Athletic Training Program

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Faculty

Assistant Professors

• Vince Diller, DHSc, LAT,  ATC, Department Chair
• Cori Thompson, DHSc, LAT, ATC, CSCS, NASM-PES

Mission

Within a framework of Christian principles, the mission of the Department of Athletic Training is to develop exceptional clinical practitioners who recognize their role as healthcare professionals and the value of ongoing service to their community.

Accreditation

PBA’s Athletic Training Program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education (CAATE). As of March 2018, the Athletic Training Program is “Active - in good standing” by the CAATE, 6850 Austin Center Blvd., Suite 100, Austin, TX 78731-310.

Admissions Criteria

Applications for fall admission into the ATP are due by March 1 or a later date set by the Program Director. Prerequisite requirements for secondary admission into the ATP are noted below. Failure to meet prerequisite requirements may result in denial of entry to the ATP or probationary admission. 

Secondary Admission

The ATP requires a secondary (after starting at PBA) admission process following the completion of the following professional program pre-requisites with a GPA >2.5 in all courses and 2.75 in pre-requisite courses:

ATR 1001   Principles of Athletic Training
ATR 1003   CPR and First Aid
ATR 2013   Introduction to Athletic Training
BIO 2283   Anatomy and Physiology I (with lab, BIO 2281 ) 

The ATP application process involves observation hours during ATR1001, a written application (see Program Director or ATR1001 Professor) and an interview with program faculty/students in the spring of each year to be accepted in the next ATP cohort. PBA students taking ATR1001 will have the opportunity to apply as part of course requirements. Transfer students meeting prerequisites or PBA candidates who completed ATR1001 in a prior term may apply for the ATP through the Program Director.  

Application Process

Applicants must complete the following items and submit them to the Program Chair, or their designee, by the required application deadline.

• Application Form 
• Two Recommendations
• One Essay stating why the applicant wants to become an Athletic Trainer and how he/she will contribute to the Athletic Training Program
• Completed Blood Borne Pathogen Training (part of ATR1001 or online training approved by the Program Director)
• Documentation of completed observation hours in designated AT settings
• Signed Technical Standards Form
• Interview with the ATEP Admission Committee

​NOTE: Admission into the ATP is a competitive process. Meeting each of the above listed requirements does not guarantee admission into the ATP. When qualified applicants exceed program capacity per cohort (12 students) the ATP will use a point system to select candidates. Candidates are informed of their entrance status by letter or email following the interview.

Pre-Enrollment

Students accepted into the Professional Phase of the ATP must complete the following before beginning clinical rotations, some of which will be completed during the required fall AthleticTraining Orientation:

1. Evidence of Bloodborne Pathogens training, First Aid training and either American Red Cross’s CPR/AED for the Professional Rescuer, American Heart Association’s BLS, or other approved certification.
2. A signed Agreement of Understanding of the ATP Handbook and of the ATP’s Policy on Practice of Clinical Skills.
3. Physical examination and immunization record on file with the Athletic Training Program.​
   1. Physical: Students must be cleared for participation in all university activities.
   2. Immunization Record: REQUIRED - Measles Mumps and Rubella MMR (2 dose), Tetanus Tdap/Td, Hepatitis B HBV (3 dose), negative PPD or screening form and annual flu vaccine administered prior to flu season. ATS electing to waive required immunization may be limited/removed from a given clinical rotation if a health risk is identified at a student’s clinical site rotation. RECOMMENDED - Varicella (2 dose) Current clinical sites do not require varicella; however, many healthcare agencies require vaccine or titer proving immunity for employment. This is strongly recommend for all ATS as new clinical sites are routinely added and may limit ATS placement if this is not on record.
4. Students must participate in a voluntary drug screen and background check. Instructions will be sent to students following initial orientation. Cost of drug test and background check is paid by the student. See Cost of ATP for estimates.

Health Exam and/or Vaccinations are available in the PBA Health & Wellness Center at the student’s cost (vaccination costs vary and exam typically costs $25). All records must be submitted at or prior to the fall Athletic Training Orientation. Annual immunization updates (Flu and/or TB) are submitted when completed but due no later than the start of the next academic term to remain eligible for placement in all clinical rotations.  
​

Clinical Rotations in the ATP

Freshman — Students at this level are not yet officially accepted into the ATP, as this occurs through a competitive admissions process. This year serves as an observation year, with students taking introductory coursework and completing observation hours in the PBA Athletic Training Clinic as a part of ATR1001 Principles of Athletic Training where students receive initial blood borne pathogen training are encouraged to formally apply to the ATP.

Sophomore — Sophomore-level students who are accepted into the professional phase of the ATP have met specific prerequisites and begin their rotations. Throughout each of the fall and spring semesters, sophomore Athletic Training Students (ATS) are assigned three five-week rotations with a preceptor on campus or off campus, and/or physician observation in clinic and surgery. Relates to courses ATR 4211 and ATR 4222.

Junior — Each junior-level ATS is assigned to a preceptor each semester, with additional responsibility given in working with specific patient populations (i.e.—women’s soccer student-athletes in fall, baseball student-athletes in spring). Relates to courses ATR 4333 and ATR 4443.

Senior — Seniors are assigned to preceptors off campus at a local high school or university to develop experience with equipment intensive sports in the fall term and out-patient rehabilitation and major medical practices in the spring term. Senior rotations are consider semi-immersive in that the ATS is expected to see and experience the scope of the Preceptor’s role in each setting involves by the completion of the rotation. Relates to Clinical Practice courses  ATR 4453 and  ATR 4462.

Costs of the ATP

In addition to university tuition and fees (see PBA website for updated costs), students are required to pay laboratory fees for ATR 1003 - CPR and First Aid , ATR 2013 - Introduction to Athletic Training , and science laboratory courses BIO 1101 - Biology I Laboratory , BIO 2281 - Human Anatomy and Physiology I Laboratory , and BIO 2291 - Human Anatomy and Physiology II Laboratory . Students are also required to pay course fees in ATR 4211 , ATR 4222 , ATR 4333 , ATR 4443 , ATR 4453 , and ATR 4462 .

Students will be responsible for providing their own transportation to all clinical sites.  Students will also be required to pay $99-$125 for fingerprinting, background check, and drug screening.  Renewal fee for screenings may range from $6-$125 dependent on clinical setting.

Health-related costs (vaccinations, immunizations, physical examination, etc.) will be the responsibility of students and their health insurance providers. Additionally, students must show proof of completion of Hepatitis B series or waiver. Students assigned to off campus clinical rotations must also show proof of DTP/TDaP/Tetanus, MMR, and completed Mantoux test within the past year. Students must also provide proof of annual immunization for the flu for specified clinical rotations.

Students are responsible for clothing costs in accordance with the ATP dress code, including shoes, shirts, and pants/shorts. PBA ATP polo shirts cost approximately $27 each, and t-shirts cost approximately $12 each.

The ATP requires all students to maintain student-membership in the National Athletic Trainers’ Association (NATA), Southeast Athletic Trainers’ Association (SEATA) and Athletic Trainers’ Association of Florida (ATAF) – annual student-member fees are $60 for new student-members and $80 to renew.

Curriculum in the Athletic Training Program (ATP)

Course content within the ATP has been structured to meet the competencies and clinical integration proficiencies developed by the National Athletic Trainers’ Association Executive Committee for Education, as well as the domains defined by the Board of Certification Practice Analysis. As with all ATPs, the student will not be able to practice athletic training upon completion of the degree. Rather, the athletic training student will be eligible and prepared to sit for the national Board of Certification (BOC) exam.

Observation Requirements

Pre-athletic training students must document at least four clinical observation experiences from any of the approved sites with which the ATP has an affiliation agreement (including on-campus). The four required clinical observation experiences must each include different sport exposures, patient populations, and/or clinical settings. These observation are a required component of ATR 1001 and may only occur after initial blood borne pathogen training has been completed.

Retention Policy

Once the student is unconditionally accepted into the program, he/she must maintain a cumulative GPA of 2.5, a core GPA of 2.75 and a “C” or better in each core class, to remain in good academic standing. Program academic probation will result if a student does not meet these requirements. Once a student is placed on Program academic probation, he/she must successfully work to meet these requirements within the next semester, or be subject to suspension from the ATP for one semester. The student must then reapply for admission to the ATP if dismissed from the program.

Transfer Students

Transfer students will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis. Interested students should contact the Program Chair as soon as possible.

Programs

• Athletic Training with a Concentration in Exercise Science, B.S.

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