Athletic Training

Accreditation

Admission Requirements to the Athletic Training Program

All candidates must make formal application through ATCAS to 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:

Apply through ATCAS
Receive the Letter of Acceptance from the Office of Admissions.
Two letters of recommendation.

Specific requirements for eligibility of acceptance to the Athletic Training Program:

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

Specific requirements for eligibility to begin 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 7 panel 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 on a rolling basis 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.

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
Chemistry - 4 credits
College Physics I - 4 credits
Psychology - 3 credits
Kinesiology or Biomechanics - 3 credits

Recommended courses:

Research Methods - 3 credits
Statistics - 3 credits
Care and Prevention of Athletic Injuries - 3 credit
Safety and First Aid - 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. A student making a third "C" grade will result in dismissal from the MSAT program.
Maintain successful completion of the clinical competencies, proficiencies, and hours, and maintain successful course sequential completion. Failure to do so may result in probation from or dismissal from the MSAT program.
Successful sequential completion of all courses in the athletic training department for progression. Students must pass all courses, in sequence to move to the next semester. Failure to do so will result in dismissal from the MSAT program.
Students are required to practice the profession of athletic training in an ethical manner. Failure to do so may result in probation from or dismissal from the MSAT program. Decisions to put a student on probation or dismiss them from the program will be administered with consideration by the Dean of the Rudy School of Nursing and Health Professions in concert with Athletic Training faculty.
Students are required to maintain all documentation required each semester enrolled in a clinical education course. Fairlure to do so will result in an inability to complete a clinical education course and may result in probation from or dismissal from the MSAT program. Decisions to put a student on probation or dismiss them from the program will be administered in concert with Athletic Training faculty.
- Maintain required shots/immunizations/vaccines for assigned clinical rotations.
- Maintain CPR certification (must show annually).
- Maintain personal health insurance (must show annually).
- Successful completion of criminal background check (must show annually).
- Provide evidence of NATA membership (must show annually).
- Pass a drug test (must show annually).
Students are required to complete all clinical education forms and to document completion of all clinical education requirements. Failure to do so may result in probation from or dismissal from the MSAT program. Decisions to put a student on probation or dismiss them from the program will be administered with consideration by the Dean of the Rudy School of Nursing and Health Professions in concert with Athletic Training faculty.
Students are required to adhere to all policies and procedures as outlined in the MAST Program Handbook. Failure to do so may result in probation from or dismissal from the MSAT program. Decisions to put a student on probation or dismiss them from the program will be administered with consideration by the Dean of the Rudy School of Nursing and Health Professions in concert with Athletic Training faculty.

A student may remain on probation for one academic semester. If they fall below the threshold to return to good standing, students will be dismissed from the program. Once suspended from the University or dismissed from the MSAT program, the student must appeal to the Dean's Council and be approved to be readmitted into the University and MSAT program.

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 and students are required to read, understand, and comply with the policies.

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 AT 5210, Evidence Based Medicine. Students will take MSES 5999, Graduate Project on this topic over the summer (3rd semester) to prepare for a presentation in the fall (4th semester). Students will be assigned a faculty advisor to help them throughout the research project.

Clinical Completion Requirements

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 225 clinical experience hours and a maximum of 275 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 and therefore the next semester.

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 five 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 ATrack account. To obtain information on membership dues, go to www.nata.org.