Introduction
The Pacific University Athletic Training Program offers education for entry into the profession of Athletic Training through the entry-level Master of Science in Athletic Training degree.
Mission
The mission of the faculty and staff of Pacific University’s Athletic Training Program is to provide the students with a learning environment which enhances their ability to think critically, act ethically, undertake scholarly study, engage the community, and to prepare for professional work in the broader health care community.
Our mission will be accomplished with emphasis on the following core values:
Student outcomes
- Providing excellence in the preparation of entry level athletic trainers
- Promoting student engagement, innovation and growth into the education and practice of athletic training
- Teaching patient centered care and its role in an evolving healthcare system
Program
- Sustainability and promotion of program growth
Faculty
- Demonstrating professional engagement
- Demonstrating innovation and personal growth
Our mission will primarily be carried out within the academic facilities at all Pacific University campuses, and through a number of local and regional clinical educational experiences. The value of our program is in developing successful professionals that will be prepared to work in their communities, their region, and in a global environment.
The faculty and staff strive to educate and mentor students to become skilled, self-directed practitioners. The mission is accomplished by 1) preparing professional athletic trainers who provide evidence based, compassionate, ethical, and innovative care; 2) emphasizing care that focuses on the needs of individuals, the community, and the profession and 3) encouraging the students to be professional engaged.
Accreditation
The Master of Science in Athletic Training Program received its initial accreditation by the Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education (CAATE) on December 12, 2014. The site visit for our re-accreditation will occur during the 2031-2032 academic year.
Clinical Practicum
Currently, the Athletic Training Program affiliates with numerous clinical affiliates. These include high school and collegiate athletic training clinics, hospitals, orthopedic physician offices, outpatient clinics, and private practices. New clinical sites are added continually in order to provide variety and quality to the students’ clinical experiences.
Licensure Requirements
The practice of athletic training is licensed and/or regulated in 49 states (the exception is California). The specific state requirements may be found at https://members.nata.org/gov/state/regulatory-boards/map.cfm.
Licensure exam pass rates are maintained by the professional organization.
Admission
Enrollment in the Athletic Training Program is limited and admission is highly selective. New classes begin in mid-June of each year; students may not enter the program in the middle of the year. Applications are accepted with priority given to students who submit by January 1st. Applications will be accepted after that date until the program is full.
Applications are available online. Applicants must submit the following:
- Verified ATCAS application
- Official transcripts from every institution attended
- Demonstrate a plan to complete all prerequisite courses within the last 7 years
- Recommend that the last 45 credits GPA is 2.75 or higher
- Responses to essay questions
- Two letters of recommendation
- One from an athletic trainer is preferred
- A second recommender who knows you well (athletic trainer, employer, professor, etc.)
- Recommend a minimum of 50 hours of volunteering and/or observation under supervision of an athletic trainer or related health care professional.
- Signed Technical Standards
- Participation in an on-line interview with Athletic Training Admission Committee
The applications to the program are managed by ATCAS. The fee is $85 for the first program you apply to and $50 for each additional program.
The Admissions Committee considers many factors, including:
- Strength and breadth of academic record
- Evidence of volunteering and/or observation, under the supervision of one or more professionals in the field of athletic training. Experience at a variety of settings is preferred.
- Strength of letters of evaluation
- Extracurricular and community activities
- Content of application forms and the care with which they have been prepared
Prerequisites
Prior to enrollment in the professional program, students must earn a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university and have completed the below pre-professional courses. All prerequisite courses must be completed with a grade of “C” or higher and taken on a graded basis; pass-fail courses are not acceptable. Science prerequisite courses must be for science majors and pre-professional students (e.g. pre-physical therapy, pre-med, pre-pharmacy, pre-athletic training), and must include a laboratory. If science courses were taken more than seven years prior to application, applicants must demonstrate competency in more recent coursework. Relevant current work experience will be considered for prerequisite coursework on a case by case basis.
Prerequisite Coursework
All prerequisites must be completed through a regionally accredited college or university.
Biological Science
- Human Anatomy and Physiology with labs (complete series; combined courses or as separate courses)
- One course in Biology
- One course in Physics
- One course in Chemistry
Kinesiology
- One course in Exercise Physiology
- One course in Anatomical Kinesiology/Biomechanics
- One course in Nutrition
Psychology
- One course in either General Psychology or Sport Psychology
Statistics
- One course in either General Statistics or Behavioral Statistics or Social Statistics
Other preferred courses include
- Motor Control
- Care and prevention of athletic injuries
- Medical Terminology
- Health and Wellness
Preparation through the College of Arts & Sciences
The College of Arts & Sciences offers two ways to prepare for this professional program. A major in Kinesiology can provide a solid foundation for the Master of Science in Athletic Training. In addition, a 3/2 program exists that allows highly qualified students to begin the Athletic Training Program in their 4th year and complete both degrees in 5 years, rather than in 6 as would be the case if they took these two programs separately. Please note that, while there are advantages to completing pre-athletic training requirements at Pacific, doing so does not guarantee subsequent admission to the Athletic Training Program.
Program Learning Objectives
The student will demonstrate each of the following:
- Core Value 1: Providing excellence in the preparation of entry level athletic trainers
- Academic student success
- Skills within the NATA domains/practice areas
- Completion of “curricular content” in CAATE standards
- Effective communication
- Successful completion of Clinical Practicum
- Ability to secure employment following graduation
- Provision of evidence based, ethical, innovative and compassionate care
- Core Value no. 2: Promoting student engagement, innovation and growth into the education and practice of athletic training
- Membership and involvement in the professional association
- Promotion of student scholarship
- Completion of a critically appraised topic, professional paper or research project
- Core Value no. 3: Teaching patient centered care and its role in an evolving healthcare system
- Engagement in diverse clinical experiences
- Engagement in interprofessional educational experiences throughout the program
- Collaboration with other health care professionals
Academic Procedures
The general regulations of the University apply to all students enrolled in the athletic training program unless otherwise specified. Other matters of academic or professional importance specific to athletic training students, for which there are no standing provisions, may be referred to the Director of the Athletic Training Program.
Professional and Academic Standards
Students are expected to demonstrate behavior consistent with the Pacific University Code of Academic Conduct, the National Athletic Trainers Association (NATA) Code of Ethics, and the most current athletic training state and federal laws governing the conduct of athletic trainers. The Athletic Training Program reserves the right to define professional competence and behavior, to establish standards of excellence, and to evaluate students in regard to them. See Sections on Academic Policies and Professional Behaviors in the current Athletic Training Program Handbook.
Agreement to abide by the policies and procedures of the University and the Athletic Training Program is implicitly confirmed when students register each term. Students are expected to adhere to the various administrative and academic deadlines listed in the academic calendar and in course syllabi. Failure to do so may jeopardize their standing in the Athletic Training Program and may constitute grounds for probation or removal from the School. Students must maintain good standing in the program in order to be eligible for, or continue on, any Program administered scholarships.
Professional Standing
A student’s standing may be jeopardized by one or more of the following:
- Indications of poor academic performance
- Insufficient progress in the development of clinical skills
- Failure to comply with School rules or procedures
- Unprofessional conduct, unethical conduct, or illegal conduct
- Evidence of behavior that may hinder professional competence and interpersonal or professional relations
Readmission
The catalog in effect at the time of a student’s initial enrollment indicates the specific requirements for that student. Students leaving the program for 3 consecutive terms or more must apply for readmission to return, and would re-enter the program under the requirements in effect at the time of readmission.
Normal Load
9 credits or higher is a full-time course load; 5 credits is half-time.
Auditing
Students matriculated in the program may audit courses at the discretion of the course’s instructor. Students must declare the audit option before the end of the add-drop period; once the audit option has been declared, the course cannot revert back to the graded option.
Non-Degree Seeking Students
Alumni, current students, and applicants accepted into the program are not permitted to study as non-degree seeking students.
Grading
A = 93-100
A- = 90-92.9
B+ = 87-89.9
B = 83-86.9
B- = 80-82.9
C+ = 77-79.9
C = 73-76.99
Any grade below 73% does not allow the student to continue to progress through the curriculum (see below).
C- = 70 - 72.9
D+ = 67 - 69.9
D = 63 - 66.9
D- = 60 - 62.0
F = less than 60
P = Pass (equivalent to B- or above)
N = No Pass
I = Incomplete
W = Withdrawal
Incomplete Grades
An instructor may issue an incomplete grade if the majority of coursework is completed and/or the student has a passing grade at the time of the petition, but health or other extenuating circumstances keep the student from completing the course. Prior to submitting an “I” grade, the instructor and the student complete an Incomplete Grade Contract detailing the requirements for completion and submission of all remaining work and specifying a timeline for completion. After submission of the work, the instructor completes a Grade Change Form and submits it to the Program Director for approval; the form is then processed by the Registrar’s office. If agreed-upon work is not completed and no grade change submitted in the allotted period (and an extension has not been granted), when the grade expires it becomes an F or N.
Withdrawal (W) grade
A student may choose to withdraw from a didactic course through the week that corresponds to completion of 2/3 of the course and receive a “W” grade. It is the responsibility of the student to notify the Registrar’s Office and the instructor regarding withdrawal from a class; failure to do so may result in a failing grade. However, the student will not be able to progress within the program until they re-take the course the following academic year. In order to be eligible to re-take this course, the student must be in good academic standing. Students also need to consider that a course withdrawal will impact their ability to complete the program in the 3 academic year maximum for completion. Students with three (W) grades are considered to be withdrawn from the program.
Remediation
Remediation for a course grade, or any individual test, paper or assignment is at the discretion of the appropriate faculty following consultation with the Athletic Training Program Faculty.
Graduation Honors
Athletic Training students earning a cumulative 3.50 GPA or higher will graduate “With Distinction”.
Progression through the program
All courses within a semester must be satisfactorily completed before a student may begin courses in the subsequent semester.
Timeline for completion of program
A student must complete the curriculum in no longer than 3 academic years from matriculation. Progression delayed by personal/medical reasons will be evaluated by faculty on a case-by-case basis.
Good Academic Standing
A student is considered to be in good academic standing if they complete all courses with a grade of “C” and P/N courses with a score of 80% (B-) or better. A student remains in good academic standing if he/she receives no more than one grade of C during a single semester.
Suspension
If a student receives one C-/N grade in a course or 2 or more C during a single semester, the student is suspended from the program at the end of that semester in which the grade(s) were received. The Director will notify the student in writing that they have been placed on suspension with an Action Plan pertinent to that student. Before progressing further through the program, the student must repeat failed coursework when offered in the subsequent academic year.
Dismissal
A student is dismissed from the program for any of the following reasons:
- Attainment of two C- or lower/N grades in any course
- A total attainment of one C- or lower/N in any course and two C grades in any course
- A total attainment of three C grades in any course
- Inability to complete the curriculum in 3 academic years. As noted above, progression delayed by personal/medical reasons will be evaluated by faculty on a case-by-case basis.
- Flagrant and intentional violations of the Code of Academic Conduct or the Code of Ethics. No previous warning is required for this type of dismissal.
Leave of Absence or Administrative Withdrawal
If the student leaves the program for a personal/medical reason, documentation of such must be provided to the Program Director and the Registrar. The student will have the opportunity to re-enroll the following academic year in the semester that the student did not successfully complete. In the case of a medical leave of absence/medical withdrawal, the student must provide a letter of medical clearance to the Program Director and Registrar before re-enrollment.
Appeals
In general, program decisions regarding academic standing are final. A decision may be appealed only if the student can show that 1) there was an error in the procedure used by the faculty, 2) there is new evidence sufficient to alter the decision, or 3) the sanction imposed was not appropriate to the severity of the violation of professional or academic standards. The Program Director informs the student of faculty actions.
Appeals should be filed with the Executive Dean of the College of Health Professions within 10 days from the date of notification of the original action. Students are not allowed to attend class until the student has filed an appeal. Further appeals may be pursued through the University Standards and Appeals Committee.
Felony Convictions
Individuals convicted of a felony may not be eligible for licensing/registration in Athletic Training. Students are urged to contact the appropriate regulatory agency for further information.
The practice of athletic training is a licensed and/or regulated in 49 states (exception is California). The specific state requirements can found at https://members.nata.org/gov/state/regulatory-boards/map.cfm.
Additional Information
For details of professional and academic standards, academic policies and procedures, clinical policies and procedures, the appeals process, and the academic conduct policies, please see the following documents:
- Athletic Training Program Handbook
- Athletic Training course syllabi
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