Athletic Training Education

Ila Faye Miller School of Nursing and Health Professions

• Athletic Training web site
• Ila Faye Miller School of Nursing and Health Professions web site

Profession
An athletic trainer is a qualified health care professional educated and experienced in the management of injuries and health care problems associated with exercise and sports participation. In cooperation with physicians and other health care professionals, the athletic trainer functions as a member of the athletic health care team. The Board of Certification regulates the certification process at the national level and the Advisory Board of Athletic Trainers through the Texas Department of Health Safety Services regulates the profession at the state level.

Career Opportunities
Athletic Trainers have traditionally worked within athletic departments in traditional educational settings or with professional sports teams. Recently, jobs have opened in non-traditional work settings such as physical therapy clinics, physician offices, and corporate/industrial settings. As the demand for health care increases and more individuals begin to play sports or adopt an active lifestyle, the demand for athletic trainers will continue to increase.

Program Accreditation
The Athletic Training Education Program is accredited through the Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education (CAATE). This is an independent accreditation agency dedicated toward the advancement of the education of athletic trainers.

Didactic and Clinical Program
The mission of the program is to prepare graduates who are skilled in the competencies and proficiencies identified and outlined by the National Athletic Trainers' Association Education Council. The program, which leads to the Bachelor of Science degree, prepares the student to meet the requirements of the national certification and state licensure examinations. It will take the student six semesters to complete the didactic and clinical courses associated with the athletic training degree. Since the program takes a minimum of six semesters after admission, it is recommended that the student plan on applying to the athletic training education program in their freshmen year. In the freshman year, along with general education core courses, the potential athletic training student should take Anatomy and Physiology and Introduction to
Athletic Training.

Major courses are developed from the educational competencies and clinical proficiencies identified by the NATA Education Council. Courses and clinical experiences are designed to improve the student's subject knowledge and provide the student with confidence in their clinical skills. Course information can be found in the university catalog or on the program website.

Students gain hours in clinical experiences associated with a variety of different populations including genders, varying levels of risk, protective equipment and medical experiences that address the continuum of care that would prepare a student to function in a variety of settings and meet the domains of practice delineated for the certified athletic trainer. To meet the requirements for certification and licensure, 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 an approved clinical instructor. Certain field experiences will be required prior to the first day of class, during weekends and university breaks. The program director and clinical coordinator will contact students concerning placement in affiliated settings for observation and practice prior to the assignment.

Admissions
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 ATEP. Program enrollment 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 to the program director by April 1st.

Applicants work with an assigned advisor and are required to submit a completed application form.  As part of the application process, the student must submit the following to be considered for entry into the ATEP:

• Application including three Reference and essay
• Acknowledge of ATEP technical standards
• Health History and Physical examination by a physician (MD or DO), nurse practitioner or physicians assistant
• Documentation and completion of required immunizations
• Official transcripts from all colleges attended
• Current Health Care Provider CPR and First Aid courses
• Completion of at least 50 hours of observations under a certified athletic trainer
• In addition, a candidate may be required to attend an interview with the selection committee and complete a general knowledge exam of Athletic Training skills.

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

• Completed application with all components present
• 25 hours of college-level credit with a minimum cumulative CPA of 2.5
• Current Health Care Provider CPR and First Aid courses
• Completion of at least 50 hours of observation under a certified athletic trainer
• Completion of required Physical Examination and Immunizations

Prior to starting the first clinical course, the student must also complete the following requirements.  Students that fail to complete the following may be removed from the program.

• Completion of Criminal Background screen
• Completion of HIPAA Confidentiality Training and Blood-borne Pathogen, OSHA and/or Universal Precautions Training
• Completion of ATEP and Site Orientation

Contact
If you would like further information regarding the Athletic Training Education Program,
please contact:
Brad Robinson, MS, ATC, LAT
Director of Athletic Training Education
The University of the Incarnate Word
4301 Broadway – CPO 472
San Antonio, Texas 78209
210-829-2787
athp@uiwtx.edu
www.uiw.edu/athp