Athletic Training

The athletic training major prepares those desiring to become certified athletic trainers (ATC). Graceland University is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education (CAATE), 2201 Double Creek Drive, Suite 5006, Round Rock, TX 78664, or at 512-733-9700.

The Undergraduate Program
In order to be eligible for the athletic training major, students must first be admitted to Graceland University, and be in good standing. Students usually spend the first two to four semesters completing general education and required supporting courses. Applications for admission should be completed the semester prior to desired start of the program (see Admission to the Major below). The professional portion of the program (major) is designed for completion in five semesters, and requires a minimum of four semesters/two academic calendar years of clinical experiences. Students may have to extend the program to fit their educational and extra-curricular goals; students are expected to complete the professional portion within six semesters.

Admission to the Major
Admission to the athletic training major is competitive. Students attending Graceland University at least one year prior to application for admission are given priority points in the application process. Admission is based on completion of and overall rank in the following areas:

1. Submission of Athletic Training Major Application. (October 15 for Spring admission, March 15 for Fall admission.)
2. Academic Requirements.
   1. Completion of at least 48 semester hours, prior to beginning the program*.
   2. Minimum of 2.50 cumulative GPA on all previous college work.
   3. Completion of all athletic training requisites and required supporting courses*.
   4. Minimum of “C" in each athletic training prerequisite and required supporting course (core), with a minimum 2.75 cumulative “core” GPA.
3. Two letters of reference, at least one from a healthcare professional.
4. A minimum of 50 documented hours of observation experience under the supervision of a certified athletic trainer. Students documenting more than 50 hours may be given preference when more students qualify for admission than can be accommodated.
5. Signed statements of understanding and proven ability to meet “additional requirements."

Transfer students wishing to be admitted to the athletic training major need to follow the procedures for admission above. Transfer students may complete general education requirements and possibly the required supporting course requirements at other accredited institutions of higher education. (See Graceland University's policies on transfer students and credits.) In addition, to ensure program quality and integrity, classes that encompass clinical proficiencies (e.g., ATHT1400, ATHT1500, ATHT3100, and classes limited to athletic training majors) may be transferred only if the student demonstrates competence in all areas for a particular class. The curriculum director will be the final authority on demonstrated competence.

*Students who apply while finishing academic requirements (2a and 2c above) may be admitted provisionally for one semester. Final admission is contingent upon successful completion of the requirements.

Retention
The following standards are required for each student for retention/continuation in the athletic training major:

1. Maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.50 and core GPA of 2.75. Those students who fall below 2.50 cumulative and/or 2.75 core will be required to meet with the athletic training administrator and devise a personal academic success plan. (The athletic training administrator may immediately dismiss a student from the program if the cumulative GPA falls below 2.00 or the core falls below 2.50.)
2. Earn a minimum grade of “C” in each required athletic training course. Required courses may be repeated one time, after which the student is subject to dismissal from the major.
3. Successful completion of each internship experience.
4. Continued ability to meet additional requirements.

Additional Requirements
(Specific information about these items may be obtained from the athletic training administrator.)

1. Technical standards
2. Physical exam and immunizations
3. Scheduling and time commitment
4. Housing and transportation
5. New coursework
6. Possible additional expenses (e.g., uniforms, immunizations)

B.A. Degree — Athletic Training Major

In addition to the general education requirements, majors in Athletic Training must complete the below required Athletic Training courses and required supporting courses.

Required Supporting Courses: 

ATHT1400 Introduction to Athletic Training 3 s.h.

ATHT1500 Acute Care and Management 3 s.h.

ATHT3100 Prevention and Care of Athletic Injuries 3 s.h.

BIOL1400 Fundamentals of Biological Science 3 s.h.or

BIOL2100 Fundamentals of Cell Biology and Genetics 4 s.h.

(Waived for students who complete two courses with lab in anatomy and physiology with at least a B in each.)

BIOL3420 Human Anatomy 4 s.h.

BIOL3440 Human Physiology 4 s.h.

CHEM1330 Introduction to General, Organic and Biochemistry 3 s.h.

HLTH/PHED1300 Lifetime Health and Fitness Lab 2 s.h.

Required Athletic Training Courses:

ATHT2710 Athletic Training Clinical: Prevention and Health Promotion 1 s.h.

ATHT2720 Athletic Training Clinical: Protective Equipment 1 s.h.

ATHT2730 Athletic Training Clinical: Emergency Care and Management 1 s.h.

ATHT3200 Medical Aspects of Athletic Training 3 s.h.

ATHT3210 Medical Aspects of Athletic Training Lab 1 s.h.

ATHT3710 Athletic Training Clinical: General Medical Conditions 1 s.h.

ATHT3720 Athletic Training Clinical: Psychosocial Conditions 1 s.h.

ATHT4200 Evaluation of Lower Body 2 s.h.

ATHT4210 Evaluation of Lower Body Lab 1 s.h.

ATHT4220 Evaluation of Upper Body 2 s.h.

ATHT4230 Evaluation of Upper Body Lab 1 s.h.

ATHT4240 Therapeutic Modalities 2 s.h.

ATHT4250 Therapeutic Modalities Lab 1 s.h.

ATHT4260 Therapeutic Exercise and Rehabilitation 2 s.h.

ATHT4270 Therapeutic Exercise and Rehabilitation Lab 1 s.h.

ATHT4710 Athletic Training Clinical: Clinical Assessment and Care 1 s.h.

ATHT4720 Athletic Training Clinical: Healthcare Administration 1 s.h.

ATHT4730 Athletic Training Clinical: Capstone 1 s.h.

HMSC4330 Organization & Administration for the Health Care Professional 3 s.h.

HMSC4900 Research I 2 s.h.

HMSC4910 Research II 1 s.h.

PHED3340 Anatomical and Mechanical Kinesiology 3 s.h.

PHED4360 Physiology of Exercise 3 s.h.

Recommended Courses:

ATHT2500 Medical Terminology 2 s.h.

BIOL2560 Nutrition 3 s.h.

BIOL3500 Applied Pharmacology 3 s.h.

MATH1380 Introduction to Statistics 3 s.h.

PSYC1300 Introductory Psychology 3 s.h.

Courses in Athletic Training

Lecture hours - lab hours are noted following the titles of courses that have labs.

Athletic Training Clinical Experience 1 s.h.
Field experience providing practical application of knowledge and skills in a professional setting. Students will function under the supervision of a NATABOC certified athletic trainer or other health care provider. Up to 12 s.h. of clinical experience allowed toward total hours for graduation. Prerequisite: Accepted to the Professional Portion of the Athletic Training majors. Specific courses for each level noted:

• ATHT2710 Prevention and Health Promotion
  Prerequisite: ATHT1400, HLTH/PHED1300.
• ATHT2720 Protective Equipment
  Prerequisite: ATHT1400, ATHT3100.
• ATHT2730 Emergency Care and Management
  Prerequisite: ATHT1500, ATHT3100.
• ATHT3710 General Medical Conditions
  Prerequisite: ATHT3200/3210.
• ATHT3720 Psychosocial Conditions
  Prerequisite: ATHT3200/3210.
• ATHT4710 Clinical Assessment and Care
  Prerequisite: ATHT4200/4210, ATHT4220/4230, ATHT4240/4250, ATHT4260/4270.
• ATHT4720 Healthcare Administration
  Prerequisite: ATHT1400, ATHT1500. Corequisite: HMSC4330.
• ATHT4730 Capstone
  Prerequisite: ATHT4200/4210, ATHT4220/4230, ATHT4240/4250, ATHT4260/4270. Corequisite: ATHT2710/2720/2730/3710/3720/4710/4720.

ATHT1400 Introduction to Athletic Training 3 s.h.
Focuses on the  profession of athletic training. Includes study of basic skills and expectations as well as professional organizations and education requirements.

ATHT1500 Acute Care and Management 3 s.h.
Knowledge and skills associated with the recognition, evaluation, and immediate management of acute injuries and illnesses. Includes emergency cardiac care (ECC) training.

ATHT2500 Medical Terminology 2 s.h.
A self-study, programmed-based opportunity to learn and understand medical terminology.

ATHT3100 Prevention and Care of Athletic Injuries 3 s.h.
Techniques of injury prevention and caring for athletic injuries.

ATHT3200 Medical Aspects of Athletic Training 3 s.h.
Focuses on the recognition and appropriate care and referral of general medical conditions, illnesses, and disabilities of the physically active, related pharmacological applications, including regulations, and appropriate medical documentation. Prerequisites: Accepted to the Professional Portion of the Athletic Training major, BIOL3420; CO: ATHT3210.

ATHT3210 Medical Aspects of Athletic Training Lab (0-2) 1 s.h.
A closely supervised laboratory class providing an opportunity for practice and mastery of the psychomotor skills and integration of the cognitive concepts associated with general medical concepts, pharmacology, and related documentation. Prerequisites: Accepted to the Professional Portion of the Athletic Training major, CO: ATHT3200.

ATHT4200 Evaluation of Lower Body 2 s.h.
Focuses on the assessment and evaluation of injuries to the lower extremity, determination of appropriate care and referral to other health care providers. Includes review of musculoskeletal anatomy, an organized system of evaluation, special testing, and associated medical documentation. Prerequisites: Accepted to Professional Portion of Athletic Training major, ATHT3100, BIOL3420; CO: ATHT4210.

ATHT4210 Evaluation of Lower Body Lab (0-2) 1 s.h.
A closely supervised laboratory class providing an opportunity for practice and mastery of the psychomotor skills and integration of the cognitive concepts associated with evaluating injuries and conditions of the lower body. Prerequisites: Accepted to the Professional Portion of the Athletic Training major, CO: ATHT4200.

ATHT4220 Evaluation of Upper Body 2 s.h.
Focuses on the assessment and evaluation of injuries to the trunk and upper extremity, determination of appropriate care and referral to other health care providers. Includes review of musculoskeletal anatomy, an organized system of evaluation, special testing, and associated medical documentation. Prerequisites: Accepted to Professional Portion of the Athletic Training major, ATHT3100, BIOL3420; CO: ATHT4230.

ATHT4230 Evaluation of Upper Body Lab (0-2) 1 s.h.
A closely supervised laboratory class providing an opportunity for practice and mastery of the psychomotor skills and integration of the cognitive concepts associated with evaluating injuries and conditions of the trunk and upper extremity. Prerequisites: Accepted to the Professional Portion of the Athletic Training major, CO: ATHT4220.

ATHT4240 Theapeutic Modalities 2 s.h.
Focuses on planning, implementing, documenting, and evaluating treatment plans involving therapeutic modalities. Prerequisites: Accepted to the Professional Portion of the Athletic Training major, CO: ATHT4240.

ATHT4250 Therapeutic Modalities Lab (0-2) 1 s.h.
A closely supervised laboratory class providing an opportunity for practice and mastery of the psychomotor skills and integration of the cognitive concepts associated with planning, implementing, documenting, and evaluating treatment plans involving therapeutic modalities. Prerequisites: Accepted to the Professional Portion of the Athletic Training major, CO: ATHT4240.

ATHT4260 Therapeutic Exercise and Rehabilitation 2 s.h.
Focuses on mechanical principles and physiological responses to the application of therapeutic exercises to humans. Includes tissue healing and response, common surgical techniques, setting therapeutic goals, and principles for the application of contemporary therapeutic exercises and equipment. Prerequisites: Accepted to Professional Portion of the Athletic Training major, CO: ATHT4270.

ATHT4270 Therapeutic Exercise and Rehabilitation Lab (0-2) 1 s.h.
A closely supervised laboratory class providing an opportunity for practice and mastery of the psychomotor skills and integration of the cognitive concepts associated with planning, implementing, documenting, and evaluating therapeutic exercise programs. Prerequisites: Accepted to the Professional Portion of the Athletic Training major, CO: ATHT4260.