Bachelor of Science Degree with a Major in Athletic Training

The athletic training major is designed for those individuals who are seeking certification as an athletic trainer from the National Athletic Trainers’ Association Board of Certification (NATABOC) The Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education (CAATE) is the accrediting body for many allied health professions, such as athletic training. The University of Evansville has gained initial accreditation in October 2003.

Many competencies will be completed through the six semester, professional phase of the athletic training major. Each student will be assigned clinical rotations supervised with Approved Clinical Instructors (ACIs). In addition, each student will complete intensive rotations dealing with specific upper body and lower body assessments; sports specific to male and female competitors; general medical issues and equipment issues. The athletic training program takes advantage of a strong medical community surrounding the university and has various ACIs present their various competencies through the Medical Lecture Series.

The bachelor’s degree program prepares the student for the challenges that will be encountered as an allied health professional. This includes the integration of a strong liberal arts and science foundation with problem solving and clinical skill development. The concurrent clinical education model allows the student to gain extensive practical experience under the direction and supervision of the Approved Clinical Instructor. The majority of clinical education occurs while working with the University’s 15 NCAA Division I athletic teams. Convenient off campus assignments with clinical and high school based athletic trainers as well as physicians exist to ensure a well rounded practical experience.

The athletic training room has all of the latest equipment an athletic trainer needs to safely and effectively treat and rehabilitate the injured athlete. Please follow the link to the Athletic Training Room to see some of our students in action with some of the equipment that an athletic trainer would use.

Many athletic training students find it advantageous to pursue additional degrees in related healthcare areas offered at the University of Evansville including the master of physical therapy or the associate degree in physical therapist assistant. We encourage all students who wish to find employment in a clinic setting to pursue one of  these degrees.

Clinical Education and Coursework at the University of Evansville offers a four year Bachelor of Science degree in Athletic Training. The four year program begins with a one year pre-athletic training curriculum. This year is designed to allow the student to view certified athletic trainers and athletic training students in clinical and field experiences. Forty total hours of clinical observation are needed for application into the athletic training program. Classroom work is designed to give the student an introduction into the athletic training profession and focuses on the anatomy and physiology of the human body in Exercise and Sport Science 112 and 113. Application to the professional program occurs during the Spring of the student’s sophomore year. (See application for date)

The professional phase of the athletic training curriculum begins in the student’s sophomore year with six, five week rotations. These rotations are specifically picked to insure all students are rotated with one of each: a male sport, a female sport, an upper and lower intensive sports. Sophomores in the program also begin taking athletic training courses that begin to cover the didactic material that will soon be used in their clinical experiences. These classes include AT 287, AT 282 and AT 388.

The junior year of the athletic training program features four, eight week rotations, two each semester. The first rotation begins with a local high school football team. This rotation enables the students to see an equipment intensive sport. Following the football rotation, the students will see a variety of general medical rotations to close out the semester. The general medical rotation will be primarily with St. Mary’s Hospital, but will also include a diabetic foot clinic, where the student will see how an orthopedic surgeon manages this sensitive area. The remaining two rotations are designed to give the student many field experiences either by observing their ACI or doing the proficiencies themselves while their ACI is available for instruction, consultation and correction of skills.

The senior year in the professional phase, allows the student to work closely with an ACI covering one sport for their respective season. The student will prepare for all practices and games associated with that sport. This year will allow the athletic training student to evaluate athletes and make decisions on treatment, rehabilitation, and referral to doctors under the watchful eye of their ACI with that sport. The senior student will also experience a clinical rotation during their sports off-season. This is a rehabilitation intensive rotation that allows the student to experience varying degrees of rehabilitation levels.

Application Procedure

Admission into the athletic training program is competitive with the criteria including the following:

Completion or current enrollment in the following classes:

• EXSS 112, EXSS 113
• EXSS 111, EXSS 150, EXSS 244
• PT 100, HE160

• Clinical observation hours that total at least 40 hours and basic skill completion are components of EXSS 244. The 40 hours must be completed prior to application to the program.
• A grade of C or better in all pre-requsite courses.
• A minimum grade point average of 2.5.
• Submission of SAT or ACT scores.
• Completion of a written applcation with personal essay.
• Personal Interview.

Applications can be acquired from the Program Director. After submitting all application material, the prospective student may be granted an interview with the admissions committee. An interview is required for admission into the program.

The selection process will be completed by mid-semester and applicants will be notified prior to the fall registration period. Acceptance into the program is conditional based on successful completion of the student’s current semester coursework. Admission criteria are subject to change and applicants must meet stated Technical Standards which are available from the program director. Eight students are accepted into each class. A total of twenty-four students can be in the professional phase of the athletic training program
Acceptance into the program is conditional based on successful completion of the student’s current semester work.

The semester coursework competencies involved in the Athletic Training program include these areas:

• Injury Prevention/Risk Management
• Pathologies of Injuries
• Evaluation and Assessment of Injuries
• Acute Care of Athletic Injuries
• Therapeutic Modalities
• General Medical
• Rehabilitation of Injuries
• Administration in Athletic Training

Students may be selected into the program as a freshman if they designate that they want to pursue both an athletic training degree and a master’s degree in physical therapy. These students will be admitted into the program if they meet all the requirements of the physical therapy direct entry program.
Direct entry students will not have to participate in the admissions application process into the athletic training professional phase.
Students selected for direct entry must maintain an overall GPA at the end of the first semester of their junior year and earn a C– or higher in all courses.
Admission criteria are subject to change and applicants must meet stated Technical Standards which are available from the program director.
Transfer students may be considered for admission into the program. University policy regarding transfer credit will be utilized.

Expenses
Tuition for the 2002-2003 school year is $17,900. Room and board is approximately $5,600, depending on the choice of residence. Textbooks average about $300 per semester.

Financial Assistance
Financial assistance is available in the form of grants, scholarships, loans, and tuition payment plans. For more information, call the Office of Financial Aid.
Office of Admissions.(812)479-2468
Office of Financial Aid(812)479-2364
Office of the Registrar..(812)-479-2267Athletic Training Faculty

Athletic Training Faculty and Staff

Program Director
Jeff Tilly ATC, Assistant Professor
MS, University of Florida
Office : Wallace Graves Hall room 217
Phone 812-488-1054
Email: jt3@evansville.edu

Terry Collins ATC/L, MS, Instructor
MS Indiana State University
Office: Carson Center Room 131
Phone: 812 479-2091
Email: tc7@evansville.edu

Troy Coppus, ATC, Instructor
Office: Room 137 Carson Center
Telephone: 812-479-2375
email: tc88@evansville.edu

Catherine Doremire ATC/L MS Instructor
MS University of Houston
Office: Carson Center Room 131
Phone: 812 –479-2640
Email:cd61@evansville.edu

Frequently Asked Questions