Department of Health, Recreation, and Kinesiology

Athletic Training: Admissions

Criteria for Admission	Prerequisites and Procedures
Program Admission Process

Criteria for Admission

The program leading to the Bachelor of Science Degree via the Athletic Training Education Program includes one year of pre-athletic training, a selection process, and three years in the professional and clinical education phase of the program.  Admission to the Athletic Training Education Program is competitive. 

Technical Standards for Admission

The Athletic Training Educational Program at Longwood 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 Educational 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 (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 Educational Program.  In the event of 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 student's eligibility for the NATABOC certification exam.

Candidates for selection to the Undergraduate Athletic Training Education Program must demonstrate the following:

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 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 judgements 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 educational program will be required to verify they understand and meet these technical standards or that they believe that, with certain accommodations, they can meet the standards.

The Longwood University Academic Support Center 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 a whether the accommodations requested are reasonable, taking into account whether accommodation 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.

Prerequisites and Procedures

Admission to the athletic training program is contingent upon the student satisfactorily completing the following prerequisites:

1. written application which includes a signed technical standards document,
2. 75 hours of athletic training directed observation/work experience as identified in section III (2),
3. 30 semester hours of college coursework completed.
4. A 2.25 overall grade point average (GPA) and a 2.5 GPA or better in all physical education and athletic training major courses are required at the time of application,
5. courses ATTR 200, 210, BIOL 206 and 207,
6. grades of C or better in ATTR 200, 210, and BIOL 207,
7. completion of all Level I Skill Competencies and Proficiencies, and
8. demonstrated appropriate clinical performance and conduct as determined by clinical instructor evaluations of the directed-observation experience.*

• *Demonstrated work habits.
• Demonstrated ability to work in harmony with all (athletes, coaches, peers, and certified staff).
• Demonstrated self-motivation and ability to accept and carry out responsibilities as assigned and directed.
• Neat in appearance and dress.
• Exhibits professionalism appropriate for level.
• Punctuality.
• Willing to assist others in completion of responsibilities.
• Utilizes time effectively.
• Patient.
• Maturity.

Program Admission Process

Admittance into the Longwood Athletic Training Education Program consists of three stages.  The first stage consists of meeting a number of grade and grade point criteria, filing a formal application for admission consideration, successful completion of prerequisite courses, and a directed observation requirement.  Once those criteria are met the student will enter the second stage which includes obtaining updated grade estimates and participation in an admission interview.  At the completion of the interview stage, students will be informed of denial of admission or the preliminary admission decision by the program director.  Students granted preliminary admission enter stage three.  In this stage, final semester grades are subject to the grade and grade point criteria.  Final admission decisions are made following the posting of candidates' semester grades.  Students may apply for admission to the program after the completion of the first academic year (freshmen) or the first semester on campus providing that all prerequisite courses are completed.  The admissions process will be administered during the spring semester.  Students will be informed by the program director of exact dates.

Stage one:

The following criteria will be used to determine eligibility for admittance into the Longwood Athletic Training Education Program: 

1. File a formal written application for program admission (can be obtained from the program director).
2. 30 semester hours of college coursework completed.
3. A 2.25 overall grade point average (GPA) and a 2.5 GPA or better in all physical education and athletic training major courses are required at the time of application, 
4. Courses ATTR 200, 210, HLTH 260, BIOL 206 and 207,
5. Grades of C or better in ATTR 200, 210, and BIOL 207
6. 75 hours of athletic training directed observation experience.

Stage two:

Once the above criteria are met the student may complete the following steps in the admission process:

1. Obtain updated grade estimates for the current semester (form available from program director).
2. Complete a formal interview with the Athletic Training Review Committee (ATRC).

Preliminary admission decisions are made following the interview process.  At that time students will be selected into the program based on a cumulative scoring procedure.  The scoring procedure includes the combination and rank ordering of candidates by results from the interview (as scored by each committee member), assessment of the written application interview (as scored by each committee member), grade point averages, and results of clinical evaluations derived from the directed observation experience.

Rank ordering of candidates by grade point averages and results of clinical evaluations will be completed by the program director.  Upon conclusion of review of written applications and all candidate interviews, each member of the ATRC will rank order all candidates in each area and submit their rank ordered lists to the program director.  The program director places the rank order results for all components of the admission process for all candidates into a single spreadsheet.  The ATRC meets to discuss the overall ranking of candidates and then renders preliminary admission decisions based on collective results across all pre-admission categories.  The total number of students admitted will be based on the number of students leaving campus for the internship experience from the previous semester.

Students who are not admitted to the program may reapply for admission in a subsequent semester if they wish.  Students who reapply must again meet all pre-admission and admission criteria.

Stage 3:

All students who are granted preliminary admission will be reviewed following the completion of the semester and the posting of final grades.  Those students who continue to meet the minimum grade and grade point average requirements will be officially admitted into the program effective the first day of the following semester.