ATHP Academic & Clinical Education Plan

Freshman Year | Sophomore Year | Junior Year | Senior Year

 

The Freshman Year

In the freshman year, the student will take courses that fulfill the university core curriculum and courses that are prerequisite courses for admission into the Athletic Training Education Program (ATEP). At time of admission into the university, the academic advising center will place students in appropriate English and mathematics courses according to university placement scores. Athletic Training majors are given an unofficial degree plan; yearly academic plan and provided with the ATEP admission standards. As part of the prerequisites for fall admission into the ATEP, the student is advised to successfully complete the Anatomy and Physiology courses (BIOL 2321, BIOL 2322) with a C or better to satisfy the ATEP Admission requirements. In the spring, the student will be advised to take Introduction to Athletic Training (ATHP 1310). As part of that course, the program director provides the students with an orientation of the program and discusses admission into the program. As part of Introduction to Athletic Training, the student must complete fifty observation hours under the direction of a certified athletic trainer.

The freshman year sequencing is designed to provide the student with the basic skills needed prior to entry into the Athletic Training Education Program. The Anatomy and Physiology courses provide the student with the foundational knowledge of the human body needed as an athletic trainer. The Introduction of Athletic Training course provides the student with an understanding of the profession and the education program at UIW. The other courses taken in the freshman year are foundational courses in the university core curriculum based on the university mission.

 

 

The Sophomore Year

In the sophomore year, the student will continue fulfilling the university core curriculum and take courses in their chosen major and minor. Students must have met the ATEP admission requirements and have been admitted into the program to be enrolled into athletic training curriculum courses. Prior to starting the clinical experience course, the student must take care of all administrative and pre-participation aspects of the ATEP including show a current CPR and First Aid cards, completion of a pre-participation physical examination and complete the required immunizations. The student must complete a criminal background screening or have a declaratory order from the regulating board stating their eligibility for licensure or certification to practice. After approval by the program director, the student will initiate their athletic training clinical experiences by completing observation and directed study hours under the direction of an approved clinical instructor (ACI). As part of the academic advising plan, the student is advised on the academic, clinical and administrative requirements of promotion (progression) into the next clinical experience course.

Academic Sequencing for a Level 1 Student

The sophomore fall semester sequencing is designed and intended to allow the athletic training major to build upon and expand the knowledge of the freshman year. The student takes the entry-level athletic training courses that provide the student the foundational knowledge of the athletic training profession. The student enrolls in ATHP 2305 Functional Anatomy and Muscle Testing course to re-emphasizes the knowledge and understanding of the musculoskeletal system of the human body. The student also enrolls in ATHP 2310 Orthopedic Injuries and Athletic Conditions to gain an understanding of the injuries and conditions, which the athletic trainer would encounter in various settings of the profession. Both courses will provide the student with the foundation and build upon the evaluation courses in the later semesters. Since the student will be placed in potential emergency situations on their clinical site with their clinical instructors, the ATHP 2301 Emergency and Medical Aspects course is integrated early to provide the student with the skills needed to aid in care of injured individuals. The student is also enrolled in ATHP 2341 Pharmacological Issues in Athletic Training to provide the student with an understanding of the normal and abnormal effects of pharmacological agents on athletes and active individuals. The clinical experience course is designed to evaluate learning over time of general skills learned in the prerequisite courses and provide the student with directed observation of athletic training skills. The other courses taken in the freshman year are foundational courses in the university core curriculum based on the university mission.

Clinical Experience Component for Level 1 Student

The student will be assigned to a clinical instructor providing athletic training services to an intercollegiate athletic team on the UIW campus. The student will be expected to be present to assist the clinical instructor at all official team practices, conditioning activities and competitions and to help provide preventive care, treatment and rehabilitation of injuries to the team members. A Level 1 athletic training student will complete 300 hours through observation and directed practice under the direction the assigned clinical instructor. The focus for Level 1 athletic training student is to expose the student to a variety of upper and lower extremity intensive sports. Each student rotates through in-season and off-season team sports at the University of the Incarnate Word. The Head Athletic Trainer along with ATEP Director will assign the certified athletic trainer to work with each group. The student will gain experience of various training seasons (pre-, in- and off-season), along with participating in a co-educational setting.

Sophomore Year (Fall) – Level 1 Student

17 Credit Hours

ATHP 1170 – AT Clinical Experiences I

ATHP 2301 – Emergency and Medical Aspects

ATHP 2305 – Functional Anatomy & Muscle Testing

ATHP 2310 – Orthopedic Injuries & Athletic Conditions

ATHP 2341 – Pharmacological Issues in AT

Physical Education Activity (1 credit hour)

Elective (3 credit hours)

Academic Sequencing for a Level 2 Student

The sophomore spring semester sequencing is designed and intended for the athletic training major to build upon and expand their knowledge of the first year of the program. The student has taken courses to expand of their knowledge of anatomy and conditions of the human body. The second semester of the program is designed to expand their knowledge and build upon the foundation. The student enrolls in ATHP 2315 Evaluation of Injuries and Conditions of the Trunk and Lower Extremity. The student has already been oriented to the various athletic injuries and conditions; the student is now gains the cognitive and psychomotor skills of evaluating and differentiating between the conditions. To expand the student’s knowledge of general medical conditions and an understanding of epidemiology and pathology, the student is enrolled in ATHP 3310 Pathology of Disease. The student is also enrolled in ATHP 3340 Organization and Administration of Athletic Training to gain an understanding of the skills need for professional development and organization as an athletic trainer. These skills are important throughout the rest of the program. The student is enrolled in PSYC 3381 Statistics for the Behavioral Sciences; this course develops basic skills needed for understanding research and develops the students mathematics skills in relation to statistics. The clinical experience course is designed to evaluate learning over time of athletic training skills learning in the previous didactic courses and provide the student with directed observation and ability to practice these athletic training skills. The other courses taken in the freshman year are foundational courses in the university core curriculum based on the university mission.

Clinical Experience Component for Level 2 Student

The student will be assigned to a clinical instructor(s) providing athletic training services to an intercollegiate athletic team on the UIW campus. The student will be expected to be present to assist the clinical instructor at all official team practices, conditioning activities and competitions and to help provide preventative care, treatment and rehabilitation of injuries to the team members. The focus for Level 2 athletic training student is to expose the student to a variety of upper extremity intensive sports. The Head Athletic Trainer along with ATEP Director will assign the certified athletic trainer to work with each group. The student will gain experience with mainly in-season sports, along with participating in a co-educational setting. The student is expected to complete 300 hours, an average of approximately 20 hours per week, under the direct supervision of an approved clinical instructor.

Sophomore Year (Spring) – Level 2 Student

16 Credit Hours

ATHP 2170 – AT Clinical Experiences II

ATHP 2315 – Evaluation of Injuries/Conditions of the Trunk & LE

ATHP 3310 – Pathology of Disease

ATHP 3340 – Organization and Administration of AT

PSYC 3381 – Statistics for the Behavioral Sciences

ENGL 2310 –Word Literature Studies

The Junior Year

In the junior year, the student will continue fulfilling the university core curriculum and courses from their major and minor. The student also continues involvement in their athletic training clinical experience courses by completing observation and directed study hours under the direction of an approved clinical instructor (ACI). As part of the academic advising plan, the student is advised on the academic, clinical and administrative requirements of promotion (progression) into the next clinical experience course.

Academic Sequencing for a Level 3 Student

The junior fall semester sequencing is designed and intended for the athletic training major to build upon and expand the knowledge of the first year of the program. The student has taken courses to expand of their knowledge of anatomy and conditions of the human body. The third semester of the program is designed to expand their knowledge and build upon the foundation.

The student enrolls in ATHP 2320 Evaluation of Injuries and Conditions of the Head, Neck and Upper Extremity. The student has already been oriented to the various athletic injuries and conditions; the student is now gains the cognitive and psychomotor skills of evaluating and differentiating between the conditions. In the third semester, the student will start learning of the physical and mechanical agents used to treat various injuries and conditions that occur with physical activities. The student will enroll in ATHP 3320 Therapeutic Modalities and ATHP 3120 Therapeutic Modalities Lab to provide the student with the science and accepted medical protocols for understanding the application of physical and mechanical agents as an athletic trainer. Also in the third semester (or potentially fourth semester), the student will be enrolled in PEHP 3350 Theory of Movement Forms: Analysis and Construction. This course is a Biomechanics course that builds upon the understanding of the human body and how the musculoskeletal system functions. (Note: PEHP 3350 is on 3 semester rotation, so it may be integrated in either the third or fourth semester of the program.) The student will also enroll in NUTR 2341 Introduction to Nutrition to gain an understanding of the basic understanding of the required nutrients needed by the human body and the uses and sources. The course will provide the student with knowledge in understanding the human body, tissue healing, and improving physical performance. The clinical experience course is designed to evaluate learning over time of athletic training skills learning in the previous didactic courses and provide the student with directed observation and ability to practice these athletic training skills. The other courses taken in the freshman year are foundational courses in the university core curriculum based on the university mission.

Clinical Experience Component for Level 3 Student

The student will be assigned to a clinical instructor(s) providing athletic training services to an intercollegiate athletic team on the UIW campus. The student will be expected to be present to assist the clinical instructor at all official team practices, conditioning activities and competitions and to help provide preventative care, treatment and rehabilitation of injuries to the team members. Note: The student is only allowed to perform athletic training skills in which they have been determined proficient by the academic and clinical faculties. A Level 3 athletic training student will complete 300 hours through observation and directed practice under the direction of an approved clinical instructor in the approved setting assigned by the program director. Students that are involved in ATHP 3170: Athletic Training Clinical Experiences III are expected to report for summer two-a-day workouts prior to the first day of class. It’s the responsibility for athletic training student to contact the certified athletic trainer assigned to the sport to determine the summer schedule. The focus for Level 3 athletic training student is to expose the student to a variety of lower extremity intensive sports. The head athletic trainers at the UIW and Trinity University will assign the certified athletic trainer to work with each group. The student will gain experience with pre-season and in-season high intensity sports.

Junior Year (Fall) - Level 3 Student

17 Credit Hours

ATHP 3170 – AT Clinical Experiences III

ATHP 2320 – Evaluation of Injuries/Conditions of the Head & UE

ATHP 3320 – Therapeutic Modalities

ATHP 3120 – Therapeutic Modalities Lab

NUTR 2341 – Introduction to Nutrition

+PEHP 3350 – Theory of Movement Forms: Analysis/Construct

Religious Studies Course

+ Course is taught on 3 semester rotation, so it may be taken in either the fall or spring of junior year.

Academic Sequencing for a Level 4 Student

The junior spring semester sequencing is designed and intended for the athletic training major to build upon and expand the knowledge of the previous semesters of the program. At this point in the program, the student has an understanding of makeup of the human anatomy; the injuries/conditions that occur with athletic and physical activity involvement; and how to evaluate and treat the injuries/conditions. The fourth semester of the program is designed to expand their knowledge and build upon the foundation and integrate various athletic training domain areas. The student enrolls in ATHP 3330 Therapeutic Rehabilitation and ATHP 3130 Therapeutic Rehabilitation Lab. The student has already been oriented to the various athletic injuries and conditions; the student is now gains the cognitive and psychomotor skills of how to rehabilitate and treat these injuries. The student will also enroll in NUTR 4356 Nutrition and Human Performance to build on basic understanding of nutrients aimed at the athletic and human performance setting. The course will provide the student with knowledge of how to use and analyze an athlete’s nutrition, eating and drinking habits. (Note: NUTR 4356 is on 4 semester rotation, so it may be integrated in either the junior or senior year of the program. In the event NUTR 4356 is switched with the senior year, the university’s foreign language requirement will be included in this semester.) The student will enroll in PSYC 3384 Research Methods during this semester to develop investigative and research skills needed as an allied health professional. These skills will allow to the student to research and understand current journal topics. The clinical experience course is designed to evaluate learning over time of athletic training skills learning in the previous didactic courses and provide the student with directed observation and ability to practice these athletic training skills. The other courses taken in the freshman year are foundational courses in the university core curriculum based on the university mission.

Clinical Experience Component for Level 4 Student

The student will be assigned to a clinical instructor(s) providing athletic training services to an intercollegiate athletic team on the UIW campus, as well as complete a 120-hour general medical and allied health clinical experience rotation. The student will be expected to be present to assist the clinical instructor at all official team practices, conditioning activities and competitions and to help provide preventative care, treatment and rehabilitation of injuries to the team members. A Level 4 athletic training student will complete 300 hours through observation and directed practice under the direction of an approved clinical instructor in the approved setting assigned by the program director. The focus for Level 4 athletic training student is to expose the student to a variety of lower and upper extremity intensive sports that are in and out of season as well give the student general medical experience.

General Medical and Allied Health Clinical Experience

As part of the fourth semester of the Athletic Training Education Program, students are exposed to other allied health professionals in the traditional medical clinic and hospital settings. Coordinated by the ATEP medical directors, ATEP program director, athletic training faculty and local health care providers, the student completes a 120-hour general medical and allied health clinical experience. The goal of the clinical experience is to provide the student with the skills, knowledge and ability to identify and evaluate an individual’s health assessment and its’ potential effects on their physical performance and overall wellness. The student will integrate the general medical and disability competencies and proficiencies taught and evaluated in the didactic courses of the curriculum into clinical skills from the experiences gained during the clinical experience.

Students will be exposed to a variety of diseases, conditions and injuries during the general medical and allied health clinical experience. This clinical experience is broken into two areas: general medical rotation and orthopedic medical rotation. The student will spend three weeks for a total of 60 hours in each rotation of the clinical experience. In each rotation, the student will attain knowledge of the medical method of assessment, an understanding of diagnostic tools to help identify conditions, and gain an understanding of proper care for handling particular diseases, injuries and conditions. During both rotations, the athletic training student observes and works under the direct supervision of the attending medical staff (physicians, nurse practitioner, registered nurses, etc.).

General Medical Rotation

The general medical rotation is designed to provide the athletic training student with an in-depth experience in identification, assessment and management of common, as well as, sophisticated and tertiary health problems. Emphasis is placed on diseases and conditions of the skin, respiratory system, cardiovascular system, endocrine system, gastrointestinal system, genitourinary system, gynecological and neurological systems. The student will also be exposed to viral syndromes, sexually transmitted diseases, systemic diseases and eating disorders.

Thorough observation and participation of patient care, the student will gain knowledge, skills, and values that the entry-level athletic trainer must possess to recognize, treat and refer, when appropriate, the general medical conditions and disabilities of athletes and individuals involved in physical activity settings. The student will use integrate competencies and proficiencies taught and evaluated in ATHP 2301 Emergency and General Medical Aspects of Athletic Training (Level 1 course) and ATHP 3310 Pathology of Disease (Level 2 course) into clinical skills and experiences as part of the general medical and allied health clinical experience. Below is a schematic showing the sequencing of didactic courses and the clinical experience. By teaching competencies and proficiencies related to wellness, health assessment and medical conditions early in the course plan the student should have demonstrated mastery of knowledge in didactic and clinical courses. The student will be complete a three week, 60-hour rotation under the supervision of physicians, nurses and other health care providers.

Orthopedic Medical Rotation

The orthopedic medical rotation is designed to provide the athletic training student with an in-depth experience in identification, assessment, operative and non-operative management of common as well as sophisticated and tertiary orthopedic problems. Emphasis is placed on spinal deformity, trauma, and degenerative diseases along with in-depth experience in sports and athletic medicine, arthroscopic procedures, sophisticated ligamentous reconstructions, shoulder and hand re-constructive surgery, and joint replacement arthroplasty of the hip, knee, and shoulder. Thorough observation and participation of patient care in the clinical and surgical setting, the student will gain experience, knowledge, skills, and values that the entry-level athletic trainer must possess to manage a wide range of diseases and afflictions of the musculoskeletal system. As part of the 60-hour rotation, the student must observe surgeries of two different joints of the body (hip, knee, shoulder, ankle, etc.). As part of the rotation and professional development of the student, they must present a twenty-minute informative presentation on the injury, condition and surgical technique using multimedia in the ATHP 4170: Athletic Training Clinical Experiences IV course.

Junior Year (Spring) - Level 4 Student

17 Credit Hours

ATHP 4170 – AT Clinical Experiences IV

ATHP 3330 – Therapeutic Rehabilitation

ATHP 3130 – Therapeutic Rehabilitation Lab

*NUTR 4356 – Nutrition and Human Performance

PYSC 3384 – Research Methods

PHIL 1381 – Introduction to Philosophy

Elective (3 credit hours)

* Course is taught on 4-semester rotation, so it will be taken either spring in junior or senior level. (Spring in Odd Years) If switched from spring of junior year, the individual will be switched with the foreign language requirement in the academic plan.

The Senior Year

In the junior year, the student will continue fulfilling the university core curriculum and courses from their major and minor. The student also continues involvement in their athletic training clinical experience courses by completing observation and directed study hours under the direction of an approved clinical instructor (ACI) and will cultivate in the spring semester with an external internship in athletic training. As part of the senior year, the student will also enroll in a senior capstone course. The course will evaluate and inspect all the areas of the curriculum through mock testing of the proficiencies and competencies identified by the National Athletic Trainers Association Education Council.

Academic Sequencing for a Level 5 Student

The senior fall semester sequencing is designed and intended for the athletic training major to build upon and expand the knowledge of the previous semesters of the program. At this point in the program, the student has an understanding of makeup of the human anatomy; the injuries/conditions that occur with athletic and physical activity involvement; and how to evaluate, treat, and rehabilitate the injuries/conditions. The fifth semester of the program is designed to allow the student to practice and build upon the knowledge and integrate various athletic training domain areas. The student has no didactic athletic training courses, but continues to practice the athletic training skills under the supervision of a clinical instructor.

The student is enrolled in their final clinical experience course designed to evaluate learning over time from materials from previous didactic courses and provide the student with directed observation and ability to practice these athletic training skills. The other courses taken in the freshman year are foundational courses in the university core curriculum based on the university mission.

Clinical Experience Component for Level 5 Student

The student will be assigned to a clinical instructor(s) providing athletic training services to an intercollegiate athletic team on the UIW campus. The student will be expected to be present to assist the clinical instructor at all official team practices, conditioning activities and competitions and to help provide preventative care, treatment and rehabilitation of injuries to the team members. Note: The student is only allowed to perform athletic training skills in which they have been determined proficient by the academic and clinical faculties. A Level 5 athletic training student will complete 300 hours through observation and directed practice under the direction of an approved clinical instructor in the approved setting assigned by the program director. Students that are involved in ATHP 4190: Athletic Training Clinical Experiences V are expected to report for summer two-a-day workouts prior to the first day of class. It’s the responsibility for athletic training student to contact the certified athletic trainer assigned to the sport to determine the summer schedule.

The focus for Level 5 athletic training student is to expose the student to an equipment intensive sport. The program will utilize the football team at Trinity University and high schools in the San Antonio and Alamo Heights Independent School Districts that hire a certified and licensed athletic trainer. The student will gain experience with pre-season and in-season collision and equipment intensive sports. The student is expected to complete 300 hours, an average of approximately 20 hours per week, under the direct supervision of an approved clinical instructor.

Senior Year (Fall) - Level 5 Student

16 Credit Hours

ATHP 4190 – AT Clinical Experiences V

SOCI 3350 – Sociology of Sport

Religious Studies/Philosophy Requirement

Core Elective (3 credit hours)

Foreign Language (3 credit hours)

Elective (3 credit hours)

Academic Sequencing for a Level 6 Student (Student Intern)

The senior spring semester sequencing is designed and intended for the athletic training major to practice athletic training skills and observe in a setting not utilized by UIW for clinical instruction. At this point in the program, the student has an understanding of makeup of the human anatomy; the injuries/conditions that occur with athletic and physical activity involvement; and how to evaluate, treat, and rehabilitate the injuries/conditions. The final semester of the program is designed to allow the student to find a possible employment setting and build networking for references of job placement. The student is enrolled in ATHP 4388 Internship in Athletic Training; the course evaluates the professional development of the student. The student is also enrolled in ATHP 4390 Senior Capstone: Mock Testing. This course prepares the student for the state licensure and national certification examination by providing the students with similar anxiety testing situations over the domains of athletic training. The student will be instructed on testing procedures and application procedures. UIW will utilize a comparison of entry test scores (from pre-admission) and exit test scores of the Athletic Training General Knowledge Examination. The university will use this information to gain an understanding of the program. The other courses taken in the freshman year are foundational courses in the university core curriculum based on the university mission.

Senior Year (Spring) - Level 6 Student (Student Intern)

14-15 Credit Hours

ATHP 4388 – Internship in Athletic Training

ATHP 4390 – Capstone: Mock Testing

$PEHP 4333 – Fundamentals in Human Performance

Elective (at least 2 credit hours)

Foreign Language (3 credit hours)

* Course is taught on 3 semester rotation, so it may be taken in either the fall or spring of senior year.

Clinical Instruction Plan

The Athletic Training Education Program at the University of the Incarnate Word requires each student to complete a minimum of 1800 hours of clinical field experience spread out over six semesters.  The hour requirement meets the needs established by the guidelines of the National Athletic Trainers Association Board of Certification and the Texas Advisory Board of Athletic Trainers; and provides the student with a foundation of athletic training experiences related to the domains of the profession.  The student is expected to participate in a minimum of 300 hours in each of the five clinical courses and another 300 hours in the internship. 

The clinical experience component is designed to provide the student with a variety of settings for observation and directed practice of the competencies and proficiencies learned in the athletic training curriculum.  Throughout the clinical component of the program, students are expected to observe the certified athletic trainer and allowed to practice skills in which they have been determined proficient by the athletic training faculty in the didactic portion of the program.  The concept of the program is for the student to be led through their clinical experiences in order to develop a strong foundational knowledge and then to build on that foundation.  The clinical instructor is key for providing the student with hands on experience and sharing practical information about the athletic training profession.   The student should consider the clinical experience courses as lab time to practice the skills developed in the theory classes. 

Most of the field experiences take place during the observation and directed practice in the athletic training room; during the practice and contest venues.  The ATEP program uses the athletic training rooms at UIW, Trinity University and high schools of area school districts.  The student will also gain field experience by observing and participating with clinical instructors in physical therapy clinics, physician offices and other allied health settings in San Antonio, Texas.