Averett University’s athletic training curriculum is designed to prepare students for careers in athletic training. This curriculum stresses strong liberal arts and science foundation with clinical and problem solving development. The program requires a pre-professional phase where students will be introduced into the clinical experiences that will be required in the curriculum. The Averett University athletic training curriculum emphasizes clinical instruction which utilizes different clinical sites on and off campus including the Averett University athletic training room, sports medicine/physical therapy clinics and medical doctors’ offices. These settings will expose the student athletic trainer to different health professionals including certified athletic trainers, physical therapists, exercise physiologists, physical therapy assistants, and medical doctors. These diverse locations allow students to gain valuable experiences in a variety of athletic training settings. The program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education (CAATE).

In addition to the general education requirements, the following courses are required:

*These courses satisfy general education science requirements.
A minimum Grade Point Average of 2.50 is required in the Athletic Training Program.
Students must also complete a minimum of 800 clinical hours once accepted into the athletic training program. These clinical hours must be obtained under the supervision of an Approved Clinical Instructor, Clinical Supervisor, or allied health professional who is approved by the program director.

Sample Four-Year Course Sequence: Physical Education:
Athletic Training

Freshman Year:
HTH 110, Contemporary Health Problems
HTH 200, First Aid and Safety
BIO 101, Introduction to Biology*
PE 209, Introduction to Athletic Training

Sophomore Year:
BIO 204, Human Anatomy and Physiology I
BIO 205, Human Anatomy and Physiology II
PE 280, Prevention of Athletic Injuries and Illnesses
PE 315, Physiology of Activity
PE 435, Therapeutic Modalities
PE 448, Prevention and Acute Care of Athletic Injuries

Junior Year:
HTH 320, Nutrition and Sports Performance
PE 320 or PE 425, Kinesiology or Biomechanics
PE 360, Sports Medicine I and Lab
PE 365, Sports Psychology
PE 370, Therapeutic Exercise
PE 421, Sports Medicine II and Lab
PE 449, Therapeutic Modalities and Pharmacology
PE 450, Assessment and Evaluation of Athletic Injuries and Pathologies

Senior Year:
PE 409, Advanced Athletic Training
PE 428, Graded Exercise Testing
PE 438, Administration of Athletic Training Programs
PE 444, Research Methods in Physical Education
PE 451, Therapeutic Exercise for Athletic Training
PE 452, Administration/Psychosocial/Nutrition Issues in Athletic Training

Admission to Program

The athletic training education program is a very competitive and selective major. Students wishing to major in athletic training must meet all of the admission standards prior to being interviewed by the selection committee. The students will be selected into the program based on the number of student athletic trainer positions available, their academic achievements, and performances on their essay and interview. The application to be accepted into the athletic training curriculum at Averett University will be submitted in the fall semester of a prospective student’s sophomore school year. There is a pre-professional phase in which students must meet certain requirements (listed below) in order to be allowed into the Averett University Athletic Training Program. Students should contact the Program Director to get details regarding this application process.

Transfer students must meet the same requirements for acceptance. The course work must be equivalent to the Averett University curriculum and must meet all transfer acceptance requirements as set forth by the Averett University Registrar’s office. The observation hours should be attained under a certified athletic trainer. Theses students will be considered on an individual basis with special circumstances given proper evaluation.

The student must complete the course work listed below in addition to:

• Read and sign technical standards of acceptance, submit a written application and attach resume
• Complete at least 80 hours of observation under Clinical Supervisor.
• Complete Averett University student observation skill sheet
• Have a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher and a GPA of 3.0 or higher in the courses listed below
• Submit essay to Program Director
• Hold and maintain current First Aid/ CPR certifications
• Complete Physical Examination
• Complete the Hepatitis B Immunization or signing a declination form
• Complete Observation Skill Sheet
• Have Clinical Supervisor complete Student Evaluation

*The Program Director must receive all materials no later than November 1st or the previous weekday if November 1st falls on the weekend or a holiday.

These courses must be completed prior to admission to the student athletic training program. The student must earn a grade of B or better in each of these courses:

PE 209 Introduction to Athletic Training
HTH 200 First Aid/ Safety
HTH 110 Contemporary Health Issues

*The students who meet the above criteria in the application process will be interviewed by the members of the athletic training selection committee. The interviews will begin approximately two weeks after November 1st. The students will then be selected based on the number of student athletic trainer positions available and their performances in their course work, interview and essay.

Students interested in athletic training should contact the curriculum director.

Technical Standards of Acceptance

The Athletic Training Program at Averett University is a rigorous and intense program that places specific requirements 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 Program establish the essential qualities considered necessary 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, the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP). The following abilities and expectations must be met by all students admitted to the Athletic Training Program. In the event a student is unable to fulfill these technical standards, with or without reasonable accommodation, the student will not be admitted to the program.

Compliance with the program’s technical standards does not guarantee a student’s eligibility for the NATABOC certification exam.

Candidates for selection to the Athletic Training Program must demonstrate:

1. the mental capacity to assimilate, analyze, synthesize, and 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 examinations using accepted techniques; and accurately, safely and efficiently use equipment and materials during the assessment and treatment of patients;
3. 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 be able to understand and speak the English language at a level consistent with competent professional practice;
4. the ability to record the physical examination results and a treatment plan clearly and accurately;
5. the capacity to maintain composure and continue to function well during periods of high stress;
6. the perseverance, diligence and commitment to complete the athletic training education program as outlined and sequenced;
7. flexibility and the ability to adjust to changing situations and uncertainty in clinical situations;
8. affective skills and appropriate demeanor and rapport that relate to professional education and quality patient care.

Candidates for selection to the athletic training program will be required to verify that they understand and meet these technical standards or that they believe that, with certain accommodations, they can meet the standards.

The Athletic Training Technical Standards Committee will evaluate a student who states he/she could meet the program’s technical standards with accommodation and confirm that the stated condition qualifies as a disability under applicable laws.

If a student states he/she can meet the technical standards with accommodation, then the University will determine whether it agrees that the student can meet the technical standards with reasonable accommodation; this includes a review of whether the accommodations requested are reasonable, taking into account whether accommodations would jeopardize clinician/patient safety, or the educational process of the student or the institution, including all coursework, clinical experiences and internships deemed essential to graduation.