UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN MISSISSIPPI
ATHLETIC TRAINING EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM

TECHNICAL STANDARDS FOR ADMISSION

The Athletic Training Educational Program at The University of Southern Miss is a demanding and concentrated program that places detailed and specific requirements on the students enrolled in the program.  The Southern Miss program is a demanding one filled with tradition. An objective of this program is to prepare graduates for entry-level employment, to enter a variety of employment settings and to render care to a wide spectrum of individuals engaged in physical activity.  The technical standards set forth by the Athletic Training Educational Program establish the essential qualities considered necessary for students admitted to this program to achieve the knowledge, skills, and competencies of an entry-level athletic trainer, as well as meet the expectations of the program's accrediting agency (Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs [CAAHEP]).  The following abilities and expectations must be met by all students admitted to the Athletic Training Educational Program.  In the event a student is unable to fulfill these technical standards, with or without reasonable accommodation, the student will not be admitted into the program.

Compliance with the programs technical standards does not guarantee a students eligibility for the NATABOC certification exam.

Candidates for selection to the Southern Miss Athletic Training Educational Program must demonstrate:

1. the mental capacity to assimilate, analyze, synthesize, integrate concepts and problem solve to formulate assessment and therapeutic judgments and to be able to distinguish deviations from the norm;

2. sufficient postural and neuromuscular control, sensory function, and coordination to perform appropriate physical examinations using accepted techniques; and accurately, safely, and efficiently use equipment and materials during the assessment and treatment of patients;

3. the ability to communicate effectively and sensitively with patients and colleagues, including individuals from different cultural and social backgrounds; this includes, but is not limited to, the ability to establish rapport with patients and communicate judgements and treatment information effectively.  Students must be able to understand and speak the English language at a level consistent with competent professional practice;

4. the ability to record the physical examination results and a treatment plan clearly and accurately;

5. the capacity to maintain composure and continue to function well during periods of high stress;

6. the perseverance, diligence and commitment to complete the Athletic Training Education Program as outlined and sequenced;

7. flexibility and the ability to adjust to changing situations and uncertainty in clinical situations;and

8. affective skills and appropriate demeanor and rapport that relate to professional education and quality patient care.

Candidates for selection to the Athletic Training Educational Program will be required to verify they understand and meet these technical standards or that they believe that, with certain accommodations, they can meet the standards.

The Office of Disability Accommodations will evaluate a student who states he/she could meet the programs technical standards with accommodation and confirm that the stated condition qualifies as a disability under applicable laws.

If a student states he/she can meet the technical standards with accommodation, then the university will determine whether it agrees that the student can meet the technical standards with reasonable accommodation; this includes a review a whether the accommodations requested are reasonable, taking into account whether accommodation would jeopardize clinician/patient safety, or the educational process of the student or the institution, including all coursework, clinical experiences and internships deemed essential to graduation.