| Department: | Health, Kinesiology, and Recreation / College of Education |
| Hours Required: | 120 |
| Categories: | Major, Undergraduate |
| Delivery: | On-Campus |
Southern Arkansas University offers a Bachelor’s of Science in Athletic Training. This degree is the foundation of a unique Athletic Training Program in which students learn competencies and skills in athletic training through a structured curriculum, clinical education and supervised clinical experiences. Students accumulate clinical experience hours that are directly supervised by the athletic training staff at SAU. Upon completion of the program and required courses, the student will graduate with a degree in athletic training and will be able to sit for the Board of Certification exam. The Athletic Training Program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education (CAATE).
The program offers a coeducational environment where athletic training students have an opportunity to gain experience with a variety of sports, including volleyball, football, men’s and women’s basketball, baseball, softball, men’s golf, men’s and women’s cross country and men’s and women’s track and field. In addition, students have the opportunity to gain experience in local area high schools and with local allied healthcare professionals.
- Additional Education Costs
- Athletic Training Program Admission
- Athletic Training Student Club
- Program Outcomes
- COE Policy Handbook
Definition of Certified Athletic Trainer
A certified athletic trainer is a highly educated and skilled professional who specializes in the healthcare of athletes and physically active persons. The certified athletic trainer functions in cooperation with team physicians and other allied healthcare providers to provide services such as injury prevention, evaluation, management and rehabilitation.
Educational Opportunities
Students are given the opportunity to hone their skills in athletic training by assisting staff athletic trainers with athlete care in directly supervised settings. The student will also have opportunities to shadow the SAU medical director/team physician in the clinical and surgical settings. Allied healthcare providers such as physical therapists, pharmacists and general practitioners in the local area have also made their clinics available for student observation and learning.
Career Opportunities
Career opportunities for the certified athletic trainer lie in areas such as high schools, colleges, universities, clinics, industries, corporate settings and professional sports programs.
Major in Athletic Training (BS)
120 hours
To obtain a bachelor of science degree in athletic training, the student must be admitted to the University and to the Athletic Training Educational Program (ATEP), earn a minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.50, earn a minimum grade point average of 3.00 in the major courses, earn a B or better in all core athletic training courses, complete the pattern of courses listed below, and fulfill the field and clinical experience requirements of the Athletic Training Program. This program is a non-teaching degree and consists of two components: (1) The pre-professional component (usually freshman year or first year for transfer students) and (2) the professional component (sophomore through senior years). The didactic and clinical coursework in the curriculum are designed to educate the student in the art and science of athletic training over a four-year academic career. The clinical portion (professional component) of the ATEP starts the fall semester of the sophomore year for traditional students. ATEP courses must be taken in the proper sequence. Admission to the University does not automatically mean admission to ATEP. Admission procedures and criteria are subject to change. This degree requires 120 hours of academic credit. Upon completion of the athletic training degree, the student will be prepared to sit for the certifying exam administered by the Board of Certification (BOC). The ATEP is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education (CAATE).
Note: Students must take and report scores from BOC exam to the ATEP director as a requirement for graduation.
University Requirement – 2 hours
GSTD 1002 Freshman Seminar
General Education – 35 hours (PSYC 2003 General Psychology is required)
Major Requirements – 83 hours
AT 1001 Gateway to Athletic Training
AT 1012 Taping and Bandaging in Athletic Training
AT 2003 Evaluation of Upper Extremity
AT 2013 Evaluation of Lower Extremity
AT 2031 Clinical Experience I
AT 2041 Clinical Experience II
AT 3003 Therapeutic Modalities
AT 3012 Pathology of Athletic Injuries
AT 3013 Therapeutic Exercise
AT 3023 Strength and Conditioning
AT 3031 Clinical Experience III
AT 3033 Introduction to Therapeutic Recreation
AT 3041 Clinical Experience IV
AT 4003 Professional Healthcare Issues
AT 4013 Organization and Administration in Athletic Training
AT 4031 Clinical Experience V
AT 4041 Clinical Experience VI
ESCI 3003 Motor Learning and Development
ESCI 3043 Nutrition and Human Performance
ESCI 4333 Instrumentation and Physiological Assessment
ESCI 4363 Exercise Prescription and Fitness Program
HKR 4923 Measurement and Evaluation in HKR
HS 1403 Personal and Community Health
HS 2043 Human Anatomy and Physiology
HS 2413 First Aid and Safety/CPR
HS 2443 Techniques in the Prevention and Care of Athletic Injuries
HS 3243 Kinesiology and Biomechanics
HS 4013 Adapted Kinesiology
HS 4023 Pharmacology in Sports
HS 4243 Exercise Physiology
HS 4433 Advanced Athletic Training Techniques
REC 3623 Psychology of Sports
3 hours selected from the following:
CSCI 1102/1101 Introduction to Computing/Lab
EDUC 2023 K-12 Education Technology
IS 1003 Introduction to Computers
Learning Goals
- Our graduates can communicate effectively with a variety of audiences. Our graduates can communicate effectively with a variety of audiences.
- Our graduates demonstrate an understanding of professionalism and ethical practice Exercise Science.
- Our graduates can think critically, solve problems and make informed decisions.
- Our graduates utilize information technology to enhance learning, professional development and improve client health status.
- Our graduates understand Exercise Science content and are able to demonstrate the necessary skills to enter the workforce as a personal trainer or health professional.
Admissions Policies and Procedures
To be eligible for admittance into the Athletic Training Education Program at Southern Arkansas University, the student must have a health examination, sign a technical standards acknowledgment form, and meet the following criteria:
1. Be a full-time student at Southern Arkansas University.
2. Have completed the following courses in the fall semester of the pre-professional year with a grade of B or better in the following:
a. AT 1001 Gateway to Athletic Training;
b. HS 1403 Personal and Community Health;
c. and HS 3413 First Aid and Safety/CPR.
3. Have completed the required observation hours (50-100) as outlined in AT 1001.
4. Have maintained a grade point average of 2.50 or better on a 4.00 scale for the fall semester.
5. Have current CPR/First Aid/AED certification from ARC or equivalent.
Students who complete the above requirements are eligible to apply for admission into the Athletic Training Education Program at Southern Arkansas University. The competitive admission process starts with the achievement of the above requirements and continues with the steps listed below. All application materials will be distributed during the Gateway to Athletic Training Course. For further information, students may reference the ATEP policy and procedures manual.
1. The student must complete the application form.
2. The student must write a brief summary of professional goals and objectives, indicating sincere interest in and commitment to athletic training as a profession.
3. The student must obtain three character reference forms. One reference must be from an SAU faculty member (the SAU Athletic Training staff/faculty is excluded).
4. The student must interview with the ATEP selection committee.
5. The student must maintain education in the spring semester of the pre-professional year in the following courses:
a. AT 1012 Taping and Bandaging
b. HS 2443 Techniques in the Prevention and Care of Athletic Injuries.
6. The student must show progress toward keeping the minimum 2.50 grade point average as indicated by mid-semester grades during the spring term.
Acceptance
1. All forms and attachments must be turned in to the ATEP director by the third Monday in January, at which time an interview will be scheduled.
a. Considerations may include the above criteria, the applicant’s background experiences, the applicant’s attendance during the pre-professional courses, and other related criteria.
2. The ATEP committee will accept a number of students so as to maintain an acceptable ratio of athletic training students to athletic training faculty. All students who complete the above process will be notified by March 15 as to their acceptance into the ATEP, which starts during the fall semester for traditional students.
3. The ATEP committee will handle transfer students on an individual basis following the guidelines established in the Program’s Policy and Procedures Manual.
4. Students not accepted into the ATEP will not be allowed to follow the Bachelor of Science degree plan for athletic training.
Additional Student Costs
(Above normal tuition and fees)
Costs to the students:
Lab fee for the following:
$10 AT 1012-Taping and Bandaging
$10 AT 2031-Clinical Experience #1
$10 AT 2041-Clinical Experience #2
$10 AT 3031-Clinical Experience #3
$10 AT 3041-Clinical Experience #4
$10 AT 4031-Clinical Experience #5
$10 AT 4041-Clinical Experience #6
$20 (annually) Membership in Southern Arkansas University Training Student Club
$20 (annually) Membership in Arkansas Athletic Trainers Association
$75 (annually) Membership in National Athletic Trainers Association
$100 (per shot) Hepatitis B shots (series of three (3) shots)
Membership in professional organizations beyond the local organization is not required, but is encouraged.
Students must maintain CPR/AED certification while enrolled in ATEP courses.
Students are required to attend two different professional meetings. The cost of attendance will vary depending on the meeting attended and the location of the meeting. Students are encouraged to attend the AATA annual meeting because of the low cost to students. Students are required to complete rotations at off-campus locations (including El Dorado) which will require travel. The cost of traveling to off-campus locations is the responsibility of the individual student and will not be reimbursed by Southern Arkansas University or the Athletic Training Education Program.
