Athletic Training, M.S.

The Professional Graduate Athletic Training (ATR) Program provides educational opportunities that prepare students for a career as Certified Athletic Trainers. Throughout their course of study, students gain a sound educational basis for beginning professional practice, which is infused with Franciscan values and traditions.

Formal application to the Program involves the completion of an Application Form and an interview with the Selection Committee which is comprised of faculty, clinical instructors, administrators, and Athletic Training students. Applicants to the Program must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 and must achieve a grade of “C” or higher in all prerequisite courses. Selection into the ATR Program is competitive, and satisfaction of the minimum entrance requirements does not guarantee admission.

Completion of the Program requires a minimum of four semesters.  Students are required to undergo blood-borne pathogen training, criminal background check, and child abuse clearance annually and must maintain current certification in American Red Cross CPR/AED for Professional Rescuer with First Aid or equivalent, while enrolled in the Program. (Fees may be associated with these requirements - see Progression Criteria below)

This Master’s Level course of study is for students with a strong foundation in both didactic and clinical practice that is also aligned with the competencies and proficiencies established by the National Athletic Trainer’s Association (NATA) and the Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education (CAATE) which are essential to professional practice as a certified athletic trainer.  Students that successfully complete this Program are eligible to sit for the National Certification Exam (BOC).

Details of the Athletic Training Program are printed annually in the University’s Graduate Catalog and Athletic Training Student Manual. Course descriptions of all ATR courses are contained in this Graduate Catalog and can also be obtained on the Neumann University web site at www.neumann.edu.

Mission Statement

In accordance with and reflective of the Mission of Neumann University, the Athletic Training Program provides a service-oriented education for students who seek a Master of Science degree with a major in Athletic Training. Students acquire the knowledge and skills of athletic training through classroom and clinical instruction. Graduates are prepared to carry out diverse responsibilities in roles with flexible boundaries, to view learning as a lifelong process, and to value the inherent dignity of human beings regardless of individual differences.

Program Philosophy

Recognizing the ever-changing environment of health care in the world today, the faculty of the Athletic Training Program are committed to providing students with contemporary and cutting edge instruction to respond to the needs of the profession as well as to appropriately prepare graduating students to be competitive in job market.  The athletic trainer is an individual who must be ready to assume a variety of new roles in the profession, such as meeting mandates by state education systems for all high schools to employ athletic trainers, responding to the armed forces’ requirement to have an athletic trainer at all military installations, or being prepared for insurance carriers awarding provider numbers for athletic trainers.  The future of the profession is certainly one without boundaries, and Neumann University is in the position to educate students to succeed in this evolving profession of athletic training.

Classroom learning in the Athletic Training Program is supplemented by clinical rotations that provide students with the opportunity to develop skills and experiences in many different settings, with a wide range of sports, and with all types of athletes. The clinical educational component of this Program covers the four specific areas of Upper Extremity, Lower Extremity, Equipment Intensive, and General Medical during a four-semester clinical rotation sequence. During these clinical experiences, the student follows a logical progression of courses in order to gain a level of competency associated with a certified practitioner. A positive environment with the opportunity for sequential skill acquisition is afforded the student at all rotations in order to provide a mode of education that is consistent with the model of progressive learning over time.

Accreditation

Neumann University’s Athletic Training Program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education (CAATE), 6850 Austin Center Blvd., Suite 100, Austin, TX 78731; Telephone: 512-733-9700; Fax: 512-733-9701; or http://www.caate.net/.

Program Outcomes

Upon completion of the Program, the graduate will earn a Master of Science with a major in Athletic Training and will be able to:

• Utilize, through competent practice, the cognitive knowledge and clinical proficiency which are required in emergency care, the care of patients, the prevention of injury and illness, as well as the assessment of injury and illness.
• Demonstrate a thorough working knowledge of therapeutic modalities, therapeutic exercise, general medical conditions, nutrition, strength and conditioning, pharmacology, exercise physiology, biomechanics, health care administration, and human anatomy/physiology.
• Master the skills and knowledge included in Educational Competencies and Clinical Proficiencies as published by the National Athletic Trainers’ Association, (NATA Council, 2011).
• Demonstrate currently acceptable professional practices in athletic training, and apply that knowledge in the care of patients.
• Function in a positive manner in varied settings with all other health care professionals, coaches, athletes, and media.
• Make and implement clinical plans that are consistent with documented practices and with the patient’s well-being.
• Demonstrate the ability to make timely and effective decisions related to athletic training.
• Demonstrate the ability to critique and utilize current research and its application to clinical practice and/or the profession.
• Formulate and integrate a humanistic, culturally competent, and ethical code of conduct into athletic training professional practice.

Admission Criteria

Candidates for admission to the Athletic Training major are required to:

• Bachelor’s degree with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00.
• Complete the following pre-requisite courses with a minimum grade of “C”:
  • Anatomy and Physiology (8 credits)
  • Biology (4 credits)
  • Chemistry (4 credits)
  • Physics (4 credits)
  • Exercise Physiology (4 credits)
  • Biomechanics/Kinesiology (3 credits)
  • Nutrition (3 credits)
  • Psychology (3 credits)
  • Statistics (3 credits)
• Submit a statement of personal and professional goals to the Program Director (minimum one full page, double-spaced, typed).
• Successfully complete an interview with the Program Director and/or Selection Committee. This interview should demonstrate the student’s understanding of the profession, his/her specific career goals, and general verbal communication skills.
• First Aid and Professional Rescuer CPR certification or equivalent.
• Completed Health Physical with proper immunizations, and submit the results to the Office of Health Services. (Additional fees may be required.)
• Submit 3 letters of recommendation (One must be from an Athletic Trainer)
• 100 hours of athletic training observation under supervision of an ATC
• Present proof of membership in NATA.
• For students from a non-English speaking country or for whom English is a second language, results of the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) must be submitted. The Athletic Training Program requires a minimum score of 84 on the TOEFL exam, with a minimum verbal subset score of 26.

Progression Criteria/Degree Requirements

Progression in the Athletic Training major leading to a Master of Science degree requires students to:

• Maintain a minimum cumulative Grade Point Average of 3.00 or higher. NOTE: If a student’s cumulative GPA fall below a 3.00, he/she is placed on Program Probation for one (1) semester. If the student’s cumulative GPA remains below a 3.00 after the one semester of Program Probation, he/she is then dismissed from the Program. The student may reapply for admission to the Athletic Training Program once his/her cumulative GPA is at or above a 3.00. At that point, however, the student must repeat all admission requirements as stipulated by the Program Director.
• Attain a grade of “B” or better in all course requirements.
• Maintain required immunizations through Health Services and complete turbulent skin test annually ($10*).
• Maintain First Aid and Professional Rescuer CPR certification. (Additional fees may be required - $50*.)
• Attend an annual OSHA compliant workshop addressing blood-borne pathogen training and communicable diseases.
• Attend an annual HIPAA/FERPA compliant workshop.
• Meet the following Technical Standards for the Athletic Training Program which requires students, with or without reasonable accommodations, to:
  • Demonstrate the mental capacity to assimilate, analyze, synthesize, integrate concepts, and problem-solve to formulate assessment and therapeutic judgments and be able to distinguish deviations from the norm.
  • Possess sufficient postural and neuromuscular control, sensory function, and coordination to perform appropriate physical examinations using accepted techniques; and to accurately, safely, and efficiently use equipment and materials during the assessment and treatment of patients.
  • Have the ability to communicate effectively and sensitively with patients and colleagues, including individuals from different cultural and social backgrounds; this includes, but is not limited to, the ability to establish rapport with patients and communicate judgments and treatment information effectively. Students must also be able to understand and speak the English language at a level consistent with competent professional practice.
  • Demonstrate the ability to record physical examination results and a treatment plan clearly and accurately.
  • Have the capacity to maintain composure and continue to function well during periods of high stress.
  • Demonstrate perseverance, diligence, and commitment to complete the Athletic Training education program as outlined and sequenced.
  • Possess flexibility and the ability to adjust to changing situations and uncertainty in clinical environments.
  • Demonstrate affective skills as well as appropriate demeanor and rapport that relate to professional education and quality patient care.
• Attain and maintain proof of a current Pennsylvania Child Abuse Clearance ($8* annually), Pennsylvania Criminal Background Clearance ($22* annually), and an FBI fingerprint clearance ($23*). Additional clearances may be required for selected clinical sites and may require additional fees.
• Maintain membership in NATA. ($85* annually)
• Review and demonstrate an understanding of the Neumann University Student Athletic Trainer’s Manual.
• Complete all required Athletic Training courses (43 credits).

* Fees are approximate and subject to change

Athletic Training Class Repeat Policy

Students must achieve a minimum grade of “B” or better in all athletic training courses. If a student achieves a grade below “B” in any athletic training course, the student must repeat the course and earn the minimum grade. Students may repeat each athletic training course one time. Students may make a third attempt to achieve the minimum grade in only two athletic training courses. Students will be dismissed from the Athletic Training Program if they do not to achieve the minimum grade in two athletic training courses after the third attempt. Placement in athletic training courses depends upon the enrollment of those students taking the course for the first time.

Clinical Education

To complete the Athletic Training Program at Neumann University, students must complete four semesters of clinical education with a minimum of 1,000 contact hours. Students must have successfully completed all prerequisites and maintain a cumulative GPA that supports successful completion of the program prior to each clinical rotation. ATR 598/599, Practicum 1-2, occurs in the first year and ATR 698/699, Internship I-II, occurs in the second year.

Transportation

Each Athletic Training Student is responsible for transportation to and from clinical practice sites throughout the entire Athletic Training Program. Any costs associated with transportation are the sole responsibility of the student. Associated cost may include, but are not limited to, gas, tolls, parking, and/or public transportation.