Athletic Training

Admissions Information

NOTE: To provide the student with the most current academic curriculum and to meet accreditation standards, the programs within the School of Nursing and Health Professions use the degree plan on the date the student is admitted to the program and/or major, not the university matriculation date.

All students who plan a program of study leading to the degree of Bachelor of Science in Athletic Training must first be accepted for admission to the University.  Applicants then apply to the Athletic Training Education Program (ATEP).  Enrollment in the ATEP is limited by the availability of faculty and clinical field experiences, therefore admission is competitive. 

Applicants will apply to the ATEP during the semester in which the prerequisites will be completed.  Applications to the ATEP are due by April 1st.  Applicants work with an assigned advisor and are required to submit:

To be considered for admission the student must meet the following criteria:

Clinical Placements / Observation Hours

After admission into the Athletic Training Education Program, the student will complete six semesters in both the academic and clinical components of the program.  To meet the requirements of the Board of Certification and Advisory Board of Athletic Trainers, the student must document 1800 hours of observation and practice of athletic training skills under the direction supervision of an assigned athletic trainer or a medical professional serving as a clinical instructor.  Certain field experiences will be required prior to the first day of class, during weekends and university breaks.  The program director and/or clinical coordinator will contact students concerning placement in affiliated settings for observation and practice prior to the assignment.

Transfer Students

Students that are considering application for admission into the Athletic Training Education Program from another university or college must first be admitted into the University.  Along with the application, transfer students must submit TWO copies of transcripts of ALL UNIVERISTY WORK.  Send one set to the UIW Admissions Office.  Send the second set of transcripts to the School of Nursing and Health Professions, Attn: Athletic Training Education Program Director, 4301 Broadway, San Antonio, TX 78209. Please note we cannot accept an application without copies of all transcripts.

Students transferring from another baccalaureate athletic training education program must satisfy the same prerequisite and major course work as do all other applicants. All athletic training course work will be evaluated for equivalency with the UIW curriculum. The decision for admission, transfer credit for previous athletic training courses and placement in the program will be considered on an individual basis.

Health Requirements / Immunizations

In compliance with the Health Care Provider terms of TAC 97.64, applicants to the athletic training program are required to provide proof of a physical examination (for admission and annually thereafter) and the following immunizations prior to admission to the first clinical course:

If, for any reason, the student is unable to receive any immunizations a physician's statement will be required.

Additional health requirements may be required by some clinical affiliations. 

CPR and First Aid

Students must show evidence of having completed the Health Care Provider course in CPR and a general First Aid course from either the American Heart Association (BLS for Healthcare Professionals with Heartsaver First Aid), American Red Cross (Emergency Response with CPR for the Professional Rescuer) or the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons Emergency Care and Safety Institute. (First Aid, CPR, and AED with Professional Rescuer CPR) This requirement is necessary for all students prior to entering the athletic training program, and then annually thereafter.  Evidence of completion or re-certification must be give to the program director prior to attendance of field experience. 

Liability, Health Insurance and Needle Stick Insurance

Athletic Training Education Students are required to be covered by liability insurance.  The liability insurance fee will be included in the athletic training course fees.  Students must also show proof of current health insurance.  The University offers limited health insurance coverage. Students must also show proof of needle stick coverage or take out the needle stick insurance plan offered through the university.

Criminal Background Screening

Criminal background screening is completed on all candidates for the athletic training education program.   The School will designate a company to do the background screening and will not accept results from any company other than the one designated by the School.  Students pay expenses related to all screening.  A student with a significant criminal background or a current conviction may not be allowed to register for athletic training courses until the student receives a declaratory order from the regulating board stating their eligibility for licensure or certification to practice. 

Drug Screening

Drug Screening may be required by some clinical agencies.  The School will designate a company to do the drug screen and will not accept results from any company other than the one designated by the School.  The student will pay the cost of the screening at the time of the testing. 

A student who has a positive drug screen will not be allowed to participate in clinical courses.  The student will be required to complete, at the student’s expense, chemical dependency evaluation and treatment, if recommended by a drug assessment.  Any student with a positive drug screen will be suspended for a minimum of one calendar year and will be required to provide documentation of successful treatment prior to being readmitted to clinical courses.  If readmitted, the student must be retested by the School approved laboratory and have a negative drug screen.  This testing is at the student’s expense.

Eligibility for Professional Practice

Completion of degree requirements for the bachelor's degree does not guarantee state licensure or national certification as an athletic trainer.  Students are advised to contact the Board of Certification and Texas Advisory Board of Athletic Trainers concerning their eligibility of professional practice.  Prior to practice, the Individual must complete an application and pay required fees according to current policies and procedures of the regulatory board.  The application process has various sections that require notarized documentation of information for the individual, university and the Athletic Training Education Program Director.   Students are advised to plan ahead and identify key dates and requirements that are required as part of the regulatory process.  As part of the initial regulatory process, students must be successfully complete an oral practical and written assessment of their athletic training skills. 

Preparation to take the Board of Certification examination is a continual process.  During the sophomore year students will begin a series of clinical competency-based modules related to athletic training clinical skills.  The athletic training students’ clinical preparation for the BOC examination will concluded during their last academic semester when they take ATHP 4390: “Capstone: Mock Testing.”  The course material will be composed of material that has been covered in the previous athletic training classes.  At the conclusion of the class, an examination structured like the BOC and Texas examinations will be administered.

Technical Standards

The University of the Incarnate Word is committed to complying with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990.  Therefore, the Athletic Training program at The University of the Incarnate Word seeks to ensure that qualified persons with disabilities are not denied admission or subject to discrimination in the admission process.  The technical requirements for admission establish the expectations and required abilities considered essential to perform duties of an athletic trainer.  These abilities are classified into five categories: observation, communication, motor, intellectual, and behavioral and social.

Observation:  A candidate must be able to observe demonstrations in the classroom and athletic training room.  A candidate must also be able to accurately observe an athlete at a distance and at close range, in order to gather the necessary data regarding the athletes’ physical status.

Communication:  A candidate must be able to communicate effectively with a wide variety of athletes and other members of the health care team.  Communication is not limited to verbal communication, but also includes having adequate reading and writing skills.  Adequate communication skills also include the ability to record injury assessment results, SOAP notes, and follow-up notes.

Motor:  Candidates must possess sufficient postural and neuromuscular control and adequate eye-to-hand coordination that is necessary to perform the duties of an athletic trainer.  They must also possess sufficient control of their upper and lower extremity to meet the physical requirements for athletic training. 

Sensory:  Candidates must have adequate sensory function in order to elicit information from a physical examination through palpation, auscultation, percussion, and other assessment maneuvers.

Intellectual:  Candidates must have the mental capacity to learn and assimilate a large amount of complex, technical, and detailed information.  They must also be able to solve problems through critical analysis and perform measurements necessary to develop a therapeutic plan.

Social and Personal Attributes:  A candidate must possess emotional and social attributes required to exercise good judgment, promptly complete all responsibilities as they relate to the care and management of an athletes’ injury, and develop mature, sensitive, and effective relationships with the athletes’ and other members of the health care team.  The candidate must also be able to adapt to an ever-changing environment, display flexibility, tolerate physically taxing workloads, and maintain their composure during highly stressful situations.

Promotion / Retention / Graduation Requirements

Once accepted into the program, students will be evaluated each semester to ensure they are meeting the expectations set by the Athletic Training Education Program.  These expectations include: