Admission Process
The College of Mount St. Joseph Athletic Training Education Program has a limited enrollment program that admits both freshmen and transfer students. Freshmen students gain admission into the program by meeting a three stage process; College admission, pre-clinical phase admission, and clinical phase admission. After being admitted into the College, students interested in pursuing a Bachelor of Science degree with a major in Athletic Training must meet the following criteria:
- High school cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 2.75 or higher.
- Passed high school chemistry with a C or higher. If no high school chemistry is taken, the student must complete a high school chemistry equivalent course at another college or university with a grade of C or higher.
- Passed high school geometry or equivalent with a C or higher.
- Placed on COMPASS test above MTH 098 – Intermediate Algebra. Students may not enroll in chemistry 104/104A or 111/111A until the Math placement is met. *If COMPASS test indicates a need for remedial math, students must repeat the COMPASS or take an intermediate math course in the summer. If the requirement is not met in the summer, the student’s application to the Pre-Athletic program will be “deferred” until completion of the first semester and the required remedial course with a grade of “C” or higher.
- 22 or higher composite score on ACT or 970 or higher on the SAT.
- *Complete a technical standards form.
- *Complete a medical history/physical examination that meets minimum requirements and proof of current vaccinations.
*These must be completed prior to starting class in the fall of each year. These forms can be found on the athletic training program website.
Admission to the pre-clinical athletic training program will begin March 15th and end July lst of each year. Students seeking admission after July lst will be assessed on an individual basis. Admission to the College does not guarantee admission to the athletic training education program.
TRANSFER STUDENTS
Criteria for Entering the Pre-Athletic Training Major Admission
- Be accepted to the College of Mount St. Joseph.
- Placed on COMPASS test above MTH 098 – Intermediate Algebra or transfer in intermediate algebra course from transferring institution. Students may not enroll in chemistry 104/104A or 111/111A until the Math placement is met. *If COMPASS test indicates a need for remedial math, students must repeat the COMPASS or take an intermediate math course in the summer. If the requirement is not met in the summer, the student’s application to the Pre-Athletic program will be “deferred” until completion of the first semester and the required remedial course with a grade of “C” or higher.
- Passed high school chemistry with a C or higher. If no high school chemistry is taken, the student must complete a high school chemistry equivalent course at another college or university with a grade of C or higher.
- Passed high school geometry or equivalent with a C or higher.
- Have an accumulative grade point average (GPA) for all previous course work of 3.0 or higher.
- Earned grade of “B” or higher on clinical athletic training course work from previous institution. If less than a B is achieved in clinical coursework the course can be repeated one time at the College of Mount St. Joseph.
- Earned grade of “C” or higher on didactic athletic training course work from previous institution. If less than a C is achieved in didactic coursework the course can be repeated one time at the College of Mount St. Joseph.
Transfer students will be assessed on an individual basis.
Math Placement
*All entering students must take the math compass exam to determine math placement. Athletic training students are highly encouraged to take the compass soon after learning of their acceptance into the program. To schedule a date to take the compass exam contact the Learning Center at 513-244-4202. Students must show a level of competency in math to take chemistry. Chemistry is a pre-requisite requirement for anatomy and physiology.
Pre-Clinical Phase to Clinical Phase Admission
During the first year students take introductory courses and participate in the pre-clinical phase of the program with College of Mount St. Joseph clinical instructors and intercollegiate athletic programs. Students will be selected for admission into the athletic training major from a pool of students who have met the following clinical phase admission criteria. Students will receive a letter from the Chair of the Department of Athletic Training no later than June lst of their pre-athletic training year indicating their admission status into the Athletic Training Major.
- minimum College grade point average of 3.0
- 28 credit hours
- minimum grade of B in ATR 180, ATR 180A, and ATR 181
- minimum grade of C in CHE 104/104A or CHE 111/111A and BIO 197
- completion of 75 clinical observation hours with a minimum score of 3.0 on clinical observations
- passed all ATR 180A and ATR 181 skill proficiencies
- proof of current CPA/AED and first aid certifications
- completion of athletic training application by March 15th of each year
Clinical Phase Requirements/Retention
After gaining admission to the clinical phase of the program, degree candidates must meet specific educational requirements to progress in the program, including:
- Demonstrate minimal competency during each clinical assignment and successful completion of a variety of athletic training clinical experiences under the direct supervision by certified athletic trainers and other allied health care professionals. Minimal clinical competence is defined as receiving a passing score on clinical performance assessment and successful completion of NATA competencies and clinical proficiencies. Clinical experiences include exposure to: equipment intensive sports; upper extremity injuries; lower extremity injuries; general medical and orthopedic rotations; high school, intercollegiate; and professional sports; sports medicine clinics; emergency medicine; accelerated performance training; strength/conditioning; and alternative therapy.
- Annual Blood Borne Pathogen Training
- Annual Emergency responder certification including CPR/AED training
- Annual TB test
- Maintain a minimum 3.0 cumulative grade point average
- Maintain a minimum grade of B in all clinical perspective courses (ATR 233,232,332,333)
- Maintain a minimum grade of C in all upper level (200 and above) ATR courses
- Maintain a minimum grade of C in all anatomy and physiology courses (BIO 198 and 212)
Students failing to meet the program’s minimal retention requirements will be placed on probation for one semester. At the end of the probationary period, the student must have met deficient retention requirements. If a student receives less than a B grade in clinical coursework, the student must retake the course and successfully pass the course prior to advancing in the athletic training education program.
Student Athletes
Students who plan to participate in sports at the Mount are encouraged to apply but must realize that summer clinical placements will be required to complete the athletic training major. Athletic training students are limited to participation in one sport season per year. Student athletes must complete 5 full semesters of clinical of which one of the five is completed during a summer placement.
Fees
Additional expenses associated with the athletic training education program include payment for immunizations, differential fees for clinical courses, travel expenses to and from off-campus clinical assignments, uniforms, and occasional conferences and workshops.
Learning Opportunities at the Mount
The Mount has developed its program to instruct students in the theory and science of athletic training and the art of its application. Students gain a thorough understanding of injuries, including prevention, recognition, management, treatment, and rehabilitation that occur in athletes and other physically active populations. The strong foundation that characterizes the Mount’s athletic training education program combines classroom work with clinical experiences in a progressive sequential format. During each semester of the program, students participate in clinical experiences that correspond to their class work. Successful completion of supervised clinical assignments is factored into a student’s clinical course grade. Throughout the program students are challenged to apply their knowledge and skills through problem-solving and critical thinking exercise. Students are required to conduct case studies, research inquires, and community projects, and present them through various forms of media to peers and faculty.
Classes in the major are held in the Health Sciences Instructional Suites (HSIS). The HSIS encompasses classrooms and laboratory space to provide for current technological learning environments. Students also spend classroom and clinical time in on-campus athletic training clinics housed in the Sports Complex and Harrington Center. In addition to on-campus clinical rotations students are afforded opportunities in clinical experiences with various health care and medical professionals throughout the Greater Cincinnati area including general medical physicians, orthopedics, physical therapists, massage therapists, dentists, physician assistants, occupational therapists, paramedics, and others.
National Athletic Trainer’s Association (NATA)
If you have questions concerning the profession of athletic training or requirements for the Board of Certification (BOC) examination you can contact NATA at 1-880-ASK-NATA or through the World Wide Web at http://www.nata.org