Athletic Training Major, B.S.

The Athletic Training Education Program (ATEP) is an extended major within the Department of Human Performance and Sport. It is designed for the student desiring a career in the allied health care field of Athletic Training. The objective of the ATEP at MSU Denver is the professional preparation of athletic training students, qualifying them to sit for the Board of Certification Examination (BOC). Upon successful completion of the BOC exam, and all degree requirements, the athletic training student may practice as a Certified Athletic Trainer (ATC).

Please note: In order for a student to qualify to sit for the BOC exam, they must graduate from an Athletic Training Education Program accredited by The Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education (CAATE). MSU Denver’s ATEP is fully accredited by the CAATE.

Completion of this program eliminates the need for a minor as it is considered an extended major. The necessary steps for students wishing to pursue athletic training as a field of study are as follows:

• Contact the ATEP Director for academic advising and declaration of major.
• Enroll in and complete the following courses with a grade of “C” or better:
  
  • BIO 1080 & 1090-General Biology I and Lab (prerequisites for BIO 2310)
  • HPS 1623-Prevention and Care of Athletic Injuries*
  • HPS 2060-Emergency Rescue/First Responder and CPR*
• These are prerequisite courses that MUST be taken before admittance into the ATEP.
• Ideally these courses should be taken during the freshman year.
• Equivalent transfer courses may be considered. Please note all transfer students’ courses will be evaluated individually, only athletic training courses taken at a CAATE accredited institution will be considered for transfer into the MSU Denver ATEP core, and transfer is not guaranteed.

Following completion of the above courses, all students, including transfer students, must meet specific criteria to continue in the ATEP and begin the remaining six-semester sequence of athletic training corequisite, didactic/clinical courses. Please note the following:

• Students must meet criteria to continue in the Athletic Training Education Program.
• Six sequenced semesters are required to complete the Athletic Training Education Program.
• The sequence begins only in the fall semester.
• Core classes are not offered during the summer.

Candidates for MSU Denver’s ATEP, including transfer students, must comply with all program criteria and admission requirements. These specific criteria and admissions requirements are as follows:

• Indicate a desire to continue in the Athletic Training Education Program by submitting the completed ATEP Continuation Intent Form. Have completed BIO 1080 & 1090, HPS 1623, and HPS 2060 with a grade of “C” or better.
• Have completed a minimum of 12 semester hours with a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 2.5 or higher on a 4-point scale, or 3.0 or better in the last 30 credit hours completed.
• Write and submit a brief summary of professional goals and objectives, indicating sincere interest in and commitment to athletic training as a profession.
• Obtain and submit three character reference letters. One should be from a university faculty member. (MSU Denver athletic training faculty are excluded.)
• Have proof of current immunizations for DPT, MMR, TB, and hepatitis B (or HBV declination).
• Submit a signed statement indicating acknowledgment of the ATEP continuation criteria and policies and procedures.
• Background check required from the Colorado Bureau of Investigation upon entering program. (Fee required)

In order to be considered for admittance into MSU Denver’s ATEP and the athletic training sequenced courses, MSU Denver students must submit applications no later than March 1^st to the MSU Denver ATEP Director or Clinical Coordinator. The application deadline for transfer students is May 15^th. Following submission of these materials, an interview will be scheduled with the ATEP faculty.

Following initial continuation and completion the first semester of the athletic training six-semester sequence, students must maintain a cumulative GPA of 2.5 and a major GPA of 2.75. If either GPA falls below the minimum, one of the following will occur:

• The student will be placed on probation and have one academic year to bring the GPA(s) up to acceptable levels, while remaining in the course sequence. The student will be notified via email, per electronic mail being the official form of communication at MSU Denver. It will then be the student’s responsibility to set up an appointment with either an ATEP director or clinical coordinator to discuss a plan for improvement.
• If the student fails to bring the GPA(s) up to acceptable levels after one academic year, the student will be suspended from the major until the GPA(s) minimums are achieved. Resumption of the ATEP will commence in the appropriate sequential semester.
• If, after two years, the student does not bring the GPA(s) to acceptable levels, the student will be dismissed from the ATEP.
• If the GPA(s) are raised to the minimum, the dismissal may be appealed.