Athletic Training - B.S.
This bachelor's degree is designed to prepare the student for a career in the field of athletic training/sports medicine. The major can be completed in 8 semesters of study. The current route to become a BOC certified athletic trainer is through a CAATE accredited athletic training education program. IWU's athletic training education program (ATEP) started in 1988 and is committed to program excellence. This is a competitive program and application alone does not guarantee admittance. Any student designating Athletic Training as their major is given a pre-athletic training major description which signifies their intent to apply to the program. The application process to this program is a two-term process — either fall and spring semester or spring semester and May term. For a traditional student the application process should be started in the fall semester of the first year of declaring the major, with formal application being due on April 15 of the second term. Transfer students or students changing their major at spring semester are still eligible to apply to the program via the spring semester and May term application process; applications are due by May 15 of the second term. Decisions for program acceptance or denial will be made by the athletic training faculty after the application process is completed and students will be notified by mail.
Students Changing Majors and Transfer Students
A prospective student must declare an interest in Athletic Training as a chosen field within his or her first year of study at IWU. A student beyond his or her freshman year at IWU (e.g., changing majors) will also be considered for the program; however, an additional year or two of study may be necessary to satisfy the educational and clinical requirements for CAATE as well as IWU's ATEP program. A transfer student may apply certain athletic training courses from another university/college toward our major if the course is acceptable to the ATEP director (e.g., course content, credit hours, and description) and meets all transfer requirements by the Registrar's Office.
Athletic Training Education Program Application Procedure
All students applying to the IWU ATEP must meet the technical standards of IWU's ATEP. Should accommodations need to be made for the student, the student must contact the athletic training program director and the Center for Student Success. The technical standards for our program are available on the athletic training website or from the athletic training faculty. Applications are available from the ATEP director upon request. If a pre-athletic training student does not gain acceptance into the program on his or her initial application, he or she can repeat the application process one additional time or elect to change majors. The following criteria must be met to gain admittance into the athletic training education program as an athletic training student:
- A formal letter of application stating why you want to apply to the program and why you want to become a certified athletic trainer.
- Completion of the Indiana Wesleyan University Athletic Training Education Program application, submission of 3 letters of recommendation, signed technical standards, interview with the athletic training faculty, and a minimum of 150 hours of clinical observation over two terms.
- Completion of all prerequisite coursework with at least a 2.0 GPA (C) or above in each course. A student's overall GPA must be a 2.5 or higher.
- Completion of two terms of attendance at Indiana Wesleyan University.
- Commitment to the mission of the university as demonstrated by professional conduct. Apparent interest and motivation, as evidenced by work habits, promptness, etc. Athletic Training background through previous high school and/or college-level experience prior to application to the ATEP program is desirable but not required.
Athletic Training Education Program Retention Policy
To remain in the Athletic Training Education program as an athletic training student, the student must achieve the standards listed below. Failure to meet these standards could result in probation or removal from the program.
- Earn at least a 2.0 GPA (C) or above in all required courses within the major.
- Earn at least a 2.5 cumulative GPA (C+).
- Be in good standing with the university (e.g., no citizenship probation).
- Participate in blood borne pathogen training each academic year.
- Complete a criminal background check every year through IWU.
- Complete a TB test every year.
- Maintain CPR-PR certification while enrolled at IWU.
- Show progress through clinical instruction and learning over time.
- Perform all duties assigned to the best of one's ability.
- Show a professional attitude and character in all areas of athletic training, both academic and clinical.
Athletic Training Education Program Probation Policy
Any athletic training student within the program may be subject to a probationary status. A probationary status will be assigned if an athletic training student does not abide by the standards of the IWU Athletic Training Education program as identified in the ATEP Student Handbook. The athletic training program director is the only authority that can administer a probationary status or remove a probationary status within this program. The athletic training program director and athletic training faculty may also remove athletic training students from the program for infractions of divisional and university policies. Athletic training students may not accumulate clinical hours while on probation but may progress through the Athletic Training major course sequence as advised and approved by the student's athletic training academic advisor.
Athletic Training Student Health Policy
Athletic training students must have the appropriate health forms and records on file with the athletic training program director to be considered for admittance to the Athletic Training Education program. In addition, athletic training students will be required to have the following tests and vaccinations by the start of their first semester in the major (or in the process to receive the vaccinations - HBV):
- Tuberculin Skin Test: If the TB test is positive, a chest x-ray must be done. A yearly TB test is required and written results are given to the athletic training program director to be added to that student's file. The athletic training student may have this test done at the IWU Health Center.
- Hepatitis B Vaccination: Athletic training students are strongly encouraged to be vaccinated with the Hepatitis B vaccine (HBV). A sum of three injections in a six-month period is required for this vaccination. Each injection will vary in cost depending on where you obtain the vaccination. A waiver must be signed and in the athletic training student's permanent file if he or she chooses not to obtain the vaccination.
- Physical Examination: Athletic training students will have a physical examination conducted by the team physician. If a student athlete is applying to the ATEP, their pre-participation physical is acceptable for this requirement.
Requirements (70 credits)
Pre-Professional phase - PATH (Pre-Athletic Training) Prerequisites to the Athletic Training Education Program (12 credits)
Professional phase - ATH (Athletic Training) Core Curriculum of the Athletic Training Education Program (58 credits)
ATR-195 | Introduction to Athletic Training | 2 |
ATR-196 | Athletic Training Clinical Education Experience I | 1 |
ATR-197 | Athletic Training Clinical Education Experience II | 1 |
ATR-199 | Athletic Training Practicum I | 1 |
ATR-220 | Therapeutic Modalities | 3 |
ATR-225 | Lower Extremity Evaluation and Assessment | 2 |
ATR-226 | Upper Extremity Evaluation and Assessment | 2 |
ATR-231 | Advanced Athletic Training | 2 |
ATR-250 | Muscle Testing and Joint Measurement | 3 |
ATR-296 | Athletic Training Clinical Education Experience III | 1 |
ATR-297 | Athletic Training Clinical Education Experience IV | 1 |
ATR-299 | Athletic Training Practicum II | 1 |
ATR-332 | Therapeutic Exercise and Rehabilitation I | 2 |
ATR-333 | Therapeutic Exercise and Rehabilitation II | 2 |
ATR-350 | Seminar in Athletic Training | 1 |
ATR-396 | Athletic Training Clinical Education Experience V | 1 |
ATR-397 | Athletic Training Clinical Education Experience Vi | 1 |
ATR-399 | Athletic Training Practicum III | 1 |
ATR-431 | Evaluation/Recognition of Injuries/Cond Athletic Injuries | 2 |
ATR-440 | Pharmacology for the Athletic Trainer | 2 |
ATR-450 | Senior Seminar in Sports Medicine | 2 |
ATR-492 | Administration of Athletic Training | 2 |
ATR-495 | Athletic Training Practicum IV | 1 |
ATR-496 | Athletic Training Clinical Education Experience Vii | 1 |
ATR-497 | Athletic Training Clinical Education Experience Viii | 1 |
PHE-225 | Psychology of Sport and Exercise | 3 |
PHE-264 | Principles of Strength and Conditioning | 3 |
PHE-286 | Kinesiology | 4 |
PHE-362 | Nutrition for Health | 3 |
PHE-370 | Biomechanics | 3 |
PHE-374 | Physiology of Exercise | 3 |
Athletic Training Major Requirements for Graduation
- Athletic training students must complete a clinical rotation for lower and upper extremity sports, a general medical rotation, and an equipment intensive rotation.
- Athletic training students must complete the hour requirements for all clinical and practicum courses.
- Athletic training students must gain initial CPR-PR/AED certification and maintain that certification while at IWU.
- Athletic training students must complete the clinical education instruction plan consistent with the learning over time model.