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Athletic Training Program Admission Requirements
The following criteria must be met in order to be considered for admission into the Athletic Training Program at Otterbein College:
ENTRY REQUIREMENTS INTO THE ATHLETIC TRAINING PROGRAM
Whether the student is a freshman or transfer student interested in becoming a part of the Athletic Training Program (ATP), they must all meet the same entrance requirements in order to be formally accepted into the ATP. All students must complete the four year program, including the entire first year process, regardless of experience. Due to the quality and expectation level of the ATP, the athletic training staff reserves the right to recommend extended and/or additional clinical rotations and/or additional academic classes if the learning process is not at the required level in the program. This determination will be made at the required exit interviews conducted each year. The admission process is a competitive admission process where admittance is not automatic or guaranteed (even though each student may have met the required criteria listed below). The number of students admitted into the ATP each year will vary. The main factor affecting this will be the number of students graduating each year. At any given time there will be no more than 40 sophomores, juniors and seniors in the program. The following criteria must be met before formal acceptance into the Athletic Training Program is granted:
1) The required first year classes and the term they are offered are:
LSC 108 - Anatomy and Physiology I (Winter)
LSC 109 - Anatomy and Physiology II (Spring)
ATHT 160- Basic Athletic Training (Fall)
ATHT161 - Basic Athletic Training Lab (Fall)
ATHT162 - Freshman Practicum in Athletic Training (Winter)
CHEM 110 - Survey of General Chemistry (Fall)
2) Completed Directed Observation Hours of Otterbein varsity sport settings.
Observation sessions are designed to enable you to be in the athletic training setting to learn and also to get to know the upperclassmen that are in the program. It is strongly suggested that you be an active learner. One of the best ways to learn is to be involved, so make the most of these initial experience hours. By the end of your observation hours, you should have a good working concept of all the procedures involved within the Athletic Training Program. You should know where all the supplies are located and stored, how the paperwork process works including computer documentation, and understand the chain of medical command. You are more than welcome to also observe in the Freeman Athletic Training Center (FATC). Typically the hours of the FATC are 9:00 am - 1:00 pm but afternoon times are available. Contact one of the ATC's to see what afternoon times are open. Students should also be aware of specific physical standards that are required to pass this major. In addition, students will be required to keep a journal of their observations. Please consult the Athletic Training Student Manual or an athletic training staff member for further details. Please refer to Appendix 11 in the Athletic Training Student Manual for more details.
3) Mandatory attendance at scheduled continuing education meetings.
4) Maintain a minimum 2.500 GPA to enter the program.
5) Completion of the ATP Application Form (See Appendix VII)
6) Completion of a "response paper" explaining why you have chosen athletic training as your major and what you would like to do with your degree upon graduation.
The paper should be brief (one-two pages), yet explicit in your goals, including future goals for the area of athletic training in which you would like to work (college, high school, clinic, industrial, professional level, etc.). The paper may include how you became interested in athletic training, how your first year experiences helped to solidify your choice for the athletic training major and potential future directions you would like to make in the athletic training major.
7) Completion of the required physical examination including the required immunizations. The immunizations needed are:
a) Tetanus
b) MMR
c) TB skin test
d) Polio
8) Completion of formal interview process with the athletic training staff.
Interviews will begin on or after May 15th each year. The application for consideration into the ATP is due by May 15th. All applications should be submitted to the Athletic Training Program Director.
Failure to complete any of the above steps will result in a delay and/or rejection of the student's formal application to be admitted into the ATP.
9) Submit two letters of recommendation:
These letters must be from individuals outside the Athletic Training Program. These letters can be from someone either on or off-campus. The letters should also be from someone who can give you a valid character reference.
Statement of the technical standards requirement for the Athletic Training Program at Otterbein College.
Students should also be aware of specific physical standards that are required to pass this major. Please consult the Otterbein College undergraduate course catalog or an athletic training staff member for further details.
Transfer Policy:
All students wishing to transfer from another higher education institution will be required to complete the entire first year process as listed above. Once a transfer student is selected into the ATEP then their schedule will be evaluated on an individual basis, including any course a student wishes to transfer into the Otterbein College ATEP. It will take a minimum of three (3) years to complete the major, but more than likely it will take four (4) years to complete the academic and clinical requirements of the major.
Retention Policy:
Once students are formally admitted into the ATEP they must maintain a minimum of a 2.500 grade point average. Failure to maintain this standard will result in disciplinary procedures as outlined in the Athletic Training Student Manual. Students must also remain in good standing with their clinical rotation requirements and clinical proficiency requirements which are fully explained in each corresponding class syllabi. Specific procedures for all ATEP requirements can also be seen in the Athletic Training Student Manual.
