Athletic Training

Accreditation

Admission Requirements to the Athletic Training Program

The Athletic Training program has a limited enrollment. The number of students admitted may be limited to the number of spaces available in the program to maintain an appropriate student to preceptor ratio. Therefore, all candidates must make formal application by the spring of their junior year (by April 1), be admitted to the University for the graduate program, and follow the prescribed requirements to be eligible for admission into the program. The following are the steps to complete for admission to the program:

Follow the instructions from the Graduate Admissions Office as described in the Graduate Admissions section of the Catalog.
Receive the Letter of Acceptance from the Office of Admissions.
Complete the Athletic Training Program application form.
Complete the application letter of interest.
Three letters of recommendation.
Interview with the Selection Committee.

Specific requirements for eligibility to the Athletic Training Program:

Have earned an overall minimum grade point average (GPA) of 2.75.
Completed 75 hours of clinical observation.

Requirements specific to the Athletic Training program include the following:

Successful completion of a criminal background check (must show annually).
Provide documentation of passing a recent physical examination (completed once admitted into the program).
Provide evidence of completion of the Hepatitis B, MMR, and TB skin immunizations (must show annually).
Pass a drug test (must show annually).
Provide proof of personal health insurance (must show annually).
Technical Standards Form must be signed.
AHA Healthcare Provider or ARC Professional Rescuer Certification with BLS Certification (must maintain).
Provide evidence of NATA membership (must show annually).

Selection of candidates into the Athletic Training Program is made after April 1 for the next academic year. Application materials should be completed prior to this date to be considered for admission to the program. Application materials and any additional information needed can be requested from the Athletic Training Program Director. Once the deadline for submission of applications has passed, the selection committee will interview all qualified applicants. The selection committee (consisting of all Athletic Training faculty members) will then evaluate each applicant according to four criteria using a weighted point system. After this evaluation, the highest-scoring applicants will be accepted into the the Athletic Training Program. The criteria and weighting system are as follows:

Grade Point Average
3.50 and higher - 5 points
3.25 to 3.49 - 4 points
3.00 to 3.24 - 3 points
2.85 to 2.99 - 2 points
2.75 to 2.84 - 1 point

Quality of Interview
Outstanding - 5 points
Great - 4 points
Good - 3 points
Fair - 2 points
Poor - 1 point

Quality of Observation Hours
Outstanding - 5 points
Great - 4 points
Good - 3 points
Fair - 2 points

Quality of Application and Letter
Outstanding - 5 points
Great - 4 points
Good - 3 points
Fair - 2 points

All Cumberland University Athletic Training program candidates will be ranked according to the assessment form score. Available slots withing the Athletic Training program major will be filled according to this prioritized listing of candidates starting with the top score downward. If there is a tie score and there are not enough positions available within the program, then a tie-breaker will be used. Applicants will be ranked from highest to lowest based on the documented evidence provided in their application file regarding their direct observation clinical experiences for the available slots. Athletic Training program candidates not accepted may reapply for admission during the next available application period. Cumberland University's Athletic Training program makes no distinction in its admission policies or procedure on grounds of age, sex, religion, race, color, national origin, or physical handicap.

Prerequisite Requirements

The following specific Cumberland University courses (or the equivalent at a regionally accredited institution) are required as prerequisites to the Master of Science in Athletic Training:

Nutrition - 3 credits
Exercise Physiology - 3 credits
Human Anatomy and Physiology I - 4 credits
Human Anatomy and Physiology II - 4 credits
Introduction to Chemistry or General Chemistry - 4 credits
College Physics I - 4 credits
General Psychology - 3 credits
Kinesiology - 3 credits

Recommended courses:

Research Methods - 3 credits
Statistics - 3 credits
Care and Prevention of Athletic Injuries (B or higher) - 3 credits
Safety and First Aid (B or higher) - 2 credits

Athletic Training Program Retention Requirements

It is necessary that candidates show excellence in the coursework aspects of the Athletic Training program as well as in the clinical aspect to have a reasonable opportunity for professional success after graduation as well as passing the Board of Certification (BOC) Exam. Therefore, to remain in good standing in the program, candidates must:

Maintain a grade point average of 3.00 or better on a 4.0 scale.
Maximum of 2 "C" can be made in any graduate level course.
Maintain successful completion of the clinical competencies, proficiencies, and hours, and maintain successful course sequential completion.
Maintain CPR certification.
Maintain NATA Membership status.
Maintain personal health insurance.
Successful completion of criminal background check (must show annually).
Provide evidence of NATA membership (must show annually).
Pass a drug test (must show annually).

Any student who fails to meet one or more of the previous requirements will be placed on probation for one semester. At the end of that semester, the competencies and/or proficiencies, CPR certification, or NATA membership status must be up to date and required GPA must be met, or suspension from the Athletic Training Program and potentially the University will result. Please see the University's policy regarding graduate good standing for additional information.

Student Appeals Process

Athletic training students who disagree with a decision made concerning their academic or professional behavior (such as denial of admission to the athletic training program or being placed on probation within the athletic training program because of academic insufficiencies or behavioral problems) have the right to appeal the decision. Athletic training students are encouraged to discuss their concerns or problems with their professor, preceptor, and/or advisor. If a candidate is unable to resolve an issue with the involved faculty, he or she is encouraged to submit concerns in writing to the Athletic Training Program Director and meet with the program director for further discussion and resolution. The Athletic Training Program Director and faculty will review the appeal at the program level. The candidate then has the right to appeal at the school level if there is still disagreement following a program appeal.

Additional appeals available to students include academic appeals, academic integrity appeals, probation/suspension appeals, and grade appeals.

Athletic Training Handbook

The Athletic Training Program publishes an Athletic Training Handbook detailing policies and procedures for students and staff within the athletic training department and the athletic training program. The regulations contained in this document apply to each student enrolled in the program.

Credit for Athletic Training Courses

Candidates may only receive credit for athletic training courses if taken at Cumberland University. Candidates may not receive credit for athletic training courses taken at other universities.

Graduate Research Requirement

Athletic training students must complete and present a research project for successful completion of the Master of Science in Athletic Training. Students will review the research process in the fall (1st semester) in MSES 5980, Research Methods. Students will decide to take a Thesis route (MSES 5998) or Graduate Project route (MSES 5999) on this topic over the summer (3rd semester) to prepare for a presentation in the fall (4th semester). Students will be assigned an athletic training faculty advisor to help them throughout the research project. In MSES 5980 students will create and develop a research topic.

Clinical Completion Requirements

Students must complete all clinical experiences in athletic training with a "B" or higher to be eligible for completion of the Athletic Training Program.

Students must complete a minimum of 1,125 clinical experience hours to be eligible for completion of the Athletic Training Program. To meet this requirement, there is a minimum of 200 clinical experience hours and a maximum of 225 clinical experience hours for all clinical courses. If a student fails to complete their clinical experience hours during any clinical course, the student will fail the clinical course and cannot proceed to the next clinical.

Each clinical experience in Athletic Training have a maximum of 50 hours limit over their minimum requirement. Any athletic training student that goes over the maximum hour limit will be immediately removed from their clinical site and addressed by the Athletic Training Program Director.

All athletic training students are REQUIRED to have one day off per seven-day work week.

NATA and TATS Membership

All athletic training students are expected to maintain current membership in the National Athletic Trainers' Association (NATA), the Southeast Athletic Trainers' Association (SEATA), and the Tennessee Athletic Trainer's Society (TATS). To fulfill all four clinical requirements, it is mandatory that the student obtain membership to the NATA, SEATA, and TATS. A copy of the membership cards must be provided at the beginning of each semester. Copies of the membership cards will be kept in the student's file. To obtain information on membership dues, go to www.nata.org.