A. Overview of major- The Bachelor of Science degree program in Athletic Training is designed to provide students with a firm foundational base in the professional preparation for a career in athletic training. The Athletic Training Education Program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education(CAATE). All Athletic Training majors must complete an eighty-nine (89) to ninety (90) semester-hour degree core as well as the University core requirements (124 hour degree program). Students who wish to pursue athletic training certification by the Board of Certification for Athletic Trainers (BOC) and Mississippi Athletic Training Licensure should complete courses in the Athletic Training academic major.

B. Career opportunities - Upon successful completion of the academic degree in Athletic Training, the student is eligible to sit for the BOC national certification exam. Students who pass the BOC certification exam may be employed at various settings such as high school outreach programs, clinics, colleges and universities, professional sports, and industrial wellness centers.

C. Laboratories, field Experiences, internships, practica - clinical experiences are divided into four clinical courses (HPR 354L, 355L, 454L, and 455L) Students must complete one field experience course (HPR 472L). Students must accumulate a minimum of 225 hours of supervised clinical experience in laboratory/clinical courses each semester. Students must complete a total of 1,125 hours of supervised clinical experiences during the fall and spring semesters. Laboratory/practicum courses for supervised clinical experiences are offered only during the fall and spring semesters, not during the summer term.

D. Athletic Training Program Admission and Retention-Pre-athletic training prior to admission to the Athletic Training Degree Program - All students must enter pre-athletic training. All students entering the Pre-Athletic Training program directly from high school and all students transferring to pre-athletic training are subject to the admission procedures and standards of the university. Admission to The University of Southern Mississippi does not ensure progression to the degree program in Athletic Training or upper division Athletic Training Education Program courses. Freshmen and transfer student must complete pre-athletic training requirements during their freshman/sophomore years for consideration for admission the Athletic Training Degree Program. pre-athletic training course work requirements for admission to the Athletic Training Degree Program include the following:
HPR 219 Introduction to Athletic Training (100 hrs. supervised observations by BOC Certified Athletic Trainer)

HPR 109 First Aid (or American Red Cross First Aid and CPR)
PSY 110 General Psychology
PHY 111/PHY111Lab (General Physics w/lab)*
BSC 250 Anatomy and Physiology I (with BSC 250L taken concurrently)
BSC 251 Anatomy and Physiology II (with BSC 251L taken concurrently)
NFS 362 Nutrition
CSC 100 Intro to Computer

* MAT 103 Trigonometry is a University of Southern Miss prerequisite to PHY 111/111L -some community colleges may require different prerequisites for General Physics and Lab.

Completion of:
(a) American Red Cross C-PRO (CPR for the Professional Rescuer) or
(b) American Heart Association BLS for Health Care Providers

Students who have completed the course work prerequisites and observational requirements for admission to the Athletic Training Degree Program must also complete an application. Applications for admission can be obtained from the athletic training program director or by visiting the following link-Prospective Student

Progression to the upper division athletic training courses shall be reserved for (a) students admitted to the Athletic Training Degree Program and (b) upper division students who receive instructors permission. The following are required for admission and progression to the athletic training specialization:

1. Completed application form and letters of reference

2. GPA of 2.80 overall

3. Minimum of grade of B in pre-athletic training required course work, except for MAT 103 and PHY 111/111L where a grade of "C" is accepted.

4. Completion of American Red Cross C-PRO or American Heart Association BLS for Health Care Providers.

5 . Observation and evaluation by HPR 219 clinical instructors (100 hours of supervised observational experiences)

6 . Submission of a complete physical examination by a physician or nurse practitioner, a TB skin test (or chest X-ray if positive), a current tetanus immunization (within 10 years), and a verification of Hepatitis B vaccination or option once in the program, all students must maintain a 3.00 GPA in all athletic training course work and maintain an overall GPA of 2.80. All students admitted to the athletic training program are required to acquire liability insurance through The University of Southern Mississippi. Students are not allowed to complete two clinicals in any one semester. Students must accumulate a minimum of 1,125 hours of supervised clinical experience in laboratory/clinical courses over fall and spring semesters. Laboratory/practicum courses for supervised clinical experiences are offered only during the fall and spring semesters, not during the summer term.

Community College Transfers to Athletic Training

Students who have attended a community college and have all the necessary prerequisite course work and observational requirements, may transfer directly into the Athletic Training Degree Program. Transfer students who have not completed prerequisites prior to enrollment at Southern Miss must complete coursework and admission requirements prior to admission. Students will not be admitted to the Athletic Training Degree Program unless all requirements and prerequisites are met. Transfer students should note that additional semesters may be needed to complete the Athletic Training Degree Program or additional course work in teacher education or a dual major. For additional information, transfer students should contact the athletic training program director in the fall semester prior to transferring to Southern Miss.

Athletic Training major-Academic Probation/Dismissal

All students admitted to the Athletic Training Degree Program must adhere to the program retention policies as stated in the Athletic Training Policies and Procedure Manual and the Athletic Training Room Duties and Ethical Principles. The athletic training degree program requires that students be able to perform technical functions physically and mentally at a clinical setting. Therefore, students admitted to the Athletic Training Degree Program must be able to meet established technical standards or that they believe that, with certain accommodations, they can meet the standards. Technical standards are available from the AT program directors office.

The following policies apply to all students admitted to the Athletic Training degree program:

1. Students must acheive a letter grade of "B" or higher in all Athletic Training Education Core Courses. A student may repeat any athletic training course one time, depending on availability of space in the course.

2. A student who drops below an overall 2.80 GPA in the program will be placed on probation in the program for one semester. If the student does not obtain an overall 2.80 GPA during the probation semester, he/she will be dismissed from the program. The athletic training program director will send notification of dismissal from the program to the student.

3. Clinical settings and rotations require that students will conduct themselves in a professional manner, including a strict professional dress code as established by the clinical site. In addition, lack of attendance, excessive tardiness or the inability to fulfill technical standard, or function safely in a clinical setting is cause for dismissal from the program (see Athletic Training Program Policies & Procedures Manual).

4. Students who fail to maintain the required GPA, violate policies on established clinical site requirements, or violate codes of moral/ethical conduct will be dismissed from the Athletic Training Program (see current policies in Athletic Training Program Policies & Procedure Manual and Code of Ethics of the National Athletic Trainers Association).

Any student requesting readmission to the Athletic Training Program must go through an appeal process. Students are referred to the appeal process outlined in the current university Student Handbook.

Additional Costs
There will be additional costs (above tuition/fees and costs of text books) for course materials, lab fees and expenses related to travel to the clinical sites or conferences/workshops. Costs may include, but are not limited to (a) professional liability insurance, (b) physical examination and immunizations, (c) professional state and national association fees and educational workshops and conferences. (d) students will need to provide their own transportation to all off-campus clinical sites. Each student will have a minimum of one off-campus rotation during the curriculum. Estimate of additional costs and expenses (MS Word document) (Adobe PDF file).

last modified: 11-13-2007 | Questions or Comments?

Contact: Ben Velasquez-Benito.Velasquez@usm.edu
The University of Southern Mississippi | URL: http:// www.usm.edu/athletictraining/
AA/EOE/ADAI