capable of providing the highest standard of care for the physically active community. The program is dedicated to challenging both the mind and the spirit in the development of a lifelong desire for knowledge. The combination of curricular and clinical activities is designed to produce graduates who are highly qualified for employment in a wide variety of practice settings and leaders in the athletic training profession.

Texas Occupations Code 53.152 You may potentially be ineligible for license or certification as an Athletic Trainer if you have been convicted of a criminal offense.  The Texas licensing board and national Board of Certification take into consideration the nature and seriousness of the crime. Under Texas Occupations Code 53.102, you have the right to request a criminal history evaluation letter from the Texas Department of Licensure and Registration. Information regarding this process can be found at https://www.tdlr.texas.gov/crimHistoryEval.htm .  Board of Certification information regarding BOC requirements for applicants with a felony or misdemeanor can be located at http://www.bocatc.org/system/document_versions/versions/97/original/boc-disciplinary-guidelines-2018%20-20180125.pdf?1516897753.

ATP Accreditation

This program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education (CAATE), 6836 Austin Center Blvd., Suite 250, Austin, TX 78731-3193; 512-733-9700.

ATP Program Description

The Department of Kinesiology offers students the opportunity to specialize in the Health Care Profession of Athletic Training. Students are admitted to the program according to University policies as well as the individual program policies. The Athletic Training Program (ATP) requires a minimum of two years of clinical experience constituting a minimum of 40 to 300 clock hours of observational or clinical experience per semester. Upon completion of the baccalaureate degree, the graduate will be qualified to take the State of Texas Athletic Trainers Advisory Board Licensure Examination. This program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education (CAATE), 6836 Austin Center Blvd., Suite 250, Austin, TX 78731-3193; 512-733-9700, which means the student is also qualified for the BOC Certification Examination. Although this program does not provide all of the necessary prerequisites for medical, physical therapy, or occupational therapy school, students interested in these other avenues of sports medicine will be provided with early hands-on experience in preparation for upcoming post baccalaureate programs.

ATP Technical Standards (Physical Requirements)

Athletic Training is a physically, mentally and emotionally demanding health care profession. Students must be able to carry equipment, stand for extended periods, and endure harsh weather conditions. Many of the mandatory clinical integration proficiencies require the ability to kneel, lift, carry and visually observe activities. The successful student must have functional use of lower and upper extremities and be able to see with or without corrective lenses. Each Athletic Training Student is expected to maintain an appropriate fitness level to reduce the chance of injury and enhance the opportunity for successful completion of clinical integration proficiencies.

Many of the mandatory clinical rotation sites are off-campus. Students are required to provide their own transportation to these sites. Students may be subject to a background check and/or drug test prior to admission to some of these affiliated sites. Students are referred to the Texas Wesleyan University Athletic Training Program Policies and Procedures Manual for additional information.

Upper level students may be required to travel under the supervision of a clinical preceptor as a part of a clinical experience. Some travel will require weekend or overnight stays.

ATP Admission Requirements

Freshman or transfer students indicating a major in Athletic Training must enroll in ATR 2209 (Introduction to Athletic Training – Field Problems I) during the first semester of the declared major. In addition to ATR 2209, students must complete ATR 2205 (Medical Terminology), EXS 2203 (First Aid), BIO 2401, and 2402, (Anatomy and Physiology I and II), ATR 2307 (Care and Prevention of Athletic Injury), and ATR 2107 (Taping and Wrapping Practicum) during the first year of the declared major.

Transfer students may complete the freshman and sophomore course requirements at another institution providing those courses meet university policy on transfer credit. Prior clinical experience will be considered on an individual basis. Transfer students must meet with the program director for help with verification of transfer credit. Competency examinations may be required.

Students may declare athletic training as a major upon admission to the university. However, all students must be admitted to the ATP Professional Clinical Program before they can participate in hands-on patient interaction. Students may apply to the Professional Clinical Program after meeting the entrance requirements below. Exceptional students may apply to the program a semester early if they exceed minimum grade requirements and demonstrate a high level of professionalism and integrity. See Early Acceptance Criteria below.

Once admitted to the Professional Clinical education phase of the ATP, the student will be assigned to work under the supervision of one or more clinical preceptors. The maximum number of athletic training students maintained in the Professional Clinical Program at any one time will be limited and entrance to the clinical phase is competitive.

Application scores are based on GPA, faculty recommendations, student application letter, professional foundational behaviors and timely completion of the application process. Once the applicant has submitted all of the required materials to the ATP admissions committee, consisting of ATP faculty, on campus Clinical Preceptors and one non-ATP faculty member, will meet to review materials and rank them with a numerical score. Applicants with the highest overall application scores will be given preference when clinical space is limited. The application process includes the following:

Regular Acceptance Criteria

• Completion of EXS 2203, ATR 2107, ATR 2307, ATR 2205, and ATR 2209 with a grade of “B” or better. (A grade of B is a minimum requirement for consideration. A grade of A receives more points toward admission.)
• Completion of BIO 2401, and BIO 2402 with a grade of “C” or better. (A grade of C is a minimum requirement for consideration. Grades of A or B receive more points toward admission.)
• Students must also submit all Required Documentation.

Early Acceptance Criteria

• Completion of EXS 2203, and ATR 2209 with a grade of “A”.
• Completion of BIO 2401 with a “B” or better and an overall average of 4.5 or better on observational student evaluations.
• Students must also submit all Required Documentation.

Direct Admission Requirements for Transfer Students

All regular admission criteria and required documentation, plus prior post-high school athletic training observation or clinical experience and a letter of recommendation from a previous supervising athletic trainer or AT preceptor.

Required Documentation

• Letter to the Athletic Training Program Director indicating a desire to seek a career in Athletic Training and a request for admission to the Professional Clinical portion of the program.
• Current transcript as proof of GPA for the previously listed course requirements.
• Completed recommendation form and letter from a classroom professor
• Proof of student liability insurance
• Proof of health insurance
• Proof of Hepatitis B vaccine (series must have been started and must be completed within the first year of the Professional Clinical Program) and other required vaccinations (refer to the current Texas Wesleyan University Athletic Training Program Policies and Procedures Manual ).
• Completed medical history and physical examination. (All medical information will remain confidential and kept with the student file in a locked cabinet.)
• Completed Technical Standards form.

Once admitted to the Professional Clinical Program, students must continue to meet all requirements for retention in the program. Included in these requirements are the maintenance of a minimum of 2.0 overall GPA and a 2.50 GPA within Athletic Training specific coursework Students must make no less than a “C” in Athletic Training major (ATR and EXS) courses to progress through the program. Other specific requirements are found in the Texas Wesleyan University Athletic Training Program Student Handbook given to each student upon entrance to the ATP.