Athletic Training Major
Athletic training is a health care profession that deals with the prevention, evaluation, emergency care and rehabilitation of athletic injuries. The athletic training major is designed to offer the knowledge, skills and experience necessary for a student to become eligible to take the board of certification national examination. The program is structured to prepare students for entry-level athletic training positions and graduate studies in athletic training. This program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education (CAATE) through 2018-2019. Because of the nature of the clinical education portion of this program, it is selective and space is limited.
Admission Requirements
Admission to the program is on a competitive basis through an application process. Admission to the athletic training major is a two-step process. All applicants are initially admitted to the pre-athletic training phase of the program. During the pre-athletic training phase, students must complete the requirements listed below to be considered for admission to the professional phase of the program.
Admission to the pre-athletic training phase. All potential applicants must first be admitted to The University of Tampa. Potential applicants should consult the University admissions requirements for new freshmen or transfer students. Formal admission to this phase requires the submission of a program-specific application and competitive review by program faculty. To be considered for admission to this phase of the program, a new freshman must have a minimum 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale. Every applicant should have a minimum 1000 SAT or 21 ACT score. A transfer student (whether internal or external) must have a minimum 2.7 GPA on a 4.0 scale. Admission to the pre-athletic training phase of the program does not guarantee admission to the professional phase of the program. The pre-athletic training phase application packet is available at www.ut.edu/athletictraining. For priority consideration, applications to the pre-athletic training phase should be submitted by Feb. 1. Applications will continue to be reviewed after this date on a rolling basis.
Admission to the professional phase. Decisions on admission to the professional phase of the program are made by the program faculty following review of each candidate’s application. Meeting the minimum criteria for application does not guarantee admission to the professional phase. Minimum satisfaction of the application criteria for the professional phase consists of the following:
- Completion of a minimum of 24 credit hours
- Completion of HSC 230 with a minimum grade of B/C
- Completion of HSC 234 with a minimum grade of C
- Completion of ATT 175 with a minimum grade of B
- Current certification in CPR with AED
- Minimum cumulative GPA of 2.7 on a 4.0 scale
- Completion of a program-specific application
The application deadline for admission to the professional phase of the program beginning in the fall semester is June 1. This deadline may be extended at the discretion of the program faculty. Applications for admission to the professional phase can be obtained from the program director.
Transfer students may be eligible to apply to the professional phase of the program at the completion of each spring semester and may be admitted to the professional phase in the fall semester. Transfer students desiring to enter in the fall semester must meet with the program director to determine their eligibility for admission. A maximum of 12 credit hours of professional phase athletic training course work may be transferred from a prior institution.
Students admitted to the professional phase of the program must complete a minimum of 1,200 hours of supervised clinical education experiences under the direct supervision of a clinical instructor. These experiences occur at on- and off-campus sites. Students are responsible for transportation and other costs associated with their participation in off-campus clinical experiences.
Professional Standards for Applicants and Students
All applicants and students in the athletic training major must meet and continue to meet the approved professional standards of the program. No one who jeopardizes the health or well being of a patient, co-worker or self will be accepted into the program or continue as a student in the program. To meet the intellectual, physical and social competencies needed for professional requirements, all applicants and students must possess the necessary physical attributes and exhibit qualities of good judgment, mental strength and emotional stability. Every applicant to the professional phase of the program is required to submit a written acknowledgement indicating that he or she has read and understands the technical standards related to the professional duties of the discipline. The program faculty will be responsible for applying the standards for their students and prospective students.
The health care professional’s self-presentation is a vital part of the complex relationship among the athlete/patient, the health care provider and the health care delivery site. The athletic training program reserves the right to limit attire and adornments (such as clothing, jewelry, piercing, tattooing) of the body and its parts (such as hands, face, oral cavity). The program policies document outlines the enforcement of this policy. In all cases, a final appeal may be made to the dean of the college.
General Curriculum Distribution
The General Curriculum Distribution requirements are contained in the UT Academic Experience chapter of this catalog. Students pursuing a B.S. with a major in athletic training must complete all General Curriculum Distribution requirements, with the following stipulations.
- As part of the natural science component, each athletic training student must have credit in BIO 204 and CHE 152-153.
- As part of the social science component, each athletic training student must have credit in PSY 200 and PSY 211 or SOC 355.
Progress in the Program
- A grade of B/C or better in all required professional phase athletic training courses (ESC 270; ATT 274, 275, 276, 370, 373, 374, 375, 376, 377, 475, 476, 495) graded on an A-F basis
- A grade of “satisfactory” in all required athletic training courses graded on a satisfactory/unsatisfactory basis
- Compliance with the institutional academic policies and procedures described earlier in this catalog
- Compliance with the program policies and procedures described in the student handbook
- Prior to enrolling in any clinical/laboratory course, submission of the following documentation:
- Proof of liability insurance coverage
- Verification of a physical examination, which must be updated yearly, and proof of immunization
- Proof of current first aid and CPR certification with AED certification or Emergency Response (for students formally admitted to the clinical component of the program only)
- Proof of attendance at an annual prevention of disease transmission education session (for students formally admitted to the clinical component of the program only)
- Results of annual TB skin test or chest X-ray
- Background checks and/or drug testing if required by the clinical site
Program Expenses
The instructional fee per credit hour is the same for students enrolled in the athletic training program as for other students enrolled at The University of Tampa.
In addition to tuition, housing, books, supplies and usual transportation costs, students in the athletic training program incur additional expenses in at least the following areas: laboratory fees; immunizations and health screening as required by the program or the clinical site; health insurance; liability insurance; membership in professional organizations; and transportation and other expenses associated with clinical education. Students accepted into the professional phase of the program will receive more specific information about costs. Those anticipating the need for financial assistance while enrolled in the program should contact the UT Financial Aid Office.
Since the athletic training program is a professional education program, students need to remain flexible with their time to participate fully in laboratory sessions and clinical education experiences. Most students are unable to maintain regular employment during enrollment in the program.
Degree Requirements
Requirements for a B.S. in athletic training:
| HSC 100 | Health Science | 2 |
| HSC 203 | Nutrition | 3 |
| HSC 130 | Medical Terminology | 3 |
| HSC 150 | Emergency Response | 3 |
| HSC 230 | Human Anatomy and Physiology I | 3 |
| HSC 231 | Human Anatomy and Physiology II | 3 |
| HSC 234 | Human Anatomy and Physiology I Laboratory | 1 |
| HSC 235 | Human Anatomy and Physiology II Laboratory | 1 |
| HSC 371 | Fundamentals of Pharmacology | 3 |
| ESC 270 | Prevention and Care of Sports Injuries | 3 |
| ESC 330 | Human Development and Motor Learning | 3 |
| ESC 340 | Applied Kinesiology | 3 |
| ESC 380 | Exercise Testing and Prescription | 3 |
| ESC 460 | Physiology of Exercise | 3 |
| ATT 175 | Athletic Training Practicum I | 1-2 |
| ATT 274 | Assessment of Musculoskeletal Injuries I | 3 |
| ATT 275 | Athletic Training Practicum II | 1-2 |
| ATT 276 | Athletic Training Practicum III | 1-2 |
| ATT 370 | Medical and Surgical Issues in Athletic Training | 3 |
| ATT 373 | Therapeutic Interventions I | 4 |
| ATT 374 | Therapeutic Interventions II | 4 |
| ATT 375 | Athletic Training Practicum IV | 1-2 |
| ATT 376 | Athletic Training Practicum V | 1-2 |
| ATT 377 | Assessment of Musculoskeletal Injuries II | 3 |
| ATT 475 | Supervised Clinical Education Athletic Training I | 2 |
| ATT 476 | Supervised Clinical Education Athletic Training II | 2 |
| ATT 495 | Professional Topics in Athletic Training | 3 |
One of the following:
| HSC 200 | Introduction to Allied Health Professions | 2 |
| ESC 110 | Introduction to Exercise Science and Sport Studies | 2 |
Recommended courses for a major in athletic training:
Total Credit Hours: 68-73