Athletic Training Major (ATHT), BS

Selection/Retention Procedures:

Application Requirements (must be accepted before clinical courses can be taken):
Student applicants to the Athletic Training Education Program should follow these procedures:

1. Apply and be accepted for admission to Harding University.
2. Complete an application for the athletic training program. This application can be obtained by indicating Athletic Training as the preferred major on the admissions applications or by contacting the Department of Exercise & Sport Sciences . Forms are also available online on the Athletic Training webpage.
3. Submit three (3) letters of recommendation. Preferably, these will be from head athletic trainers, coaches, team physicians, or other supervisory personnel who can attest to your work in the field of athletic training. However, letters from teachers, ministers, and former employers that can verify suitability for the major are acceptable.
4. Prepare a letter of intent. This letter/essay will explain your interest in the field of athletic training, career goals, any previous experience as an athletic training student, and extracurricular activities previously or current involved with during your academic career.
5. Provide an official high school transcript and transcripts of any college credits completed.
6. All application materials and transcripts must be sent to Brian Cox, Director, Athletic Training, Harding University Box 12281, Searcy, Arkansas 72149.

Upon timely receipt of all application materials by the program director, the student will be eligible for selection into candidacy phase of the Athletic Training Education Program.

Preliminary Selection-Candidacy Phase:
Applicants will be evaluated based on the following criteria:

1. Non weighted, cumulative high school GPA/4.0 scale.
2. Previous experience in athletic training.
3. Letters of recommendations.
4. Extracurricular activities/leadership experience.

Final Selection:
Top applicants from the preliminary process will be evaluated by a committee based on the following criteria:

1. All criteria listed above.
2. Academic performance - cumulative college/university grade point average.
3. Personal interview.

Applicants not selected to enter the athletic training education program may reapply the following year. All students reapplying must meet necessary requirements and criteria at the time of application.

Retention:
Student retention will be based on the following criteria:

1. Cumulative GPA of 2.50 or higher.
2. GPA of 2.50 or higher in all coursework in the major.
3. Compliance with all policies defined in the Athletic Training Student Handbook.
4. Compliance with all policies and procedures set forth by each clinical site.
5. Compliance with the rules and regulations of Harding University.
6. Clinical evaluations.

Failure to meet any one of these criteria will result in probationary status for the student. If the student fails to meet the criteria for two consecutive semesters, the student will be dropped from the program.

Athletic Training Technical Standards:
The athletic training program is a rigorous and intensive 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 expectations of the program’s accrediting agency.

Prior to acceptance into the athletic training education program, each student will be required to verify he or she can meet the required technical standards of the Harding University athletic training program, with or without reasonable accommodation, associated with performance as an athletic training student. Students accepting a position in the program who indicate that they can meet the technical standards, with or without reasonable accommodation, are not required to disclose the specifics of the disabilities until after acceptance into the program. After acceptance into the program, a student with a disability who wishes reasonable accommodation must take a formal request to the director of the athletic training program and must be prepared to provide documentation substantiating the claimed disability.

A student may be administratively withdrawn if it becomes apparent that the student cannot complete essential tasks even with accommodation, that the accommodations needed are not reasonable and would cause undue hardship to the institution, or that fulfilling the functions would create a significant risk to the health or safety of others. A review of accommodations will be made, taking into account whether the accommodations would threaten clinician/patient safety or health, or the educational process of the student or the institution, including coursework, clinical experiences and internships deemed essential for graduation.

Reasonable accommodations cannot reduce the rigor of the academic component that can detract from measuring the students’ cognitive and psychomotor ability to provide health care to an injured physically active person/athlete in a life-threatening or non life-threatening situation.

The following are the technical standards for the athletic training program at Harding University:

1. Candidates must be able to actively learn from observations, demonstrations and experiments in the basic sciences.
2. Candidates must be able to learn to analyze, solve problems and reach assessment and therapeutic judgment distinguished from the norm.
3. Candidates must have sufficient sensory function and coordination to perform appropriate physical examination using acceptable techniques.
4. Candidates must be able to relate effectively to athletes and the physically active and to establish sensitive, professional relationships with them.
5. Candidates are expected to be able to communicate the results of the assessment to the injured or ill exerciser, to responsible officials, to parents or guardians, and to colleagues with accuracy, clarity and efficiency.
6. Candidates are expected to learn and perform routine prevention, assessment, emergency care and therapeutic procedures.
7. Candidates are expected to be able to display good judgment in the assessment and treatment of injured or ill athletes and physically active individuals.
8. Candidates must be able to respond with precise, quick and appropriate action in emergency situations.
9. Candidates are expected to be able to accept criticism and respond by appropriate modification behavior.
10. Candidates are expected to possess the perseverance, diligence and consistency to complete the athletic training curriculum, to attempt BOC certification within the year of program completion and enter the practice of athletic training.

Requirements

Total Hours: 128