Admission and Retention Standards

Murray State University: Exercise Science Area, Emphasis in Athletic Training

Admission and Retention Standards

Students should understand that a considerable time commitment is required to successfully complete all the requirements in the Athletic Training Education Program (ATEP). Incoming freshmen will be conditionally admitted to the ATEP for their first semester to observe in the Murray State University Athletic Training Room. Students must maintain a 2.0 on a 4.0 scale, complete at least 30 observation hours, meet the Technical Standards, and apply by the dates given (February 15 or the first Friday after the fall semester begins) for consideration into the ATEP. Applications are reviewed along with interviews of the candidates, overall GPA, ACT/SAT scores, experience, certifications/professional memberships, performance reviews during their observation hours, college courses completed, and three letters of recommendation. Only those candidates admitted into the ATEP may take the Clinical Experience courses (EXS 270, 271, 371, 372, and 472). Students may transfer into the program based upon their credentials, courses completed at other institution(s), space availability, and permission from the ATEP Director. Students wishing to transfer into the program must complete and meet all requirements for admission into the program. Due to accreditation standards, all students must complete the following clinical experience courses at Murray State University (may not be transferred into MSU): EXS 270, EXS 271, EXS 371, EXS 372, and EXS 472 in sequential order for graduation and have a grade of ÒCÓ or above. Transfer student candidates may transfer in EXS 301, EXS 390, EXS 402, EXS 403, EXS 420, and EXS 471 only after the departmental approval. A grade below a ÒCÓ for EXS 250, EXS 270, EXS 271, EXS 371, EXS 372, EXS 390, EXS 402, EXS 403, EXS 420, EXS 471 and EXS 472 is unacceptable and must be retaken the next semester offered. Students must maintain a cumulative overall GPA equal to or above a 2.0 on a 4.0 scale, but must achieve a cumulative overall GPA of 2.5 or higher prior to enrolling in EXS 471 and graduating from the ATEP. Students must maintain confidentiality at the clinical site(s), show respect for faculty, staff, and student-athletes at all times, and demonstrate adequate performance of the essential skills to be admitted and retained in the ATEP. Any student who, after reasonable accommodations, cannot perform the essential skills may not be permitted to continue in the ATEP. It is the studentÕs responsibility to notify the Director, Office of Equal Opportunity/ADA Coordinator, Murray State University, to request a reasonable accommodation. All requests for accommodation must be accompanied by appropriate documentation from a qualified professional referencing the condition and specific need for the accommodation requested.

All students must meet the Technical Standards established to assure the health and safety of the candidate, other Athletic Training Students, faculty and staff, and student-athletes or other physically active persons. All candidates are required to complete a physical exam upon acceptance into the ATEP and provide proof of proper immunizations and either proof of Hepatitis B vaccination (HBV) or signed waiver.

Please refer to the ATEP web site at: http://www.murraystate.edu/academics/hshs/wts/athletictraining.htm or contact the ATEP Director at (270) 809-4517 or e-mail jeremy.erdmann@murraystate.edu for further information.

 

Essential Skills:

The essential skills necessary to succeed in the ATEP and be a successful entry-level certified athletic trainer, include:

 

Critical thinking: Critical thinking ability sufficient for clinical judgment; sufficient powers of intellect to acquire, assimilate, integrate, apply, and evaluate information and solve problems.

 

Interpersonal: Interpersonal abilities sufficient to interact with individuals, families, and groups from a variety of social, emotional, cultural, economic, and intellectual backgrounds.

 

Communication: Communication abilities sufficient for interaction with others in verbal and written form. Utilizes effective communication skills to interact with patient/client, peers, and other health care personnel of various ages, cultural, economic, and intellectual backgrounds in a variety of settings.

 

Behavioral: Sufficient motivation, responsibility, and flexibility to function in new, ever-changing, and stressful environments. Must exercise good judgment while maintaining a mature, sensitive, and effective professional relationship with faculty, staff, students, patients/clients, and other members of the health care team.

 

Sensory: Sufficient use of the senses of vision, hearing, touch and smell; to observe, assess, and evaluate effectively (both close at hand and at a distance) in the classroom, laboratory, and clinical setting.

 

Motor Skills: Gross and fine motor abilities sufficient to provide safe and effective athletic training care. Ability to move from room to room, athletic sidelines to athletic playing field, lift and position, maneuver in small places, and maintain the physical health and stamina needed to carry out athletic training procedures. Ability to get self to clinical areas.