Athletic Training is a fun and exciting, health care field that allows you to work with and care for the physically active of all ages. If you are interested in a challenging career that is people-oriented, action-filled, and combines medicine with athletics, then Athletic Training might be for you!

Waynesburg University's program is unique in that it gives you coursework and clinical experience in Athletic Training as soon as you step on campus. In addition, you will graduate with a Bachelors Degree in Athletic Training with the potential to minor in exercise science or biology. At the end of your senior year you will be eligible to sit for the BOC certification exam. Also, With recent changes in our curriculum, Waynesburg graduates can also receive a double major in Exercise Science and be eligble to sit for the NSCA examination to obtain the credentials of a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist.

TOP

YES...Waynesburg's Program has been established since 1988 with the acceptance of the first class. The program has been accredited since 1998. With the reform of Athletic Training Education as of 2004, it is very important that students seeking to major in Athletic training attend an institution with CAATE accreditation. In the spring of 2010, the Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education (CAATE) accredited Waynesburg University’s program through the 2014-2015 academic year. CAATE conducted a three day, on-site evaluation of the Athletic Training degree program in the fall of 2009.

Waynesburg University is one of only 320 CAATE accredited programs in the United States. A student is required to graduate from a CAATE accredited program to be eligible to take the board of certification exam, which is necessary to become a certified athletic trainer.

TOP

Athletic Training is an allied health "sports medicine" field, Athletic Training focuses on the prevention, care, and treatment of injuries to physically active individuals, such as athletes. Ankle taping, brace fitting, and muscle strengthening are example of injury prevention. Controlling bleeding, assessing a concussion, testing ligaments of an injured knee, or splinting a fracture all constitute caring for an injury. Designing rehabilitation exercises/programs that will return an athlete to play after an injury is a large part of the treatment of the injury. Athletic Training involves all of these and more.

Exercise Science focuses more on the biomechanical, psychological, and physiological aspects of the body during exercise. Concepts from Exercise Science are incorporated into strength and conditioning programs, cardiac rehab programs and various areas of medicine and rehabilitation. These foundations in exercise science prepares the Athletic Training student to better perform the "prevention" part of their job by providing an in-depth physiological understanding of the strength and conditioning principles. If you are interested in the injury aspects of sports, Athletic Training is the field you are looking for. If, on the other hand, you are interested in "Training" athletes to perform better through strength and conditioning techniques, Exercise Science may meet your career goals better.

Pre-PT or Pre-Physical therapy is a degree designed to introduce students to the biological sciences to prepare them for graduate school. Upon graduating from the Pre-PT program students must then continue their education by getting accepted to a Entry Level Doctorate Program before they can practice physical therapy. Athletic training focuses on orthopedic and sports medicine aspects of physical therapy. Students interested in hands on therapy at the undergraduate level should enroll in the athletic training program. Upon graduation you will be eligible for obtaining the ATC credential by passing the BOC Certification Exam. By majoring in Pre-PT alone, the student is not eligible for a professional credential upon graduation. It is possible for athletic training students to major in Athletic training to obtain the appropriate pre-requisites for an entry level doctorate degree in physical therapy.

TOP

An entry-level program is a program that prepares you to enter the profession and sit for the certification examination. We teach you all the skills (from basic to advanced) during the program. Waynesburg's program is open to all students who are interested in the health and well being of physically active individuals. Most of our students are freshman who have graduated from high school. However we do offer positions for transfer students from other universities.

TOP

Athletic Training, in general, requires hard work, dedication, and strong personal interactive skills; thus, we look for these qualities in our applicants. Waynesburg's Athletic Training program is a rigorous academic program so we also look for good academic skills (i.e. above average grades), strong communication skills, and the ability to process and integrate information. If you are a hard-worker, love working with people (especially athletes), are highly motivated, and are energized by a fast pace and new scenarios each day, we'd love to have you in the program!

TOP

Currently we have approximately 10-15 applicants each year who are eligible to apply to the program. We have the capacity to accept 14 students each year on a competitive basis. We anticipate that the number of qualified applicants will increase over the next few years as the program becomes more competitive. A GPA of 2.5 (2.5 is equivalent to approximately a C+ average) is required in coursework at time of application. 

In addition a C- is required in all major classes at the time of application. Currently, most of our applicants enter with a GPA between 2.8 and 3.5. Also, students must gain 100 hours of clinical observation, submit a completed application, verify vaccination of Hepatitis B, take a written test, and interview with the athletic training academic standards committee.

TOP

Students begin completing the 100 hours of observation during the first semester on campus. Students should first declare Athletic Training as a major and contact Michele Kabay, ATEP Program Director. Those students who declare Athletic Training as a major will have the opportunity to sign up for practice and game observations during the first two semesters at Waynesburg. In order to acheive the 100 requirement students are recommended to average three hours a week each semester. 

These observations typically take place in the afternoon and evening. An organizational meeting is held during the first week of the fall semester classes to get students acquainted with faculty, other students and the policies and procedures of the program. At this meeting each new student will be notified of the opportunities for observation hours.

TOP

Students who are not accepted into the Athletic Training Program have the choice of changing their major or are welcome to re-apply to the Athletic Training program the following year. In the past few years we have had enough space for all those who meet the entrance requirements. However as the number of students in our program continues to grow the program will become more competitive.

TOP

Waynesburg University ATEP will consider admitting transfer students on an individual basis. Transfer students will not be admitted into the ATAP further than the ATP 201 practicum course and if there is an open spot for more students in that course (maximum 14). The ATEP director and registrar’s office will review the transfer student’s current credits to determine the courses that are eligible to be accepted to transfer. Prior to being accepted into the ATP 201 course, transfer students will need to: 

• Meet Institutional guidelines for admissions to the university, see admissions web page
• Provide two letters of recommendation
• Complete an interview with the ATEP director
• Have completed all of the prerequisite courses needed to enter ATP 201 (ATP 105,  207; BIO 109) with a C- or better
• Provide course syllabi for the ATP or BIO equivalent courses requesting to be transferred
• Meet technical standards for the ATEP
• Provide proof of a physical exam and Hepatitis B vaccination
• Have a minimum GPA of 2.5 from previous institution(s)
• Complete and pass an entrance exam with a score of 70 percent or better

TOP

Most of your classes are scheduled in the mornings and early afternoons to allow you to complete clinical education requirements. The majority of clinical education experiences occur in the Athletic Training facility between the hours of 1 and 7 p.m., Monday thru Friday, with variable times on the weekends.

Athletic Training students can expect to accrue an average 15-20 hours per week during the semester in the clinical setting.

Students normally report to campus to assist with pre-season sessions at least two weeks prior to the beginning of fall semester classes. Each year the start date is different but it most likely is around August 11-13th. Those students who are admitted to the program will be invited to attend pre-season camp on a voluntary basis. 

You will be assigned to an ACI during the sophomore, junior and senior years. Each student will go through a structured clinical plan that progresses you through the athletic training clinincal practicum levels. As a sophomore the student will complete a total of 17 weeks (seven weeks the first semester and ten weeks the second semester) of clinical experience. During the junior and senior year students will be assigned to two 15-week rotations. You will assist the certified athletic trainer with the daily taping and pre-practice/pre-event preparations. In addition, you will assist with on-field care of injuries during practices and events and will help with the development and implementation of rehabilitation programs for injuries that occur. You will also experience high school athletic training, and various medical practices including surgical rotations.

TOP

YES, but doing both takes a lot of commitment and hard work to complete the program. Sports participation is possible throughout the four years at Waynesburg University. The rigors of athletic participation at the intercollegiate level necessitate that a fair amount of time be committed to physical conditioning, practices and competitions. As mentioned earlier, educating and preparing students to become knowledgeable and skillful athletic training clinicians also takes time and commitment. Successfully combining sport participation with an athletic training education can be accomplished, but it will be difficult.

TOP

The Athletic Training program is a very intense program that requires a large time commitment. Although we do not place specific restrictions on outside jobs, we do not allow students to hold positions that conflict with their assigned clinical experience. Many students work a part-time job for 10-12 hours per week which is the maximum recommended. It is not possible to hold a full-time job during the academic year while in the program.

TOP

The Athletic Training program consists of courses that are taken in a specific sequence. Students could conceivably complete the program on a part-time basis, however, part-time attendance would extend the program by several years. It is, therefore, not advantageous for a student to attend part-time.

Most of the Athletic Training classes are scheduled in the mornings and early afternoons (all Monday thru Friday), and clinical experiences are completed in the later afternoons, evenings, and on weekends. Thus, it is not possible to complete the program by attending solely in the evenings and on weekends.

TOP

Hours accumulated in High School prior to entering Waynesburg's program as a freshman will not count toward the hours required for acceptance. However prior experience in another athletic training program may count with the program directors permission. Waynesburg's Program requires 100 hours of clinical observation prior to admission to the program. Once admitted to the Athletic Training Advanced Program, students can expect to complete an average 15-20 hours a week during each semester in six structured clinical experiences spread out over six semesters in the athletic training education program. In order to graduate from our program all students must complete all clinical experiences and master all clinical proficiencies.

TOP

Athletic Training is the prevention, care, and rehabilitation of injuries to athletes. (See Question #2 above for more detail), whereas personal training is developing specialized strength and cardiovascular conditioning programs for individuals. Athletic Trainers focus on preventing and caring for injuries; Personal trainers work in fitness centers or go into people's homes to set up individualized programs to help a person "get into shape." Personal fitness may include weight-gain/weight-loss programs, cardiovascular fitness programs, weight-lifting programs, nutrition programs, etc. Athletic Trainers are well-versed in personal training and fitness skills and incorporate these principles into the daily care of their athletes.

TOP

The term "Sports Medicine" is often used interchangeably with Athletic Training. "Sports Medicine" is actually a broad term that covers several career areas that work with injuries to athletes. Orthopedic surgeons who work with athletes and athletic trainers are two examples of sports medicine professionals.

TOP

During the second semester of the freshman year, ATSs who are enrolled at Waynesburg University and have declared athletic training as the major course of study must formally apply for admission into the ATAP. Applications for admission into the ATAP are accepted only once per year; the deadline for application is February 1st of the freshman year.
Students wishing to apply for admission to the ATAP must meet the following requirements:
1.    Complete full application packet for admission (Appendix E in the ATEP Student Handbook).
2.    Be a full-time student at Waynesburg University.
3.    Officially declare Athletic Training as a major with the registrar office.
4.    Achieve a minimum of a C- in all required courses in the athletic training major including:
    a.    ATP105 – Introduction to Athletic Training
    b.    ATP 207 – Emergency Response in Athletics
    c.    BIO105 – Medical Terminology
    d.    BIO 109 – Human Anatomy
    e.    ATP 205 – Survey of Athletic Injury & AT Techniques
5.    Maintain an overall GPA of 2.50.
6.    Obtain a minimum of 100 clock hours of directed clinical observation in the Waynesburg University Athletic Training Room by the end of the spring semester of the freshman year
7.    Have documentation of Physical Exam and Hepatitis B vaccination
8.    Meet the written Technical Standards of the ATEP with or without reasonable accommodation
9.    Complete an interview with the Athletic Training Academic Standards Committee consisting of the athletic training faculty, department chairperson, and 1-2 athletic training staff members..
10.    Complete and pass an entrance exam with a score of 70% or better.
11.    Be an active member of the ATSA
    a.    Attendance at monthly meetings
    b.    Participate in a minimum of one service activity
    c.    Participate in a minimum of one fundraiser activity
    d.    Be involved with a minimum of one committee

The candidate’s application will be evaluated and selection into the ATAP will be based upon the following:
1.    Overall academic achievement (GPA, 2.5 minimum mandatory)
2.    Academic achievement within the required courses in the Athletic Training major.
3.    Clinical Observation Hours (100 minimum, Mandatory).
4.    Entrance Examination
5.    Letters of recommendation
6.    Essay
7.    Interview
8.    Active membership in ATSA

The ATS should refer to Appendix E in the ATEP Student Handbook for scoring of above criteria.  Admission into the ATAP is competitive and only a limited number (14) of students will be accepted on a yearly basis.  If a candidate is denied admission to the ATAP, the student may reapply to the ATAP the following year once deficiencies are rectified.
 

TOP