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Requirements and Curriculum

Note: This information reflects the requirements and curriculum printed in the 2007-08 course catalog.

Requirements

The athletic training major is in candidacy status toward accreditation by CAATE.

General Learning Goals

All graduates of the Luther College Athletic Training Program will possess entry-level knowledge, skills, and values necessary to:

1. Identify injury and illness risk factors that may be encountered by those involved in physical activity and to plan and implement a risk management and prevention program.
2. Understand the physiological responses of human growth and development and the progression of injuries, illnesses, and disease.
3. Assess acute and chronic injuries and illnesses of physically active people to determine proper care, referring the client to other medical and health care providers when appropriate.
4. Understand the indications, contraindications, precautions, interactions, and governing regulations of medications relevant to the treatment of injuries to, and illnesses of, the physically active person.
5. Plan, implement, document, and evaluate the efficacy of therapeutic modalities and therapeutic programs in the treatment, rehabilitation, and reconditioning of injuries and illnesses in the physically active person.
6. Recognize, treat, and appropriately refer the general medical conditions and disabilities of those involved in physical activity.
7. Understand and recognize the nutritional aspects of athletics and physical activity.
8. Recognize, intervene, and appropriately refer harmful socio-cultural, mental, emotional, and physical behaviors of physically active individuals.
9. Develop, administer, and manage a health care facility and associated venues that provide health care to athletes and others involved in physical activity.
10. Understand professional responsibilities, avenues of professional development, and national and state regulatory standards for the practice of athletic training.

Criteria for completing observational experience (first-year students):

Part I
Students participating in the observation component in the first year must complete the following procedures prior to reporting to the athletic training room:

a. Completed Technical Standards form

b. Completed Health/Medical form including current immunizations documented through Health Service. The Health/Medical and Technical Standards forms can be completed at the Student Health Service. Students should call 1045 and make an appointment to see a health service physician. There is no charge for this examination.

c. Provide documentation of current First Aid/CPR card(s) or complete PE 190

d. Complete the blood borne pathogens training

Part II

Once the above procedures have been completed and documented with the program director, the observation student will be scheduled for specific observation times. The observations will include a variety of times including opening, closing, and practice times. During the observation hours the students will demonstrate knowledge and competency of the pre-admitted matrix. All criteria in the pre-admitted matrix must be demonstrated to the program director or an ACI.

Part III

Near the end of the academic year (April 1), first-year students must submit their completed Application Packet and complete an interview with the Athletic Training Review Board to be considered for admission to the Athletic Training Education Program (ATEP). Admission to the program is based on the information provided in the packet, interview and the professional judgment of the Athletic Training Review Board.

Application for admission to the ATEP is based on the following criteria:

1.   Submit a completed application packet to the program director prior to April 1 of the first year.
Contents:

a. application form

b. two letters of reference, excluding athletic training staff

c. in good academic standing according to the standards published in the Luther College catalog

d. a cumulative GPA of 2.3 or better

e. no grade below a C in any classes required by the major

f. completed Technical Standards form

g. completed Health/Medical form, including current immunizations

h. one-page essay on career goals

i.  completed observation hour requirement (40 hours per semester)

2.   Schedule an interview with the Athletic Training Review Board prior to April 10.

Students who have not completed the application packet (Part 1–due April 1) and the interview (Part II–by April 10) will not be eligible for admission until the next academic year. The Athletic Training Review Board consists of the program director and athletic training staff.

Student selection will be based primarily on academic progress (GPA), staff evaluations during observation hours, and the committee interview. Students will be ranked first to last based on the GPA criteria and board ranking following the interview. Each student will receive a numerical rank in the two categories that will combine into a final ranking. Once this is complete the top students will receive a letter extending them formal acceptance into the ATEP.

If accepted the student will have three calendar days to accept or decline his/her position in the ATEP. A formal letter of acceptance should be submitted to the program director prior to the end of the third calendar day after notification of admission. The number of students receiving acceptance into the ATEP will be based on the number of vacancies.

The maximum number of students that can be enrolled in the ATEP is 24. Students will be accepted based on 24 minus the number of returning students. Students wishing to declare formal application for admission, after the completion of the first semester, must complete 40 observation hours and all components of Parts 1 and 2 above.

Standards for progression in the athletic training major are as follows:

a. complete a health examination and technical standards annually

b. maintain a college cumulative GPA of 2.3 or higher

c. receive a grade of C or better in all courses required by the major

d. obtain the minimum number of supervised field experience hours:

Sophomore (fall) 75 hours

Sophomore (spring) 120 hours

Junior (fall) 120 hours

Junior (J-term) 35 hours

Junior (spring) 150 hours

Senior (fall) 150 hours

Senior (spring) 150 hours

Total = 800 hours

e. receive positive field experience evaluations

f.  maintain current CPR and AED certification

Transfer

From a non-CAATE accredited institution:
Students who wish to transfer in from a non-accredited institution must complete all criteria listed in the student observation experience, application packet, and interview by the specified dates.

From a CAATE-accredited institution:

Students who wish to transfer in from another accredited program must contact the program director prior to enrolling. These students must have been in good academic standing at their prior institution and fulfill the GPA criteria of the Luther College ATEP. If the student meets institutional criteria for admission, they must also achieve the GPA criteria for the ATEP prior to starting their clinical education. All transfer students must complete a minimum of 3 years of clinical experience. These students will perform a variety of proficiencies related to AT 265–Clinical I: Care and Prevention of Athletic Injuries for the athletic training staff.

At this point it will be determined if any of the requirements of the first-year observation will be waived. Transfer students must complete an application packet prior to being considered for admission. Deadlines for completing the packet and scheduling the interview will be formalized with the program director. The transfer student must also receive a positive review by the Athletic Training Review Board. The registrar will review the transcript of the transfer student to determine the number of credits to be accepted by Luther College. He/she also determines whether a course will be accepted in lieu of particular courses required at Luther College.

Forms for application, annual health examination, and technical standards are available from the program director. More detailed information about the curriculum is provided in the Athletic Training Student Handbook.

Requirements for a major

Athletic training 265, 268, 365, 367, 368, 370, 372, 465, and 468; biology 116 or 255; health 249; physical education 364 or biology 256; physical education 190, 223, 251, 261, 365, and 366; three years (minimum of 800 hours) of supervised work as an athletic training student.

Curriculum

185 First-year Seminar 4 hours
A variety of seminars for first-year students offered each January term.

265 Clinical I: Care and Prevention of Athletic Injuries 2 hours
This course will provide instruction, practice, and testing of selected athletic training clinical proficiencies. The primary focus will be on injury prevention and acute care skills. Students are required to complete 75 field experience hours supervised by Approved Clinical Instructor. Corequisite: physical education 251, sophomore standing.

268 Clinical II: Head, Neck, Thorax, Abdomen, and Upper Extremity Assessment 2 hours
An in-depth study of the assessment of common injuries in athletics. Injuries to the head, cervical spine, thorax, and upper extermity will be covered. Students are also required to complete 120 field experience hours supervised by Approved Clinical Instructor. Prerequisite: 265, sophomore standing.

365 Clinical III: Spine, Lower Extremity, and Posture Assessment 2 hours
An in-depth study of the assessment of common injuries in athletics. Injuries to the abdomen, lumbar spine, and lower extremities will be covered. Students are also required to complete 120 field experience hours supervised by Approved Clinical Instructor. Prerequisite: 268, junior standing.

367 Clinical IV: General Medical and Pharmacology 4 hours
Designed to expose athletic training students to didactic and clinical education related to general medical conditions and pharmacology. Each student completes a series of observation experiences with local physicians, registered nurse practitioners, and physical therapists. There is one daily lecture in addition to the observation schedule. Students are required to complete 35 graded field experience hours supervised by Approved Chinical Instructor. Prerequisite: 365, junior standing.

368 Clinical V: Therapeutic Modalities and Exercise 2 hours
This course will provide instruction, practice, and testing of selected athletic training clinical proficiencies. The primary focus will be on the use of modalities and therapeutic exercise for recovery from injuries. Students are also required to complete 150 field experience hours supervised by Approved Chinical Instructor. Corequisite: 370 and 372. Prerequisite: junior standing.

370 Therapeutic Modalities in Athletic Training 2 hours
Designed to introduce students to the concepts and principles of therapeutic modalities and their application in athletic training. Treatment effects, safety considerations, indications and contraindications for each modality will be presented. Class meets first seven weeks. Prerequisite: junior standing. Corequisite: 368.

372 Therapeutic Exercise in Athletic Training 2 hours
This course is designed to introduce students to rehabilitation techniques in athletic training and to basic principles of design, implementation, and supervision of rehabilitation protocols. The course is divided into two sections: the first focuses on design, goals, and techniques of therapeutic exercise; the second addresses rehabilitation protocols for specific regions of the body. Class meets second seven weeks. Prerequisite: junior standing. Corequisite: 368.

375 Directed Readings Credit arr.
Students who develop an interest in a specialized area of the discipline for which course offerings are limited may follow a prescribed reading list under the direction of a member of the faculty with expertise in that area.

380 Internship Credit arr.
Supervised on- or off-campus work situations in public or private organizations.

395 Independent Study 1, 2 or 4 hours

465 Clinical VI: Health Care Administration 2 hours
This course will provide instruction, practice, and testing of selected athletic training clinical proficiencies. The primary focus will be in the area of health care administration. Students are also required to complete 150 field experience hours supervised by Approved Clinical Instructor. Prerequisite: 368, senior standing.

468 Clinical VII: Advanced Health Care 1 hour
This course will provide instruction, practice, and testing of advanced assessment/acute care skills. Students will secure certification in CPR for the professional rescuer and in use of the automated external defibrillator. Students are also required to complete 150 field experience hours supervised by Approved Chinical Instructor. Prerequisite: 465, senior standing.

490 Senior Project 1, 2 or 4 hours

493 Senior Honors Project 4 hours
A year-long independent research project. Applications are completed on the “Honors Program” form available at the registrar’s office, requiring the signatures of a faculty supervisor, the department head, the honors program director, and the registrar. Interdisciplinary projects require the signatures of two faculty supervisors. The project must be completed by the due date for senior projects. The completed project is evaluated by a review committee consisting of the faculty supervisor, another faculty member from the major department, and a faculty member from outside the major department. All projects must be presented publicly. Only projects awarded an “A-” or “A” qualify for “department honors” designation. The honors project fulfills the all-college senior project requirement.