Athletic Training Education (B.S.)

The Athletic Training Education Program prepares students for a career in the profession of athletic training. In addition to the academic curriculum, students gain hands-on experience through a variety of clinical rotations. At the time of graduation, the athletic training student is prepared to take the Board of Certification (BOC) exam. Successful completion of this exam enables the student to become a nationally certified athletic trainer. The Athletic Training Education Program (ATEP) is a Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education (CAATE) accredited program.

Athletic Training is recognized by the American Medical Association as an allied healthcare profession. The certified athletic trainer (ATC) is a highly educated skilled professional specializing in the prevention, treatment, and rehabilitation of athletic injuries and illnesses. In cooperation with physicians and other allied health professionals, the ATC functions as an integral member of the athletic healthcare team. The certified athletic trainer can work in a variety of settings: secondary schools, colleges or universities, sports medicine clinics, professional sports, health clubs, and industrial settings.

Admission Requirements
Admission to ATEP is required to enroll in any of the 3000 and 4000 level Athletic Training classes (except ATEP 2335, ATEP 2336, and ATEP 2001). A student must complete a minimum of 40 semester hours of credit in order to begin the application process. Admission is highly competitive and admission status is determined as soon as a student has submitted and completed all of the necessary requirements and materials.
To be eligible for admission into the ATEP, a student must submit all of the following:

1. Current transcript showing a minimum of 40 semester hours of credit completed.
2. Current transcript showing a 2.75 or better overall grade point average at time of application submission.
3. Current transcript showing all Area A classes, BIOL 2120K, and BIOL 2130K with a C or better and ATEP 2335, ATEP 2336, and ATEP 2001 receiving a B or better. A plan of study approved by the College of Education Admissions Office indicating the anticipated completion of all required prerequisite courses is also acceptable. All prerequisite courses must be completed with minimum grade requirements prior to enrolling in the professional preparation phase of the program.
4. A completed Application Form for the University of North Georgia ATEP.
5. A completed University of North Georgia ATEP Observational Hours in Athletic Training Form signed by a BOC certified athletic trainer. Fifty Athletic Training Observational hours are required.
6. A completed University of North Georgia ATEP Physical Form signed and dated by a medical physician. This physical also includes a Technical Standards Form required by the ATEP. The Technical Standards Form must be signed and dated by the medical physician as well as by the applicant.
7. An ATEP immunization form signed and dated by a medical physician.
8. Students must maintain current health insurance throughout the program.
9. Proof of current Professional Rescuer or Healthcare Provider (American Red Cross or American Heart Association) certification.
10. Two letters of recommendation, one from non-University North Georgia certified athletic trainer/faculty and one from non-familial sources.
11. Professional letter of application stating why student wants to enter the program. Please address the letter to the ATEP Admission Committee.
12. Interview with ATEP Admission Committee, dependent upon meeting admission criteria.

All forms required for admission can be obtained by accessing the University of North Georgia ATEP web site or by contacting the ATEP coordinator. Please send a completed admission packet to: ATEP Admissions, College of Education, attention: Lori Brooksher.

The deadline to submit an admissions packet is the second week of March of each year. Completed packets will be reviewed to determine if all admission criteria have been met. Applicants will be contacted during the first week in April to schedule an interview with the ATEP admissions committee. Interviews will be conducted during the first two weeks in April. Once all interviews have been completed the committee will meet to select students for admission into the ATEP. The student’s interview and all other admission requirements are the basis for acceptance into the program. Students will receive a letter indicating their status within the ATEP. Students meeting the requirements but not selected for admittance into the program will be placed on the waiting list.

A student’s acceptance will be withdrawn if prerequisite course grade(s) do not meet minimum requirements. Students will be notified of this possibility at the time of admission.
Students not accepted into the program can appeal the decision by writing a letter of appeal to the College of Education Student Recognition and Awards Committee. This committee will review the appeal and render a final decision.
If by August 1st, the maximum number of students admitted has not been attained, students may be admitted under provisional status. Students who do not meet the overall 2.75 GPA requirements will be considered for admission into the ATEP, provided all other criteria have been met and submitted. A student must have a minimum 2.65 overall GPA to be considered for admission under appeal. A student must submit a letter to the College of Education Student Recognition and Awards Committee requesting provisional admission. Applicants will be reviewed and student(s) with the highest overall GPA will then be admitted into the ATEP on provisional status. Provisional students must complete his or her first semester in the ATEP with a 2.75 GPA. If this is not achieved, then he or she could be removed from the ATEP.

Technical Standards
The Athletic Training Education Program at the University of North Georgia is a rigorous 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 (Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education [CAATE]). All students admitted to the Athletic Training Education Program must meet the expectations found on the Technical Standards form. In the event a student is unable to fulfill these technical standards, the student will not be admitted into the program. The Technical Standards Form must be completed by each candidate and a medical physician. The Technical Standards Form must be submitted as part of the application process.

Additional Requirements
A field placement fee ($100.00) is assigned during all semesters that have a clinical based ATEP class. These classes include ATEP 2336, ATEP 2001, ATEP 3001, ATEP 3002, ATEP 4001, and ATEP 4002.
When a student is accepted into the Athletic Training Education Program, he or she will receive an Athletic Training Education Policies and Procedures Manual. This manual will address the following: additional costs such as athletic training attire (approx. $225.00), mandatory liability insurance (approx. $35.00 per year), background check and fingerprinting ($57), clinical rotation requirements, travel time and expenses, maintaining current health insurance, additional expectations while on rotation; mandatory in-services and professional development activities; recommended memberships such as the Georgia Athletic Trainers’ Association (GATA), Southeast Athletic Trainers’ Association (SEATA), and the National Athletic Trainers’ Association (NATA).

Clinical Rotations
Students in the Athletic Training Education Program are required to gain experience through various clinical rotations. These rotations are assigned during all four semesters in the professional phase of the ATEP. Rotations include, but are not limited to a rehabilitation clinic, orthopedic clinic, general medicine practice, North Georgia athletic teams, high school football and additional high school teams. A Preceptor will evaluate student performance two times a semester. A student must achieve a 70% average or better on these evaluations to remain in the ATEP.

Retention Standards:

1. Compliance with the rules and regulations prescribed for all students at the University of North Georgia;
2. Compliance with the ATEP rules and regulations in the Athletic Training Student Handbook;
3. Adherence to the National Athletic Trainer’s Code of Ethics;
4. Clear background check and fingerprinting
5. Completion of all courses in the academic major with a grade of a “C” or better;
6. Achievement of a 70% average or better on student clinical evaluations for each semester;
7. Achievement of a 75% or better on all proficiencies imbedded in the ATEP curriculum;
8. Demonstration of competence in the use of oral and written language by way of writing samples in ATEP courses;
9. Current certification as a Professional Rescuer or Healthcare Provider (American Red Cross / American Heart Association);
10. Maintenance of an overall grade point average of a 2.75 for all course work attempted.

Suspension
Failure to meet any of the retention standards can result in the student being suspended from the ATEP. A student who fails to meet the retention standards because of illness or other non-academic issues may receive special consideration as his or her case merits.

Appeals
A student denied admission to or continuance in the ATEP may appeal the decision to the School of Education’s Student Admission and Recognition Committee. Appeals must be made in writing and should clearly state why an exception should be made. An adverse decision by the dean may be appealed in writing to the Vice President for Academic Affairs, whose decision shall be final.

Caveat
For the most recent information on current ATEP policies and procedures, please see the North Georgia athletic training education major web site (under Colleges/College of Education/Health and Physical Education/Degrees offered/Athletic Training).