Admission Information

OBSERVATION PERIOD
Students interested in the ATEP must go through an observation and application process. Admittance to the program occurs at the conclusion of the fall semester. Students must enroll in AT 180: Fundamentals of Athletic Training and complete a 75-hour observation period prior to making their application for the ATEP. All observation hours must be completed prior to the Thanksgiving Holiday.

The observation period is divided into a series of five major rotations. Students are assigned to each of the five staff Approved Clinical Instructors (ACIs). They will have the opportunity to shadow each ACI through various clinical and sport assignments. Each rotation will last approximately two weeks and students are required to observe ten hours with their assigned ACI. Labs and approved athletic training functions count towards observation hours. Students can expect to be given a schedule of their rotations after they have communicated their intentions to apply to the ATEP to the Program Director (PD). Following each rotation, students will be evaluated by their assigned ACI. These evaluations count towards the weighted criteria for admission to the ATEP.

APPLICATION PERIOD
After the completion of the approximately 10-week rotation period and the accumulation of 75 observation hours, students are eligible to make their application to the ATEP. In order to apply, students must obtain an application from the PD and submit a letter of intent stating why they desire an Athletic Training Major along with three letters of recommendation. The letters of recommendation should be non-familial and from three different sources. All observation hours and applications are due prior to the Thanksgiving Holiday. After the Thanksgiving Holiday, the Athletic Training Staff will interview prospective ATSs. In addition, students must have a physical examination, provide a copy of their immunization record, and show proof that they have begun the Hepatitis-B vaccination series.

The number of applicants accepted and enrolled in the ATEP is limited by the 8:1 student/faculty ratio as recommended by CAATE, and by the highly individualized, "hands-on" nature of this program. The number of applicants chosen will be based on the number of empty slots in the program. Students that are not accepted in the ATEP are welcome to reapply the following fall semester.

Competitive Admissions

Admission to the ATEP is competitive.  For more information about the specific objective criteria that is involved in Admissions Requirements for the ATEP, please refer to the ATS Handbook.

Admission Requirements

Admission into the ATEP is based on the following criteria:

• A minimum of 2.5 cumulative GPA.
• A minimum of 2.5 Major GPA.
• A “C” in all Athletic Training Required Courses.
• All other courses required for the major must be passed according to Limestone College Standards.
• Completion of a 75-hour observation period.
• Enrollment in AT 180: Fundamentals of Athletic Training.
• Submission of an application and a letter of intent stating why the student desires an Athletic Training Major.
• Three letters of recommendation.
• An interview with the Athletic Training Staff.
• Demonstration of those skills and traits (dependability, responsibility, initiative, and communication skills) that are mandatory for an entry level BOC certified athletic trainer.
• Sign Athletic Training Student (ATS) Handbook Agreement.
• Verification of a Physical Examination.
• Verification of Technical Standards.
• Verification of Bloodborne Pathogen and Disease Prevention Training.
• Verification of Immunization Records
• Verification/declination of the Hepatitis-B vaccination series

Weighted Criteria

For more information about the weighted criteria that is involved Admissions Requirements for the ATEP, please refer to the ATS Handbook.

Transfer Students

Transfer students who desire an Athletic Training Major must go through the initial observation and application process.   Academic coursework and clinical education experiences will be evaluated on an individual basis to determine the appropriate level at which the student should begin coursework within the ATEP.  The ATEP does not accept Athletic Training courses from institutions that are not accredited by CAATE. For more information about Transfer Students, please refer to the ATS Handbook.

Technical Standards

The ATEP at Limestone College is a rigorous and intense program that places specific requirements and demands on the students enrolled in the program.  The technical standards set forth by the ATEP establish essential qualities considered necessary for students admitted to the program to achieve knowledge, clinical skills, and physical demands of an entry-level Athletic Trainer and to meet the expectations of the program's accrediting agency (CAATE).  Students that apply to the ATEP must demonstrate a minimum level of physical and cognitive ability and fulfill the program's technical standards.  All technical standards are in accordance with Limestone College's policies and procedures.  For more information about Technical Standards, please refer to the ATS Handbook.

Costs Associated with the Athletic Training Major

For more information about the additional costs that are associated with the Athletic Training Major, please refer to the ATS Handbook.

One-Sport Policy

Student-athletes are eligible to apply for admission to the ATEP; however, it is imperative that student-athletes and coaches understand that the clinical education component of the program will at times conflict with sports.  ATSs participate in a structured sequence of academic and clinical education courses and in order to be successful in the program, they must be aware of the following requirements:

• All ATSs must limit their sport involvement to one sport per academic year following the completion of their freshman year.  ATSs that participate in Cross Country/ Track and Field must designate one semester as their off-season.  During the off-season, athletic training responsibilities will take precedence over sporting events.
• All ATSs must be able to provide the Coordinator of Clinical Education and their assigned ACI/CI with a monthly schedule for clinical hours.  Coaches need to be aware that this schedule should include practice and competition times so that all parties can plan accordingly.
• All ATSs must designate a semester as their off-season in order to fulfill the out-of-season requirements, which are available in more detail in the ATS Handbook (page 21).
• All ATSs that participate in intercollegiate athletics must fulfill all academic and clinical education courses/experiences.
• All ATSs must participate in a general medical rotation and a high school internship at affiliate clinical sites.