Admission and Retention Requirements

The Athletic Training Education Program has selective admission and retention requirements.

The following are minimum requirements for admission:

• Completion of AT 196 (with a B- or better grade). This course must be completed or in progress at the time of application
• Students must complete one academic year of Ball State residency (one semester for transfer students) with a minimum overall grade-point average of 2.75 at the time of application. Athletic training courses credit for transfer students may only be awarded for AT 196 and AT 340
• Minimum of 25 hours of athletic training observation at the time of application, with a minimum of 50 hours at the time of interview
• Completion of the Ball State Athletic Training Program Application and all its components

The following are retention requirements:

Once admitted into the athletic training education program, the students' academic and clinical progress will be evaluated each semester. The student who continues to demonstrate satisfactory academic and clinical progress in the program will continue to the next semester. If an unsatisfactory report in either the clinical or academic aspects is noted, the student will be placed on probation for one semester to remedy the deficiencies. If these deficiencies are not corrected, the student may be dismissed from the athletic training education program. This decision is made by the Program Director in conjunction with the retention committee (consists of those same faculty/staff on the ATEP selection committee).

Students who withdraw from the athletic training education program will need to re-apply to be re-admitted. On an individual basis, the written application materials to be submitted may be slightly modified (according to the athletic training education program selection committee).

The following guidelines will be used to evaluate each ATS at the end of each semester in order to remain in good standing in the athletic training education program:

• Must satisfy (with or without accommodation) the mental, cognitive, emotional, and physical technical standards involved in completing the competencies and clinical proficiencies in the program. (Appendix G)
• Must maintain a minimum overall Grade Point Average of 2.75 with no semester lower than a 2.5. A student dropping below this mark will be placed on probation for one semester. Failure to meet this standard after one semester on probation may result in dismissal from the athletic training education program.
• Must maintain a minimum grade point average of 2.75 in the Athletic Training Core Curriculum. An ATS who received a grade lower that "C" in any athletic training course will be required to retake the course.
• Student clinical performance will be evaluated. In instances of unsatisfactory, clinical performance, the student will be placed on probation for one semester. A student who does not attain an appropriate clinical performance level after one semester may be dismissed from the athletic training education program.
  These performance evaluations will be based on one or more of the following:
• Mid-term and final clinical performance evaluations completed by the clinical instructors.
• Laboratory approved clinical instructor evaluations/input.
• Approval of clinical proficiencies in a timely manner. Proficiencies approved in a laboratory class should be re-approved during clinical experiences by the conclusion of the following semester (up to one or two proficiencies not completed would be acceptable). This will take into consideration the student’s semester in the program and future opportunities to perform clinical proficiencies in real-time. AT 196 students can complete the spine-boarding clinical proficiency during their football clinical experience (or sooner). AT 340 students can complete clinical proficiencies such as helmet fitting and shoulder pad fitting during their football clinical experience, etc. during their football clinical experience (or sooner). AT 370 and AT 371 students are encouraged to complete the clinical proficiencies in real-time; however, these students must complete at least one clinical proficiency from either course per semester.
• Must successfully perform all clinical proficiency skills on the semester-end evaluation. In the event a clinical proficiency is not performed successfully the student must return and demonstrate proficiency prior to the next semester. A student who does not attain an appropriate clinical performance level within one month from the first semester-end evaluation may be placed on probation the athletic training education program. Any student who does not follow-up with semester-end CP exams (either making an appointment with the ACI or showing up to the appointment) will have their grade in a relevant clinical course (e.g., 372, 496, 392/492) lowered by half a grade point.
• Successfully complete annual OSHA Bloodboorne Pathogen Training. Maintain current certification in CPR (professional rescuer) and first aid.
• Any case of academic dishonesty or professional misconduct can result in probation or dismissal.
  

Speak with some of our alumni and students on our Facebook page. They will be more than willing to tell you why they chose athletic training and Ball State. We hope to see you soon!

If you would like more information, contact Lisa Kaufman.