2009-2010 Undergraduate Academic Catalog

School of Social Sciences and Human Performance Exercise and Sport Science 92 Cedarville University 2009–10 Exercise and Sport Science Athletic Training Mission Statement The Mission of the Cedarville University Athletic Training Education Program (ATEP) is to advance the Kindom of the Lord Jesus Christ by equipping godly men and women to be competent certified athletic trainers for excellence in service to Christ in strategic fields of Christian ministry. This is to be accomplished through an educational program that practices the skills associated with the prevention, diagnosis, and intervention of emergency, acute and chronic medical conditions involving impairment, functional limitations and disabilities. Students will be able to: 1. Provide quality health care including prevention, diagnosis, and intervention to patients and clients who participate in physical activity. 2. Utilize therapeutic techniques and equipment safely, appropriately, and effectively. 3. Manage an athletic training facility. 4. Instruct patients and clients in areas of prevention, stewardship, and convalescence. 5. Locate and interpret research. 6. Conduct themselves professionally. The athletic training major prepares students for a career as a Certified Athletic Trainer (or ATC), which is the official credential awarded when students successfully pass the certification exam administered by the BOC. Cedarville’s athletic training program meets the requirements set forth by the National Athletic Trainers’ Association (NATA) and the Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education (CAATE). Personal Requirements Athletic training requires a significant level of scientific and clinical preparation. Prospective athletic training students are encouraged to take college preparatory courses in high school, including biology, chemistry, physics, and advanced math. An ACT composite score of 24 (or SAT composite of 1100) or greater is highly recommended. Typically, the student who is interested in athletic training as a potential career has a history of being involved in athletics personally and may even wish to pursue participating in athletics at the collegiate level. Students need to be aware that the Cedarville University Athletic Training Education Program depends on the varsity athletic program at Cedarville as well as high schools, colleges, and clinics in the community to provide the primary “laboratory” experiences for the clinical education component of the program. Therefore, attempting to participate in varsity athletics while simultaneously pursuing the athletic training major may prove to be a significant conflict of interest. Students are, however, expected to model appropriate stewardship of their physical bodies by being involved in a consistent program of regular exercise and activity. A biannual one and a half-mile run is used to evaluate the status of the student’s fitness. Program Requirements Admission and Retention Athletic training clinical education is a labor-intensive product to deliver. Because there is a finite number of quality sports medicine opportunities available on campus, the ATEP limits each academic class to no more than 12 students each (i.e., 12 seniors, 12 juniors, and 12 sophomores). There is currently no limit to how many freshmen may declare athletic training as their major, but if more than 12 students desire to continue as athletic training majors beyond the freshman year, the competitive admission process is enforced. Transfer students are considered on an individual basis but are only eligible to be admitted directly into the ATEP if: 1) there is space available in their graduating class and 2) they have met all the admission criteria. Anyone thinking about transferring to Cedarville for the purpose of being an athletic training major should contact the program director as early in the process as possible. Admission criteria include: 1. Cumulative grade point average of 2.5 or better 2. Completion of college-level biology and chemistry courses with a grade of “C-” or better 3. Completion of college-level first aid and basic athletic training courses with a grade of “B-” or better 4. Completion of at least 150 clinical hours in the Cedarville University Athletic Training Facility 5. Satisfactory physical exam 6. Hepatitis B vaccine or signed declination 7. Signed acceptance of technical standards, available at www.cedarville.edu/athletictraining 8. Current certification in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) including AED Retention criteria include: 1. Earning a grade of “C-” or better in all athletic training courses 2. Maintaining a cumulative grade point average of 2.25 3. Maintaining current CPR/AED certification 4. Successfully completing clinical proficiencies established for each term 5. Positive recommendation by the faculty/clinical instructors of the ATEP Graduation requirements include: 1. Earning a grade of “C-” or better in all athletic training courses 2. Member of the NATA 3. Successful completion of all clinical proficiencies 4. Meeting University requirements for graduation Students are encouraged to combine the athletic training major with another program of study depending upon their career objectives. Possible options include a business minor for those planning to be employed in the sports medicine clinic setting, or a teaching certificate for those planning to be employed in the high school setting, and exercise science or biology electives for those pursuing graduate education or employment in higher education. Students need to be aware that preparing to be a marketable athletic trainer may require more than the traditional four years of college.