Athletic Training (Clinical Education Program), B.S.

Four-Year Plan: Click  to view the Four-Year Plan for this specific program. To find out more about Four-Year Plans, visit the  page.

Thinking about the discipline: Athletic training encompasses the prevention, diagnosis, and intervention of emergency, acute, and chronic medical conditions involving impairment, functional limitations, and disabilities. The mission of the NKU Athletic Training Education Program is to prepare the next generation of certified athletic trainers through student-centered education, diverse clinical experiences, and scholarly activities in order to produce well-rounded, competent clinicians who will make an impactful contribution to health care in our region, and beyond. Since 2006, NKU’s athletic training education program has been accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education. CAATE accreditation recognizes that NKU’s ATEP meets the required standards for the preparation of entry-level certified athletic trainers.

Special Admission Requirements: To meet minimum admission standards, a student must:

• Choose pre-athletic training as a major (XATH).
• Have at least sophomore standing (30 credit hours).
• Have completed pre-professional coursework with a minimum grade of C-.
• Have a cumulative GPA of 2.50 or above.
• Have completed clinical observation as part of “.”
• Meet technical standards for minimum mental and physical function. (completed with ATEP form)
• Complete First Aid, CPR, and AED for the professional rescuer.
• Return a negative TB test (annually).
• Complete a physical examination (completed with ATEP form).
• Submit immunization records (must have current HBV).
• Successfully complete a background check (see College of Education and Human Services Advising Center).
• Show proof of primary health insurance coverage.
• Produce college-level transcripts.
• Submit a complete admission file by the Fall (October 31st) or Spring (March 31st) due date.

Any student wishing to apply for admission into ATEP must complete a two-part process.

Step 1: Pre-professional

Students must choose pre-athletic training (XATH) as their major and successfully complete selected coursework and directed observation. The coursework consists of nine classes for a total of 20 hours. Students must receive a minimum grade of C- for each pre-professional course and attain a cumulative GPA of 2.50 to be eligible for admission. The pre-professional courses are:

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As part of “,” students will complete 30 clock hours of directed observation at sites selected by ATEP faculty. Clinical supervisors assess students on a general performance evaluation, and the results are used as part of the admission process. For more information or to obtain the evaluation forms, contact the ATEP director, Rachele Vogelpohl at vogelpohlra@nku.edu.

Step 2: Formal application

Formal program application and admission occur during the fall or spring semesters as part of “.” To be eligible for formal application, the student must attain at least sophomore standing (30 credit hours) and satisfactorily complete the pre-professional stage. The ATEP application deadline is October 31 for fall admission and March 31 for spring admission. The student is required to provide transcripts or proof of satisfactory completion of the pre-professional stage.

The ATEP has limited and selective enrollment. The program has a set maximum for total student enrollment. Annual available positions will be determined according to the set maximum for program positions and the positions that became available through graduation and attrition. Students who fulfill the minimum requirements for formal application are chosen by objective selection criteria based on five parts: cumulative GPA, pre-professional coursework grades, evaluations by supervising ATs during directed observation, admission interview, and admission essay. Each portion of the criteria has been weighted according to its importance as determined by the NKU faculty and staff. The weightings are as follows:

• 20% cumulative GPA.
• 20% pre-professional coursework grades.
• 25% observation evaluations.
• 25% admission interview
• 10% admission essay

Each section is given a numerical score. The section scores are totaled to produce an overall score to objectively rank the students. Available positions will be filled from the highest-ranked applicant down until all positions are filled. Rejected students will be afforded the opportunity to reapply during the next application period. Accepted students will have the option to begin clinical rotations the semester following admission to the ATEP.

The NKU technical standards represent the mental and physical requirements necessary for a student to successfully participate in and complete the NKU ATEP program. The guidelines are designed to reflect the necessary skills identified for the entry-level athletic trainer as detailed in the National Association of Training’s Board of Certification Role Delineation Study. A student must meet the requirements for admission, retention, and graduation.

Transfer students should contact the ATEP director, Rachele Vogelpohl at vogelpohlra@nku.edu, for details regarding course transfer and program admission eligibility.

Progression:

1. Cumulative Grade Point Average
   
   A 2.5 GPA is the minimum that must be maintained throughout enrollment in the program. If an athletic training student’s GPA falls below a 2.5 he/she will be placed on probation for one semester. During the probationary period, the student has the opportunity to bring his/her GPA back up to the minimum level with no penalty. If the student does not achieve this, he/she will be suspended from the program and the student will be prevented from progressing in didactic or clinical course work for a period of one semester. Students must maintain university enrollment during the suspension. The student will be allowed to retake any previously completed didactic program coursework. The student will not be permitted to enroll in any clinical coursework during the suspension period.
   
   If the student raises their GPA to the minimum standard by the end of the suspension period, he/she will be returned to active enrollment. If the student’s GPA remains below 2.5, he/she will be expelled from the program. Students wishing to return to the ATEP at a later date will be subject to the same admissions standards, student selection criteria, and must compete for available positions as if they were a new applicant.
    
2. Academic Progress
   
   A minimum grade of C- is required for ALL courses required by the ATEP. Students will not be permitted to enroll in a course where a C- was not earned in a prerequisite course. The clinical and didactic portions of the ATEP progress simultaneously throughout the program. A student is allowed to retake major coursework or clinical assignments that are unsatisfactory.
    
3. Technical Standards
   
   Students must maintain minimum physical and mental requirements as outlined in the ATEP Technical Standards throughout their enrollment in the ATEP. Students must complete medical history questionnaire and have an annual physical which must both be reviewed and signed for adherence to the technical standards by a qualified allied health care provider (i.e. MD, DO, PA, or Nurse Practitioner).
    
4. National Athletic Trainers Association Code of Ethics
   
   The NATA code of ethics provides the membership with the principles for athletic training ethical behavior. NKU ATEP requires student adherence to these standards of professional practice. Violation of the code of ethics can result in a student’s suspension or expulsion from the NKU ATEP. Any violation will be assessed on an individual basis by the Athletic Training Curriculum Committee.
    
5. General Performance Evaluation
   
   Students must earn a 2.5 average or higher on the end of rotation clinical education evaluations completed by their assigned preceptor. If student does not attain the minimum average score, they will be placed on probation for following semester and the student will be allowed to continue with the next clinical assignment. However, if the student’s general performance does not improve the minimum required score the student will be removed from the ATEP. Students wishing to return to the ATEP at a later date will be subject to the same admissions standards, student selection criteria, and must compete for available positions as if they were a new applicant.

You should also know:

• Uniforms: Students are required to purchase uniforms and name tags as designated by the ATEP faculty. This uniform is required for all clinical assignments.
• Primary Health Insurance: NKU ATEP students are required to have a primary health insurance policy throughout their enrollment in the NKU ATEP program. Students must provide proof of the policy annually.
• Program fees: Program fees include the following:
  • Laboratory fee: $80 assessed for .
• Additional fees:
  • A Criminal History Background Check must be purchased for $46 prior to enrolling in .
  • Once admitted into the ATEP program, students are required to purchase Professional Liability Insurance annually.
  • Students are required to purchase the National Athletic Trainers’ Association professional membership annually.
• Physical examination and technical standards: ATEP students are required to complete an annual physical examination and technical standards to ensure their health and physical fitness will allow them to complete the duties required of an athletic trainer.
• TB test: ATEP students are required to complete an annual TB skin test.
• Hepatitis B vaccination: Hepatitis B vaccination is required for ATEP admission. The student is responsible for the cost.
• BOC examination: Students are encouraged to complete the BOC examination, but it is not a requirement for graduation.

Bachelor of Science with a major in Athletic Training (clinical education program)

The Bachelor of Science in athletic training is a professional degree program with an integrated clinical education component. The coursework provides formal instruction aligned with the National Athletic Trainers’ Association educational competencies and clinical proficiencies. The program has an embedded focus in exercise science. Athletic training students do not need to complete a separate minor or focus for graduation.

The clinical practicum courses (, , , ) provide students with an application of knowledge and skill in a real-world patient-care setting. Students are placed with an approved preceptor at a clinical site (on and off campus) that reflects the educational content specified in the clinical practicum course. Each practicum has required clinical hours as specified in the course description.

Each of the four practicum experiences has different educational goals, and only certain clinical sites offer the equipment and personnel to meet specific needs. NKU ATEP has a total number of approved preceptors and clinical sites that determines the number of students who can be placed in any given semester. Students with complete documentation will be placed first.

Students must inform the clinical coordinator no later than March 1 for the fall placement and no later than October 1 for a winter/spring placement.

All documentation listed under the admissions requirements is required for clinical placement. Several documents have expiration dates (i.e. CPR certification, first-aid certification, primary insurance, TB test). These documents or certifications are the responsibility of the student and must be provided prior to clinical placement.

A complete description of admission and clinical placement procedures is provided in the ATEP Policies and Procedures Manual which is available online (http://coehs.nku.edu/content/dam/coehs/docs/departments/11-10%20ATEP%20Policies%20and%20Procedures.pdf).

♦  Indicates prerequisite.