Athletic Training

Keene State College offers a CAATE (Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education) accredited undergraduate athletic training education program designed for those students who wish to pursue certification as an athletic trainer. Students who graduate with a degree in Athletic Training are eligible to take the BOC (Board of Certification) Athletic Training Certification Examination. The program prepares students for athletic training positions in educational, professional sport, military/law enforcement training, performing arts and clini-cal settings, as well as for graduate programs in Sports Medicine/Athletic Training, Exercise Physiology and Biomechanics or other Medical and Allied Health fields.

The Athletic Training major is a competitive program, with enrollments limited to sixteen per academic year. Because of the professional nature of Athletic Training and its responsibility to the public, the Program has established admissions, progression, and graduation standards for student selection and graduation. As such a formal application is REQUIRED.

COMPETENCY REQUIREMENTS FOR ATHLETIC TRAINING

All students majoring in Athletic Training are required to be certified in Standard First Aid and CPR for the Professional Rescuer. Proof of a current certification card must be provided for the application and maintained for courses marked with 1.

FEES

Additional expenses associated with the athletic training education program include maintaining Standard First Aid and CPR for the Professional Rescuer, Hepatitis B immunizations, differential fees for clinical courses, travel expenses to and from off-campus clinical assignments, uniforms or professional attire, professional memberships, and occasional conferences and workshops.

INTEGRATIVE STUDIES REQUIREMENTS

MAJOR REQUIREMENTS

(73 credits)

• PE 140 Introduction to Athletic Training (2 credits)
• PE 141 Personal Health (2 credits)
• PE 200 Applied Kinesiology
• PE 201 Physiology of Exercise
• PE 240 Emergency Medical Technician ¹
• PE 241 Techniques of Athletic Taping (1 credit)
• PE 242 EMT Practicum (1 credit) ¹
• PE 340 Prevention and Care of Athletic Injuries
• PE 341 Evaluation of the Lower Extremity and Axial Region
• PE 342 Therapeutic Modalities
• PE 343 Clinical Exercise Therapy
• PE 344 Sports Nutrition
• PE 383 Clinical Athletic Training I (1 credit) ¹
• PE 384 Clinical Athletic Training II (1 credit) ¹
• PE 440 Evaluation of the Upper Extremity and Spine
• PE 441 Pharmacology and Pathology for Athletic Trainers
• PE 443 Administration of Athletic Training
• PE 460 Experimental Design and Analysis for Physical Education
• PE 483 Clinical Athletic Training III ¹
• PE 484 Clinical Athletic Training IV ¹
• PE 493 Athletic Training Externship (6 credits) ¹
• PE 494 Athletic Training Practicum (2 credits) ¹

The Athletic Training curriculum is tightly structured and has sequential coursework, so it is essential that new students begin the major in their first year at Keene State College. Transfers and other students who begin the major at the sophomore or junior year should plan on staying an additional one to three semesters beyond the traditional four-year schedule to complete the program. Any student who competes in a varsity or club sport will likely complete the Athletic Training major in more than four years because of the conflict of practice times and required athletic training clinical observation education hours. Freshmen who intend to apply to this major must enroll in PE 141 for the fall semester and PE 140 for the fall or spring semester. Transfers with more than 30 credits who have completed Human Anatomy and Physiology I or the equivalent and who intend to apply to this major must enroll in PE 140 and PE 141 for the fall semester.

ALLIED REQUIREMENTS FOR ATHLETIC TRAINING

12 credits

BIO 230 (Human Anatomy and Physiology I) and BIO 232 (Human Anatomy and Physiology II) are prerequisites for courses in the major for all students majoring in Athletic Training. This sequence is normally started in the spring semester of the freshman year.

The prerequisite for BIO 230 is INCHEM 100, INCHEM 103, or INCHEM 111. Therefore, a chemistry course should be taken during the first semester of the freshman year.

ADMISSION TO THE PROGRAM

TRANSFERS:

Transfers with more than 30 credits who have successfully completed Human Anatomy and Physiology I or the equivalent must meet with the Athletic Training program coordinator and complete an Accelerated Transfer Sequence form to determine required coursework for admission and degree requirements. The process for admission for Accelerated Transfers begins during the first week of first quarter, with completed applications due November 1. Transfer students must meet the minimum GPA requirement of a 2.5 from the previous institution. Review of transfer students' applications and official notification of the results of this review would occur before the start of the spring semester.

FRESHMAN/FIRST YEAR:

The process for admission begins when the student enrolls in PE 140. Applications for freshman/first-year students are due April 15. Review of freshmen students' applications and official notification of the results of this review would occur during the summer.

Students will receive a formal letter indicating their admission status. If a student is not accepted, the letter will clearly indi-cate the deficiencies and clearly define how those deficiencies should be addressed. A consultation will be scheduled with the Athletic Training Education Program Director. During that conference, the student will be notified of any course adjust-ments and indicate their willingness to address the deficiencies in order to reapply. The student will be eligible to reapply for admission during the next academic year's admission period.

ADMISSION CRITERIA

Competitive enrollment requires the student to submit a formal application. Student applying must submit a portfolio documenting each of the following components:

1. Overall GPA of 2.5
2. Required major and allied courses of a grade C or better
3. Application
   1. Performance evaluation by the Keene State College Approved Clinical Instructors
   2. A minimum of 25 observation hours of pre-professional clinical experience in the Keene State College Athletic Training Room.
   3. Successful proof or completion of required competencies including: Proof of Standard First Aid and CPR for the Professional Rescuer; Basic Athletic Training Taping Skills (assessed in PE 241).
   4. Recommendation for admission by two Keene State College faculty or staff.
   5. Students must provide a current physical, proof of immunization (Hepatitis B), and signed copy of the technical standards.

TECHNICAL STANDARDS FOR ADMISSION

The Athletic Training Educational Program at Keene State College is a rigorous and intense program that places specific re-quirements 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 Educational Program establish the essential qualities considered neces-sary 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 Athletic Training Education (CAATE)]. The following abilities and expectations must be met by all students admitted to the Athletic Training Educational Program. 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. Compliance with the program's technical standards does not guarantee a stu-dent's eligibility for the Board of Certification (BOC) Athletic Trainer's Certification Exam.

Candidates for selection to the Keene State College Athletic Training Educational Program must demonstrate the following technical standards for admission:

1. The mental capacity to assimilate, analyze, synthesize, integrate concepts, and problem solve to formulate assessment and therapeutic judgments and to be able to distinguish deviations from the norm.
2. Sufficient postural and neuromuscular control, sensory function, and coordination to perform appropriate physical exami-nations using accepted techniques; and accurately, safely, and efficiently use equipment and materials during the assess-ment and treatment of patients.
3. The ability to understand and speak the English language at a level consistent with competent professional practice.
4. 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 commu-nicate judgments and treatment information effectively.
5. The ability to record the physical examination results and a treatment plan clearly and accurately.
6. The capacity to maintain composure and continue to function well during periods of high stress.
7. The perseverance, diligence, and commitment to complete the athletic training education program as outlined and se-quenced.
8. The flexibility and the ability to adjust to changing situations and uncertainty in clinical situations.
9. The affective skills and appropriate demeanor and rapport relating to professional education and quality patient care.

RETENTION GUIDELINES

Clinical Athletic Training I, II, III, IV, AT Practicum require the following:

Proof of Standard First Aid and CPR for the Professional Rescuer
Maintain a 2.5 GPA.; maintain a 2.5 GPA within the Major
Completion of the required Athletic Training major and Allied courses with a grade C or better.

Liability Insurance: Students admitted to and enrolled in Athletic Training major clinical courses, including the externship, are provided medical liability insurance; however, students may opt to purchase additional liability insurance for additional coverage.

Admission to PE 493 Externship: Athletic Training: Due to specific accreditation requirements for affiliated clinical sites, students are required to submit letters of intent to register for PE 493 Extern-ship: Athletic Training following completion of courses leading up to and including junior level courses in the Athletic Training Major. Students are required to provide their own transportation for all off-campus clinical experiences. Professional attire is required (see Fees).

The following criteria will be used:

1. Completion of a minimum of 75 credits.
2. Completion of the Athletic Training major with a 2.5 GPA or better.
3. Successful completion of required clinical proficiencies and comprehensive competencies.
4. Proof of Standard First Aid and CPR for the Professional Rescuer and immunizations.

Transcripts will be reviewed prior to placing students in each clinical and the Externship. The Externship Application Deadline for senior fall and spring semesters are March 1 of the junior year. Students must apply for a fall sport rotation or for a win-ter/spring sport rotation. Transcripts will be reviewed prior to placing students.

DEGREE REQUIREMENTS