Athletic Training Major
The Athletic Training major provides a concentrated program of courses designed to prepare students for a career in the profession of athletic training. In addition to the academic curriculum, students gain hands-on experience through a variety of clinical rotations. At the time of graduation, the athletic training student is prepared to take the Board of Certification (BOC) exam. Successful completion of this exam enables the student to become a nationally certified athletic trainer.
The Athletic Training Education Program (ATEP) is a Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education (CAATE) accredited program. The ATEP gained accreditation status in the fall of 2002.
Athletic Training is recognized by the American Medical Association as an allied healthcare profession. The certified athletic trainer (ATC) is a highly educated skilled professional specializing in the prevention, treatment, and rehabilitation of athletic injuries and illness. In cooperation with physicians and other allied health personnel, the ATC functions as an integral member of the athletic healthcare team. The certified athletic trainer can work in a variety of settings: secondary schools, colleges or universities, sports medicine clinics, professional sports, health clubs, and industrial settings.
Admission Requirements
Admission to ATEP is required to enroll in any of the Athletic Training classes (except ATEP 2335, 2336, and 2001). A student must complete a minimum of 40 semester hours of credit in order to begin the application process. A maximum of twelve students per year will be admitted into the ATEP. Admission status is determined as soon as a student has submitted all of the necessary materials.
To be eligible for admission into the ATEP, a student must submit all of the following:
- Current transcript showing a minimum of 40 semester hours of credit completed.
- Current transcript showing a 2.75 or better overall grade point average.
- Current transcript showing successful completion of the Regents' Skills Test (all new freshmen and transfer students from non-University System of Georgia institutions must complete the Regents' Skills Test during their first semester enrolled at North Georgia ).
- Current transcript showing all Area A classes, BIOL 2250, and BIOL 2251 with a C or better and ATEP 2335, 2336, and 2001 receiving a B or better. A plan of study approved by the School of Education Admissions Office indicating the anticipated completion of all required prerequisite courses is also acceptable. All prerequisite courses must be completed with minimum grade requirements prior to enrolling in the professional preparation phase of the program.
- A completed Application Form for the North Georgia ATEP.
- A completed North Georgia ATEP Observational Hours in Athletic Training Form signed by a BOC certified athletic trainer. Fifty Athletic Training Observational hours are required.
- A completed North Georgia ATEP Physical Form signed and dated by a medical physician. This physical also includes a Technical Standards Form required by the ATEP. The Technical Standards Form must be signed and dated by the medical physician as well as by the applicant.
- An ATEP immunization form signed and dated by a medical physician.
- Students must maintain current health insurance through the duration of the program.
- Proof of current Professional Rescuer or Healthcare Provider (American Red Cross or American Heart Association) certification.
- Proof of current Standard First Aid (American Red Cross/American Heart Association) certification.
- Completed request for a criminal background check (admission may be revoked if serious offenses are found).
- Two letters of recommendation (one from non-North Georgia certified athletic trainer) from non-familial sources.
- Letter of application stating why student wants to enter the program.
- Interview with ATEP Admission Committee.
All forms required for admission can be obtained by accessing the North Georgia ATEP web site or by contacting the ATEP coordinator. Please send a completed admission materials to: ATEP Admissions, School of Education, attention: Lori Brooksher.
The deadline to submit an admissions packet is third week of March of each year. Completed packets will be reviewed to determine if all admission criteria have been met. Applicants will be contacted during the first week in April to schedule an interview with the ATEP admissions committee. Interviews will be conducted during the first two weeks in April. Once all interviews have been completed the committee will meet to select fourteen students for admission into the ATEP. The student's interviews along with all other admission requirements are the basis for acceptance into the program. Students will receive a letter indicating their status within the ATEP. Students meeting the requirements but not selected for admittance into the program will be ranked and placed on the waiting list.
A student's acceptance will be withdrawn if prerequisite course grade(s) do not meet minimum requirements. Students will be notified of this possibility at the time of admission. If a student's acceptance is withdrawn, the highest ranking candidate on the waiting list will receive a letter of acceptance.
Students not accepted into the program can appeal the decision by writing a letter of appeal to the School of Education Student Recognition and Awards Committee. This committee will review the appeal and render a final decision.
If by August 1st, the maximum number of students admitted has not been attained, students may be admitted under provisional status. Students who do not meet the overall 2.75 GPA requirements will be considered for admission into the ATEP, provided all other criteria have been met and submitted. A student must have a minimum 2.65 overall GPA to be considered for admission under appeal. A student must submit a letter to the School of Education Admissions office requesting provisional admission. Applicants will be reviewed and student(s) with the highest overall GPA will then be admitted into the ATEP on provisional status. Provisional students must complete his or her first semester in the ATEP with a 2.75 GPA. If this is not achieved, then he or she will be removed from the ATEP.
Technical Standards
The Athletic Training Education Program at North Georgia College & State University is a rigorous 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 Education 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 the expectations of the program's accrediting agency (Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education [CAATE]). All students admitted to the Athletic Training Education Program must meet the following abilities and expectations. In the event a student is unable to fulfill these technical standards, with or without reasonable accommodation, the student will not be admitted into the program. The Technical Standards Form must be completed by each candidate and a medical physician. The Technical Standards Form must be submitted as part of the application process.
Additional Requirements
A field placement fee ($100.00) is assigned during all semesters that has a clinical based ATEP class. These classes include ATEP 2336, 2001, 3001, 3002, 4001, and 4002.
When a student is accepted into the Athletic Training Education Program, he or she will receive an Athletic Training Education Policies and Procedures Manual. This manual will address the following: additional costs such as athletic training attire (approx. $200.00), mandatory liability insurance ($35.00 per year), clinical rotation requirements, gas money, travel time and expenses, maintaining current health insurance, additional expectations while on rotation; mandatory in-services and professional development activities; recommended memberships such as the Georgia Athletic Trainers' Association (GATA), Southeast Athletic Trainers' Association (SEATA), and the National Athletic Trainers' Association (NATA).
Clinical Rotations
Students in the Athletic Training Education Program are required to gain experience through various clinical rotations. These rotations are assigned during all four semesters in the professional phase of the ATEP. Rotations include, but are not limited to a rehabilitation clinic, orthopedic clinic, general medicine practice, North Georgia athletic teams, high school football and additional high school teams. An approved clinical instructor (ACI) will evaluate student performance two times a semester. A student must achieve a 75% average or better on these evaluations to remain in the ATEP.
Retention Standards:
- Compliance with the rules and regulations prescribed for all students at North Georgia ;
- Compliance with the ATEP rules and regulations in the Athletic Training Student Handbook;
- Adherence to the National Athletic Trainer's Code of Ethics;
- Completion of all courses in the academic major with a grade of a "C" or better;
- Achievement of a 75% average or better on student clinical evaluations for each semester;
- Achievement of a 75% or better on all proficiencies imbedded in the ATEP curriculum;
- Demonstration of competence in the use of oral and written language;
- Current certification as a Professional Rescuer or Healthcare Provider (American Red Cross / American Heart Association);
- Current certification in Standard First Aid (American Red Cross / American Heart Association);
- Maintenance of an overall grade point average of a 2.75 for all course work attempted.
Suspension
Failure to meet any of the retention standards can result in the student being suspended from the ATEP. There is no probationary period. A student who fails to meet the retention standards because of illness or other non-academic issues may receive special consideration as his or her case merits. This program has the right to establish additional standards for academic progression based on either academic or clinical performance.
Appeals
A student denied admission to or continuance in the ATEP may appeal the decision to the School of Education's Student Admission and Recognition Committee. Appeals must be made in writing and should clearly state why an exception should be considered. An adverse decision by the committee may be appealed in writing to the Vice President for Academic Affairs, whose decision shall be final.
Caveat
For the most recent information on current ATEP policies and procedures, please see the North Georgia athletic training education major web site (under Academics/Academic Majors/Athletic Training).
Core Curriculum Requirements |
60 Hours |
All baccalaureate programs at North Georgia have as a requirement the satisfactory completion of at least 60 semester credit hours comprising the six areas of the core curriculum. A complete description of Areas A-E of the core curriculum can be found in Core Curriculum. Individual degree programs may specify exceptions and/or particular courses which must be taken within each Area A-E of the core curriculum. Those exceptions and/or course requirements and Area F of the core curriculum are shown below.
Area A |
no exceptions |
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Area B |
no exceptions |
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Area C |
no exceptions |
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Area D |
no exceptions |
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Area E |
no exceptions |
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Area F. Courses Appropriate to Major |
18 Hours |
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3 hours |
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4 hours |
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4 hours |
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COMM 1110 or Foreign Language (1001 level) |
3 hours |
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3 hours |
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1 hour |
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Health & Physical Education Courses |
22 hours |
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3 hours each |
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2 hours each |
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1 hour |
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Athletic Training Courses |
27 hours |
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3 hours each |
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2 hours each |
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1 hour each |
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Other Requirements |
11 hours |
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1 hour each |
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2 hours |
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3 hours, if not taken in Area D |
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ELECTIVE |
2 hours |
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Requirements in addition to the 120 hours:
Regents' Skills Test or exemption (must be taken during the first semester)
U.S. and Georgia Constitution & History requirement
12 hours |
For courses offered in the Department of Health & Physical Education see:
Athletic Training Courses
Physical Education Courses