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The mission of the Athletic Training Program at the Â鶹´«Ã½ is to provide a comprehensive curriculum designed for individuals who want to enhance the quality of health care for active persons and to advance the profession of athletic training through education and research in the prevention, evaluation, management, and rehabilitation of injuries.

This graduate degree program is offered in a 3+2 year format and designed for students who want to work to improve individual and team wellness and health. The curriculum in this program combines the study of anatomy and other health-related sciences with the art of preventing, managing, and rehabilitating athletic and orthopedic injuries. Students are provided with a thorough understanding of the effects of sport and sport-related injuries on the individual performer through a series of classroom (didactic) and field (clinical) experiences both on- and off-campus.

The Â鶹´«Ã½Athletic Training Program is a graduate program accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education (CAATE).

Students will be retained within the Athletic Training Program providing the following criteria are maintained throughout the undergraduate experience:

1. Minimum requirements for successful progression in years 1-3 as outlined in the Â鶹´«Ã½undergraduate Catalog must be met.
2. Students must achieve a minimum grade of "C" in the following courses: MAT 120, BIO 105, BIO 106, BIO 208, BIO 209, IHS 220/NUTR 220, BIO 309, PUB 200, SPC 100, ATC 105, ATC 333, ATC 420, EXS 310, and EXS 320. Failure to achieve a "C" will result in program-level probation, and may affect academic progression. 
3. Students must achieve a minimum grade of "C-" in the following courses: CHE 110 and PHY 110.  Failure to achieve a "C-" will result in program-level probation, and may affect academic progression.
4. Students may enroll in any course in the WCHP Common Curriculum a maximum of two times.  Enrollment consists of achieving a "WP," "WF," or a letter grade.  Receiving a "W" in a course is not considered official enrollment and will not result in academic penalty.  Failure to achieve the required grade after a second attempt at a course will result in dismissal from the major. 
5. Students enrolled in the Professional (graduate) Phase of the AT Program must maintain a minimum cumulative semester GPA of 3.0.
6. Students enrolled in the Professional (graduate) Phase of the program must maintain a minimum grade of "B" in each required course (or a "P" in each Pass/Fail course). Students may enroll in required courses in the Professional Phase a maximum of two times regardless of the final grade, including "W", "WP" or "WF".  Please refer to the WCHP Graduate Program Progression Policies and Procedures for detailed description of academic standards.

The Athletic Training Program at the Â鶹´«Ã½ is a rigorous and intense 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 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]). The following abilities and expectations must be met by all students admitted to the Athletic Training Program.

Compliance with the program's technical standards does not guarantee a student's eligibility for the Board of Certification (BOC) entry-level certification examination.

Candidates for selection to the Athletic Training Program must demonstrate:

1. The mental capacity to assimilate, analyze, synthesize, integrate concepts and problem solve to formulate assessment and therapeutic judgments and to be able to distinguish deviations from the norm.
2. Sufficient postural and neuromuscular control, sensory function, and coordination to perform appropriate physical examinations using accepted techniques; and accurately, safely and efficiently use equipment and materials during the assessment and treatment of patients.
3. The ability to communicate effectively and sensitively with patients and colleagues, including individuals from different cultural and social backgrounds; this includes, but is not limited to, the ability to establish rapport with patients and communicate judgments and treatment information effectively. Students must be able to understand and speak the English language at a level consistent with competent professional practice.
4. The ability to record the physical examination results and a treatment plan clearly and accurately.
5. The capacity to maintain composure and continue to function well during periods of high stress.
6. The perseverance, diligence and commitment to complete the athletic training education program as outlined and sequenced.
7. Flexibility and the ability to adjust to changing situations and uncertainty in clinical situation.
8. Affective skills and appropriate demeanor and rapport that relate to professional education and quality patient care.

Candidates for selection to the Athletic Training Program will be required to certify with the program director that they have read, understand and meet these technical standards or that they believe that, with certain accommodations, they can meet the standards. Please see the  for more information.

Every graduate from the Â鶹´«Ã½Athletic Training Program will be able to:

1. Successfully challenge the athletic training entry-level Board of Certification (BOC) examination;
2. Demonstrate knowledge of and clinical proficiency in all five domains of athletic training: 1) injury/illness prevention and wellness protection, 2) clinical evaluation and diagnosis, 3) immediate and emergency care, 4) treatment and rehabilitation, and 5) organizational and professional health and well-being;  
3. Articulate the importance of interprofessional collaboration in the delivery of high-quality athletic health care;
4. Communicate effectively with peers and the general public about athletic training as a career and a discipline;
5. Provide evidence-based, clinically-relevant care to athletes and the physically active; and
6. Examine athletic training practice utilizing ethical, legal, and regulatory decision-making frameworks in accordance with the National Athletic Trainers’ Association Code of Ethics. 

Courses completed at another accredited college can be transferred to this degree program.  Transferred courses must be reasonably close in scope and content to the required courses offered at Â鶹´«Ã½in order to count as exact equivalents.  Otherwise, they may transfer as general electives.  All courses completed must be no older than five years.  Other restrictions apply.  See Undergraduate Admissions also.

Admission to the Pre-Professional Phase of the program follows the general undergraduate admissions criteria.  See Undergraduate Admissions for details concerning these requirements.

The following criteria must be met for a student to be eligible for admission into the pre-professional phase of the athletic training program:

1. A high school diploma or the equivalent with a better-than-average achievement record in a college preparatory program including: chemistry (must include laboratory); biology (must include laboratory); mathematics (two mathematics courses - algebra required, geometry preferred); English (three years required - four years preferred).
2. Academic transcripts must reflect an overall high school grade point average (GPA) of 2.5, in addition to a GPA of 2.5 in all science and math courses.
3. Scholastic Achievement Test (SAT) scores must be submitted.
4. A health record must be submitted which indicates specific findings regarding applicant's complete physical exam.
5. Complete the Common Application.

The Athletic Training Program employs a competitive secondary admissions process at the end of the third year (pre-professional/undergraduate phase).   Athletic training accreditation standards mandate that admission to the professional/graduate phase of the program be criteria-based. Therefore, meeting the coursework requirements does not guarantee a student admission into the professional/graduate phase of the program. The number of students admitted to the professional phase of the program on an annual basis is dictated by the number of available field experience sites and may vary slightly from year to year.  Please contact the program director for additional information

The following criteria must be met for a student to be eligible for admission into the professional (graduate) phase of the athletic training program:

1. Minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0.
2. Minimum classification of second-semester junior in good academic standing (internal candidates).
3. External candidates must demonstrate completion of the following courses with a C or better: Human Anatomy & Physiology w/lab (8 cr), Exercise Physiology (3 cr), Kinesiology/Biomechanics (3 cr), Pathophysiology (3 cr), General Chemistry w/lab (4 cr), and General Physics w/lab (4 cr).
4. Completion of a minimum of 40 observational hours under the supervision of an approved Clinical Preceptor (Athletic Trainer) in a traditional setting (i.e., high school or college).
5. Successful completion of yearly OSHA-required blood borne pathogens safety training.
6. Completion of the Professional Phase Application and formal interview with program faculty.
7. Proof of full compliance with Westbrook College of Health Professions' Immunization Requirements.
8. Proof of full compliance with the AT Program Technical Standards.
9. Proof of current certification in Emergency Cardiac Care* that includes a minimum of the following:
   • Adult & Pediatric CPR
   • AED
   • 2nd Rescuer CPR
   • Airways Obstruction
   • Barrier Devices (e.g., pocket mask, bag valve mask)
   • *Courses that meet the minimum requirement include, but are not limited to, American Heart Association ACLS, American Heart Association BLS Healthcare Provider, and American Red Cross CPR/AED for the professional rescuer.
10. Proof of current certification in Basic First Aid** that includes a minimum of the following:
    • Burns & Wounds
    • Splinting & Bone/Joint Injuries
    • Sudden Illness
    • Shock
    • Controlling Bleeding
    • Head/Neck/Back Injuries
    • Heat/Cold Emergencies
      ** Courses that meet the minimum requirement include, but are not limited to, American Red Cross First Aid Basics.
11. All students transferring into the AT Program must meet all admissions requirements and complete the entire professional phase of the program.

See Undergraduate Admissions for details concerning first year admissions requirements.

Tuition and Fees

Tuition and fees for subsequent years may vary. Other expenses include books and housing. For more information regarding tuition and fees, please consult the Financial Information section of this catalog.